Walk Around Lens

[RadioNate]

does anyone have a recommendation for a good Canon walk around lens.

I do have the 28-135 IS and I don't like it. I've had it looked at and the camera store here thinks it is ok but I can get sharper shots from my $100 p&s. It is also heavy compared to some of the newer lenses.

I also need something wider than the 28.

I'm currently back on the 18-55 kit lens but I have the old non-is one so it isn't good either.

thoughts? is my only option the 18-200 IS? what about the 17-85 IS?

L glass is completely out of the current price range.

I'm using an XTi and I'm not ready (or skilled enough) to justify upgrading the body.

I'm just not at all happy with the shots I've been getting lately.

 

[KarenAylwood]

I have the Canon XSi and own the 18-200mm lens. It's a great walk around lens and I've sold two of my friends on it as well after they played around with it. People will tell you the quality is just middle of the road but I've gotten some great shots with it. Not L quality but pretty good quality. I used it throughout my entire level 2 photography class and a few people (including the teacher) commented on the sharpness of a lot of my shots.

However I'm currently looking at replacing/supplementing it with the 24-70 f/2.8L or 24-105 f/4L but you said L series wasn't in the cards.

I think for non-L series, with a great range from wide angle to telephoto- the 18-200mm is a great choice.

 

[ssanders79]

I would agree I am looking to get the 18-200mm myself for a walk around lens.

 

[boBQuincy]

There aren't many options in the Canon lineup. We use a 24-85 that gives good results, it is one of Canon's middle range lenses with real USM. You might find a newer 18-55 for a good deal on eBay or whatever, they are quite a step up from the old 18-55.

Canon's 17-85 wins "awards" for the most CA in a modern lens but the images appear to be better than the tests indicate.

 

[trickiwoo]

I use a Sigma 28-300mm as my walk around lens. For normal day to day shooting, I never need anything wider than 28mm or closer than 300mm. Plus it's one of my lighter lenses! I haven't had any problems at with sharpness and I do 98% of my shooting handheld! I even get compliments all the time on how sharp my photos are! I do not have any type of stabilization on this lens. But if that's something you absolutely need, Tamron makes a 28-300 lens that is VC. I've never used this lens myself, but I've heard amazing things about it!

However, you mentioned that you do need something wider than a 28mm. I'd go with the 18-200.

I do find that I don't often need to switch back and forth regularly between 18mm and 300mm. But I do often need to switch back and forth regularly between 28mm and 300mm or 50mm and 300mm. So that's why I went with a 28-300. Then when I do need something wider than 28mm, I use a Sigma 10-20mm.

 

[RadioNate]

I think I lost my original reply.

Thank you for all the responses.

I am not opposed to other brands like Sigma or Tamron if I can get something good for reasonable (like $500ish - I just got a new air conditioner yesterday!)

I really think something is off with my 18-135 but the shop here said it was ok.

My neighbor has a Nikon D90 and if we take photos side by side her's are always noticeably better. I know the XTi is 3-4 years old but still!

 

[KarenAylwood]

I just replied on another thread about the Canon 18-200mm because someone asked for some example pictures, etc. I commented on weight, IS, picture quality, etc. For the price I think it's the best you can get for versatility and quality.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2251797&page=2

 

[cpbjgc]

I have a Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC Macro which is always on my Rebel XTi. You can find a review here.

I realize this isn't as long as your current lens, which you might find problematic. For myself, I like shooting at the wide-end with a 2.8 aperture for low light. It's sharp and has nice IQ generally.

Here are some pics with this lens:

 

[annnewjerz]

I know pretty much nothing about the quality of Canon lenses, but I do have the 18-200 for my Nikon and it's a great all-purpose lens. I have a little bit of a love-hate relationship with it. It's very convenient, pretty light and saves me a lot of trouble, but on the other hand I have to stop it down a bit to really get it as sharp as possible (which is still a little soft compared to other lenses stopped down).

