Time to upgrade the lens

mrbez

mrbez

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Hi Guys,

I have a 40D with the 18-55 and the 55-250.

I have just returned from a trip to Paris, where I rented a 17-55 2.8 and a 10-22 and upon returning and seeing the outcome, I can't stop thinking about upgrading what I have.

I don't think I would be able to afford the £500 for the 17-55, so what are my options for around £400?

Regards.
 
MrCraigBerry said:
Hi Guys,

I have a 40D with the 18-55 and the 55-250.

I have just returned from a trip to Paris, where I rented a 17-55 2.8 and a 10-22 and upon returning and seeing the outcome, I can't stop thinking about upgrading what I have.

I don't think I would be able to afford the £500 for the 17-55, so what are my options for around £400?

Regards.
Click to expand...

Always dangerous renting lenses like those :D

I'll be the first, probably of many, to say forget the rest and just get the Tamron 17-50, the older one without VC (IS) :D. It's seriously sharp, compact, and awesome value for money (around £200 secondhand). Did you find you needed the IS much when you were there?

Chris
 
Hi Chris,

I had the IS on all the time, I guessed that is the norm?

Why do you suggest the non IS?
 
MrCraigBerry said:
Hi Chris,

I had the IS on all the time, I guessed that is the norm?

Why do you suggest the non IS?
Click to expand...

Yeah sorry, should have been clearer! I was just wondering if you felt you needed the IS, personally I never really saw the need for it over the 'walkabout' focal range.

The non-vc is regarded as one of the best walkabouts for crop sensor, usually rated slightly above the Sigma offering, and only just below the 17-55 IS, but significantly cheaper.

I've head some disappointing things about the vc version, it's bigger, heavier, and not quite as sharp:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Tamron-17-50mm-f-2.8-XR-Di-II-VC-Lens-Review.aspx

It's down to you, but for £200 it's a bargain. That'll leave you £200 you can put towards a 10-22 or 10-20 :nuts:

Chris
 
I have been looking at buying a 430exii as I don't have a flash, and in the evenings I felt that the kit flash was poor.

Do you think a flash is a good addition also?
 
Flash is a good idea, the EX430's are a good little gun, cheaper end ones are the Nissin Di622 which is no slouch, its a damn good gun in its own right with plenty of features to keep you happy.

Lens wise give a Tamron 17-50F2.8 a try, the non VC version, cracking lens and very sharp.

Both the Tamron and the Di622 would come in at around your budget for the two(new) if you shop around.
 
Okay Guys,

I will have a look at the Tamron 17-50, but can anybody suggest a lens that is just as good, but also a little longer?

Regards.
 
MrCraigBerry said:
I don't think I would be able to afford the £500 for the 17-55, so what are my options for around £400?
Click to expand...
Save for a bit longer until you have £500 for the 17-55 :thinking:
 
Consider the YN-468 as a cheaper TTL flash, saves a few pennies.

When you review the photos you took in Paris, including the keepers and the rejects.. what focal lengths were you using the most? Which focal length(s) is most common among the keepers?

I'll play devils advocate and query why everyone is making the assumption you need a zoom..
 
Bite the bullet and get the 17-55 f2.8. It is the best "non L" lens that Canon have produced for years, and on a crop body is fairly equal to the 24-70 in terms of FF focal length.

If I could have only one lens on a crop body it would be this one...

Steve
 
Alastair said:
When you review the photos you took in Paris, including the keepers and the rejects.. what focal lengths were you using the most? Which focal length(s) is most common among the keepers?

I'll play devils advocate and query why everyone is making the assumption you need a zoom..
Click to expand...

Is there an easy way of checking this via Lightroom? Or a free application for mac?
 
MrCraigBerry said:
Is there an easy way of checking this via Lightroom?
Click to expand...

Go to the Library module.

In the Library Filter bar select Focal Length from the drop-down list. You might need to add a filter column to do this.

If you want to analyse it in broad bands you'll need to copy down the details and enter them into a spreadsheet.
 
If you have access to a PC, exposureplot is free and does what you want.

HTH
 
I do have quite a few shot at 55mm, and I do remember that at times I would have liked a little longer reach, mainly for candid shots.

Any other suggestions, or is the Tamron 17-50 the front runner?
 
If you want longer there's the tamron 28-75 F2.8 as well, another good sharp lens.
 
if you want a little longer - the 15-85mm IS lens seems to have a good reputation - but well outside my price range....
 
have a look at a sigma 24~70 2.8,not quite as wide at 24 but that 70mm take lovely portraits,the best of both worlds,
 
Sigma 30mm f/1.4

Focus on the composition and don't be distracted by the decision of whether to zoom in or out.
 
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