17-40 F4L vs EFS 18-55 F2.8?

tiny73

tiny73

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Tim
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OK people, of the 2 lenses on a crop body (40D) which would you go for and why? I'm looking at the 2 as a walkaround lens giving a useful range of wideish and some zoom but the price differential (new and second hand) seems to be quite high....

Thanks in advance
Tim
 
I've just been through all this myself, and I'm heading towards the 15-85 f3.5-5.6 myself.

I decided 40 mm was just too short. You can get it new for £485 inc carriage from Kerso.
 
Unless I wanted the absolute robustness of the L I would probably go for the 17-55. It's got IS and it's a stop faster to boot. No brainer I think. Tis a big piece of kit though!
 
I'd go for the 17-40mm F4L unless you absolutely need the speed of the 2.8 or the IS. Although the 18-55mm is probably a cracking lens, I reckon the quality of the L glass will be worth it.

Also, if you decide to upgrade to full frame in the future then the 18-55mm will be no good.

There's not a direct comparison here, but it does give an indication of the 18-55mm against L lenses: Lens Comparisons

Ultimately, I guess it depends on what you need the lens for?
 
yeah the size thing is an issue in some respects and i like the idea of having an L lens :D

However, the head says 17-55mm is wider range (at the top end), has IS and is faster..... but it's also bigger and seeimingly significantly more expensive in comparison (especially as its not an L lens )
 
tiny73 said:
yeah the size thing is an issue in some respects and i like the idea of having an L lens :D

However, the head says 17-55mm is wider range (at the top end), has IS and is faster..... but it's also bigger and seeimingly significantly more expensive in comparison (especially as its not an L lens )
Click to expand...

Just get a red Sharpie and turn it in to an L lens
 
Perhaps an alternative could be the Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS Macro HSM @ £314, ok, fair enough it's not 2.8 throughout but it's still fairly fast and a nice range from wide onwards. It has OS to help with low light (although doesn't help if the subject is moving) and has the HSM for fast focusing.

Not sure how good the lens is though.
 
Had the 17-70 and now have the 17-55, I had to put my desire to have another L to one side and go with my head rather than my heart. The 17-55 is sharp as a sharp thing and it a great great lens. I have a 70-200mm f4L and I love it but the IS and the extra stop on the 17-55 is lovely for a walk about lens :)

Basically don't be put off unless you want to go FF at some point even then the resale on the 17-55 won't be bad

MB
 
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