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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> 20D Lens: EF 28-135 vs EF-S 17-85
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Showing posts 1 - 14 of 14, (reverse)
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05/27/2005 04:19:38 PM · #1
Just purchased the 20D 18-55 kit. :?) Job one, get a decent lens. I'm pretty tapped, lets assume an L lens is out. I'm looking at about $400 or so, and debating between the EF 28-135 3.5-5.6 IS USM, and the EF-S 17-85 4-5.6 IS USM. Leaning towards the 28-135 for the longer focal length and because it's slightly faster. With two kids, I do a lot of chasing around and fast action shots, so a little more speed would be welcome. Low light shots good too, but I'll be getting a 50 prime to cover that later on. Just need a good all-round general use lens.

Questions:

Anybody have both, preferences or concerns between the two?

Any other non-canon lenses in that price/focal range someone might recommend?

Thanks for any suggestions and feedback!

05/27/2005 04:24:27 PM · #2
altough not in the same price range....I really always recommend fixed aperture lenses... variable one are a veritable nightmare.
05/27/2005 04:36:24 PM · #3
On a 1.6x crop factor camera, the 17-85 has a more useful range. But for starters, I'd go with a 50 F1.8 II. $70, sharp, light, and very fast compared to any zoom.
05/27/2005 04:38:54 PM · #4
You may also want to consider...

Tamron Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS $369.95

Sigma Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto 24-135mm f/2.8-4.5 Aspherical IF Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS $359

Maybe you should get one of these marginally cheaper lenses as well as the fixed Canon 50mm f/1.8 :)

I'm camera/lense shopping at the moment so I have this big excel sheet lense hitlist (if you're wondering why someone with a Canon PS A40 is posting about lenses).



Message edited by author 2005-05-27 16:40:50.
05/27/2005 04:39:37 PM · #5
Yeah, the 50 1.8 or maybe even the 50 1.4 are pretty much next on the list, though honestly I was thinking about getting a fixed lens after a short zoom. hmmm...
05/27/2005 04:47:48 PM · #6
the 17-85 EF-S is a great lens, it has the same focal length as the 28-135 on a fullframe body, and image quality is great for only $500 :)

the Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR is one of the best lenses in it's class, but the 17-85 has IS wich gives it some advantage over other lenses, even though it is f4-5.6 with the IS you can slow down the speed by 2 stops, so it would be f2.8-3.5, or close to that.
05/27/2005 04:55:34 PM · #7
I'm guessing the difference between the Tamron and the Canon (with reference to DanSig's post) is the range? I have absolutely no hands-on experience with lenses but, as I say, I'm in the middle of a lense shop so I've been doing a lot of research lately :)

All of this will probably make your decision more difficult, but I think you'll make a better one, ultimately.

Alex

Message edited by author 2005-05-27 16:55:52.
05/27/2005 05:16:31 PM · #8
more info is always a good thing...

05/27/2005 06:36:30 PM · #9
I just purchased the tamron 28-300mm lens for all around use and I really like it. Tamron makes the glass for fuji and other cameras as well. A very good product.
05/30/2005 10:36:52 AM · #10
I'm considering getting another lens, for walking around. I'm leanding toward the Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC, but want to see some reviews. This lens isn't as fast on the telephoto side as the ones you are comparing it to, but you'd have to find out what the aperture is at 135mm (or 85mm) to do a meaningfull comparison. And the Sigma lens may be faster at 28mm than the 28-135 you are considering.

You may also want to consider the Sigma 18-125mm F3.5-5.6 DC

If you're doing indoor shots, you'll probably want a wider angle than a 28mm lens gives you.

Also, consider that the 20D has a 1.6 factor, so a 50mm prime is really an 80mm lens. Canon makes an EF 35mm f/1.4L USM, and Sigma just announced a 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM

Message edited by author 2005-05-30 10:39:40.
05/30/2005 09:43:17 PM · #11
I have the kit lens and the 28-135IS, using the two, I can cover a good range. The 17-85IS maybe optically better than the kit lens but you'd be spending $600 dollars to have 50-85mm range that the kit doesn't cover. Neither the kit or the IS lenses are fast at f3.5. The IS will only work if the subject is holding still, so I don't think that would help you there. Perhaps a Tamron 38-75 XR Di f2.8 might be a better option for you.

Message edited by author 2005-05-30 21:45:01.
05/31/2005 12:09:22 AM · #12
Thanks to all for the many helpful suggestions. After considering the comments made here, I've done a little more research on non-canon lenses, and I am pretty impressed with the reviews of the Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR. Definitely what I was looking for, and in the right price range. May be the eventual winner. Have definitely soured a bit on the 28-135, and frankly, the EF-S 17-85 never really did it for me. Choices, choices. So many lenses, so little money...

Any bad experiences with the Tamron 28-75 out there?

thx
05/31/2005 01:14:29 AM · #13
As an owner of a 38-135 IS, I think you made a good choice. Check out Bob Atkins review of the Tamron against the 28-135IS, it is notibly sharper than the Canon. Great lens, if I had done my research before I bought the Canon lens, I might have gotten the Tamron as well.
05/31/2005 04:53:32 AM · #14
I started checking out the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 since seeing the photos posted in this thread.

All of those shots were taken with it. Also don't forget to check out this page. Some really nice photos there.

Linda
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