Lens Recommendations?

Stephanie,
I have the same lenses that you do in addition to the kit lens. I want to hear what everyone else has to say too, so I am subscribing to your thread!
Laura
 

My walkaround lens is Canon's 24-105. It is fairly fast, very sharp, and has IS. I used to use Canon's 24-85, not built quite as well but also very good and a lot less $$$.

Neither of these is really as wide as I want for a 1.6 crop camera but a good compromise.
 
The canon 28-135 IS is a fine lens for the money. Its a lot better then the kit lens, but I was impressed with it until I got my 85mm f/1.8 and then I saw how a lens is supposed to look! Now I want something faster and sharper, like the 24-70 f/2.8L, but its about three times the price.

I love the focal length and the IS, so if you are on a budget its a great lens. But if you can afford it, there are better things out there.
 
I have that lens (28-135 IS) along with the 50mm, the kit lens, and 100mm Macro lens. (all Canon) to be honest, the 28-135 IS not as great a lens as I was expecting. in fact, it is probably my least favorite in the bunch. my pictures are never as clear as I want them to be. my favorite is the 100mm Macro because I like close up shots. super clear and I like that.

I wish I had bought the 17-40 L lens instead. my DD has the 17-40 L and it takes the best picture. I do believe the L series are worth the extra $$ but thats just my opinion. :)
 
I finally had some time to sit down and look through your suggestions. Wow, I'm even more overwhelmed now. Too many choices. I really, really like Bob's lens (Canon's 24-105), but I'm choking on the price a bit. What to do, what to do. I have such problems, eh? :rolleyes:
 
If it were me I might go a little wider to fill in the range-gap in your kit.

If you want to stick with Canon lenses and have the cash, I'd say the EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM would be a good choice. For about half that price you could also look into the EF-S 17-85MM f4-5.6 IS USM.

If you're not adverse to third-party lenses you should also consider the Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC. A fine lens for the money (I own one) and one that consistently gets recommended over the Canon 17-85 IS USM on the Canon Digital Photography Forums.
 
Before you spend money on an EF-S lens, think about whether you'll ever get a 5D/1D/1Ds class body. Those cameras have larger sensors that won't work with EF-S lenses.
 
the 28-135 wouldn't be wide enough for me on a crop-sensor body. so i'd definitely be looking more at the 17-85 canon or the 17-70 sigma.

i currently use the sigma 18-50 f/2.8 and it is a very good lens, but i wish it was just a little bit longer at the telephoto end.
 
it's a great forum!!! (a few of you here have noticed i'm a regular on POTN). for me, the 24-70 is the perfect walk around lens - but my camera body is only 1.3 crop. although the 28-135 IS is a fine lens (it's my DW's main lens), you will find it not nearly wide enough on the 1.6x body.

i'd recommend the EF-S 17-55 2.8. it's very sharp, and the 2.8 aperture is nicely fast for for a walk-around lens.

after that, either the Sigma 17-70 or Sigma 18-125.
although i don't have any of these lenses, i've had good opportunity to test them.

you might have a look on Pbase or Flickr to see examples so you can see how capable they are.
 
Just thought I'd chime in with another third party lens. I have owned the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 for a few years and have been extremely happy with it. It's very sharp and I love the 2.8. I recently bought the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 to get a wider angle view on things. I like this lens even better than the 28-75. It focuses faster and it seems to be even sharper. I was debating between this and the Canon 17-40L. I don't regret my decision. Less money and just as sharp as the Canon. Look at http://www.photozone.de/ for lens reviews before you buy.

One other thing to keep in mind is that IS is less useful when you are using a wide angle lens. I decided that I would get more bang for my buck with a larger aperture than I would with IS. Of course, this is just my opinion since I realize that everyone shoots differently. I hope you enjoy whatever you settle on. Good Luck!
 
I have the 28-135 IS and it is a good lens.

I am sure the "L" lenses are slightly better built and boast more exotic designs - but the test measurements barely show improved resolution (depending on which lenses you are comparing). So.... I sort of take what everyone says with a grain of salt and sometimes mild amusement. I don't doubt that there may be "set" circumstances where one "L" lenses will completely shine over the 28-135 and certain alternatives... but by and large they is a whole lot more in common then different.

I could easily buy all "L" gear and a heavy top end DSLR - but I have this wierd sense for "my" preferred value. AND as such I get the results I want at a fraction of the cost with a 28-135 IS. Maybe some day I'll step up to some of the sharper L lenses - but I don't know if I'll ever get used to the added weight. I don't know about substituting my 70-300 IS ono-L for a 100-400 L or a 70-200 f2.8L. I know... I could do the 70-200 f4 L or even the new IS version... but then there goes the cost consideration.

Wierd - but that's me I guess. I'm happy with the 28-135 IS and you won't be comitting a huge error if you were to get it too.

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OK - So I think I have it between two right now - I would love to hear feedback on either one -

Sigma 18-125 - f/3.5-5.6 or
Canon 28-135 IS f/3.5-5.6


Thanks!

Karen
 
captaincrash said:
So.... I sort of take what everyone says with a grain of salt and sometimes mild amusement.

Don't knock it till you've tried it. :rolleyes:
 
I have the 28-135 IS and it is a good lens.
It is a good lens, but you should be aware if its limitations before purchasing it. Back in the film days, it was a great daylight walk-around lens. I've got one and it still sees some use.

The first limitation is that it isn't very wide when used on a Rebel or 30D class body. With the crop factor, it is a 45mm equivalent lens. You'll find that you need wider in many situations, particularly at WDW. For comparison, at a 20' distance, it can shoot a scene that is 16' wide on a Rebel. With a full frame sensor or film, that would have been close to 26'.

Another issue with it is that it's IS is quite dated. It doesn't have a panning mode. You have to remember to turn it off when used with a tripod or it actually introduces vibration. It's still quite good, but it's definitely their older generation IS.

Another limitation is that it is a slow lens. The minimum aperture of f/5.6 is pretty slow. That will affect your autofocus performance and your low light capability. Of course, getting a wider zoom will cost lots of money and add lots of weight to your kit bag.

As for the actual performance within its capabilities, it is definitely one of the best consumer zooms. The only area where I've have problems is softness when shooting wide angle wide open.

Bottom line - Given that it already substantially overlaps with the range that you have, I think you would be better off with something wider. I'd get a 17-40 f/4.0 if you don't mind spending the money or one of the wider EF-S lenses if you want to keep the budget down. The downside to this approach is that you'll be changing lenses a lot in the middle range.
 
Found some great feedback and comments on this web-site:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=141406

That has really helped me a lot - Thanks Olaf for posting the link -

I am soon discovering, that all lenses will have different reviews based on the user - Kind of like a car - What one person may like, another may not - but usually everyone agrees on the pinto (sorry pinto owners!) -

Karen
 














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