best zoom lens for $500 or less (18-70mm)

[surfn]

company my dad works for granted a $500 retirement gift for 1 item. the item can't be over $500.

are there any good zoom lenses in the 18-70mm range for that price?

he has a canon rebel xti.

 

[Poseidon]

Sure, this would be an excellent walk around lens for a Rebel.

 

[surfn]

Sure, this would be an excellent walk around lens for a Rebel.

yeah, that was one i was looking at.

I was also looking at:

Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC Macro Autofocus lens. It is interesting it has a macro feature in it, and that could come in handy, as at least half of its use would be use for portraits of small model race cars and trains my dad builds and sells.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/463428-REG/Sigma_581101_18_50mm_f_2_8_EX_DC.html#ReviewHeader

Sigma 24-70 f/2.7 EX DG Macro is another I was looking at, but the reviews are not as good.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/350973-REG/Sigma_548101_24_70mm_f_2_8_EX_DG.html#reviews

 

[Poseidon]

Well, the "macro" designation on that lens is one of those things that yes, it can, but no it's not that great....

The sigma 18-50 would be a viable option that is for sure. I like to stick with OEM glass, it holds value better then 3rd party, and Canon AF motors are REALLY fast.

 

[jtl2]

These were shot with a Canon EF-S 18-200, bought it at Amazon for $505. The shots have been down-rezed.


http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu251/jtl2/Pic2.jpg

http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu251/jtl2/Pic1.jpg

 

[Poseidon]

jtl2- Those are pretty good. I am not a huge fan of super zooms, they tend to be a little soft at the extreme edges of their range. I am sure that lens is hard to beat for versatility though.

 

[gparr]

I vote for the lens suggested by Poseidon. The Sigma lens will be fine, but you're better off with the Canon. Also, that macro "feature" is just lame marketing. It's nowhere close to what a macro lens can do.
Gary