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 11/20/2004 12:16:43 PM · #1
How do.

I am going to persuade my beloved to get me a christmas present in the form of a new shiny Canon 20D body. She doesn't know it yet, but i am sure she will be thrilled when she find out, and once my bruised eye heals, will probably very much enjoy using it.

Only thing is, I have NO idea what lens to get. I think what i need, for no more than 300 quid, is a good solid all round lens. or should i get two cheap ones? I like macro shots, portraiture, landscapes, cars, buildings - bits of everything really (my portfolio actually shows what i like to do). Being economical, i would be tempted to go with the Sigma range (is the 18-50 F2.8 EX DC really good?). actually, for only an extra £4 a month, i could get a canon ef-s 17-85 F4-5.6 IS USM. i know it's anti-shake, but what else is it good for. or do i stick with the bog standard 18-55 EFS that comes with the body? help!
 11/20/2004 12:25:15 PM · #2
I bought a 2nd hand 28-105 usm off ebay,ok but I needed a 50mm prime,a few members here reccomended the 50mm 2.5 macro but my current finances didn't run to it.
Just got the 50mm 1.8 from 7dayshop.com for £58 including postage, a cracking little lens for knockin around.

typo edit

Message edited by author 2004-11-20 12:40:36.
 11/20/2004 12:47:06 PM · #3
This should be perfect to start with : 18-50 at F2.8 from Sigma ,make sure you buy the Canon version though...
 11/20/2004 12:57:19 PM · #4
hey pitsaman , I have a sigms 105 2.8 and it is noisey and slow , did sigma fix that problem somewhat like a canon lense , at least alittle less noise
 11/20/2004 02:39:33 PM · #5
Run away from the 18-55 EF-S. You are way better of with the better quality 17-85 IS (!) USM (!). More range, better optics, faster, better in low light etc etc etc. The range from 17-85 is perfect.


11/20/2004 04:36:29 PM · #6
Originally posted by TLL061:
hey pitsaman , I have a sigms 105 2.8 and it is noisey and slow , did sigma fix that problem somewhat like a canon lense , at least alittle less noise


Mine is sharp and focuses fairly fast(it is a Macro lens after all).

Awesome lens,check this bird in flight :
11/20/2004 04:41:14 PM · #7
Get the 17-85. I have a 28-105 3.5-4.5 and find that it's not wide enough on a 1.6x camera. I use my 17-40 as a walk-around, all-purpose lens and the 17-85 gets very good reviews. It's roughly the same as 28-135 on the 20D, so it's a perfect lens for general use.

Originally posted by redmoon:
How do.

I am going to persuade my beloved to get me a christmas present in the form of a new shiny Canon 20D body. She doesn't know it yet, but i am sure she will be thrilled when she find out, and once my bruised eye heals, will probably very much enjoy using it.

Only thing is, I have NO idea what lens to get. I think what i need, for no more than 300 quid, is a good solid all round lens. or should i get two cheap ones? I like macro shots, portraiture, landscapes, cars, buildings - bits of everything really (my portfolio actually shows what i like to do). Being economical, i would be tempted to go with the Sigma range (is the 18-50 F2.8 EX DC really good?). actually, for only an extra £4 a month, i could get a canon ef-s 17-85 F4-5.6 IS USM. i know it's anti-shake, but what else is it good for. or do i stick with the bog standard 18-55 EFS that comes with the body? help!

11/20/2004 04:42:51 PM · #8
Originally posted by Azrifel:
Run away from the 18-55 EF-S. You are way better of with the better quality 17-85 IS (!) USM (!). More range, better optics, faster, better in low light etc etc etc. The range from 17-85 is perfect.

Canon 20D doesn't come with 18-55 junk!,I hope...not !

Also 17-85 is only a F4-5.6 and is a 500$ lens.
I will always buy faster f2.8 glass with straight aperture for proven better sharpness edge to edge !

Message edited by author 2004-11-20 16:47:32.
 11/20/2004 08:02:22 PM · #9
Hi-ho,

If you're going from the S50, and you've not used an SLR before, the kit lens (18-55 EF-S) will probably keep you happy for a while.

I just got my 20D two days ago, and because I'm new to canon I've got the lens dilema as well.

I decided after a little bit of web surfing, and soul searching that I'd go with the kit lens, a 50mm F/1.8, and a 90-300 USM initially. Now I'm furiously trying to figure out how I can save for some 'L' Glass..

The kit lens is a shoddy bit of plastic, there's no denying that, but it focuses reasonably quickly on the 20D body, and is OK sharpness wise stopped down to F/8 or so. (OK, not great). I've not had it long enough to comment on CA/flare etc, but I've read some reviews that say it terrible there as well, but heck, I've moved from the G5, which had the worst CA in the business.

The 50/1.8 is amazing value for money, sharp and fast, although it is a little 'buzzy' when focusing compared to the other two lenses. It's also 100% plastic in feel and assembly.

The 90-300 USM is a 'bang for buck' lens. I wanted a long lens, but can't afford the 70-200 F/2.8 yet... Stopped down to F/8-11 it seems OK sharpness wise at 90mm end, but softens up around 200-250mm no matter how far you stop it down. There's also some CA at 300mm, not huge, but enough to be annoying. I got the USM version as it was on special, it is only fractionally faster than the non-usm and is quiet, but who cares...

Good luck with convincing the better half!

edit: Typo

Message edited by author 2004-11-20 20:07:08.
 11/20/2004 09:27:31 PM · #10
Originally posted by jimmythefish:
Get the 17-85. I have a 28-105 3.5-4.5 and find that it's not wide enough on a 1.6x camera. I use my 17-40 as a walk-around, all-purpose lens and the 17-85 gets very good reviews. It's roughly the same as 28-135 on the 20D, so it's a perfect lens for general use.
Could you please post some links for reveiws of the 17-85. I've been trying to find some and haven't been able to.

For a general purpose, if it's focal length range fits your needs, I'd reccommend the Tamron 28-75 f 2.8 XR Di. It's a fast 2.8 thru it's entire zoom range. In tests and reviews it is equal to or better than the corresponding Canon lenses and costs about a third of their price. B&H sells it for $369 and there is a $30 rebate thru the end of this year.

Message edited by author 2004-11-20 21:28:31.
 11/20/2004 10:46:59 PM · #11
[/quote]
Canon 20D doesn't come with 18-55 junk!,I hope...not !

[/quote]
yes it comes!
 11/21/2004 10:57:16 AM · #12
hi guys,

just a quick thank you to those who helped with the advice side of things. the not so loving comments about the standard 18-55 lens has cemented my decision to not bother with it.

i think i'll be going with the canon efs 17-85 F4-5.6 IS USM. seems like a good first out and about kind of lens, so i think it'll be worth the slightly higher cost.

thanks again
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