Lens recommendation for a friend???

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danski

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Dan
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A friend is just about to make the jump from film SLR (Canon A-1) to DSLR and will either buy a mint 2nd hand 50D (probably off here) or more likely a new 550D.

His preference is to get 1 general purpose lens that will give him a fairly good range - probably something along the lines of either a 18-135 or 18-200.

I've got 3 L lenses (24-105, 70-200 f/4 & 100-400) and a UWA lens (12-24mm Tokina) that I'm happy to lend him for any occasion he might need it, so trying to find something that will suit either of these cameras well - unfortunately L glass is out of his budget.

He's probably looking to spend around £300-£400 on the lens - maybe up to £500 at a push, but would prefer to leave some budget for a decent CPL - e.g. Hoya HD.

So what would you recommend? IS would be preferred on the lens.

A couple of thoughts I've had looking at Canon's line up are below, but I haven't had any experience of them, so looking for your comments and recommendations for others if none of these would be good enough for the 50D or 550D:

1. Canon EF-S 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS
2. Canon EF-S 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 IS
3. Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
4. Canon EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 USM
5. Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM

thanks
 
I'm not much of zoomer but I'd suggest checking reviews at fredmiranda.com and hopefully there'll also be some feedback on this site.
 
danski said:
1. Canon EF-S 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS
2. Canon EF-S 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 IS
3. Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
4. Canon EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 USM
5. Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM
Click to expand...

Would probably avoid the 28mm as it isn't that wide on crop cameras. Others to consider:

Sigma 17-70
Tamron 17-50
Canon 18-55
Canon 15-85
 
danski said:
no-one??? :(
Click to expand...

As above.. I'm not one for zooms.. personally I rarely take the Sigma 30mm off the front of a 40D (so consequently can't see the logic in "avoid the 28mm as it isn't that wide on crop cameras").

Anyway.. your thread is being read.. here's a bump.
 
I'd cut down on the body and spend more on the lenses, he needs to handle the bodies before buying one as the 30D 40D 50D series is much bigger than the 400D 450d 500D series.

why spend so much on a 50D or a 550D when a 450D or 40d will be more than adequate.

My suggestion would be 40D or 450D tamron 17-50mm and something in the 55-200mm range
 
I have a 400D and have handled the 40D and 1 but find both the latter too heavy (as an accident damaged female!) so would endorse the comment above about handling the bodies before choosing.

I use a sigma 17-200 as a walkabout lens but it all depends upon what one intends to photograph.
 
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