Tamron Or Sigma 18-200mm - Which Is Best?

[KeithW]

Hi All,

Just under a year ago I was looking for a replacement for my kit lens and I asked if the Tamron AF 18-200mm f3.5-6.3 XR DI II Lens was a good choice, the general consensus was that it would be.

However due to one thing and another I never got round to purchasing it.

Now I have a bit more money to spend so I would like some advice on which of the following two lenses to purchase:

The Tamron AF 18-200mm f3.5-6.3 XR DI II Lens

or

The Sigma 18-200 mm f3.5-6.3 DC

Any advice will be gratefully received.

Take care,

Keith

[KevinBarrett]

I believe the 18-250mm zoom from either company are superior lenses, despite having a longer focal length range. If you've found a bit more funds to play with, one of these might be the more rewarding choice.

[KeithW]

Yes I have a bit more in the way of funds but not that much.

I am after info, opinions and advice on the two lenses I have listed only

[KevinBarrett]

You may have already done this research, but I've provided here links to Dyxum's pages on the two lenses:

Sigma 18-200 F3.5-6.3 DC

Tamron AF 18-200 F3.5-6.3 XR Di II

Here's a quick comparison of differences:

Minimum length:

• Sigma: 78mm
• Tamron 83.7mm

Weight:

• Sigma: 405g
• Tamron: 398g

Maximum magnification:

• Sigma: 1:4.4
• Tamron: 1:3.7

The Sigma appears to have a slightly wider angle of view at the wide end, perhaps due to it having an internal focusing system. Both lenses use a 62mm filter size, so there's no reason to choose one over the other to match filters with another lens. Tamron is offering a $60 rebate for their lens, nudging its price south of the Sigma's, but Adorama is offering a bundle for the Sigma that pays you $5 to take a filter and a cleaning kit off their hands.

[Greg Beetham]

I have the KM version of the Tamron (quite possibly the same or very similar lens re-badged), it has had a few complaints levelled at it, mainly that it's soft, but I think it's not a bad lens altogether, put it this way it's a good 24-170 lens with some reasonably average extra range tacked on either end that you can use in a pinch, within the 24-170 range it will deliver good images at f8 - f11.
Greg

ps. I forgot too mention, it has one annoying habit, the lens weight makes the camera hang downwards when on the neck strap, and in that position the lens self zooms, you go to use it and it has crept out too full extension while walking along, so you have to adjust that all the time, or walk with one hand on the zoom collar.

[KeithW]

ps. I forgot too mention, it has one annoying habit, the lens weight makes the it hang downwards when on the neck strap, and in that position the lens self zooms, you go to use it and it has crept out too full extension while walking along, so you have to adjust that all the time, or walk with one hand on the zoom collar.

Tamron & Sigma versions have the same problem, they also both have a lock though to stop the creep

[KevinBarrett]

Tamron & Sigma versions have the same problem, they also both have a lock though to stop the creep

A lock which only operates at 18mm--good enough for storage.