Topic: What lens to buy

[Ed.]

Ok, I think I just pulled the plug on a 20d w/grip.  Woot!  Now I have a question on which lenses to get. 

I know what I need for concert photography, so my question is more on whats a good all around lens?  I'm going out to Napa Valley next month and would like something that would be a good for landscapes, party pictures, portraits, that kind of stuff.  Just a nice default lens.  Are the kit lenses any good, or should I try to upgrade from there.

I could probably spend around $300-400, maybe a little more, but would prefer a little less.

Thanks for the help.

[MattD]

The 24-105 f/4 IS is probably THE all-around lens, but 24 is a little long on a 20D, plus it's over a grand. The 17-40 f/4 L is the lens I used most in Napa/Sonoma. It's a little short for portraits, but if you're also bringing one of the good concert lenses (50/1.8 or 85/1.8 ), you'll have that covered. The 17-40 is over $500, though.

The 17-85 f/4-5.6 is probably most of what you're looking for and is right around 500 bucks. It's a slower lens and the glass isn't as good as either of the two I mentioned above, but it will do the job.

If you're comfortable with switching lenses, try the three primes 24/2.8, 50/1.8, 85/1.8. This really isn't a beginner's setup, and you don't give any indication of your skill level. This definitely isn't a "default lens" recommendation.

I hope that helped. For that price, you will have to make some kind of sacrifice, either in flexibility (slow zoom) or in ease-of-use (primes). I love my 17-40. The other nice thing is that it's L glass, so you can resell it at a good price.

[jpschust]

unless you buy a 50 f/1.4 i highly suggest getting a 50 f/1.8.  It's like 60 bucks or something like that.  you will have to stop down to 2.8 or even 4 to get a nice crisp image, but it's a great lens and super cheap.

avoid lenses with f stops above 4.  there are exceptions for specialty lenses (super wides, super zooms) but for what you are looking for go with stuff sub 4.  Also, take a look at www.sigma4less.com for some good lenses.  lots of reviews of these lenses on fredmiranda.com/reviews

[Ed.]

I haven't really picked up an SLR in the last 3 years or so, but before that I used one quite a bit for school.  Granted, I mostly just used the kit lens back then for everything.  That was a canon lens, and I still have it, I bet I could use that for some things too.

I'm guessing something like this then wouldn't really be worth my time then.

I honestly know nothing about glass.  I can take a picture but all the technical stuff about lenses I've forgotten over the years.

[Ed.]

Also, take a look at www.sigma4less.com for some good lenses.  lots of reviews of these lenses on fredmiranda.com/reviews

good deal, time to do some reading.

[jpschust]

avoid those zooms like the plague.  it's rare that they do any one part of that well.

i cant think of one zoom that does wide angle and distance well. 

i do have a few zooms in my kit, but they are reserved for certain ranges.

this is what i'm carting around at the moment and why i have it

canon 50 f/1.8- this is my beater lens.  if i need super low light and something i can get destroyed this is what i use

leica 50 f/1.4- this is my real shooting lens for mid range

sigma 15 f/3.5 fisheye- specialized lens for getting super wide with curvature

canon 70-200 f/2.8L this is my prime shooting lens for distance.  probably gets more use than any lens i own

canon 180 f/3.5L macro lens- this was my primary lens for macro shooting for a while, though i recently got another macro lens (coming in a moment on the list).  Debating whether to sell this or not.  It makes a great distance portrait lens, but it's slow on its AF.  VERY VERY sharp though.

Leica 100 f/2.8 macro- this is the baby of my macro lenses.  just when i didn't think it could get sharper this lens comes along and proves me way wrong

sigma 50-500 f/4-6.3- i keep this lens around and don't use it as much as i should.  it's really for zoo shooting, nature shooting, birding, etc.  I didn't want to spend the money on a 400mm lens, so I got this.  It's ok, not my favorite.  Must use a monopod or tripod with it in order to shoot well.

other things I use a lot

canon 1.4x multiplier
canon 2.0x multiplier
canon 580 flash
canon 550 flash
st-e2 flash remote


I've gotta be forgetting something in my kit, but thats what im using and why i use each piece.  im no longer in the hunt for lenses, though im sure the time will come that i will be. 

[Ed.]

thanks guys +t's

time to get all this stuff sorted out.  I haven't did anything at work today.  And the guy i was messaging about the camera got off fredmiranda and never let me know if i had the cam or not.

ahh.

[adubphoto]

I've got a Sigma 24 to 70 f2.8 and I love it. it's about $400. Check out the link for examples of what it can do. I use it on a 30d so it's pretty much the same setup as what you would use if you had this lens.

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=62738.0

[jpschust]

i hate it when singers wear hats.  you can NEVER get their eyes.

[morningdew]

Assumming you have the 50/1.8

Why not the Sigma 28-70/2.8.  It has gotten rave reviews and I believe the new price tag is right at $400.  Maybe that's the used price tag. I forget.  It would be one heck of an all around lens.
Edit: Oops. I see someone already beat me to it.

Make your next purchase the Sigma 70-200mm/2.8 and you've got a pretty nice lens kit.  This lens gets excellent reviews as well.

As time and money permits you can upgrade to the equivalent lens in the Canon L series.

[Ed.]

well, the guy who i thought i was getting the 20d and the grip from decided to sell to someone else.  I guess thats what I get from just being a lurker on FM.

So I think I'm going to go with this...
http://www2.butterflyphoto.com/shop/product.aspx?ref=pricegrabber&sku=EOS20DW18-55

I was going to get just the body, but if I get the one with the lens, its only $50 more.

I pm'd a guy about a 17-40 f/4 L, but I may just go with the sigma 28-70, that looks good for starters along with the 50/1.8.

I'm gonna have to start upgrading my glass like I did my mics.  Maybe in 4 years I'll have all the toys I need and want to start a new hobby again, haha.

Thanks guys.

[jpschust]

man im not sure i would buy from them- im not so excited about their reseller ratings.

what about this, its just a touch more and gets you the 30d (newer technology)

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?sku=A0624041&c=us&l=en&cs=04&category_id=2999&page=external

i know it looks like 400 dollars more, but watch slickdeals.net for a dell deal in the coming days- you may be able to knock 10-15% off of the price.

[pjdavep]

what about this, its just a touch more and gets you the 30d (newer technology)

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?sku=A0624041&c=us&l=en&cs=04&category_id=2999&page=external

i know it looks like 400 dollars more, but watch slickdeals.net for a dell deal in the coming days- you may be able to knock 10-15% off of the price.

I saw that same 30D kit at Costco for $100 less than the Dell price.   Just FYI....

I bought the 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens from a fellow TS.com member that upgraded to L glass and the wife and I are very happy with it.  It yields *much* better colors than the standard 18-55 EF-S kit lens in the comp photos I took when I first got the thing.

Later,
   pjdavep

[jpschust]

yes, but at costco it's likely you'll have to pay sales tax, which may end up making it more expensive depending on where you are.

[Ed.]

well, i just ordered the sigma 28-70/2.8 and the canon 50/1.8.

I haven't ordered the camera yet, gonna wait until later on in the week.  Guess i'll if anything pops up in the meantime.