Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

Personally, I have never owned a third-party lens.
I am more apt to pick a "system" and stick with it, and save my lunch $$$ for a month or so to get what I want.
However, sites like:
https://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/reviews.htm
https://www.dxomark.com/camera-lenses/reviews/
https://www.dpreview.com/reviews?category=lenses
https://fstoppers.com/reviews

All give mind-numbing detailed camera/lens reviews.
Read the reviews carefully and you may find that the (insert Halo Brand Here) and the Sigma or Tamron are almost identical optically.
The true difference between a "Halo Brand" and a third-party lens may lie solely in the quality of the build, materials, weather sealing, durability, and so on.
So remember, no one can spend more of your $$$ faster than a UHHer voicing their opinions based on their sketchy first-hand knowledge, and "they tell me . . . ."
For me, sometimes the real joy is in the research prior to buying.
If this isn't for you, there are plenty of well-meaning folks here on UHH that are willing to "guide" you, and your $$$, through this treacherous GAS-Induced Maze.
Best Wishes,
JimmyT Sends

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

The best way is to try for your self!! Me? I generally stick with Nikon lens, the few after markets I have bought have always worked well for me.

ELNikkor

I don't go hunting for Tamron or Sigma for my Nikons, but a couple AF Tamron 70-300s have come my way for free or next to nothing. The 1st gen. from the 90's was the first, and it did an excellent job on my son's 8th grade soccer season. The quality of photos is indistinguishable from the 70-300 VR Nikon lens I bought a few years ago.

keywest305 Loc: Baltimore Md.

I have had Tokina and Tamron G2 series lens along with my Nikon lenses. They are today top notch glass and very little difference between them IMO. I heard Tamron is making some of the Nikon glass now for them.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

If you are a Canon fanboy, of course CANON - but, as a practical objective matter, lenses can and should be application specific not brand specific ! So the answer to your question - if there is one - is it depends !

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

Edit:
When everything else fails including your research, rent your best candidates.
https://www.lensrentals.com/
https://www.cameralensrentals.com/

Canisdirus

You can use any lens in the world that will adapt to the mount....results may vary.

Have fun.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Whatever I want and like.
Most of mine match the body of the manufacturer but for a not heavily used fisheye I got a third party manual focus lens for the substantial savings and no one knows what lens it is unless I divulge the information.
Most lenses from reputable third party companies are excellent and if they match your needs, why not?

Desert Gecko Loc: desert southwest, USA

If you're shooting with the Canon mirrorless RF-mount, you're stuck with a handful of Canon lenses only (or adapted lenses). Canon claims it will license its design to third-party lens makers, but I've read that none will be available until at least late 2024.

If you're using a Canon DSLR, there are plenty of third-party choices, some good and some bad.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

jrcarpe wrote: "If buying for Canon Cameras is it Canon, Tamron or other?"

I would say buy Canon unless your budget will not allow it. Today all modern optical technologies are available to all lens manufacturers. Independent companies are producing lenses better than ever and they sell for considerably less, most of the time, that original equipment lenses.
Canon lenses are specifically made to work with Canon cameras....if that matters to you. Some of the independent could have incompatibility issues.

jrcarpe Loc: Jacksonville,AR

Thank you. I tend to agree. I bought a Tamron 16/300 and gave my Canon 28/135 away. Believe the Canon was better.

tgreenhaw

IMHO stick with Canon unless you have specialized needs.

You will get better support if things go wrong if you stick with Canon. Additionally, you are likely to get better straight out of the camera results if you stick with Canon as they will always update for vignetting and lens aberrations.

Canon has a pretty complete set of lenses in the RF mount unless you are really doing something specialized and in that case there are EF lenses that can be used with an adaptor. Don't underestimate the value of not having the adaptor.

They do have holes in their lineup. so you may want to consider third party. For example I wanted a fast 50mm prime for street photography. I wasn't interested in a f1.2 monster lens that screams professional and model release so I tried the $200 f1.8 nifty fifty and discovered that its really only useable stopped down to f3.2 which doesn't give me the DOF I want, its loud, has horrible focus breathing, and just doesn't seem to autofocus all that well for some reason. I can get better functionality with my 24-240 lens. I really wish they had a midrange size and cost f1.4. Also, if you are on a budget, some of the third party lenses, especially for wildlife at a distance make a lot of sense but if you go the adaptor route the used Canon EF lenses look pretty good..

Mauilover Loc: Northern VA - DC area

While Tamron and Sigma have some very good lenses, with very few exceptions the camera manufacturer will have superior lenses at every focal length. So there is really only a couple of reasons to buy a third party lens. They cost less, may be lighter (if not as rugged), or there is a very specific lens that your manufacturer doesn’t produce. With many years of experience with Canon, going back to the film days up through the current mirrorless models, this has always been true for me. Having said that, Sigma does have some high quality lenses that are more cost effective than their Canon counterparts. Good luck with your choice.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Hundreds (ALL) of amazing EF lenses are 100% compatible with RF cameras.
Also I guess that about 40 Canon RF lenses is only a handful?
Unless someone is a collector (Typical UHH follower) they have perhaps 3 or 4 lenses.
Canon mount is available to 3rd parties as long as they meet criteria. Nikon has the same restrictions and limitations as well.

Desert Gecko Loc: desert southwest, USA

I guarantee you not all EF lenses are amazing, fanboi. And yes, 40 lenses is only a handful.