I would think that Canon's would be comparable, so you might want to give that one a look. Not sure what Canon's price is, but you can usually find some pretty good deals on previously owned lenses on KEH.com.

 

[Capt. Barbosa]

Ever consider renting a lens? I've done this on a couple of trips, I get better glass than I could ever afford and its a great way of trying a lens before buying. That and if its only a lens I'm going to use once or twice a year why buy one. I rented an Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM for this trip to see if I like the wider angle, on my last trip I rented an Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM .

 

[trickiwoo]

I didn't know this, but I just now saw it advertised on this board! But Sigma has an 18-250mm with anti-shake compensation. Might be worth checking out!

 

[KarenAylwood]

Ever consider renting a lens? I've done this on a couple of trips, I get better glass than I could ever afford and its a great way of trying a lens before buying. That and if its only a lens I'm going to use once or twice a year why buy one. I rented an Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM for this trip to see if I like the wider angle, on my last trip I rented an Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM .

How'd you like the 24-105mm f/4L?? I'm looking at renting both that one and the 24-70 f/2.8L to see which I like better before buying. That's what I'm looking at as my next walkaround lens.

 

[mom2rtk]

Anyone know about the Tamron 18-270 VC? I'm looking to upgrade and have been considering this one for my own "walking around" lens.

 

[RadioNate]

Ever consider renting a lens? I've done this on a couple of trips, I get better glass than I could ever afford and its a great way of trying a lens before buying. That and if its only a lens I'm going to use once or twice a year why buy one. I rented an Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM for this trip to see if I like the wider angle, on my last trip I rented an Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM .

It might be something to try just to see what I like. We live in Orlando so it wouldn't be really one-off usage for theme parks. I wonder if our local place rents lenses. They are pretty snobby to non-pros but you never know. Even my pro friends hate shopping there.

There is a guy on our local craigslist selling the 18-55IS kit lens cheap so I may get that as a stop gap solution for the wide end until I can decide what I really want. My 18-55 kit is old and non-IS so the newer one would be a step up for the price.

 

[boBQuincy]

I know pretty much nothing about the quality of Canon lenses, but I do have the 18-200 for my Nikon and it's a great all-purpose lens.

Canon's 18-200 is pretty much comparable to the others, fair to good in some areas and fair to blah in others. The MTF curves have some very sharp dips in them, just in different places than the Nikon. For a "one lens fits all" these ultra-wide range zooms are great but if we look for flaws they are not hard to find. A lot of it depends on our expectations.

 

[Capt. Barbosa]

How'd you like the 24-105mm f/4L?? I'm looking at renting both that one and the 24-70 f/2.8L to see which I like better before buying. That's what I'm looking at as my next walkaround lens.

It was a little heavy compared to the kit lens, but the picture quality was fantastic. I was amazed at what lens quality could do. I'm still on the learning curve and trying to develop my eye,which I'm convinced some are just born with. Both my SIL and my 8yr old son seem to be born with ability to snap great photos.

I shot this with the lens:

 

[jann1033]

depending on how you like to shoot the tamron 17-50 f2.8 is a good all around range for some. in fact it works out to about the same mm i used to use as a walk around on my 35mm. now i personally usually use the long range of my lenses more but i know some love the tamron for a walk around. i do like the lens, it's nice and sharp not super heavy, although i never considered the 28-135 heavy either and it isn't a whole lot smaller. it's in the low-mid $400s. not the easiest to see photo but it's the largest i can copy from my gallery,it's under landscapes in my gallery if you want to see a larger version

 

[boBQuincy]

It is difficult to show sharpness of a lens on the web, a 800 x 600 image doesn't really push the boundaries very much. Still, it is all we have, so here is one from a 24-105 (at 40mm):

 

[MarkBarbieri]

The 800mm f/5.6. You'll get some serious exercise walking around with it.

 

[waytoomanywebkinz]

How is the 55-250 lens as a walk-around lens?