Value for money alternative to 15-55mm Kit lens (550D)

[tapetheescape]

Ok so just bought my 550d kit. The kit lens gets a real battering in reviews... is there a good value for money walkabout lens out there? Which would folks suggest?

Thanks!

 

[Mike.P]

Why not use it for a bit, get used to the handling of the camera etc and then have another think when you have decided what you really want to photograph.

If not then the 15-85mm gets good reviews.

 

[alexnail]

The tamron 17-50 2.8 would be my suggestion. I have never used it myself, but it gets excellent reviews.

 

[arad85]

You have the two best upgrades (save the purchase of a Canon 17-55) in the first two posts after yours. The non-VC version of the Tamron is supposed to be better optically than the VC version though.

 

[BacktotheFuji]

Which kit lens have you got? The 18-55mm IS version is actually pretty decent.

 

[modchild]

I got the 18-55 mk1 kit lens with my 550D last year and used it quite a lot, had some good results with it, and then decided to get a superzoom all in one and sold the 18-55. Fairly quickly realised I'd make a mistake as image wise I wasn't happy with the superzoom. Decided to sell the superzoom and got a 18-55 mk2 and a 55-250. Very happy with both the lenses, both sharp with good IQ.
I ended up giving the wife the 550D and the 2 lenses cause I've now gone for a 5D MkII and a 7D and now I end up borrowing her lenses for my 7D.

 

[mininut]

Sigma 18-55 2.8 ex dc macro is a cracking lens, just recently sold mine as i've gone all full frame. one can be had at a very reasonable prices too.

take a look on pbase.com and look at the iq on various versions of 17-50 range, sigma, canon, and tammy, then decide for yourself.

M.

 

[punkuate]

17-55mm is NIIIICE but expensive. I tend to use my 28-135 for wandering about.

 

[lucky_13]

Go for 15-85 it's a super sharp lens