All-rounder lens recommendations for upgrade from Canon 18-55?

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Timmy2shoes

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Hello,

I bought a 500D and an 18-55mm lens (not the IS one) last year and I'm looking to upgrade, but would like to still have an 'all rounder' to take most places.
I would love to do some more sport and people pictures, but I seem to end up taking more landscapes. This may due to a lack of confidence of shooting people pictures however!
So, is the 55-250mm a recommended upgrade or does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations? I've heard some good things about Sigma lenses, but haven't heard much about Tamron, is this for good reason?

Thanks!

Tim
 
Hi Tim

The 55-250 is a great little lens for the money, I have it and its often recommended. Its not really an upgrade as such as the focal lengths are completely different so it sits alongside the kit lens rather nicely. It is a better built lens than the kit so you might feel its an upgraded build quality.

For the cash, and I don't know your budget of course, the 55-250mm coupled with a 50mm f1.8 for portraits and your existing lens will give you lots of options starting out. The newer IS kit lens is viewed as better than the non IS one and can be had used for around £60.
 
What is your budget?

If I were in your situation I'd look at upgrading to one of the Canon IS lens next.

Either the 18-55m or even the 18-135mm which would give you more range and the beneift of IS.

Next lens after this in order of cost to give more range would be the 55-250mm.
 
55-250 isn't an upgrade, but a complement to your existing lens. If you want an upgrade, the following lenses are most often recommended are (in increasing order of price)

Tamron 17-50 f2.8 non VC (VC is apparently worse image quality)
Canon 15-85 f3.5-5.6 IS (great all rounder, but lacks f2.8. The IS system is very good in this lens)
Canon 17-55 f2.8 IS (great but costly).

You can see the two Canons in real world pics
here: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-S-15-85mm-f-3.5-5.6-IS-USM-Lens-Comparisons.aspx

and compare any lens vs any other here: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/...meraComp=474&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=1 (this is the first two in the list above).
 
Thanks for the info everyone, that comparing site is nifty.

I like the idea of a 50mm and have seen some second hand ones at about 50 or 60 quid.

My budget would be around 200 so would depend on what was available second hand. Is the Canon 18-200 a good buy?

I have also thought about a Sigma 70-300 for sport and wildlife but I've read its not to sharp at the 300 end.

Cheers!
 
halshaater said:
out of interest how come no-one mentioned the canon 17-40 f4?
Click to expand...
Because it's designed for full frame cameras so you are paying for the ability to illuminate a full frame chip when you'll only ever use the centre. There are better ways of spending your money if you're going to be crop sensor only. For example, the 15-85 IS is a MUCH more versatile lens on a crop, goes wider and longer and has IS. And it's cheaper....
 
arad85 said:
Because it's designed for full frame cameras so you are paying for the ability to illuminate a full frame chip when you'll only ever use the centre. There are better ways of spending your money if you're going to be crop sensor only. For example, the 15-85 IS is a MUCH more versatile lens on a crop, goes wider and longer and has IS. And it's cheaper....
Click to expand...

Ahh. Thanks for the advice, personally would need 'fixed' aperture throughout because shooting video.
 
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