Lens buying advice

will-w

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Will
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Morning all

I have only just signed up so forgive me if I have posted in the wrong place or anything.

I've had my trusty Canon 400d since shortly after its launch and is still going strong, god knows how many years later. I've been thinking about an upgrade for a while but a friend suggested getting a decent lens or two before upgrading the body.

Up until now I've been using the rather basic kit 18-55mm lens, and a Tamron 70-300mm telephoto lens purchased at the same time. I've taken some good pictures with these but have always felt that they were lacking 'quality'.

Just before Christmas a friend lent me his Canon 50mm f/1.4 prime lens, up until I had used this I hadn't realised just how poor the standard kit lenses are. I was blown away by its crispness and quality in comparison.

So here I am; I've been looking at two 'all rounder' lenses and a prime. Can you give me some suggestions?

* Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 Mk II
I know this won't compare to the 1.4 I borrowed but from reviews it's still a really sharp lens.
And at £69 delivered you can't go wrong!

* Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
From the reviews I've read it seems to be a basic but good 'next step' from the kit lenses and can produce some beautifully clear pictures in certain conditions, but I'd like the advice from people who have actually used one to tell me how it compares.
£269

* Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
This is the lens that I'm after. Reviews all praise it, some even go as far to suggest it should have been labelled with Canon's red L. Ultimately I've never used one and it might be naff, but I'd love to be proven wrong.
My budget doesn't stretch to buy one of these new (£429) so it'd need to be second hand.

What are people's opinions of buying used? I understand that majority of photographers look after their kit but I don't like the idea of purchasing from some unknown on eBay, especially knowing how fragile the optics in these can be.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks
Will
 
Hi and welcome :)

First of all the 50mm 1.8 is a must have its super cheap and produces some lovely shots, so its worth getting for the price unless you have the extra cash for the 1.4

Also the canon 17-55mm 2.8 is a great lens for day to day use, with out having to keep changing lenses for different distance shots, however its rather pricey considering its not an L lens but tamron do a 17-50mm for much cheaper with still great reviews

I have been buying my lenses new but I'm currently budding on one on eBay, I am a little nervous about it being second hand but seller seems genuine and I'm covered by PayPal and insurance which is reassuring

What do u mainly photograph ?
 
The 28-135 is designed for full-frame bodies. It will fit on a crop body like yours but you'll lose the 18-27mm range your current kit lens covers.
The crop equivalent is the 17-85 which is a decent enough lens though not outstanding.
The one to go for is the 15-85 really, used you can get them for around £370.
 
I recently bought a new 15-85 for my 550d. I was torn between this and the 17-55, but I went for the extra range over wider aperture. I mainly shoot portraits and this lens is in a different league to the kit lens, sharper and colours more vibrant.
 
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