[emptyglass]

Given the choice which would you buy as a gift for a complete beginner to go with an A200.

Tamron 55-200mm f4.0-5.6 Di II LD Macro £59
Tamron 70-300mm f4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro £115
Sigma 55-200mm f4.0-5.6 DC £95
Sigma 70-300mm f4.0-5.6 DG Macro £95

[icemanonline]

Originally Posted by emptyglass

Given the choice which would you buy as a gift for a complete beginner to go with an A200.

Tamron 55-200mm f4.0-5.6 Di II LD Macro £59
Tamron 70-300mm f4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro £115
Sigma 55-200mm f4.0-5.6 DC £95
Sigma 70-300mm f4.0-5.6 DG Macro £95

What about the Sony Alpha 75-300mm F4.5-5.6 Lens. This is the lens that is sold with the A200 as a 2 lens kit. Good lens for a starter.

Its here for £136.07. Free postage too.

Nice deal....

Or Sigmas 70-300 APO DG. The APO version is better but at the moment with the prices changing and the £ against other currencies its cost has risen and it now retails at around £150 to £160 in the uk.

Hope that helps........

icemanonline

[Pirate!!]

Originally Posted by emptyglass

Given the choice which would you buy as a gift for a complete beginner to go with an A200.

Tamron 55-200mm f4.0-5.6 Di II LD Macro £59
Tamron 70-300mm f4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro £115
Sigma 55-200mm f4.0-5.6 DC £95
Sigma 70-300mm f4.0-5.6 DG Macro £95

Tough choice this. For the money and IQ, the Tamron Di II. Now it depends if you want reach or width in a single lens.

[emptyglass]

Well the kit lens is an 18-70 so I guess a little more reach would be preferable.

[p1tse]

jessops got the sony 18-200 for £150

[Pirate!!]

Buy Tamron 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di AF Macro 1:2 Lens For Sony £106.69

If you can get it cheaper . . . for £100.00 (ish), I'd be happy with one. None on your list will be stellar performers, more like competent. They are after all budget zoom lenses.

EDIT:

If you have a 'few extra shillings', take a look at this:

It's in the price range of the SAL 70-300 SSM G, but this is f/2.8 and looks like a quality piece of kit. On a personal note, I would go without and save your pennies for a quality lens than making-do; selling and upgrading isn't worth it. It's cheaper in the long run just to go for the jugular! The reviews on Dyxum for this lens are exceptional.

[Pirate!!]

Also, AVF member Springtide has a useful lens for sale here.

If you pay via PayPal gift, you negate fees. OK, not f/2.8, but a possible-maybe!