Lens dilema - advice needed - DPChallenge Forums

12/16/2010 02:51:16 PM · #1

Hi, All,
This is my first ever post on DP challenge so be gentle with me!

I am trying to take my photo snapping to the next level but I just cannot decide what should be my next lens. I have the following at the moment:

EOS 550D T2i - no plans to upgrade to full frame (the weight is too much for me)
Tamron 18-270mm - great for travelling light (I do few weeks of cycle touring every year and weight and volume are a big issue)
Canon 100mm f2.8 USM Macro - bought last year, great lens
Canon 50mm f1.8 II - cheap so decision was easy, fun lens for low light

I take a lot of shots at 18mm as I like landscapes and nature photography. When I travel I also take photos of architecture but landscapes are my number 1 interest. I'd like to get a new lens for Christmas and the budget is around $1000 (really stretching that).

What lens should I get as my next addition:

Canon 17-40mm f/4 L USM
Tokina AF 12-24mm f4 AT-X 124 PRO DX II
Canon Wide Angle EF 28mm f/1.8 USM
Canon EF 70-200mm 4L IS USM (that would have to be second hand as new is over $1000)

If 17-40mm is my best choice how much better is it than my current Tamron in this range? Is it worth spending $800?

Any other choice you would recommend? (taking into consideration that any lens over $1000 woudld have to be second hand)

Thanks!
Margaret

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

12/16/2010 02:54:42 PM · #2

Have you considered the 15-85 EFS IS?

One hell of a bang for the buck IMO.

Four stops of IS
Great contrast and color
good build quality

only possible negative that comes to mind is that there is some vignetting, but not so much as to really bother me - actually I rather like the effect on most stuff.

Yo_Spiff

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

12/16/2010 03:01:21 PM · #3

Have you considered an ultra wide lens for those landscapes? I have the Tamron 10-24, which sells new for about $500. It's my favorite lens. The canon 10-22 has a rep as a awesome lens. It cost a bit more, but still well within your stated budget.

12/16/2010 03:07:59 PM · #4

Originally posted by coryboehne:

Have you considered the 15-85 EFS IS?

Yes but I read negative reviews about poor quality and people having to return it. If I got it at the lowest price returning it could be an issue (cheapest lenses are in Hong Kong)

12/16/2010 03:09:43 PM · #5

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

I tried Tamron 10-24 last year and did not like the distortion at 10mm. I would not get a lens under 12mm for that reason.

12/16/2010 03:28:16 PM · #6

Originally posted by marnet:

Originally posted by coryboehne:
Have you considered the 15-85 EFS IS?

Yes but I read negative reviews about poor quality and people having to return it. If I got it at the lowest price returning it could be an issue (cheapest lenses are in Hong Kong)

Are you sure you're talking about the 15-85? The very similar 17-85 does have bad reviews, but I haven't really seen many bad ones for the 15-85..

Have a look at the Amazon reviews, they're overwhelmingly positive..

The one low review I saw on there, the guy admitted that he has returned most of the zooms he's ever bought...

12/16/2010 03:39:42 PM · #7

Originally posted by coryboehne:

Are you sure you're talking about the 15-85? The very similar 17-85 does have bad reviews, but I haven't really seen many bad ones for the 15-85..

From //www.photozone.de/canon-eos/465-canon_1585_3556is?start=2

"The Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 USM IS is certainly a desirable lens ... if you can get a good one (ours had a bit of QC issue). The resolution is generally very good from 15-50mm whereas you should expect some border softness at 85mm. A weak spot of the lens is the amount of vignetting which is extreme at 15mm @ f/3.5. An edge shading of 1.94EV represents a new (negative) record here at PZ - the lens is somewhat underdesigned here obviously. However, stopping down resolves most of the problem. The amount of distortions is typical for such a lens (heavy barrel distortions at 15mm). Lateral CAs can be visible at the extreme ends of the zoom range.
The build quality of the lens is very good and definitely an improvement over previous Canon consumer zoom lenses. Typical for Canon lenses featuring a ring-type USM the AF performance is very impressive. The IS ("Image Stabilizer") works just fine within its limits but that's a proven technology by now and no real news anymore."

