Lens Recommendation

samp09

samp09

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Sam
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hello, This is my first post so if this subjects been covered already i apologise! Basically I am off to the USA/Canada in a couple of months backpacking for a while, seeing mostly the national parks etc and I am after a decent lens to take with me for scenic shots (think grand canyon,Niagara Falls as well as Cities) and something which is good for night photos of the stars too (Northern Lights in Canada as hopefully working a Ski season there too) so wondered what people would recommend for me. I have a Canon 60D with a 17-85mm EFS IS USM lens and this is literally it as i only recently upgraded from a 400d.Looking to get some UV filters and a Polarised filter too for the fishing is there any recommended?I used to use a hama polarised lens which i found to be good.My budget is a few hundred pounds for a lens any help is greatly appreciated. Also a small lightweight tripod for traveling with me although could pick one up there.Thanks again,Sam
 
I'd say, keep it simple given the new camera. The 17-85mm range should cover most eventualities you have and if you are backpacking, you don't want to be lugging too much gear - maybe consider a longer lens, but it depends on your style - I tend to live between ultra wide and standard telephoto zoom ranges. Don't often feel the need to go longer when travelling - though a good choice would be a used 70-200 f/4L as it will last you as you progress and is very portable. They do an f4, and f4 IS version, the latter being slightly sharper, and image stabilised, but more expensive. The former can be regularly found used at around the £300 mark. UV filters - unless you want it for lens protection, not a priority. Polariser - make sure you get a circular polariser - you can pay loads, but something from Hoya, Sigma will be fine. Tripod - take a look at manfrotto in a size you are prepared to carry around. If you find yourself struggling when you are there for certain shots, buy when you are there and save a few bucks!
 
I'd concur too with Whippet - the 17-85 isn't too bad, but it does have a design fault that makes it a tad unreliable (the ribbon cable inside it fractures, leaving you with AF that will hunt at certain focal lengths, eventually failing to AF at all). If you replaced it with the 15-85mm to keep with the single lens, you'd have most eventualities covered.
 
I'd agree with Whippet

Canon EF-S 15-85 is a good lens and a really handy focal range.

The Canon 17-55 f2.8 is another to consider. It's 'faster' being f2.8 (and I'd put it ahead of the 15-85) but obviously doesn't have the same range.
 
Another vote for the 15-85. It is a marked step up from the 17-85 in every respect. The 17-55 is marginally sharper than the 15-85 and slightly faster but as dinners says you lose on the range.
 
Brilliant thank you all for your help I will look into it!i just wanted the filters to reduce glare for things like waterfall shots etc ideally probably some sort of darkening ones so the picture isn't so bright
 
For waterfalls, do you mean you wish to use long exposures in bright conditions? If so, what you need is a Neutral Density filter. Something like a 10 stop filter - you don't need to spend a fortune on them; I use some of NISIs optical glass ND filters 100mm square, which are a bit spendy (around £100 in the UK), but can be found from the far east for around £65 or so. However, you can get screw in ones for quite a bit less - £30-40. I have NISI's in the round fitting too - it's not as convenient as the square filters, but I like them because they are very neutral and good optically. Other brands are available, etc.
 
Yes Simes123 Thats what i was referring too.recently in madrid i tried to get a nice picture of a waterfall with just the camera and lens but it kept coming out too bright when i got the desired effect with the waterfall..It's all trial and error but i am learning.Would you guys recommend the 15-85mm over say the 24-105 lens?Iguess when doing photos of big landscapes i will lose a fair bit of the width of the photo by doing that though.I am swaying towards the 15mm-85mm lens to be honest.
 
24-105 is a great walkabout lens on a full frame camera. On a 60D go with the 15-85. It sounds like you are still learning re exposure etc, so it might be worth you carrying on with what you've got lens wise until you find it limiting.
 
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