Good Canon walkaround lens on a $500 budget

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

06/30/2005 04:06:56 PM · #1

What is the best walkaround lens I can get for my Rebel XT on a budget of about $500? I'd like something that is wide enough and has enough zoom for every day general use.
Thanks.

Canon EOS-60D

06/30/2005 04:08:00 PM · #2

Tamron 28-75 XR DI f/2.8... you can't go wrong with that one. It's awesome!!! :o)

LoudDog

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

06/30/2005 04:09:37 PM · #3

Not sure if it's the best, but the Canon 28-135 IS fits in your budget. It's not L glass so it's not razor sharp, but it gives you a good range and takes good photos. The IS is handy too.

Bebe

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

06/30/2005 04:10:46 PM · #4

I'll ditto the Tamron 28-75. I think it's a great lens for the price (now, if I can just become worthy of it!)

wewillexplore

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

06/30/2005 04:11:25 PM · #5

I third the Tamron 28-75 2.8

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

06/30/2005 04:14:43 PM · #6

Another vote for the Tamron 28-75.

06/30/2005 04:28:04 PM · #7

looks like the tamron 28-75 is taking the cake...

06/30/2005 04:28:50 PM · #8

Tamron 17-35mm! (just to be different, the other mentioned is great too!)

kjennings

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

06/30/2005 04:42:40 PM · #9

I think I might go for the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 myself for a possible trip to Italy. I wanted a nice zoom lens (canon 70-200 f/4L) but I can't see it being practical right now so I think I might get the Tamron first so I can get some nice shots with low range.

06/30/2005 04:48:26 PM · #10

given the rave reviews its getting here, i might order one fairly soon.

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

06/30/2005 04:51:42 PM · #11

Originally posted by kjennings:

I think I might go for the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 myself for a possible trip to Italy. I wanted a nice zoom lens (canon 70-200 f/4L) but I can't see it being practical right now...

I hardly used my 70-200 f/4L at all in Italy. For interiors and scenery, I needed wide angles and low light capabilities FAR more often than zoom.

Telehubbie

Canon EOS-40D

06/30/2005 04:54:13 PM · #12

I love the Canon 28-135IS too. Not quite wide enough in some cases with the crop factor, but a nice reach and it's pretty sharp.

lwkimages

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

06/30/2005 04:57:06 PM · #13

Originally posted by Telehubbie:

I love the Canon 28-135IS too. Not quite wide enough in some cases with the crop factor, but a nice reach and it's pretty sharp.

I sold my Canon 28-135IS (nice lens...) and bought the Tamron 28-75. ...no regrets.

photodude

06/30/2005 04:57:28 PM · #14

Originally posted by k4ffy:

What is the best walkaround lens I can get for my Rebel XT on a budget of about $500? I'd like something that is wide enough and has enough zoom for every day general use.
Thanks.

Is the walking around mostly urban? If so you prob want to be wider than 28 with the 1.6x. The 17-85 IS kit lens can be had for about that price

06/30/2005 04:58:49 PM · #15

i'm intrigued by the f/2.8 of the tamron though... hmm..

06/30/2005 05:01:24 PM · #16

Originally posted by k4ffy:

i'm intrigued by the f/2.8 of the tamron though... hmm..

the 17-35 is a better walking around outdoors lens for a lot of situations. It also has 2.8 at the wide end, and 4.0 at the narrow. The two lenses are pretty complementary though if you ever wanted to get both.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

06/30/2005 05:04:13 PM · #17

i may have to pick up both. probably go for the 28-75 for now, though. i always have the 18-55 kit lens if i need it.

LoudDog

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

06/30/2005 05:04:46 PM · #18

Note that the IS will let you shoot at a stop or two lower shutter. All my shooting is outdoor in sunny AZ so low aperture is practically useless to me in most cases and I'd rather have the IS.

Are you going to use it more for outdoor walkaround or indoor walkaround. The 28-135 IS might be better for mostly outdoor while the others reccomended would probably be better for mostly indoor.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

06/30/2005 05:09:36 PM · #19

outdoor walkaround, and i live in manhattan, so wider is probably better. decisions decisions!

LoudDog

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

06/30/2005 05:13:00 PM · #20

Originally posted by k4ffy:

outdoor walkaround, and i live in manhattan, so wider is probably better. decisions decisions!

Then the 17-35 might be your best bet, unless you are happy with your 18-55.

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

06/30/2005 05:13:14 PM · #21

Originally posted by photodude:

The 17-85 IS kit lens can be had for about that price

That's also a good choice. It won't be quite as sharp as the Tamron, but it certainly beats the kit lens for wide angle. You'll have a much better overall zoom range, you probably won't have to switch lenses at all, and the IS will help you compensate for low light to some degree (useful in places like the Vatican where tripods aren't allowed).

Sigma 20mm f/1.8 EX Aspherical DG DF RF for Canon

06/30/2005 05:14:08 PM · #22

Push your budget just a tad and get the 28-75 + a mf fisheye? //www.kievcamera.com has two kinds, 16mm and 8mm.

yido

Canon EOS-5D

06/30/2005 06:41:46 PM · #23

The Tamron 17-35 is a nice lens, I think the range is a bit narrow for your main lens. I like it b/c I have a wider zoom and longer zooms, so when I need more range/zoom, I just change lenses.

If you are leaning more towards the wide end, the Sigma 18-50 EX f2.8 might serve your range needs better as a sole lens.

06/30/2005 06:58:52 PM · #24

Originally posted by yido:

Is it sharper than the EF-S 18-55 kit lens?