all around vacation lens

[Photo Newbie]

I am planning on purchasing a new lens, I am trying to make my mind up on either the Nikon 18-200 3.5-5.6 vr, the Tamron 18-270 or the sigma 18-250, Any thoughts on any of these?
Thanks
By the way I am using a Nikon D50 and my budget is about $800.
Thanks again

[SNAPaPHOTO]

It is slightly above your budget but I drag Bigma with me. Bigma is the nick name given to the Sigma 50-500 mm lens. It is heavy but I use that as an excuse not to go to the gym while on vacation since I lug this heavy monster with me You will want to have a monopod, however i assume you are already taking one.

There are many articles about Bigma, just Google Sigma Bigma and you will see the range and usefulness of the lens.

I promise you will love the 500mm zoom, while it only pulls back to 50mm, I find that the extra zoom is handy.

Of course you may want the wide angle if you want to capture the big picture, for everything else Bigma is the way to go.

These shots were taken with the Bigma, hand held with no tripod or monopod and out of a window, so the sharpness is not the best but you get the idea. (Note I didn't take the picture, but a friend of friend of mine did, long story....)

[Fibonacci]

As a general rule of thumb I do my best to stick with the same brand as my camera unless there is some compelling reason to go with an off-brand. You have not listed the speed of the two off brand lenses here, I suppose that if one was substantially faster and you were planning on using the lens in low light situations that might be considered a compelling reason. If one was substantially cheaper that also might be a good reason to buy the off-brand, especially if it left you with enough money to buy another lens, but the small difference in focal lengths of the lenses you listed is not a significant difference.

[SNAPaPHOTO]

Fibonacci,you made a good point about staying with the same brand. Nikon/Nikkor lenses are some of the best in the world. The only time I go outside brand is if it is a lens that the camera manufacturer, in this case Nikon, doesn't make. My personal two lenses I use allot that are not Nikkor are the Tonika 11-16 mm F2.8 and Sigma 50-500 F4 lens. The 500mm on a non full frame digital camera really brings in wildlife and the range of 50-500 helps you frame your picture accordingly, and not be stuck with cropping in post edit work.

But I am probably the wrong person to ask as I am addicted to glass and have more than I care to admit to. It is a bad habit I have, I need to break it because it is expensive! Just don't tell the wife how much all this glass cost ok?

[Photo Newbie]

The sigma and Tamron are about the same speed. 3.5 to either 5.6 or 6. The main reason is weight for all day carrying and air travel restrictions on baggage. The cost difference is about $200 per lens.

[Richard A Busch]

I have the "Bigma" also. It is a GREAT lens 50-500mm Check out www.shopzilla.com I got mine for just under $1000.00 I know you wanted to be more like $800.00 but if you can swing it I would go for it, you wont regret it.

Now you said Vacation lens. Are you going to a place you know or not. If you know the place and have photographed it before then you know what you need. ( or somewhat know ) If you have never been there look to see what there is and what you might do. Then you can make the best choice for you. Also depends on what type of photography you like to do. What good is that lens going to do you if you don't have a use for it. For me the "BIGMA" works great. The photo of Alex is done with it I was maybe 1.5 feet from him and over 300 feet from the stage.

So it is a well rounded lens and I have 2 Sigmas and like them very much.

Richard

[SNAPaPHOTO]

Richard, I knew I agreed with you on some other post, makes perfect sense that you also have Bigma, great lens. I think it is an underrated lens.

[Photo Newbie]

We are planning to cruise the Hawaiian Islands. The photos will be travel; some scenic if the cruise schedule will accomate, also ship board and gennerally an all around.
This will be our first trip there and other than the Arizona Memorial, I am not familar with anything. Also the cabin storage is small. The time is limited to only one or two days on each Island.
Thanks for your input. In the future I am planning on some wildlife shots, sandhill cranes, blue herons that I don't have to crop out of the miidle of a frame, etc. I will look at the "Bigma" and maybe be next years purchase.

[SNAPaPHOTO]

Based on cruise enviroment, and wanting probably to get pictures of the atrium and other areas on the boat, I would lean towards the Nikon 18-200 VR. The Nikon lens will give you a better picture than the Tamron and Sigma lenses. Cruise ships are funny about using every available spot and wide angels are your friend while taking pictures on the ship. I am afraid that Bigma in the cabin you couldnt capture much.


However the 500 Bigma will be hands down better for the wildlife shots.

[Richard A Busch]

One last thing. If you go Big then you have big, if you go smaller you will want bigger. Also I would bring a tripod for timed sunsets and rises no matter what. Also if you get night lava flows and if you get the big one then you will want it at time cause there is weight lens goes from 9" to 12" .

Richard