Lenses Lenses Lenses ?@?#?

WannaTakePix · 22 Jul 2012

Hey,

I've had my 40D delivered.
The 50mm f1.8 is on its way.

I want to try a bit of everything : Portrait, Landscape, Nature, Sports.

Now the rest of the lenses needed is confusing me:

Kinda ruled out the Canon 18-55mm Kit Lens. due to rotating end element, making polarising filter usage awkward.

I'm probably going to go for the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II Lens - good reviews and relatively cheap.

What else is in the mix:

-Sigma 18-50mm f2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM
-Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR VC Di II LD Aspherical (IF)
-Canon EF-S 17-85mm f4-5.6 IS USM
-Canon EF-S 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS (seems a little pointless with 55-250mm)

What do we think?
Is there anything else to consider?

*sigh*

WTP

Dave * · 23 Jul 2012

WannaTakePix said:
I want to try a bit of everything : Portrait, Landscape, Nature, Sports..

What else is in the mix:

-Sigma 18-50mm f2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM
-Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR VC Di II LD Aspherical (IF)
-Canon EF-S 17-85mm f4-5.6 IS USM
-Canon EF-S 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS (seems a little pointless with 55-250mm)

What do we think?
Is there anything else to consider?

WTP

The Tamron will make a good sharp standard lens, there is a Sigma 17-50 f2.8 as well, (of similar optical quality) if you want longer then consider the Sigma 17-70.

I wouldn't be considering the other 3, the Sigma 18-50 2.8-4.5 isn't as good optically as the Canon kit lens (but costs more).

The 17-85 is not all that good optically and has terrible distortion and vignetting.

The 18-135 is probably the weakest Canon kit lens since the non IS 18-55. I don't think I've seen a totally positive review for it at any stage since it launched (and probably why Canon have re-engineered it with the release of the STM version).

WannaTakePix · 23 Jul 2012

Dave1 said:
The 18-135 is probably the weakest Canon kit lens since the non IS 18-55. I don't think I've seen a totally positive review for it at any stage since it launched (and probably why Canon have re-engineered it with the release of the STM version).

That's odd, I've only ever heard good things about the 18-135mm (???)

Having said that another friend has just said the same...actually recommended going for the 18-55mm IS II kit lens over the 18-135mm !

What about the 18-200mm

Dave * · 23 Jul 2012

WannaTakePix said:
That's odd, I've only ever heard good things about the 18-135mm (???)

Here's one (and I've seen much worse, can't remember which and too tired to google)

The Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS may be somewhat better than the EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS but it's not exactly a good lens either.

The resolution makes a rather wild roller coaster ride through the different quality levels.
Large aperture settings should be generally avoided at 18mm and beyond the middle range - the borders/corners are plain soft here.

However, to be fair the lens is actually quite usable at f/8 (18mm) and f/11 (70mm+). It's also a good idea to stop down a little in order to overcome the rather heavy vignetting problems at max. aperture. Lateral CAs are somewhat more obvious at 18mm, especially in the corners, but this is a general problem in this lens class. The level of barrel distortions is extreme at 18mm, less so at other focal lengths.

There's little to complain about the build quality which is about average, no more and no less. The AF is pretty fast despite relying on a conventional DC motor rather than USM. This applies to phase-detection AF mode - it's much worse (slow) in LiveView (contrast AF).

All-in-all it's not one of the more desirable lenses on the market and it's really surprising to see that this lens is bundled with the EOS 7D which is even more demanding in terms of required lens quality than the EOS 50D used for this test.

Edit

Just noticed your edit, and yes, I would agree with your friend. Short of buying a 17-55 f2.8 IS you will struggle to find a lens that is significantly better than the 18-55IS.

davewesty · 23 Jul 2012

The Tammy 17-55 is a fantastic standard lens to upgrade to, sharp once stopped down slightly and alot faster than the kit lens

WannaTakePix · 23 Jul 2012

Dave1 said:
Edit

Just noticed your edit, and yes, I would agree with your friend. Short of buying a 17-55 f2.8 IS you will struggle to find a lens that is significantly better than the 18-55IS.

Do you mean the 18-55 IS II ?

AzureFlyer · 23 Jul 2012

WannaTakePix said:
That's odd, I've only ever heard good things about the 18-135mm (???)

Having said that another friend has just said the same...actually recommended going for the 18-55mm IS II kit lens over the 18-135mm !

What about the 18-200mm

Remember if you get the kit 18 - 55mm then you will cover the range with that and the 55 - 250.

WannaTakePix · 23 Jul 2012

davewesty said:
The Tammy 17-55 is a fantastic standard lens to upgrade to, sharp once stopped down slightly and alot faster than the kit lens

Huh ? There's a 17-55mm Tamron too???

or do you mean one of :

Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR Di ll LD Aspherical (IF)
Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR Di II VC

happygolucky · 23 Jul 2012

No, there isn't a 17-55 Tamron, your correct it's 17-50mm..

Edit: I have the 55-250mm on my old 20D and it's a good lens for the money.

andyred · 23 Jul 2012

What is your budget for another lens ? This can help with recommendations...

What focal range do you want it to cover - if you are getting the 55-250IS, I presume you're after something in the 17/18 - 50/55/85 range ? Do you want IS, do you want a fixed appature - ie F2.8 ?

The Canon 15-85IS is worth a look at as well

tomkbucks · 23 Jul 2012

ive got the 18-135 and think its a great walk about lens - the only thing i dislike is the lens creep..

neil_g · 23 Jul 2012

WannaTakePix said:
-Sigma 18-50mm f2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM

swap that for the sig 18-50mm f2.8 macro (ignore the macro bit, just means closer focusing distance). lovely lens.

The Greek · 23 Jul 2012

I have seen reviews (youtube) that say the new sigma 17-50mm f2.8 OS out performs the Canon f2.8 and the Tamron.

Dave * · 23 Jul 2012

WannaTakePix said:
Do you mean the 18-55 IS II ?

The ll on the end is of no real consequence, optically the 18-55IS and 18-55IS mkll are identical.

The difference is mostly cosmetic, with the mk ll supposedly having a tweak to the IS.

If you find them at the same price, buy the Mk ll, if you find a mk l at a cheaper price then buy that.

fatmarley · 23 Jul 2012

The Greek said:
I have seen reviews (youtube) that say the new sigma 17-50mm f2.8 OS out performs the Canon f2.8 and the Tamron.

I noticed that too.

To be honest, i've seen so many conflicting opinions on lens quality, regardless of manufacterer, that it makes me think you're just lucky if you get a good one (or unlucky if you get a bad one).

The Greek · 23 Jul 2012

fatmarley said:
I noticed that too.

To be honest, i've seen so many conflicting opinions on lens quality, regardless of manufacterer, that it makes me think you're just lucky if you get a good one (or unlucky if you get a bad one).

True, although I would say most are good.

Tamron £279 Vs Sigma £489
Is the Sigma that much better than then Tamron??

chphoto · 23 Jul 2012

I've got the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 (non-VC model) and I'm pleased as punch with it. Sharp, seems well built & focusses internally, so makes use of stuff like your CPL filters very easy.