Lens choice

Mark White

Mark White

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Mark
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I'm in a bit of a dilema as to which lens to get.

I do a varied range of photography, mainly landscapes through to motorsports events.

I currently have a Canon EF-S 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 IS
I have recently changed my Canon EF-S 55-250mm f4-5.6 IS to a Canon EF 70-200 F4 L USM :love: Quite a big jump I'm sure you'll agree.

Problem now is after a weekend at a car show the difference between the picture quality of both lenses has been a massive shock to me. I know the L series lenses are good and the 55-250 is a basic Canon lens, but I didn't think there would be that much of a difference!! :(

So the question I ask now is what to replace my 18-55 with, I've come up with a few possibilities that are around the price region I'm looking to spend.

To keep a nice zoom range between the 2 lenses...
Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4 DC OS Lens (Canon EF-S)
Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

For a slightly longer zoom range and maybe a good walkabout lens...
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS Lens
Sigma 18-125mm f3.5-5.6 DC OS (Canon AF)

I'm really looking for the best picture quality that my budget will allow and I'd like to have the zoom range from 18 or below, IS/OS is a must too.

Honest opionions very welcomed and any further suggestions greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance :thumbs:
 
Save some more cash, up your budget (you don't say what it is) and purchase an EFS 17-55/2.8 IS. This lens is sublime on a crop sensor, absolutely made for the camera with a constant f/2.8 throughout the range. All the others you mention have a variable minimum aperture, depending on the focal length selected. I owned one of these and only moved it on after getting a full frame camera. It never ceased to amaze me the quality of this lens. There are many on here who rate this lens just as highly.
 
The lenses I mentioned above retail at around the £400 mark @ Jessops (I know can be had cheaper elsewhere - just using Jessops as a catologue), so really somewhere around that price range. I've just looked at the 17-55 F2.8 IS and it is out of my price range unfortunately :(

I also spend 'Stupid amounts of money' (quote from wife) on my drift car - my other hobby.
 
In that case, you have missed off a very well considered lens - The Tamron 17-50. There are 2 versions I think, one is better than the other apparently. Have a search on here and you'll find the good comments about it and find out which is the better of the two. Can't speak from personal experience, but there are a lot of happy users with that lens.
 
I'm stuck more now :thinking: - got allsorts of differing ideas as to what I want to get!

Need to decide if I want to buy a wider ranged walkabout lens and probably a nifty 50 for picturs at static shows etc or just go for a more quality focussed lens with potentially a more limited zoom range and a higher price tag!! :shrug:

Decisions decisions!! :bang:
Doesn't help that I'm fairly new to this and not quite grassped what all the specs etc mean :|
 
I'd go for a fast lens, if you're going for a zoom that means f2.8. There are a few to choose from in the 17-50mm type range and I'm pretty sure that they'll give a step up from your current "standard" zoom.
 
Forget the IS and get a tamron 17-50 F2.8 its as sharp as a razor (the non IS version is sharper than the IS version of this lens).
 
Have a look through the shots you have taken on the 55-250. How many of them were between 56-69mm? Probably very few, so don't worry about trying to cover the full range and go get the Tamron 17-50 non vc. It's a great lens and a big jump in quality from the 18-55. This last statement from experience of the same move.
 
I've never used the VC version, but going by all reviews I have seen yes. And if you are managing fine with the 70-200 non IS then the 17-50 will be no problem.
 
See thats the problem, I'm not managing fine without the IS on the L lens.
With the lower range zoom lens I'mm be doing a lot of walking around in the pit areas of drifting events and at car shows so ideally IS was apealing to me.

The VC version has to be a good jump up from the standard lens though right? :shrug: I might go for that one.
 
Oh dear!!
I bought both my 18-55is and 55-250is from these guys without a problem, thought their prices were bloody amazing but now seems to be a reason for that!
 
My vote would also be for a Tamron 17-50 non VC. I'd avoid the 17-85 IS - probably not going to give you a huge jump in quality. You could head for a second hand 17-40L. I prefer this lens as an Ultra wide on full frame, but it does the job on a crop ok.

Phil
 
Is it me or are they nearly always cheaper when they are out of stock, Anyway, This thread has addressed my question about replacing my 18-55 kit lens.
 
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