Nikkor vs. Sigma vs. Tamron

The #1 Dad · 06-15-2009, 08:15 PM

Over the last year or so alot of my shooting has been during times of travel where you don't have alot of 2nd opportunities at many shots. I have missed several moments I wish I could have back and do over without the swapping of lenses where i missed the shot. It get's very frustrating.

Although I have gotten more than pleasurable results for my standards (not professional by any means) I am using cheap plastic nikon kit lenses for most all of my shooting minus a few shots with a 50mm.

Here is my dilemma, the constant changing of lenses from my shots are requiring all of the 18-200mm range. I may be around some scenery and have to go with the widest 18mm for a landscape or a beach shot. But then shooting out of airplane windshields during approaches has me needing to be able to get out to the 200mm range. Basically, I need to stop needing to lens swap so I'm finally biting the bullet and getting an 18-200mm as my "everything" lens that i can just leave on the camera for shots from the air or walkaround shots in whatever random city I find myself in next.

This is getting long I apologize... just trying to give the whole picture here what I'm after. I am researching all brand lenses for this 18-200 range I'm wanting and of course come up with the big 3.

Nikon Refurb(with "vibration reduction")

Sigma (with "optical stabilization")

Tamron (no vibration/stabilization assistance)

There's a significant price difference between the 3 lenses. For the quality/cost what would you do? Only Nikon? Sigma and Tamron should be given honest evaluation as well??

thanks for the help ahead of time!

Tofu Anonymous · 06-15-2009, 08:34 PM

you could also give the Tamron 18-270 f3.5-6.3 a looksie. It has a vibration reduction system $629 with a $50 mail in rebate right now.

The #1 Dad · 06-15-2009, 08:55 PM

oh interesting. i was just researching 18-200 lenses and these were the big 3 i found. How do you think that Tamron will perform compared to the Nikon? they would be about the same price.

Tofu Anonymous · 06-15-2009, 11:01 PM

i have no idea. However, the tamron 18-270 is the upgrade over the tamron 18-250..which is the upgrade over the tamron 18-200...so i'm assuming that the 18-270 will be better than the 18-200 by a significant amount.

As for being compared with nikon?..i have no idea.

Ramtime · 06-16-2009, 06:47 PM

I tried out the Tamron 18-270 once and it will be the next lens I buy. For the price and the range that you get out of it, it's really hard to beat!

The #1 Dad · 06-16-2009, 10:33 PM

so you think the 18-270 tamron is overall a better choice than the nikon 18-200? picture quality the same??

Ramtime · 06-17-2009, 07:44 AM

I don't know because I've never used the Nikon 18-200. I would love to see them side by side though. The one thing I've noticed with my Tamron 10-24 is it is pretty slow. I haven't been able to test it next to a Nikon 10-20 but as far as image quality I think it's great. The next time I'm with my friend I'm going to try his Sigma 10-20 and see how they compare. The tamron might not be slow for a wide angle, it just slower than my other lenses.

Tofu Anonymous · 06-17-2009, 11:49 AM

i will personally go with the nikon 18-200mm since it will most likely have a higher resale price.

The #1 Dad · 06-20-2009, 08:51 PM

after some more research, on a value standpoint, the nikon will hold its value better from what i have seen. i guess im gonna hold out and wait for a good deal on a nikon 18-200. they all are right around the $600 range. im gonna hopefully jump at a deal around the $550ish.

thanks for the help guys.

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06-15-2009, 08:15 PM	#1
The #1 Dad Senior Member Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 209 From: Oly	Nikkor vs. Sigma vs. Tamron Over the last year or so alot of my shooting has been during times of travel where you don't have alot of 2nd opportunities at many shots. I have missed several moments I wish I could have back and do over without the swapping of lenses where i missed the shot. It get's very frustrating. Although I have gotten more than pleasurable results for my standards (not professional by any means) I am using cheap plastic nikon kit lenses for most all of my shooting minus a few shots with a 50mm. Here is my dilemma, the constant changing of lenses from my shots are requiring all of the 18-200mm range. I may be around some scenery and have to go with the widest 18mm for a landscape or a beach shot. But then shooting out of airplane windshields during approaches has me needing to be able to get out to the 200mm range. Basically, I need to stop needing to lens swap so I'm finally biting the bullet and getting an 18-200mm as my "everything" lens that i can just leave on the camera for shots from the air or walkaround shots in whatever random city I find myself in next. This is getting long I apologize... just trying to give the whole picture here what I'm after. I am researching all brand lenses for this 18-200 range I'm wanting and of course come up with the big 3. Nikon Refurb(with "vibration reduction") Sigma (with "optical stabilization") Tamron (no vibration/stabilization assistance) There's a significant price difference between the 3 lenses. For the quality/cost what would you do? Only Nikon? Sigma and Tamron should be given honest evaluation as well?? thanks for the help ahead of time!

06-15-2009, 08:34 PM	#2
Tofu Anonymous Member Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 75 From: Seattle, WA / Vancouver, WA My Camera: Nikon D300	you could also give the Tamron 18-270 f3.5-6.3 a looksie. It has a vibration reduction system $629 with a $50 mail in rebate right now.

06-15-2009, 08:55 PM	#3
The #1 Dad Senior Member Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 209 From: Oly	oh interesting. i was just researching 18-200 lenses and these were the big 3 i found. How do you think that Tamron will perform compared to the Nikon? they would be about the same price.

06-15-2009, 11:01 PM	#4
Tofu Anonymous Member Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 75 From: Seattle, WA / Vancouver, WA My Camera: Nikon D300	i have no idea. However, the tamron 18-270 is the upgrade over the tamron 18-250..which is the upgrade over the tamron 18-200...so i'm assuming that the 18-270 will be better than the 18-200 by a significant amount. As for being compared with nikon?..i have no idea.

06-16-2009, 06:47 PM	#5
Ramtime Junior Member Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 16 From: Fircrest, WA My Camera: D80	I tried out the Tamron 18-270 once and it will be the next lens I buy. For the price and the range that you get out of it, it's really hard to beat!

06-16-2009, 10:33 PM	#6
The #1 Dad Senior Member Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 209 From: Oly	so you think the 18-270 tamron is overall a better choice than the nikon 18-200? picture quality the same??

06-17-2009, 07:44 AM	#7
Ramtime Junior Member Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 16 From: Fircrest, WA My Camera: D80	I don't know because I've never used the Nikon 18-200. I would love to see them side by side though. The one thing I've noticed with my Tamron 10-24 is it is pretty slow. I haven't been able to test it next to a Nikon 10-20 but as far as image quality I think it's great. The next time I'm with my friend I'm going to try his Sigma 10-20 and see how they compare. The tamron might not be slow for a wide angle, it just slower than my other lenses.

06-17-2009, 11:49 AM	#8
Tofu Anonymous Member Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 75 From: Seattle, WA / Vancouver, WA My Camera: Nikon D300	i will personally go with the nikon 18-200mm since it will most likely have a higher resale price.

06-20-2009, 08:51 PM	#9
The #1 Dad Senior Member Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 209 From: Oly	after some more research, on a value standpoint, the nikon will hold its value better from what i have seen. i guess im gonna hold out and wait for a good deal on a nikon 18-200. they all are right around the $600 range. im gonna hopefully jump at a deal around the $550ish. thanks for the help guys.