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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Choosing my next lens
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11/19/2006 03:26:28 AM · #1
It is about time to select a lens to replace my 18-55mm kit lens as my "main" lens and I am trying to decide between these three

EF 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 USM
or
EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM
or
EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

I am trying to keep the cost to around $300. I live in a small town and don't often travel to the big city, so all my info thus far has been collected online. I have read a little on each and have looked at the photos for each on this site, and now I am looking for some input from you all. Here are few questions I have

- Is IS worth the money? (in this case?)
- Does one of these lenses stand out in terms of build quality and optics?
- Am I missing a lens in this price range that would be better suited for day-to-day shooting?
- From the pictures, it looks like the 28-105 zooms externally (gets longer as it zooms). Is this correct? The others seem to zoom internally. Is that correct?

Thanks in advance for your input :)
11/19/2006 03:54:23 AM · #2
My friend has just bought a tamron 28-70 2.8 and he's very happy with it.
Save up and buy L(ovely)lenses if you can.
11/19/2006 04:33:28 AM · #3
The canon 28-135 definitely gets longer as it zooms, unless it's undergone a radical redesign in the last year, which the naming doesn't suggest ;)

11/19/2006 12:11:34 PM · #4
I'll second the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8, and if you want any of the ones you listed, I'd go for the 28-135mm IS.
11/19/2006 12:16:44 PM · #5
Originally posted by SamDoe1:

I'll second the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8, and if you want any of the ones you listed, I'd go for the 28-135mm IS.

The Tamron appears to pop up as a suggestion EVERYTIME someone asks for a lens recommendation. Why?
Because:
1. It's an extremely nice lens that takes wonderful shots.
2. It's fast enough, just wide enough and just long enough for most applications.
3. It's a relatively compact lens to use as a walk around lens.
4. You can not beat the price (around $350).
I don't know much about Canon lenses, so I can't suggest any of the ones you listed.
11/19/2006 12:32:17 PM · #6
You may also want to consider the Tamron 24-135 zoom. It takes very sharp, clear photos. The thumbnail of the barn below was taken with the Tamron. I also took another shot of the same barm with my 17-40L (little different perspective), and the sharpness between the two lenses was extremely close. It does extend when zooming, but I think that its within your budget. This is my main walk-around lens on a Canon 30D.

11/19/2006 02:44:44 PM · #7
Ok, so I did a little reading on the Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 and it seems to be a diamond in the rough type of lens. That is why I asked you :)

Anyone ever had any build or compatibility issues with this lens?
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