Fast zoom lens?

[TopBanana]

I've been thinking about getting a new lens to go alongside my 50mm 1.8 and was wondering if there are any fast short zooms out there (which don't cost the earth preferably!).
I've seen the Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 which seems alright, but I was really hoping that there would be something with a longer reach as I find my 50mm a bit short at times. Is there anything available which is something like 17-85mm f2.8? :shrug: There's the Canon 24-70, but as it'll be on a crop sensor a few extra mm of wide angle would be nice.
PS It's for a Canon.

 

[pete.rush]

So basically you want a wide to beyond standard zoom that faster on a crop sensor. It doesn't really exist, but the zoom lenses available are;

canon
17-55mm f2.8 EF-S
15-85mm f3.5-5.6 EF-S
17-40mm f4 EF
24-70mm f2.8 EF
24-105mm f4 EF
28-135mm f3.5-5.6 EF-S

Sigma
17-50mm f2.8
24-70mm f2.8

Tamron
17-50mm f2.8 (2 versions)
28-75mm f2.8

On a cropped sensor the canon 17-55mm f2.8 is probably the one to go for, alternative is the tamron 17-50mm, as a walkaround lens, the canon 15-85mm or 28-135mm get some good reviews, you gain on the focal range, but lose on aperture. Or there's the 24-70mm (used MKI) or 24-105mm, but top $$

 

[TopBanana]

Thanks for the detailed list Peter, it makes for interesting reading!
I have a quick look at the Canon 15-85mm but was disappointed in the lack of wide aperture (but I think that's because it was a kit lens on the better bodies wasn't it?).

I think I might have a closer look at the Tamron or Sigma 17-50 and 28-75mm lenses. I've got an old 28-80mm kits lens from my first film SLR so I might try that out to see if the focal length gives me what I want; I think the extra reach would be better for me than more wide angle as I don't like having to get in people's faces to get closer shots!

 

[DaveKing]

You could consider the Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4.0 OS. It is about half a stop slower at 50mm and a stop slower at 70mm, but you do get OS and 20mm more reach.

 

[Deleted member 49549]

Lenshawk is handy for queries like this:-

http://lenshawk.com/#filters={camera=41,focal-type=zoom,focal-length-max=100,aperture-max=2.8}

 

[pete.rush]

You could consider the Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4.0 OS. It is about half a stop slower at 50mm and a stop slower at 70mm, but you do get OS and 20mm more reach.

Image quality very average, that's why I didn't consider it, like the canon 17-85mm, ideal range but mediocre performance.

Thanks for the detailed list Peter, it makes for interesting reading!
I have a quick look at the Canon 15-85mm but was disappointed in the lack of wide aperture (but I think that's because it was a kit lens on the better bodies wasn't it?).

The canon 17-55mm f2.8 IS or tamron 17-50mm f2.8 (IS/non IS) are probably your main choices

 

[TopBanana]

Image quality very average, that's why I didn't consider it, like the canon 17-85mm, ideal range but mediocre performance.

I'll cross those off the list then!

The canon 17-55mm f2.8 IS or tamron 17-50mm f2.8 (IS/non IS) are probably your main choices

Cost wise it would have to be the Tamron I went for out of those two. I'm also leaning towards the Tamron 28-75 as I think I'd be more likely to use the long end than the wide end (IMO 28mm isn't too bad, even on a crop body)

Thanks for all the replies. Now how do I petition Canon to make a super cheap, amazing optical quality 17-85 f2.8 lens

 

[Donki]

The Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 is a good lens for the money, about £210 second hand. Its well built and pretty sharp wide open. Downsides are its a little noisey and focusing speed isnt super fast. But again this isn't an exspensive lens when you consider the Canon equivilent, I would recommend it but remmeber the quality control on Tamron and Sigma is questionable and you could get a dud.

 

[wibbly]

The Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 is a good lens for the money, about £210 second hand. Its well built and pretty sharp wide open. Downsides are its a little noisey and focusing speed isnt super fast. But again this isn't an exspensive lens when you consider the Canon equivilent, I would recommend it but remmeber the quality control on Tamron and Sigma is questionable and you could get a dud.

I was wondering about one of these on my 40d. You like it do you?