Canon lenses / Advise

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nitrous

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Hello guys,

I've been looking around for a used Canon EF-S 17-85mm f4-5.6 IS USM to "replace" my Canon EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 II IS.

I came up with a used one at the price of $280, hardly used may be 2 or 3 months old and I consider buying this one as it's half price and in excellent condition!

Is it worth it buying this lens now? It's quite old now but that doesn't bother me to be honest I was just wondering since I will be "replacing" the new 18-55, and some reviews suggested that the new kit lens is quite good and is not advisable investing on the 17-85 at this point, so I am not quite sure if it's a good buy. Maybe I should save some money and go for an L-series lens in the future?

What you guys think? :)

Thanks!!
 
Hi,

the 18-55 IS is a better lens than the 17-85 IS, best to look out for a Sigma 17-70 or Canon 15-85 ( Around £400 though )

You will only be buying the 17-85 for a bit more reach and it's not worth it, loads for sale everywhere as it's generally an average lens.

Gain that extra 35mm by moving a hit closer and save up for a better lens or buy one of the alternatives ;)

Mike.
 
I would so do you really need 17-85? Could you get away with 28-75? If so I would recommend the Tamron 28-75 F2.8. I have owned one for some months now & have been very pleased with the results. Although you lose a bit of range over the lens you mention I feel this is more than compensated for by the constant 2.8 aperture on the Tamron. You can buy them used for well under £300.
 
You do have a point there I must say!

Maybe invest on some other more superior image/build quality lens.

Which lens would you suggest for landscapes, cityscapes?

Thanks!
 
I'm not sure the 18-55mm kit lens is really any better than the 17-85mm. Both can produce very good images in the right hands, but neither of them are great and I don't see any point in replacing one with the other, unless you just want a bit more reach.

Canon don't offer an L lens in this range. The closest is probably the EFS 17-55mm f2.8 which has excellent optics in a consumer body, but is very expensive. The Tamron and Sigma options seem to be popular choices. I'd certainly want constant f2.8 in an upgrade.
 
Have you thought about the Tamron 17-50? I've used a non-VC version for a couple of years now (initially on my 450, before buying the 50D) and I've been delighted with the results. It's also a constant 2.8.
 
+1 for the 15-85. As good optically as the 17-55, better reach great IS system and cheaper. The only downside is f/3.5->f/5.6. Awesome lens otherwise (we don't have the need for f/2.8 much here as we're mostly togging static objects and the IS is great for that even in low light)
 
Agree with the above really. I had a 17-85 and it's not the best optically but it has a very handy range, is better made than the 18-55 kit lens, and is nice to use.

If you want a real jump up then it's going to cost unfortunately. The newer 15-85 is an exceptionally good lens with even better range if you like the wide end, but lacks the low-f/number of the acclaimed 17-55 2.8, which is about £600 used (hold value well).

Or the third-party options, not quite as good, but much cheaper.

Edit: crossed post with Andy.
 
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Thank you for your comments guys.

To be honest I haven't consider any third party lenses or new ones since I am on budget at the moment but I was just considering just a lens with a bit more wide angle and more zoom to replace my kit lens and as I found the 17-85 used but in great condition, I was considering that one but it seems not the best option at this point. May be I should save up for something better instead!

Thanks for your comments! Really helpful :)
 
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