What lens should I get next?

[rebeccaariel]

I'm having a heck of a time deciding which lens I should buy next for my Canon 60D. I have an 18-200mm and a 50mm, and I want to get one more lens before my next trip to Disney. In your opinion, what's the next lens I should get in order to have the most versatile lens collection that I can? I'm thinking of the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8. Or maybe a wide-angle? Or a lens that can perform a bit better in low-light than my current lenses? Ah there are just so many choices! Help me!

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

You list three lens types so it would help to be a bit more specific on what you intend to shoot. Lenses are problem solvers for something you are having difficulty shooting or intending to shoot that your current equipment struggles with. Certain situations require specific equipment, ie, the dark rides are best shot with a 30-35mm 1.4-1.8 lens. Help us help you.

 

[rebeccaariel]

You list three lens types so it would help to be a bit more specific on what you intend to shoot. Lenses are problem solvers for something you are having difficulty shooting or intending to shoot that your current equipment struggles with. Certain situations require specific equipment, ie, the dark rides are best shot with a 30-35mm 1.4-1.8 lens. Help us help you.

The issue is that I don't have one specific problem that needs solving, I have multiple, and I can't decide which to tackle first. I need something that can help me with low-light situations, but I also want to be able to capture more scenery with a wide-angle lens, and I also want a lens with a more shallow depth of field in order to capture details. The reason the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 looked tempting is because I've read that it focuses better, and I've been having some trouble with that lately. Obviously at some point I'll need to get more lenses than the solitary lens I'm intending to buy now in order to solve every problem I have, but I guess at this point I'm looking for opinions on what is a more worthwhile purchase. I can't decide what problem to solve first.

 

[photo_chick]

Whether or not the 17-55 will help focus issues you might be having really depends on what the issues are. Though it would certainly be sharper and faster than your 18-200. For that reason I'd get it before getting another prime if I were in your shoes.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Okay, I'm going to take a stab at this based somewhat on what I have used successfully (for me). I don't know your budget, which is always a concern. There are two lenses I would consider, one is available now in several iterations and the other has been announced with a delivery date and cost pending. First, I would consider a 24-70 f2.8. This lens will give you a lowlight capable lens with focal lengths that I have found useful as a walkaround. I would use the 18-200 for wide (18mm) and my long reach zoom, 200mm. The fifty will be a little tight for the dark rides but can be used. The fifty, with it being f1.8, is a focal length that can be used for the night parades. Canon, Sigma and Tamron all make the 24-70. It would depend on your budget. This lens will be a little heavier than what you are used to, but that comes with the territory with a move to better, faster glass.

The other lens, which is just starting to make some waves, is the recently announced Sigma 18-35 f1.8. This one lens would replace two in my current lineup, the 18-55 and my Sigma 30. The only problem is that in the announcement my manufacturer (Pentax) was not included.

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/sigma-18-35-1-8

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/sigma-18-35-1-8/3

I would start my march to better glass with the 24-70 and then as funds become available move to a better long zoom and then work on wide angle or reverse that based on your style.

 

[Frantasmic]

Your lens choice is pretty good, but it really won't help much with dark rides. The other posters' suggestions of 1.8 or 1.4 lens would assure you get what you want. For about same price of the Canon, 17-55, you could get a Tamron 17-50 f2.8 non-vc and a Canon 50 mm f1.4 or the Sigma 35 1.4. Voila more lens, very close quality wise.

 

[HPS3]

I would recommend the Tamron 17-50 and the Sigma 30 f1.4. Those together are cheaper than the Canon 17-55.