C100: Sigma 18 - 300mm for event shooting?

BrandonT

BrandonT

Well-known member
Hey folks! I find myself in need of a decent range lens for basic event shooting. Like one time I was filming a press conference and had a medium shot of the person talking at the podium. Using my 70 - 200mm. Then they walked over to the side with a few other people to do a ribbon cutting. I didn't have time to switch to my wide lens, so I ended up missing the shot. Or something like a college graduation where I'm set up in the back and need to zoom in on the stage. It doesn't have to be a superb lens. But just something that is good enough for those news and event style shoots. Because I refuse to use my Panasonic AC130 on anything except sports after comparing the footage.

So the Sigma 18 - 300mm looks like the best fit to me. And the price of $500 is good. Though I wouldn't mind finding something for about $300. So is that the best thing to go with, or any other suggestions? Thanks!
 
For around $300 (actually less), I have one of these Tamrons as an "emergency" lens for those kind of zoom situations you're talking about.

Not sure how it compares to the 18-300, but both lenses are stupid slow.

The Tamron has good AF and IS.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1176276-REG/tamron_afb018c_700_18_200mm_f_3_5_6_3_di_ii.html

It doesn't get much use so I might sell it, but maybe worth checking out/reading some reviews.

P.S. I would probably get a constant aperture as it will make life easier...unless you're quick to adjust settings while zooming.
 
As long as you realize that superzooms are a total compromise in lens design and engineering, therefore will never be very sharp or have great color and contrast rendition, many have terrible chromatic aberrations as well. They will have distortion at both ends, will be slow and while Sigma makes some very good lenses, this and really any superzoom are not good ones. Think about it, a $500.00 lens that goes from superwide to super long, everything about it is a compromise. There are some great lenses that are kind of flirting with superzoom ranges like the newer Canon 100-400 but that is a $2,000.00 lens that is not wide at all, just mild tele to long tele. A $300.00 superzoom would be that much worse. Really lenses are the place where you really don't want to compromise unless both and your clients really aren't concerned about making professional quality images.

OTOH, I understand you wanting a single lens that can "do it all". If you are missing shots, maybe that is more important than compromised image quality? With the price of used C100s, I would seriously consider doing what pro still photographers do, two bodies, one with a wide to mild tele (17-55 2.8 IS) and one with a mild tele to long tele (70-300 L 4.5-5.6 IS). Then you can actually have something to edit with a wide to a CU, etc. and your images will be superb as both are decent lenses. I do some run and gun coverage and I think even my Canon 18-135 STM IS is quite a compromise in image quality so I would imagine an off brand superzoom that sells for $150.00 less that stretches that 135mm out to 300mm would be pretty compromised.
 
Puredrifting resumed quite well what I think too.
Are you looking to just get the shot, or get a good image too?
For some events, anything smaller than F4 will give you not so good results.
If you are looking for a magic lens, it ain't hapening, especially for 300$.
Get a second body and buy yourself good lenses.
 
I've been pretty happy with my Tamron 28-300 (use on speedbooster or full frame on Sony cameras) and before that I used the Sigma 18-250 which I still have but haven't used in a while. These lenses are amazing for always being able to get the shot, and if you use them carefully and know the limitations you can do a lot with them. I have certainly found them superior optically to similar range 2/3" lenses which are also huge compromises in optical design, but if course mechanically these still lenses take some work, you can't get smooth zoom or iris operation etc, but they will get the shot if you have the light for them. Superzooms are pretty amazing for run and gun work when you need them and know how to get around or iron out the compromises.

You may want to read in depth reviews of any lens first, though since they all ramp aperture/exposure at different points in their range, and some have more IQ compromises than others. Canon also makes their own 18-200mm which may have better AF, I dont know.

The Tamron FF Superzooms I've used have super aggressive IS (VC) which is a blessing and a curse. With a steady hand you can get shots handheld at 300mm that look like they are on a tripod, but if you shake outside of the threshold the stabilizer lets go for a second and it looks like crap.
 
Think about canon 55-250 stm , I do not have it but this lens has stm what you will not find in tamron or sigma . If autofocus is important for you go just only with canon . There is new zoom from canon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IS II USM should be good as well .
 
I have and use the 55-250stm for ENG type shooting. It's good. The IS and AF work well. It's not quite as good as the 18-135 stm, but it has its uses.
 
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