Recommend a Lens for my 40d

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David
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Been reading all diff reviews regarding Canon EF-S IS, Sigma, Tamron etc

Budget will be £300 give or take 20 30 quid, L glass is out the window, and some thing in this area 18-100 (i know this isn't a lens option) area in focal length.

I have read al sorts of contradicting reviews so thought i would ask the real people who have used them.

Oh camera is Canon 40D.
 
You are getting close on budget to a 70-200L.


Dave.
 
Tried a few lenses lately and the best one has been a relatively cheap Sigma 17-70mm

Was prepared to pay more, but can't really fault it so why spend money for the sake of it
 
sorry, new pref but if i can get a better quality second hand in v.good nick then so be it.

Don't really want to go 70-200 at the min.

Currently running a 18-55 non is kit lens which i bought to get me started in a hurry. lol

Tijuana Taxi - any examples of the sigma quality?
 
Seeing as you answered will I typed this, post edited :)

How about a Canon 17-85mm IS?
If IS is not important then there is the Tamron 28-70mm f/2.8 and for low light then perhaps the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8

I think with you budget, the 2nd hand route would be a wise option.
 
Would recomend a Canon 28-135 IS. Deffo within your price range. A lot of my pics in my flickr and my website are taken with this so you can get a feel of what kind of pics it takes.

The only downside I would say, is that it is not an L lens for that super super sharp quality and it is F4 - F5.6. But still a flipping good walkabout lens.
 
I recently bought the sigma 17-70 after using the kit lens the colours are a lot brighter and it's much sharper. Its not known to be L-lens sharp but it's sharp enough for me. It has a useful range and the macro is a nice feature. The f/2.8 at the wide end is useful for indoor shots. Can get a bit of background blur (bokeh) on portraits at f4 which is nice. Built well.

Best thing: 14 pointed sun-stars.

worst thing: AF tends to hunt in extreme light conditions. It flares more than the kit lens too so make sure you use the hood.

The last 13 pics in my flickr were taken with it http://www.flickr.com/photos/timlovelady/

I'm posting some shots up here soon: http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=177370
 
Hascake, yes the 17-85 was on the list to look at. currently i am not using an IS model so i don't know how much diff it makes.

I just rushed to Jacobs website as i thought this was the lens you was refering too.
http://www.jacobsdigital.co.uk/index.php?target=products&product_id=69534 for just short of £100. but it isn't lol. I will read some reviews on that.

Tijuana Taxi, ok as long as it aint any trouble, just wans;t sure if you had flickr.
 
Hi, I just moved up to a 50D and have stuck the Tamron 17-55mm f/2.8 on it, and am getting superb results; if you're not too worried about IS then this is your lens!

;)
 
I agree, this is an excellent lens. It's rapidly becoming a favorite of mine.

Am waiting to see how the VC version shapes up once it arrives in the UK; if it matches the non-VC for IQ then it'll be awesome!
 
Hascake, yes the 17-85 was on the list to look at. currently i am not using an IS model so i don't know how much diff it makes.
.

IS tends to give you a couple more stops when hand held.
So in some cases, you'll be able use a higher F-Stop with IS.
 
Am waiting to see how the VC version shapes up once it arrives in the UK; if it matches the non-VC for IQ then it'll be awesome!

Me too, so far the reviews of the Nikon version have been very good.
Hopefully by the middle of this month the Canon version should be available.
 
The 17mm-85mm is a great lens - and the IS certainly is an advantage for most general photography subjects... You might want to have a look in the classifieds - there's normally one or two for sale there ;)
 
The 17-85mm IS lens is a great walkabout lens. The Tamron 17-50mm F/2.8 has better IQ but no IS and you loose some range. There will soon be a new Tamron 17-50mm F/2.8 which includes IS but that will be closer to £400 than £300.

Either of the above will offer noticable improvements over your kit 18-55mm lens.
 
I'd echo what some of the others have said.

The 17-85mm EF-S IS USM is a good option for your price. I find it's handy as the wide end is great for landscapes and going to 85mm it gives you a nice range making it a good walkabout lens.
 
I will take a look also at the canon 17-85. Just had a browse at a sigma 17-70 review and that seems to fair pritty well.
 
I upgraded from my 18-55 to a Sigma 17-70 after a long debate! The general consensus is that the IQ is slightly better than the Canon 17-85 which I was originally going to go for. Since I received it, I think the build quality is very good, IQ is very good and the range it covers is excellent. Also comes with a good lens hood included which will save you £25 over the Canon, and of course it is a full stop faster too being a f/2.8 (at the wide end).

As mentioned before the only downside to the lens is its tendancy for the AF to hunt in low light :(

Only had it a few weeks and used it about 4 times and I'm more than sure I can't do the lens justice yet but here is a pic I snapped quickly the other day! :S
IMG_3129.jpg


Also the Sigma is over £100 cheaper than the Canon which means you could use the extra money for a nifty fifty or something for very low light!!!
 
tameron 28-75 f2.8 is very good on crop for the money - very sharp in the centre, nice and light and pretty decent build quality
 
the nail has been hit on the head, a nifty was on the cards any way, every raves about them so may as well join them and probs sit in the bag more than on the camera. lol.

hmm decisions, my thoughts are edging towards the sigma.
 
Another vote for the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 lens. Probably the best bang for your buck lens on the market. I can categorically say that it is significantly better than the Canon 17-85mm lens.
 
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