Also from few other reviews the quality was a problem. So the question is:

Is it better than 17-40mm L? The new price is almost exactly the same ($758 vs $778, HK not Amazon prices)

12/16/2010 03:44:54 PM · #8

Originally posted by marnet:

Also from few other reviews the quality was a problem. So the question is:

Is it better than 17-40mm L? The new price is almost exactly the same ($758 vs $778, HK not Amazon prices)

Is it better? Wow, that's one hell of a question!

First, it is quite a bit cheaper on Amazon - $692.97 here

Do you want 4 stops of IS? (or IS at all for that matter) Without it you'll never get a shot like this handheld:

Do you really need no vignetting and just a bit more contrast/sharpness?

Do you want a zoom range that is 23mm long, or a zoom range that is 70mm long?

You do seem to need a good "normal" zoom, and I think this would really fit the bill.

----

In the end, is it the sharpest thing in my bag? No

Is it the fastest thing in my bag? No

Can I use it to beat an intruder to death? No

Is it my favorite all around lens? Absolutely.

Message edited by author 2010-12-16 15:53:16.

12/16/2010 03:59:44 PM · #9

Originally posted by coryboehne:

First, it is quite a bit cheaper on Amazon - $692.97 here

Do you want 4 stops of IS? (or IS at all for that matter) Without it you'll never get a shot like this handheld:

Do you really need no vignetting and just a bit more contrast/sharpness?

Do you want a zoom range that is 23mm long, or a zoom range that is 70mm long?

You do seem to need a good "normal" zoom, and I think this would really fit the bill.

----

In the end, is it the sharpest thing in my bag? No

Is it the fastest thing in my bag? No

Can I use it to beat an intruder to death? No

Is it my favorite all around lens? Absolutely.

Thanks. I am in Australia, Amazon does not ship here. I am not bothered about zoom range, I would even go for a prime if a good, affordable one existed at 15 to 20mm end. I do like hand held shots, tripod always slows things down so IS is a good point for 15-85mm.

Still not sure on this. What is the sharpest lens in your bag for wide angle?

12/16/2010 04:09:59 PM · #10

Originally posted by marnet:

Originally posted by coryboehne:
First, it is quite a bit cheaper on Amazon - $692.97 here

Do you want 4 stops of IS? (or IS at all for that matter) Without it you'll never get a shot like this handheld:

Do you really need no vignetting and just a bit more contrast/sharpness?

Do you want a zoom range that is 23mm long, or a zoom range that is 70mm long?

You do seem to need a good "normal" zoom, and I think this would really fit the bill.

----

In the end, is it the sharpest thing in my bag? No

Is it the fastest thing in my bag? No

Can I use it to beat an intruder to death? No

Is it my favorite all around lens? Absolutely.

Thanks. I am in Australia, Amazon does not ship here. I am not bothered about zoom range, I would even go for a prime if a good, affordable one existed at 15 to 20mm end. I do like hand held shots, tripod always slows things down so IS is a good point for 15-85mm.

Still not sure on this. What is the sharpest lens in your bag for wide angle?

The 15-85..

My 12-24 Sigma is a real letdown when it comes to sharpness, but the extra 3mm is very nice.. I've been tempted by the 8mm rectilinear offering from Sigma, but I'm more likely to buy a 5D used, and then just use the 12mm which is equivalent.

So, in short, the best wide angle I have is also the 15-85.. (can you tell I like this lens?) I'll tell you what - I'm going to find a 15mm shot with it and post it, unedited, so you can see what I'm talking about.. Give me a few minutes.

12/16/2010 04:19:33 PM · #11

Here you are - as bad as this lens gets - taken @ 15mm wide open (f/3.5)

See full size

Now, that was just taken on my 20D, I set the lens to it's worst performing settings, no post processing, and I'd say that's still pretty darn sharp.

Message edited by author 2010-12-16 16:19:48.

12/16/2010 04:40:51 PM · #12

Originally posted by coryboehne:

Now, that was just taken on my 20D, I set the lens to it's worst performing settings, no post processing, and I'd say that's still pretty darn sharp.

Thanks, Cory. I am now convinced. So about this plan for me:
get a new 15-85 now
sell Tamron and forget the telephoto end for cycle touring
use proceeds from Tamron and get a new 70-200 4L IS next year (well, at least after Christmas shopping is paid off! :-)

Is this a good plan or what?

One more question - is there any free testing software to check the quality of the new lens? I will have 7 days to return the lens if there are any quality issues. I will need to test it quickly and comprehensively to be certain it is OK.