what canon lens for walkabout ?

silverside

Hello

what lens should i get next for around 300 euro ?

I have
18-55 IS kit lens
tamron 55-200 3.5-5.6
50mm 1.8 prime

with my 450d.

even to my untrained eye, the kit lens is not great. The obvious upgrade path is the Canon 17-85 at about 300 euro. is there anything else i should consider? Its for all-round use / outdoor holiday snaps really - I took a few aquarium / zoo shots without flash with my prime lens and was blown away by the quality difference between that and the kit lens.

cheers

Fajitas!

If you want to replace the kit lens, the 17-55 2.8 IS is fantastic, but a bit higher pricewise than your currently willing to spend!

Would you consider something wider? Maybe the Sigma 10-20 or one of the other brand equivilents?

silverside

not really now - as i tend to take more candid / sculpture type shots than macro / vista shots - so i want at least to cover the 25-50mm range - but thanks for the suggestion. i could see myself getting something like that for panoramas in a couple of years time, but this is definitely for walkabout / allround use.

0utpost31

The sigma 17-70 is a fairly daycent and dynamic walkabout lens...

















Yes I love my colours....

me flickr

silverside

hmm i am tempted... it is cheaper than the canon 17 85 - but is it better... now that question i shall leave to tomorrow (or to your wise selves ;-)

Mr. Grieves

Having used both the Sigma 17-70 and the Canon 17-85, I think the Sigma is far better for the money, because I believe wider apertures are more useful than IS. I sold my kit lens and got a second-hand Sigma for 150 euro, and I'm completely happy with it.

YogiBear

Mr. Grieves wrote: »

Having used both the Sigma 17-70 and the Canon 17-85, I think the Sigma is far better for the money, because I believe wider apertures are more useful than IS. I sold my kit lens and got a second-hand Sigma for 150 euro, and I'm completely happy with it.

I have the Canon 17-85 too & I'd agree about the aperture, makes for more control. The sigma 17-70 2.8-4.5 right?

0utpost31

YogiBear wrote: »

The sigma 17-70 2.8-4.5 right?

Yes that's right, 2.8 at 17mm but it doesn't stay at 2.8 for very long. Still useful though.

silverside

cheers guys - i checked out a few reviews and i think i will go for that sigma 17-70 and sell the kit lens.

0utpost31

Buy it on ebay! Not sure how much they are in Irish shops, but ebay is the best for savin a few €€€

http://cgi.ebay.ie/SIGMA-17-70mm-f-2-8-4-5-f2-8-4-5-DC-Macro-Canon-Lens-UK_W0QQitemZ370090423562QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item370090423562&_trkparms=39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A2|240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

silverside

thanks for the suggestion - i generally do, there is also a bricks-and-mortar store in central london near the british museum (microglobe) which has good prices.

Ballyman

Another suggestion is the 18-125mm Sigma OS (equivalent to canon IS). You should be able to get it for around €300 on ebay. I find it outstanding and it's on the camera 99% of the time now as it covers a wide range and is perfect as a walkaround lens. I find it tack sharp and AF is fairly fast as well. I use it for horse racing and general use.

jackdaw

Hi OP .. for walkaround for around that price ... Tamron 17-50 f2.8 ... fantastic lens ...

m_stan

17-88, from kea

0utpost31

m_stan wrote: »

17-88, from kea

That's gonna cost over 400... His budget is 300.

leef23

so would the sigma 17-70 be a better lens then the Canon EF-S Zoom Lens - 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

0utpost31

Check out this poll on POTN...

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=400415&highlight=sigma+17-70mm