Please recommend a Lens for me :)

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Guitarbloke

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Sean
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Hi guys,

I've got a budget of about £250 (max) and was wondering if you could recommend a lens (considering my budget, a secondhand lens would be considered) for my EOS 20D please?

I'm looking for something to take on holiday with me later in the year, so something with a bit of a zoom may be quite nice, but equally I'd like something that can perform reasonably well in low light since I do a bit of live music photography as well (am I asking too much? :) )

I've currently just got the kit lens, plus a Canon 50mm f2.0, and a Canon 85mm f1.8

Thanks!
 
I recently dug out the EF-S 17-85 f4-5.6 (I think!!). It's the the old 50D "Kit" lens.

While not without faults, it's not a bad all round performer and can be had used for around 200 english pounds.
 
If you want it for low light you'll probably want a tamron 17-50 f/2.8 which can be had for £180-£200. The non VC version has better IQ.
 
Tough call. I'd consider taking one of your primes for low light work and, with a budget of £250, looking for a general purpose travel zoom for zoomy convenience.

e.g. http://www.camerapricebuster.com/Canon/Canon-EF-S-lenses/Canon-EF-S-18-135mm-f3.5-5.6-IS-Lens

Otherwise maybe a second hand Tamron 17-50/2.8 of some description. Here's the price new - http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B002OED6ZQ.

The 17-85 is OK (I used one exclusively as my first lens for a year), but it is not fast and a large part of the range is covered by the primes, so not a particularly helpful addition to the kit list IMO.
 
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I would make a sacrifice and buy a prime, I shoot with a 50mm for most of my work and its quite good enough to take on holiday with me, sharp, lightweight, easy to use! You will find the image quality from a prime way better than the cheap zooms, you'll be on holiday so just walk around, move closer if needed! At least you won't be disappointed with the image quality at the end of your holiday. :-)
 
An old sigma 70-210 f2.8. It'll need it's own suitcase but it'll do zoom and low light pretty well for ya!
 
Although I have a Nikon my favourite walkabout lens on holiday is my 24-120 mm lens. so if this helps as a guide. Not only does it give a fairly wide angle at 24 mm but also a useful distance at the 120mm end.

Realspeed
 
My favourite is my 28mm 1.8 you can't hardly fault the USM primes. You can find most around the £250 range. The 28mm is just perfect on a crop sensor...perhaps a bit wide on a full for a walk around lens. But the 28-135mm f/3.5 could also be nice....

Danny
 
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Janesy B said:
If you want it for low light you'll probably want a tamron 17-50 f/2.8 which can be had for £180-£200. The non VC version has better IQ.
Click to expand...

I go for one of theses as well a nice lens,i don't think your budget would allow for a longer faster lens.
Plus i find this range very useful :)
 
Tammy 17-50, Canon 28-135 if you need more reach, 28mm f/1.8 are all strong choices.
 
I'd keep an eye out for a 70-300 IS of some sort on 2nd hand shelves. That'll give you some low light capability and if you need a faster lens, use the 50 you already have. Or, if you can live with less zoom, a 24-70 f/2.8, probably a Sigma or Tamron at your budget (good copies do exist!) which will give you more light gathering but no IS.
 
Another vote for the Canon 70-300IS if you are after something with a longer zoom range. A great lens with IS, which helps with the longer focal length...

I've one for sale in the classifieds at the moment
 
Can you pick up a f/2.8 zoom for £250 or less though?

I had a 17-85USM a few years back & it was a good lens I found but I don't think it'll give you much over what you already have.

I'd vote for a wider prime - 28/30mm etc but then I don't mind shooting primes & being limited one bit. You may feel differently about that.
 
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