One-size-fits-all isn't always a good rule for camera lenses

Q: I have a Sony Alpha digital SLR camera with the 18-55mm lens that came with it in the kit. My daughter performs in gymnastics, and I want to buy a pro-quality telephoto zoom lens with a fast f/2.8 aperture to use at the meets. I've been doing a lot of research and still do not know which one to buy. I also am considering if I should sacrifice a bit of lens speed and get more zoom range so I can get closer. I feel a bit of pressure to buy now because I am going on a two-week European cruise soon and want to have a second lens by then. Is there anything you can advise to help me decide what lens I need, so I can buy it before my trip?

A: Buying such a lens is an expensive proposition, and you should not rush it in any way. You seem to know what you are doing, and I think with a bit more research you will come across the perfect lens for your sports photography needs.

I do have some advice that will serve you well now and into the future. Get yourself a good quality, compact telephoto zoom lens for travel, and get it now, before your trip. There's no reason you can't have two lenses with similar focal length ranges, especially since the non-pro version will be quite inexpensive. You can use and enjoy it as you continue to evaluate what the best pro zoom is for your needs.

In the future you will probably find yourself still using it whenever you travel. Most likely, you would quickly tire of carrying a big, heavy pro lens around on vacation. You won't be using a long telephoto zoom much indoors when the low light capabilities are more important, so the smaller lens with a slower f-stop will serve you just fine for travel photography.

Fortunately for you, Sony is one of the manufacturers that has image stabilization built into the camera body. Any lens you buy will be stabilized, which leaves the field pretty much wide open when it is time to decide on the lens.

Sigma makes two models I can recommend. Both are 70-300mm f/4-5.6 telephoto zooms. The less expensive model is called the 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 DG Macro, selling for an online price of $144. The upgrade is the 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 DG APO Macro, selling online for $179. The APO version uses higher quality glass for better image quality, and I think it is worth the extra $35. It is available in Sigma, Nikon, Canon, Sony/Minolta and Pentax mounts.

Sony sells a 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 zoom for $399. It's a good lens, but with an excellent alternative available for under $200 I would get the Sigma and put the savings toward that pro lens in your future.

As I said before, once you have the pro lens you probably won't want to tote the bulk and weight around when you travel. In the event that you do decide the extra speed and sharpness of the pro lens is worth the effort of bringing it with you, you could sell the smaller lens at a minimal loss. Either way, you win.

Send questions to Don Lindich at donlindich@gmail.com. Get more recommendations and read past columns at www.soundadviceblog.com.