Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II for Canon 30D?

[Saluki]

Looking for an all-around single lens for my old Canon 30D. Primary use is for wildlife and bird photography. Saw the Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II  and with the range from wide-angle to tele it looked like it might be a good choice.  Will it work with my 30D though?

[kvbarkley]

Yes it will work, but it is pretty big and heavy for a walking around lens. I prefer my 18-135 for walking around and my 70-300 or 150-600 for telephoto. And 18mm is not particularly wide angle on an APS-C lens.

[Saluki]

Thanks - I've been using a Canon 70-300 which does OK as a tele, but I thought the wider range of the Tamron would be an advantage at both ends of the spectrum.

[normadel]

An 18mm focal length will be equivalent to a 28mm lens on a full-frame camera. Not real wide. If you want wide on a crop-sensor camera, get an EF-S 10-22 or 10-18. Or another brand that goes down as far.

[ebiggs1]

Buy one of the 150-600mm super zooms. Way more better than that Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II. Do you not have any other lenses for the old 30? If not get one of the 18-55mm standard zooms. Way, way better idea!

If you are in a situation where the 18-55mm will do the job you don't need the super tele and if you are "bird" shooting you don't need the 18-55mm. So both should work very nicely together. 😊

[Saluki]

I have 3 lens -  Canon EF 50 1.8, Canon EFS 18 - 135mm, and the Canon 70 - 300.  Which of the "super zooms" might I find used for less than $800? 

[Tronhard]

You might find a Sigma 150-600 Contemporary lens on sale, or a Tamron unit of the same FL range, used or refurbished as some folks move from the EF lens system to the RF mount.

[Waddizzle]

Nice lens arsenal.

Zoom lenses have what is known as a “zoom ratio”, which is the ratio of the longest focal length to the shortest focal length setting.  The high quality zoom lenses tend to have zoom ratios around 3:1, give or take a little.

A “super zoom” lens tends to have a zoom ratio well in excess of 10:1.  The Tamron 18-400 has a zoom ratio that is well over 20:1.  In order to achieve such a wide range of focal lengths the lens engineers have to make compromises and cut corners.  One of the first things to go on the chopping block is image quality.

A “super telephoto” lens has a focal length in excess of 300mm.  Your 70-300 would fall into the category of “medium telephoto” lens.  Your 18-135 is pushing the envelope of what defines a “standard zoom”, like a 24-70mm.

[Waddizzle]

What lenses, if any, do you currently own?

[EDIT] I do not feel that Tamron 18-400 is a good investment for the price. Look elsewhere.

[Saluki]

Thanks - will look for a Sigma 150-600 that's in my price range