Camera lens advice for xmas

Firemanyz

Good evening to all, I know there a bunch of camera wiz's out there. I want to get my wife a new lens for our sony a300 camera. My problem is I don't know which one to buy her. I have been looking on amazon for over two weeks at different models. I was wondering if anyone has a sigma 70-300 macro lens? I am trying to keep the cost down. I have read the reviews on this lens and it seems good with some issues with the AF noise. This would just be a general use lens. Also I looked at the sony 70-200 Sam dat. Any advice that you can offer would be great as I think I need to order it tonight or tomorrow to make sure I get it in time. Thanks

warwoman

Try going to the following site and asking their opinion(s) in the lens section. I'm a Canon shooter myself, so don't know much about the Sony system. This site covers all brands, and has some good info.

Good luck!

http://photocamel.com/forum/

Lit

I am no expert but for general use I believe you want something with a wider angle. I really want a 18-200 for my canon for every day use. You don't want to go cheap on lenses or your probably not going to be happy. I bought a lens once so my girl could take pictures of me surfing I believe its a 100-300 that I spent several hundred on back then but if I would have just doubled my budget I could have gotten the 18-200 that will do about anything I need.

hapster

I am a Sony shooter... if you are looking for good 3rd party lenses, I would look at Tamron. Check out

 http://www.dpreview.com/?utm_campaign=internal-link&utm_source=logo&utm_medium=image&ref=logo

for all sorts of camera and photography info.

A lot depends on what your wife is typically shooting... knowing that may help define your lens choices

Firemanyz

@hapster Mostly the children and vacations. She does really shoot any wildlife or outdoor kind of stuff. I had looked on amazon at the sony 55-200 dt Sam lens. You thoughts? Thanks

Eggcelsior

If it's kids you want wide angle with some speed for indoor shots. Stay in more of a portrait range, something like 18-135mm. Unless they are older and in sports, then telephoto may come into play.

hapster

Firemanyz said:

@hapster Mostly the children and vacations. She does really shoot any wildlife or outdoor kind of stuff. I had looked on amazon at the sony 55-200 dt Sam lens. You thoughts? Thanks

I'd be more inclined to go with a Tamron 18-270... greater range,especially at the wide end

Firemanyz

@hapster thanks for the info. One last question I was looking on amazon at the tamron lenses. Other than a huge cost difference what is the main difference between a 18-200 and an 18-270? Thanks again

Firemanyz

Anyone have any last min advice? I think I'm going to order the tamron 18-200 from amazon. They can have it here tomorrow for 3.99 extra shipping.