Lens help - DPChallenge Forums

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

04/10/2008 02:32:40 AM · #1

Currently I have 2 Sigma lenses for my Canon 30D that I am thinking of replacing with Canon lenses. I just don't find these working well enough in low light conditions, and am not as pleased with them as I am my other Canon lenses. I would prefer not to mortgage my house for equipment. I do want to get good lenses though.
So, be an honest salesman and give me your speel and truthfully back your product as to why it is better.

The two I am wanting to replace:

Sigma 28-105mm f/2.8-4.0 Aspherical for Canon (my "general walk around lens")
Sigma 17-35mm f/2.8-4.0 EX DG Aspherical HSM for Canon (my wide angle landscape lens)

pix-al

Canon EOS-5D

04/10/2008 03:31:49 AM · #2

Well for the first one, this has got to be a contender... Canon 24-105 F4L IS

I have been eyeing this up as an alternative to the 24-70 F2.8L, as I find the 70mm is not quite long enough for my tastes...

04/10/2008 03:53:58 AM · #3

Originally posted by pix-al:

A bit pricey , but does look good, and you know with it being L glass it is gonna be sharp

04/10/2008 01:25:31 PM · #4

bump

hopper

Canon EOS-80D

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM

04/10/2008 01:36:31 PM · #5

This is a HUGE generalization, but there's essentially 3 levels of canon lenses:

Level 1: low end zooms
Level 2: non L primes
Level 3: L lenses (zoom and prime)

A level 1 canon lens might be a little better than the sigma equivalent, but you're not going to see a huge difference. Odds are, you don't want to switch to primes (most people prefer zooms). So now all you have left is very expensive L glass - worth it, but expensive.

I can recommend a lens for you, but I need to know what level we're talking about

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

04/10/2008 02:16:52 PM · #6

I'd like to stay with a zoom for a general walk around lens.
For a wide angle a prime might be just fine.

Patrick_R

Canon EOS-60D

04/10/2008 02:44:21 PM · #7

You could try the canon 28-135 IS USM I tried it out the other day and really liked it.

PhotoDave

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

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

04/10/2008 02:48:32 PM · #8

I just rented a 24-105 4L IS and will be playing with it over the weekend so Ill post some shots and let you know what I think of it :)

-dave

hopper

Canon EOS-80D

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM

04/10/2008 02:53:54 PM · #9

If you're planning to spend the money on L lenses, there really is no advice to offer ... they're all great (except maybe the first version of the 14mm prime) ... just buy the focal range you want.

non L wide prime - Canon only goes as wide as 20mm 2.8. It gets very good reviews. Problem is, 20mm on a crop sensor camera isn't so wide.

As for a walk around. I've owned the 28-135mm IS and my wife current owns the 28-105 (the 3.5 version, not the 4.0 version). Both lenses are very good, but neither are going to help you much over the sigma in low light when focusing.

Side Note (minor rant): I don't believe there's any such thing as a walk around lens. Of course, I know what you mean when you say it, and people use the term a lot. But someone who "walks around" in New York City is going to need a different lens than someone who "walks around" the Grand Canyon. And someone who usually goes out shooting in the late evening or early morning may need a different lens than a middle of the day type. Some people prefer macros when out and about, others love shooting the sky. See what I'm saying?

Many times, deciding what you want to photograph first makes choosing a lens a lot easier.

Hope this is helpful.