Canon or Tamron 70-200 F/2.8 lens on an EOS Rebel XSI - Advice?

[LaneW]

My only camera, coming from the film days, now is a little Rebel XSI kit setup. I want to upgrade to a good telephoto for wildlife, birds, etc and am looking at the Canon and Tamron 70-200 for the fixed aperture and focal length - would probably add a 1.4 converter.

Is it a silly idea to ad an good lens like these to this little camera? Which is recommended?

Thanks

[LaneW]

No, I get the point completely. Thats why I was thinking I would have to add a TC to get the added focal length. No I am leaning toward a 100 - 400 and comparing Canon's to Tamron's. Reviews I'm seeing dont seem to justify the additional cost of the Canon....

[Waddizzle]

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@LaneW wrote:

No, I get the point completely. Thats why I was thinking I would have to add a TC to get the added focal length. No I am leaning toward a 100 - 400 and comparing Canon's to Tamron's. Reviews I'm seeing dont seem to justify the additional cost of the Canon....

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The Canon lens is worth the price.  It focuses very quickly,  It is razor sharp.

I doubt if the Tamron focuses as fast.  Buy the right lens, the first time.  You will save a lot of money.  

[ebiggs1]

"I am leaning toward a 100 - 400 and comparing Canon's to Tamron's."

Now for the truth.  In the real world you will see no difference in performance AF wise or IQ wise between the two.  It is your decision to make. What it boils down to is do you want the extra 200mm from 400mm to 600mm in a native FL?  If, yes, than the Tammy G2 is for you.  Want to stick with Canon, it is a great lens in every right. 

IMHO, if you do want to stick with a 400mm lens I would pick the EF 400mm f5.6L prime lens.  I tried to like the 100-400mm twice.  Yeah, I bought it twice, but sold them in favor of the 400mm prime. BTW, the 400mm is about $1100 an dthe 100-400mm is around $1800.  If that makes any diff to you.

[Uzmas]

The question really is would you prefer 3rd party over Canon. From my experience using both that Canon still has a much better glass.

[ebiggs1]

"...would you prefer 3rd party over Canon."

Oh, yes, I totally agree. Stay Canon unless there is a valid reason not to. In this case there is. Canon does not see fit to make a 600mm lens that the average guy can buy.  They have rumored for several years that one was coming but as of today it is not.

"...Canon still has a much better glass."

In years past this was probably true.  But currently, today, the IQ between some Tamron and Sigma lenses and some Canon lenses the difference has closed to nearly indistinguishable. Certinaly, out side of the lab, where most of us use these lenses, the difference is nill.

[Waddizzle]

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@ebiggs1 wrote:

"...would you prefer 3rd party over Canon."

Oh, yes, I totally agree. Stay Canon unless there is a valid reason not to. In this case there is. Canon does not see fit to make a 600mm lens that the average guy can buy.  They have rumored for several years that one was coming but as of today it is not.

"...Canon still has a much better glass."

In years past this was probably true.  But currently, today, the IQ between some Tamron and Sigma lenses and some Canon lenses the difference has closed to nearly indistinguishable. Certinaly, out side of the lab, where most of us use these lenses, the difference is nill.

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"...would you prefer 3rd party over Canon."

I agree with the above good advice.  You are better off with a Canon lens, unless you need a lens that Canon does not make.  Another good reason to stick with Canon is your post processing software.  The free DPP software from Canon will only perform lens correction on Canon lenses.  If you have a third party lens, then you will need post processing software made by a third party.  

"...Canon still has a much better glass."

The Canon 100-400mm lens is a much better lens than Tamron 100-400mm lens.  This is a fact, not an opinion.

[LaneW]

Lots of varying views on this, which is actually valuable. I am now considering the 100 - 400, and also the 150 - 600, which Canon does not make. I am seeing a lot of reviews claiming that Tamron lenses of these ranges are very, very close in quality to  Canon and, while I"m a long time Canon fan, I don't know that the cost makes sense for me.

[Uzmas]

Really hope Canon does realise that competitors are catching up. I am sure they will come up with the new lens.

[ebiggs1]

"... hope Canon does realise that competitors are catching up..."

When you make a lens like the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM Lens, which is the best lens in its class and as good as it already is, improvement is difficult. In some or even most off brand lenses the ability to improve was more easily possible. Some or even most of them has done so and have narrowed the gap. For instance the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens for Canon is considered by most to be the sharpest 50mm made.  

I am sure some of the reviewers you read and folks that bought a more to very more expensive lenses will try to justify that purchase. They tend to come out with reviews and statements that validate that. It is a good feeling to know you have the best. However, in real everyday use in situations like all of us do, is it all that better or any better? Yeah , you can shoot lab charts that prove it but few of us shoot lab charts.

Again having a good reason to not buy all Canon gear is wise. I agree.  However, for instance the best lens or camera or whatever that you can't afford is pretty worthless to you. I would love to own several of the big great white teles, I have one, and I can't justify or even afford to buy several of them.  What to do? You go off brand, it is that simple.

I currently own and constantly use two off brand lenses. The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports Lens for Canon and the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Lens for Canon. Neither is really cheap but Canon does not make a similar lens like either of these.

[LaneW]

OK, well now you've done it. Before buying a lens I am going to upgrade my camera from my little xsi. ebiggs1 had mentioned the 80D as a good option, maybe a bit pricy for me but do-able.  Other suggestions for a mid range Canon?