Need advice on an IS lens

[BuzzLiteyear]

I am thinking of picking up one of the inexpensive Canon IS lenses for our upcomming WDW trip. Now my question is....what range do you find most of your WDW photos falling into? 18mm-55mm or 55mm-250mm? I have two fast lenses already, but would like a zoom lens also ( I do already have the kit lens and the 75mm-300mm). But an IS would be nice for those lower-light situations.

 

[mhutchinson]

18mm-55mm or 55mm-250mm?

Yup! That is where most of my pics fall between. I tend to go wider at Epcot, long in Animal Kingdom, and inbetween at MGM and MK. Speed is as important as range at night.

I have gone with 17-40mm f/4 L, 24-105mm f/4 L IS, 24-70mm f/2.8 L, 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS, 28-135mm IS, and a whole bunch of primes and still never yet had just the right lens for the trip. Closest would have been between the 24-105mm IS L (not deep enough) and the 28-135mm IS (not wide enough and almost deep enough).

Viable options would be to look at some non-Canon (Tamron, Sigma, or Tokina) with vibration reduction or their flavor of image stabilization. These tend to cover a better range than the Canon will (although they may not be quite as fast) and also tend to be lighter and less expensive. I keep considering trying one out one of these days.

 

[DizzyV6P]

IS is only good if you're going to handhold low-light situations. If you really want to shoot great low-light, all you need is either a tripod or The POD or just put your camera on something sturdy. IS will help for a stop or two, but w/ proper bracing, you won't even need it.

Even the 18-55 IS at best, f/3.5 still won't help much. You'll want something at least f/2.8 or better for good low-light performance. The Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 is a favorite here. I like the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 because its a bit wider. the 50 f/1.8 is also a good choice for low-light.

The 55-250 IS is NOT what I consider a low-light lens. The IS on that lens is better suited to help get sharper pictures due to the long zoom. For low-light, you should be looking at aperture values instead of just looking for IS.

 

[DVC Jen]

I have the canon 28-135 IS and use it 75% of the time. It is my most versatile lens and was my favorite until I got my ultra wide.

It isn't often that I need more reach than the 28-235 can give me. I also like going wider than a 55mm.

 

[jann1033]

can i ask what fast lenses you have already? IS is basically as good as using a monopod( i mean for the extra stops) so it would seem if you have fast lenses they would be as helpful as the is would be. it's basically for lens movement which a high shutter speed would help with anyway.
however for my 2 cents on your op, i agree with jen. most of my shots are capable with the 28-135, range wise but the light aspect isn't very good, mainly that it has a hard time focusing in low light, as in "won't at all" but i just use my 50mmf1.8 for that. ( not gone to disney with a digital, maybe with the coupon offer i just got i will soon ) for outdoor it would be good though. if you are will ing to ditch the IS, you could try the f 2.8 28-75 tamron for a zoom, think it's around $350-400 ish

 

[DizzyV6P]

For me, I sold my 28-135 IS after trying the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8. The low-light possibilities of the f/2.8 lens overcame any advantage the IS had in the 28-135. Well, ok, the color, sharpness, and IQ were better as well...but that's all!

Then I started missing the wide end and now own a Tamron 17-50 f/2.8. It doesn't come off my camera except to put on the Canon 70-200 f/4L. I figured I'd use feet zoom for the missing 25mm. Having been to Disney 3 times within the past year and extensive testing between the 28-75 and 17-50, the 28-75 is now being sold to a friend. I'm picking up a friend's used 85 f/1.8 for the same price I'm getting the 28-75 for is it's an even trade.

That's just an example of how addiciting this hobby can get. Depending on how much you shoot, you'll find yourself going through a few lenses to find the best one. That's why I recommend trying the used lenses route first. Pricing is usually a bit cheaper and if its not what you want, you can sell it for the same price w/o the cost of depreciation from buying new. Just a thought. Everyone has different shooting styles. Most folks here woud never sell their Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 so to each their own

Based on your post, you have the Canon 18-55mm non-IS and the Canon 75-300mm. That will probably be fine for Disney. You could get a 50 f/1.8 for about $60-$70 used if you really want low-light performance. Or just go for one of the f/2.8 zoom lenses we posted earlier. It all depends on how much $$ you have and what type of pictures you are trying to shoot.

 

[jann1033]

For me, I sold my 28-135 IS after trying the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8. The low-light possibilities of the f/2.8 lens overcame any advantage the IS had in the 28-135. Well, ok, the color, sharpness, and IQ were better as well...but that's all!

Then I started missing the wide end and now own a Tamron 17-50 f/2.8. It doesn't come off my camera except to put on the Canon 70-200 f/4L. I figured I'd use feet zoom for the missing 25mm. Having been to Disney 3 times within the past year and extensive testing between the 28-75 and 17-50, the 28-75 is now being sold to a friend. I'm picking up a friend's used 85 f/1.8 for the same price I'm getting the 28-75 for is it's an even trade.

