Canon kit lenses?

zerodeluxe

zerodeluxe

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Ben
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Hi

Looking to buy a 60D for work (so I don't keep using my own 7D!), and while I will get a reasonable prime for more important shots (50mm 1.8 probably), I wanted a 'kit' lens for the general shots we take of parts etc.

Which of the 18-55mm IS, 18-135mm or 18-200mm do people here find to be better? Don't necessarily need the extra length of the 18-135, but it could be handy. I've not used either so not had any experience.

Any opinions would be most welcome!

Thanks!

Ben
 
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I have the 18-135mm and to be honest for a kit lens it's done my well
 
The 18-135 is very versatile, it's light and gets the job done at a good price and it often saves me carting other lens around. Hence it lives on my camera and I only change it if I the light's low or I need extra reach. The latest one with STM is also good for video.
 
I'd go with the 18-200 on a work camera - that way it will hardly ever get changed and you won't have to worry about the sensor getting damaged by halfwits who don't understand cameras - unless of course you'll be the only user, in which case i'd say buy body only and get a quality set of lenses
 
If you don't need the reach. I would recommend the 15-85, it's a great lens all-round, but very handy at the wide end.
 
Cool - thanks guys. I'll be the "main" user, but not the only one (it may get occasional use by others). Doesn't have to be great for general stuff for our websites as I'm sure a kit lens will be more than adequate, and as said I'll get a better prime in for when we do more important shots.

I'd not considered the 15-85 - that could be a good option as we sometimes get pics of the riders on the bikes at the skateparks etc, so the wider angle would be good for that.

Thanks!
 
Sorry might be an obvious question but what I you taking photos of? I noticed parts, if its car parts, aircraft parts, computer parts or body parts they would all benefit from a different lens setup. Likewise if its something big a 50mm might not be of any use to you unless you can get far enough away!
 
BMX parts - ranging from frames, forks etc down to the small accessories. We do the bike ranges once a year, which we use the warehouse for, so we can get the camera far enough back, but I may see about a slightly wider primes perhaps, or just hire in the lens for when we need it.
 
zerodeluxe said:
Cool - thanks guys. I'll be the "main" user, but not the only one (it may get occasional use by others). Doesn't have to be great for general stuff for our websites as I'm sure a kit lens will be more than adequate, !
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to be honest you might be better off with a lower spec camera like a bridge or compact - they often have decen macro settings and would be more than adequate for this sort of work - they are also a lot more idiot proof,.
 
big soft moose said:
to be honest you might be better off with a lower spec camera like a bridge or compact - they often have decen macro settings and would be more than adequate for this sort of work - they are also a lot more idiot proof,.
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+1 for that suggestion.
 
That might be an option, but I think we need something a little better when it comes to the bike shots. Handy with the filming capabilities too, in case we shoot and vids for the site.

Others using it will be VERY occasionally... for eBay stuff, a compact is usually used unless I get asked, and a few have DSLR experience anyway.
 
Not many places still selling the 60D + 15-85 kit now.... DigitalRev have one.... Clifton Camera's have the 18-55 IS kit about £200 cheaper!

Think that might be okay for us if the 15-85 isn't really available....
 
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you could do what you need (except video) with a used 20D and 20mm prime. If its mainly for a web catalogue surely you'll be resizing all the images anyway. In addition, if others are using it unless you are going to train them on how to use an SLR the images will be on par with that taken from a high end compact or bridge.
 
cw318is said:
you could do what you need (except video) with a used 20D and 20mm prime. If its mainly for a web catalogue surely you'll be resizing all the images anyway. In addition, if others are using it unless you are going to train them on how to use an SLR the images will be on par with that taken from a high end compact or bridge.
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thats a good point - if its for web theres no need to have a high MP sensor , so something like a 20/30/40 D or indeed a 400/450D would be fine - if you want video as well you could still go with a 550 or 600 for less than the cost of a 60D
 
My instinct here is bridge plus a lighting/ backdrop setup.
IMHO so long as you've got a decent technique, taking images for web usage is at this moment in time never going to want to go above 1024x768px in resolution. Thus, I think that getting the backdrop and lighting right so they look professionally done is going to be far more important that that higher resolution and slightly sharper image from the DSLR.

Get the right bridge and it'll do video too.
 
Thanks, and yeah - bridge may suit, but it's not all web stuff - we do sometimes get shots of the riders to be blown up for A1 poster etc, and we use the shots of the bikes in print ads also. So it needs to be a really good all rounder.

We've got the backdrops and lighting already - I just want to stop using my own 7D for work all the time. It's putting my click count up somewhat! :)
 
Might also be worth keeping in mind the new STM versions of the lenses, although you won't be able to use the STM video features with a 60D the STM 18-55m and 18-135mm have some other nice little improvements over the earlier generations.
 
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