Better to get one long lens or two lenses w/diff lengths? I'm looking at 28-300mm or 28-105 & 75-300. Advice?

Question

Do you have an opinion which is a better trade-off: having to stop and change the lenses, or to lose some clarity or something. Aaaa! So confusing. I usually shoot in the field.

Answer 1

It's usually better to get 2 different lenses.  There's no such thing as a one lens does all.  With 2 lenses with smaller zoom ranges you usually get a larger aperture as well as better quality as there is less glass as well as better coatings that protect against color aberations and other distortions because you're lens is better designed to be suited for that range.  

Answer 2

Zooms are convenient, but the best pictures come from fixed lenses with quality, wide lens construction. A zoom is a mechanical beast, very useful, but comes at a price.

I use several zoom & fixed lenses, and a spotting scope, depending upon the situation. A 25-105 is probably your best bet for ordinary circumstances when you don't want to carry around much gear. (I use this range for family snapshots.)

Otherwise, the best photographs I've taken were with an excellent 50 mm and 28 mm fix lens. I use these when I have planned shots or low-light conditions, because they are faster and sharper.

If I were you, I'd start with a 25-105 with macro-capability, and start collecting more when you a fixed lens that fits the kind of pictures you enjoy capturing.

The main benefit of any SLR is not the single-lens reflex action, (many other cameras can produce serious results), but it's ease of adaptability when it comes to quickly selecting the proper lens for the job.

Good luck, whatever you choose. Save your pennies. If you get serious about taking pictures, you'll wind up owning a collection of lenses.

Answer 3

The longer the zoom the softer the image towards the telephoto end gets. A 28-300 may be sharp from 28-210 but never sharp the entire focal spread. A 28-105 is probably sharp at both ends than a 28-300.  

Answer 4

In theory, the smaller zoom ratio is better than high zoom ratio, because smaller zoom ratio use fewer lens elements which have fewer distortion and lighter weight.

On the contrary, higher zoom ratio lens is more convenience to carry around.

It is difficult to say which approach is better. You need to balance the price, performance, image quality as well as easy of use and decide which one is better choice for you.

I myself prefer multiple lens approach because it give me a wider option.