Kit lens upgrade

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Turnermator21

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Hi guys,

Getting into photography a lot lately after helping to do some shots at a friends wedding and my new nifty fifty 1.8. I like wildlife, animal, motorsport and just causal photography.

I have a 400d, non IS 18-55mm kit lens, 50mm 1.8 and tamron 75-300mm.

I am exploring the idea of upgrading to a 600d for more features, mega pixels etc. Or maybe even a 60D ( how much would a 40 or 50d cost?)

Or just to get better glass. Seen the tamron 17-50mm 2.8 and the 17-85mm canon as they seem reasonably priced.

With a budget around 500-600 what would be the best plan?

All suggestions welcome!
 
The Tamron wil leave you plenty of cash left over as it it is new a bit above £300 second hand around £200 and you will eventually come to appreciate the 2.8 aperture.

If you do not care about the aperture and you want a bit more range versatility forget the 17-85 and check the 15-85 one .

Personally I'd take a s/h 17-50 Tamron and either a nice wide angle as well in your budget.
 
Better glass will give you better images more than an upgrade to the camera.
You say you would like to upgrade your kit lens, but talk of motorsport and wild life.
The tamron 17-50 gets very good write ups from members on here who own one, this would be a very good upgrade to the 18-55 kit lens.
I myself recently purchaced the 17-55 canon lens and it is a cracker IMO. would take all your budget though for even a second hand one.

If you did wnat to upgradethe camera I would go with a 40D or even the 50D both very good camera's and well within your budget.

If you where lucky you could maybe get a good second hand 40D with a second hand tamron.

spike
 
Turnermator21 said:
Hi guys,

Getting into photography a lot lately after helping to do some shots at a friends wedding and my new nifty fifty 1.8. I like wildlife, animal, motorsport and just causal photography.

I have a 400d, non IS 18-55mm kit lens, 50mm 1.8 and tamron 75-300mm.

I am exploring the idea of upgrading to a 600d for more features, mega pixels etc. Or maybe even a 60D ( how much would a 40 or 50d cost?)

Or just to get better glass. Seen the tamron 17-50mm 2.8 and the 17-85mm canon as they seem reasonably priced.

With a budget around 500-600 what would be the best plan?

All suggestions welcome!
Click to expand...

With your current lenses (except the 50mm), the extra megapixels on a 600D would be wasted. The non-IS 18-55 and tamron 70-300 are not lenses that will resolve enough details for more megapixels to give any advantage.

Personally in your position I would go for a tamron 17-50 (just ordered one myself actually, got high hopes for this lens :)) and a 70-200 f/4L to replace the tamron 70-300.

If you buy used you'll get both within your budget, and that should be a massive upgrade from the 18-55 and 70-300.
 
Thanks for the advice people.

Really considering the tamron 17-50mm but I've heard mixed reviews about their VC and non VC versions?
Is the canon that much more noticeable in quality 17-55mm?

I think the glass is the better upgrade that the body....


Are there any good cheap websites either new or s/h other than eBay?

I've found digital rev.com v cheap for new gear, can they recommended?

Many thanks!
 
17-55 is probably better but I doubt 3 times better - cause that is the difference in price

The VC version has the reputation of not being as sharp and good IQ wise as the non VC. Cannot say either way myself but I used the 17-50 non-VC for a while on a D40 and I loved it it just is not a range I am comfortable with, I find it either too short or not wide enough so I use my wide angle and teles + 35mm prime mostly.
 
For the tamron go for the non VC one.

I only got the canon because I had the cash, but people who have had both say there is very little in it.

spike
 
Thanks for all your feedback!

I feel myself leaning towards the tamron 17-50mm 2.8 but I am undecided whether the VC will affect the end result that much?

Any decent websites to get it cheaply?
 
I doubt the VC will effect it. Most of the reviews online were of the first batch of lenses. Where you would expect a higher rate of errors.
 
I bought the Non VC version of the Tamron lens and to be honest never found a situation when ive thought "why didnt I buy the VC version". Also for some reason the Non VC version does seem to get slightly better reviews.

Deffo the lens to buy.

Cheers
 
Excellent. It's sold! I shall be placing an order on payday!

What should be my next upgrade? 70-200 4L? Or cheap used 40d?

If it's the 40d I would sell my 400d to pay towards that!

Advice is much appreciated! :)
 
Turnermator21 said:
Excellent. It's sold! I shall be placing an order on payday!

What should be my next upgrade? 70-200 4L? Or cheap used 40d?

If it's the 40d I would sell my 400d to pay towards that!

Advice is much appreciated! :)
Click to expand...

most people on here always recommend lens before bodies. :thumbs:
 
Just ordered the non VC version as the VC is better for video and the 400d doesn't do video.

Got a week in Rhodes to test it out! Thanks for all the advice!
 
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