That's just an example of how addiciting this hobby can get. Depending on how much you shoot, you'll find yourself going through a few lenses to find the best one. That's why I recommend trying the used lenses route first. Pricing is usually a bit cheaper and if its not what you want, you can sell it for the same price w/o the cost of depreciation from buying new. Just a thought. Everyone has different shooting styles. Most folks here woud never sell their Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 so to each their own

Based on your post, you have the Canon 18-55mm non-IS and the Canon 75-300mm. That will probably be fine for Disney. You could get a 50 f/1.8 for about $60-$70 used if you really want low-light performance. Or just go for one of the f/2.8 zoom lenses we posted earlier. It all depends on how much $$ you have and what type of pictures you are trying to shoot.

since you i believe are the one who convinced me on the benefits of the 28-70 ) )can you post a photo from the 17-50?...was saving for the 17-40 canon but that is $700 and f4 soooooooo......

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

can i ask what fast lenses you have already? IS is basically as good as using a monopod( i mean for the extra stops) so it would seem if you have fast lenses they would be as helpful as the is would be. it's basically for lens movement which a high shutter speed would help with anyway.
however for my 2 cents on your op, i agree with jen. most of my shots are capable with the 28-135, range wise but the light aspect isn't very good, mainly that it has a hard time focusing in low light, as in "won't at all" but i just use my 50mmf1.8 for that. ( not gone to disney with a digital, maybe with the coupon offer i just got i will soon ) for outdoor it would be good though. if you are will ing to ditch the IS, you could try the f 2.8 28-75 tamron for a zoom, think it's around $350-400 ish

I have the 50 mm f/1.8 and the 85 mm f/1.8 lenses. I really love the quality of images from the 85, but was looking for a "walkaround" lens that would have some zoom capabilities. I guess I wasn't even considering some of the other brands. Maybe I should look at them as alternatives too.

 

[DizzyV6P]

Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 Samples

Prom Night of my lil cousin-in-law's friends.

f/5.6, 1/50, ISO 200, Flash with Gary Fong Whaletail diffuser

Not sure what my cuz is doing here w/ his date....

That afternoon sun was brutal. AND I didn't have a reflector with me.
f/7.1, 1/250, ISO 200, Flash

Some folks might recognize this plane

f/5.6, 1/15, ISO 800, no flash

Some Church in Philly

f/5.6, 1/100, ISO 100, no flash

Princess Leia's Corellian Corvette

f/6.3, 1/250, ISO 400, flash

 

[DizzyV6P]

I have the 50 mm f/1.8 and the 85 mm f/1.8 lenses. I really love the quality of images from the 85, but was looking for a "walkaround" lens that would have some zoom capabilities. I guess I wasn't even considering some of the other brands. Maybe I should look at them as alternatives too.

Well, in that case here's the top list of low-light mid-range zooms:

Canon 17-55 f/2.8 IS $$$$$
Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 $$$
Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 $$$
Tokina 16-50 f/2.8 $$$
Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 $$$

Lens Reviews by Lightrules. I like his reviews better some some of the magazine tests. So do a lot of other POTN members, so here's his link.
http://www.pbase.com/lightrules/lenstests

I didn't have as much trouble as he did w/ low-light AF searching. So either he got a bad copy or we're just using different amounts of lights to test. It's a very subjective test, so I usually call it a wash. Although, if I had the money, I would have picked the Canon 17-55 f/2.8 IS.

 

[jann1033]

I have the 50 mm f/1.8 and the 85 mm f/1.8 lenses. I really love the quality of images from the 85, but was looking for a "walkaround" lens that would have some zoom capabilities. I guess I wasn't even considering some of the other brands. Maybe I should look at them as alternatives too.

ebay there is one ( tamron 28-75) it's rated almost as good as 28-70 for 130 right now..i asked for pics
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kasoli/2536082404/in/set-72157605654770114/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kasoli/2535268669/in/set-72157605654770114/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kasoli/2536084978/in/set-72157605654770114/
looked good
but I need complete new brake job so.....
item number is
190236072774
closes in a couple hrs.

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

ebay there is one ( tamron 28-75) it's rated almost as good as 28-70 for 130 right now..i asked for pics
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kasoli/2536082404/in/set-72157605654770114/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kasoli/2535268669/in/set-72157605654770114/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kasoli/2536084978/in/set-72157605654770114/
looked good
but I need complete new brake job so.....
item number is
190236072774
closes in a couple hrs.

Thanks!! I'll take a look at it.

 

[DizzyV6P]

You can also find a lot of good used lenses at http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum