New lens - what do I REALLY need?

TelePaul

I was thinking of buying a new lens. What I have so far for my trusty 350D are:

Canon 18-55 3.5 kit lens
Canon 70-300 IS
Canon 50mm 1.8

I'm leaning towards a Sigma 10-20mm for landscapes or the Sigma 70mm 2.8 macro. So I've about €500 to spend on the high-street, though of course this will stretch a little farther online.

Now, my question is, if I'm leaning towards landscapes, will the 10-20mm be a noticeable improvement on my 18-55mm kit lens? If not, I think macro would provide me with a fresher approach (though I don't have a speedlite).

Just looking for your thoughts/opinions/criticisms.

Borderfox

For under €500 you could get a Canon 17-40L

TelePaul

Borderfox wrote: »

For under €500 you could get a Canon 17-40L

Where, Kea Photo? How would that suit landscapes?

Fajitas!

It wouldn't be AS suitable compared to a superwide, but the Canon 10-22 is just out of your range if you fancy throwing in another few bob.

UWA's are great for gigs too.

Sigma 70 2.8 is a good lens too, and would double as a great portrait lens, but AF might be a bit slow on it - I've not read any reviews on it.

TelePaul

Fajitas! wrote: »

It wouldn't be AS suitable compared to a superwide, but the Canon 10-22 is just out of your range if you fancy throwing in another few bob.

UWA's are great for gigs too.

Sigma 70 2.8 is a good lens too, and would double as a great portrait lens, but AF might be a bit slow on it - I've not read any reviews on it.

Are we talking high-street prices, no? I suppose it comes down to whether I want landscapes or Macro....

Borderfox

17-40L will help you to better quality shots not as wide as super wide but still beautiful contrast and resolving power.

TelePaul

Borderfox wrote: »

17-40L will help you to better quality shots not as wide as super wide but still beautiful contrast and resolving power.

Hmmm. I'm intrigued by this now. Would it put my 18-55mm to shame, yeah?

Borderfox

Yes

deRanged

TelePaul wrote: »

Hmmm. I'm intrigued by this now. Would it put my 18-55mm to shame, yeah?

absolutely. the difference is amazing.

DonkeyStyle \o/

Borderfox wrote: »

For under €500 you could get a Canon 17-40L

Yeah, where?
I've seen it for €779, €819, €839 and a staggering €920!
Curious to know if there's somewhere good I'm not looking!

Hugh_C

I was thinking of buying a new lens.

buy a medium format

MartMax

You can get a 17-40 from Kea Photo for 405 pound incl. shipping to Ireland. That's less that 530 euros should the sterling to euro conversion rate is at 0.77.

challengemaster

DonkeyStyle \o/ wrote: »

Yeah, where?
I've seen it for €779, €819, €839 and a staggering €920!
Curious to know if there's somewhere good I'm not looking!

It's called ebay, and welcome to t'internet

Kea photo = epic win for camera gear

conkeroo

The sigma 10-20 is a great lens and great image quality. Much, much better than the kit lens if your leaning towards landscape shots.

what to do?

i find the sigma 10-20 very good. just be sure you want a lense that wide before you buy it - you will actually get the tips of your shoes in pictures.

TelePaul

Hugh_C wrote: »

buy a medium format

Uh.... no.

Hugh_C

TelePaul wrote: »

Uh.... no.

Uh ... OK. Extraordinarily good for landscapes though ...

Borderfox

The Sigma is a good lens but not in the same ballpark as the Canon, I had the Sigma and some copies can be quite soft.