Short fast zoom for Canon 40D

[Bend The Light]

I am starting my fund to purchase a new lens. I recently shot a theatre show using just my 50mm f1.8. That was ok, and the image quality was fine, but my legs were knackered afterwards because to get full stage shots I had to be at the back of the auditorium, and to get close ups of performers I needed to go to row 2 of the seats. So, I was back and forth all the time.

I have a 40D.

I think I may be able to sort something in the region of £300, but it'll take me a couple or three months.

So, is there a decent, fast (f2.8?) zoom that would cover the range I am talking about?

I klnow I'm not getting "L" lenses , but beyond that I get confused with the other stuff, what is good and what isn't.

Cheers

 

[MatBin]

If you fancy second hand some of the "old" Canon zooms were very good. You need to buy ones with metal mounts, have a dof window (i.e. shows focus distance) and usually described as semi-pro forgotten gems, the slower plastic mounted later ones arent usually anywhere near as good. Being Canons they will work with your current camera and probably any future ones too including FF should you ever go that way. They may be a little slower than you'd like (I have a 28/70 f3.5, that gives almost L quality and is pretty well built, quite a modest weight and cost me about £70 two years ago on e-bay) but your budget is limiting you a tad, my curent 24/70 L cost me a grand but its a 2.8 and weighs a ton.

Typically
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Canon-EF-...=UK_Lenses_Filters_Lenses&hash=item43ad9211b5

 

[Bend The Light]

If you fancy second hand some of the "old" Canon zooms were very good. You need to buy ones with metal mounts, have a dof window (i.e. shows focus distance) and usually described as semi-pro forgotten gems, the slower plastic mounted later ones arent usually anywhere near as good. Being Canons they will work with your current camera and probably any future ones too including FF should you ever go that way. They may be a little slower than you'd like (I have a 28/70 f3.5, that gives almost L quality and is pretty well built, quite a modest weight and cost me about £70 two years ago on e-bay) but your budget is limiting you a tad, my curent 24/70 L cost me a grand but its a 2.8 and weighs a ton.

Typically
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Canon-EF-...=UK_Lenses_Filters_Lenses&hash=item43ad9211b5

Thanks. I looked at similar but worried about it not being fast enough. I have a Tamron 28-80 f3.5 which is similar to the canon ones...it's a lovely lens and cost me a tenner, but not sure it'll be quick enough for what I want...

Cheers

 

[MatBin]

Thanks. I looked at similar but worried about it not being fast enough. I have a Tamron 28-80 f3.5 which is similar to the canon ones...it's a lovely lens and cost me a tenner, but not sure it'll be quick enough for what I want...

Cheers

Unfortunately that small stop increase can cost a fortune. How about running it on a higher Iso with your Tamron and then pp any noise, or leave the noise in for a bit of atmosphere? Not sure how much 50Ds are going for these days but maybe a body with better Iso handling might be a way forward also.

 

[CaptainPenguin]

Dont know if its to short at the long end but I have been delighted with my Tamron 17-50 f 2.8 VC,I have also heard very good reports of the Tamron 28-75 f 2.8,both though will be nearer £400 than £300

 

[Bend The Light]

Unfortunately that small stop increase can cost a fortune. How about running it on a higher Iso with your Tamron and then pp any noise, or leave the noise in for a bit of atmosphere? Not sure how much 50Ds are going for these days but maybe a body with better Iso handling might be a way forward also.

I've only just got the 40D and it's noise handling is far superior to y 400D I had before.

I can handle noise, and 800ISO is not too bad at all.

 

[Bend The Light]

Dont know if its to short at the long end but I have been delighted with my Tamron 17-50 f 2.8 VC,I have also heard very good reports of the Tamron 28-75 f 2.8,both though will be nearer £400 than £300

I've heard about both those now...I'm not sure what differences I see betwen the two...I can stand anywhere I like in the theatre to get pictures, and so I can just position myself according to where I can get a full stage width at widest angle of the zoom...I will just save myself running up and down as I did with the 50mm fixed.

Think I'll be looking at the Tamron, anyway.

 

[goinggreynow]

+1 for the Tamron 17-50 F2.8, although I've got the non VC version & have been very happy with it on both my 450 & now my 50D. Have owned it for close on three years.

 

[Bend The Light]

+1 for the Tamron 17-50 F2.8, although I've got the non VC version & have been very happy with it on both my 450 & now my 50D. Have owned it for close on three years.

Thank you...the Tamron seems to be a favourite, either 17-50 or the 28-70. Both at f2.8. Looking like that may be my goal!