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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Another lens question - Need Advice
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 08/07/2005 05:41:05 PM · #1
Ok I have sold my 70-300mm lens to get a smaller and better everyday lens and I need some help on making a decision. My budget is $500 USD could you help me find a good lens within the money range and something within 17mm-105mm @ f/2.8. Here is what I have looked at so far.

1. Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS - $359.00 B&H
2. Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro DF Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS - $439.00 B&H
3. Canon EF 20-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM – B&H $409.95
4. Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) Autofocus for Canon - $389.95 +$30 mail in rebate B&H
5. Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Lens for Canon Digital EOS - $399.00 B&H – Rebate Available The reason for including this lens in my consideration is because of its reach and small size. But I can’t find much info on it. Here is a link to this lens.
6. Finally If I go with 1-4 what would be a good cheep lens to get me to 300mm keeping the total around $500. I have seen several sigmas and Tamrons 70-300 around $129.00 and up.

Any help would be great. If you have another lens suggestion within my limits feel free to let me know.
Thanks
-SDW
08/07/2005 06:01:06 PM · #2
The more I learn about photography, the more I realize there's no such thing as as a "one for everything" lens. That being said, I'm sure most will recommend what they own. I own the canon 28-135mm IS and I can tell you the following about it:

It's useless in low light
It's much sharper than I expected
The range is fantastic
The IS is very useful
Shallow depth of field is unlikely
The IS drains your battery quicker than normal

...and lastly, I love it!

but not more than primes :)
 08/07/2005 08:03:44 PM · #3
Bump - Advice please.
 08/07/2005 08:43:57 PM · #4
I'd say go with the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di. I had this lens for a few months and loved it. Extremely good in low light fast auto focus. Tack sharp at f/2.8 at 28mm and 75mm. THis lens shines at f/5.6. I only got rid of it because I was able to upgradt to the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L. The Tamron is a very close 2nd to the canon optically. Build wise, you can't beat a Canon L series lens. The tamron is built well, but it has a plastic feel to it. Best Bang for the buck IMO!!

I was able to find mine on eBay for $285.00. I'd certainly look there also.
 08/08/2005 09:02:51 AM · #5
Originally posted by SDW65:
Ok I have sold my 70-300mm lens to get a smaller and better everyday lens and I need some help on making a decision. My budget is $500 USD could you help me find a good lens within the money range and something within 17mm-105mm @ f/2.8. Here is what I have looked at so far.

1. Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS - $359.00 B&H
2. Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro DF Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS - $439.00 B&H
3. Canon EF 20-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM – B&H $409.95
4. Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) Autofocus for Canon - $389.95 +$30 mail in rebate B&H
5. Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Lens for Canon Digital EOS - $399.00 B&H – Rebate Available The reason for including this lens in my consideration is because of its reach and small size. But I can’t find much info on it. Here is a link to this lens.
6. Finally If I go with 1-4 what would be a good cheep lens to get me to 300mm keeping the total around $500. I have seen several sigmas and Tamrons 70-300 around $129.00 and up.

Any help would be great. If you have another lens suggestion within my limits feel free to let me know.
Thanks
-SDW


1st, you have correctly identified the critical range for an everyday/grab and go lens. 17-135 covers a solid portion of most snapshots. Next, you correctly identify an f/2.8 as desireable and lastly you qualify these with a budget of 500.00 and the term "good" lens. From your list of lenses, the noted Canon 20-135 seems to fit the bill of range, price, and "good". Had you used the term "excellant" instead of good, then you would have no choice but to go with a f/2.8

I shot for nearly 20 years with moderate lenses with f/3.5's-5.6's. Spent what I thought was good money in the multiple hundred dollar range and compensated for the slower f stops by using exclusively ISO 400 film. Took some very nice photographs over the years. However, after spending serious money for great glass like the Nikkor 17-35 f/2.8, I am a convert to buying the best glass you can afford, even if you have to trade a couple years worth of christmas and birthday gifts for it.

Please remember, a simple 50mm 1.8 or its more expensive mate the 1.4 are capable of capturing virtually any image, with excellant results. In case you need a bit of time to save up for the other piece of glass.
 08/08/2005 11:06:28 AM · #6
Your profile shows you have the Canon 18-55mm and the 50mm f1.8. You have to decide if you want a faster lens, or a longer lens.

Note that accessories like UV filters and circular polarizers will vary in cost depending on thier size. The Sigma 24-70 you mention uses an 82mm filter, which is rather expensive.
 08/08/2005 11:49:06 AM · #7
Once you have a 2.8 lens slower lenses are annoying.
Once you have good glass, lesser glass is annoying, and not used.

The longer the zoom range covered, the more compromises have to be made.

The Sigma 18-50 2.8 EX DC is very good glass, can be had for $420 or so.
The Tamron 28-75 is good glass, and I find i use the 18-28 range A LOT and don't miss the 50-70 range.
Yo have NO 70+ lens now? Try the Sigma 70-300 4-5.6 APO DG for $220 (or less perhaps). Very good glass for they money.

canon makes a 28-200 for around $350 that is not too bad if you want one lens. Not fast, but decent glass for the range.
 08/09/2005 12:08:22 AM · #8
[quote=SDW65] Ok I have sold my 70-300mm lens to get a smaller and better everyday lens and I need some help on making a decision. My budget is $500 USD could you help me find a good lens within the money range and something within 17mm-105mm @ f/2.8. Here is what I have looked at so far.

1. Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS - $359.00 B&H
2. Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro DF Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS - $439.00 B&H

Sigma 24-60 is optically better than 1-2.

3. Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM – B&H $409.95
Nice lens, but no wideangle coverage and it's slow.

4. Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) Autofocus for Canon - $389.95 +$30 mail in rebate B&H
This would be my recommendation. Fast and a good range. Still no wide.

5. Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di-II LD Aspherical
If you read the latest issue of Popular Photography, it's reviewed there. Not on their website yet. Poor performance beyond 100mm so you really are getting a decent 18-100 and at best ok 100-200 coverage.

6. Finally If I go with 1-4 what would be a good cheep lens to get me to 300mm keeping the total around $500. I have seen several sigmas and Tamrons 70-300 around $129.00 and up.
The Sub $150 zoom by both Tamron and Sigma are only ok. Nothing great.

Any help would be great. If you have another lens suggestion within my limits feel free to let me know.

It would be a good idea to ask what you intend to do with the lens or what you are looking for. You cannot find an excellent 70-200/300 zoom for less than half a grand. If I were you, I'd get the Tamron 28-75. It has good optics, it's fast, and it range is acceptable. You can use the kit lens for wideangle use, and the fifty for portraits/low light work. Later on, if you want a telephoto then decide what you want. An economical option would be Sigma APO 70-300 DG in my opinion. About $200 and a good lens. However, it's slow to focus and slow. By comparison if you want a fast telephoto zoom, Sigma makes a 120-300 EX f2.8 that is excellent optically, but this will cost about $2000. Yup ten times the 70-300 APO. Whether it's worth it or not to you is totally individual. But ask yourself what you want to do and how much you are willing to spend. If you are going toward getting serious lenses, then you may hold off on consumer lens and get pro level lenses.

Message edited by author 2005-08-09 00:09:16.
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