New Lens Advice Needed

missingskin

missingskin

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Location
Brighton
I am looking to buy a new lens for my Canon 450D I am looking for a reasonably priced all rounder as I don't want to have to carry a ton of equipment around with me.

The one I am looking at is this one.......

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product_Finder/Cameras/EF_Lenses/Standard_Zoom/EF-S_18-135mm_f3.5-5.6_IS/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product ... .5-5.6_IS/</a><!-- m -->

Obviously in the current climate I will not be paying SRP........... :shock:

Any suggestions other than Canon been looking at Tamron, Sigma etc but am getting a bit swamped....... :oops:

I should add I am a hobby photographer and have a budget of around £250.00 (I can get the Canon one for that ......just !!)

Any help would be appreciated please.
 
I've had very good experience with Sigma lenses, they're slightly cheaper, but the quality is on par.
Personally I'd not spend extra on a Canon

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.sigmaphoto.com/shop/18-125mm-f38-56-dc-os-hsm-sigma" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.sigmaphoto.com/shop/18-125mm ... -hsm-sigma</a><!-- m -->

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.sigmaphoto.com/shop/18-200mm-f35-63-dc--sigma" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.sigmaphoto.com/shop/18-200mm ... -dc--sigma</a><!-- m -->

These 2 seem to be about right...

I suggest you go over to <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.dpreview.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.dpreview.com/</a><!-- m --> for good reviews on all the lenses, and find out what features you want.

Max
 
IMHO there is only one lens for the all rounder on a crop body camera:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-EF-S-17-85mm-4-0-5-6-Lens/dp/B0002XNRG4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1304182761&sr=8-1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-EF-S-17-8 ... 761&sr=8-1</a><!-- m -->

i wouldnt own a sigma... poor quality control, cheap looking plastics and noisy AF. All I will ever own now is original canon glass. Plus at the discounted price that you can get most 17-85's for these days, it knocks the socks off the sigma for value.

your first lens you suggested... does IMHO cover too much range... you're going to have distortions and lens artefacts all over the place on a range like that. Better to start with a sensible walk around lens, and then add a telephoto as you expand.
 
shrink said:
IMHO there is only one lens for the all rounder on a crop body camera:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-EF-S-17-85mm-4-0-5-6-Lens/dp/B0002XNRG4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1304182761&sr=8-1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-EF-S-17-8 ... 761&sr=8-1</a><!-- m -->

i wouldnt own a sigma... poor quality control, cheap looking plastics and noisy AF. All I will ever own now is original canon glass. Plus at the discounted price that you can get most 17-85's for these days, it knocks the socks off the sigma for value.

your first lens you suggested... does IMHO cover too much range... you're going to have distortions and lens artefacts all over the place on a range like that. Better to start with a sensible walk around lens, and then add a telephoto as you expand.
Click to expand...

Amen, Sigma never set the heather alight for me either (the "pump zoom" that they used to prefer was great for sucking in dust to the lens and twice I had to send the lens back to Sigma for a firmware update so it would work with a new body) - and a big +1 to the 50mm prime.
 
n1vlo said:
nowt wrong with a prime 50mm
Click to expand...
+1
Simpler, better rendering of light, enables you to focus more on correct composition. You'll just have to walk more (your ...legs will be the zoom function!) ;)

Edit: Forgot that the 50mm prime is better suited to Full Frame bodies, so if one wants the equivalence of 50mm he'd have to go lower than that on a x1.6 crop camera like the low-end EOS models...
 
n1vlo said:
nowt wrong with a prime 50mm
Click to expand...


I agree the "Nifty Fifty" was the 1st lens I bought. Great lens but not for all occasions, have been looking at the 17-85 think you are right it should suit my needs. Had a look around and can get a new one for £280.00 so may bite the bullet on one.........
 
Arrowhead said:
I try not to think about him. Might just as well chuck the camera away if you do.
Click to expand...

Nope I like my camera, it does what I want it too, I just want to have a bit more versatility. The lens Shrink pointed out earlier has been around for a while and is still selling and getting good reviews also it seems to a good walk about lens. Having done a bit of research I think it is the next step in my photographic journey. Although the camera may not be pro kit it does what I want it too.........and that is fine for me until I get to the point where my skills exceed the camera. I think that may be a while yet........ :lol: :lol:
 
I was in a similar situation,, new camera and no lens and i'd decided to go for the 17-85 until I saw some test reports/reviews that rated it as just OK
As an interim measure, til I get fully familiar with the camera (EOS50D), I went for a used 18-55mm IS lens. It cost me £60 I think, from a guy on 'Talk Photography'. A good forum by the way.
Value for money, its unbeatable and even when I start to get a few L series lenses I'll hang onto this one. the performance is fine for me as I play with and get used to the camera
Just another option to consider :)
regards, beejay
 
the 17-85 although rated as just "ok"... tends to be rated as such because of some distortion, and slightly uninspiring MTF figures.

But the reality is, it takes a good picture, its a pretty sharp lens and is still consistently better than a sigma.

if you want to throw money at it.. the 17-55 F2.8 IS is tasty, but it costs!!!
 
I can heartily recommend the 17-85 as a good allround walk-about lens. I've got the 10-22, 17-85, 24-105L and 70-200L. And yes, the quality of the 24-105 and 70-200 is superior, but they are heavy/unwieldy to lug around.

The 17-85 is my most often used lens on a crop camera for sheer versatility and ease of use.

/m
 
shrink said:
the 17-85 although rated as just "ok"... tends to be rated as such because of some distortion, and slightly uninspiring MTF figures.

But the reality is, it takes a good picture, its a pretty sharp lens and is still consistently better than a sigma.

if you want to throw money at it.. the 17-55 F2.8 IS is tasty, but it costs!!!
Click to expand...

I have just bought a new 17-85 F4-5.6 USM for £225.00 so i think that will do me for a while......... ;) .........just going to be sitting by the letter box like a kid at christmas on Friday Morning........ :lol:
 
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