Replacement for kit lens of 450D

dakid

dakid

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Hiya,

I've had a quick look through the threads, and can't seem to see this specific question, but if I've missed a thread, please feel free to point me at them :)

My Dad is upgrading his camera to a 450D and is thinking about not buying the kit lens with it, to improve the pictures he takes. Now, he's considerably more intelligent than me, so he's not going to be wasting the same amount of money that I do on his equipment, so if anyone can offer advice on these two lenses, I know he would very much appreciate it. He's hoping to buy them within the next day or two to sneak into the end of the Canon cashback offer.

  • Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
  • Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
He's specifically interested in comparison between the latter and the standard 450D kit lens (how useful is the USM?) and, within the same budget (£750 max), whether these are the right lenses to choose for the 17-300mm range.

My only question to you guys would be about whether it's worth considering any of Sigma/Tamron's offerings instead of just Canon lenses?

Many thanks in advance for any help :D
 
After a lot of reading and research, I actually went with the Tamron 17-50mm over the Canon 17-85mm. You lose a bit of length, but you have the constant f2.8 throughout the range (which mattered to me more). It is also faster obviously. I tried the 17-85mm in Jessops and it didn't feel right to me. So, no regrets there.

I have no experience with the 70-300mm, but when I was looking for a telephoto lens I went with the 55-250mm because it has some killer reviews, good value for money and was better for covering the range (I have 17-250mm with only 50-55mm missing if you see what I mean).

My advice then would be to consider a third-party for the walkabout lens.

Sigma 18-50mm has a great rep (although I felt the Tamron did slightly better in reviews, and I have had no complaints with it).

There's also the Sigma 24-70mm which I would have got if I didn't want the 17mm on the Tamron (ie. if I had a 10-20 or equivalent).

As for the longer lens, have a look at the 55-250, but I don't know enough about the alternatives.

HTH.
 
if he buys today or tommorrow he could upgrade to a 40d with 17-85 lens for about £700-£720 with canon's cash back
i was initially looking at the 450 but went for the 40d 17-85 due to the cashback deal it actually worked out cheaper than 450 with seperate lens
 
losixxx said:
if he buys today or tommorrow he could upgrade to a 40d with 17-85 lens for about £700-£720 with canon's cash back
i was initially looking at the 450 but went for the 40d 17-85 due to the cashback deal it actually worked out cheaper than 450 with seperate lens
Click to expand...

:plusone: - the 40D is much more camera for the money :)
 
marky_h said:
:plusone: - the 40D is much more camera for the money :)
Click to expand...

I too was looking at the 450D a few days back, and was considering the lens from the 40D but when i looked at the 40D there was no comparison and with the cashback offer chose the 40D.
 
Ok, scrap my post. Get the 40D. I have one, and it is so much better than the 400D (and by all accounts the 450D too).
 
I'm sure he'll consider it, but I'm also positive he's already done so, and decided that the 40D is more than he wants. I have one, and I believe he's commented in the past that it's too large for him, so I think it's probably best to leave that one up to him.

So .... while I recognise the 40D advice (and am biased towards it myself), I'd really appreciate comments just on the lenses for the moment. Thanks :D

Also, thank you Albedo ... some good points there :)
 
Nikonian waffling here, but by all accounts the 450D kit lens blows the 17-85 away in IQ terms.
 
I cant knock the Kit lens on the 450D 18-55 IS, It seems perfectly fine to me- I've been using it for last three days

Have a look on my flickr for a couple of test shots if you want.

Oh and theres a cashback offer running for the 450D atm till August too £50
 
I have both the lenses you are asking about "Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM" and think they are brilliant. The IS is great and pin sharp all the way through.
 
Doesn't the cashback run out tomorrow?

you need to have bought it by tomorrow surely to get the cashback, or is it the cashback form needs to be sent in by tomorrow?
 
wouldn't bother with the 17-85IS, it's a kit lens with IS

i'd go for the Tamron 17-50 2.8 and pair it either with the new Canon 55-250IS or 70-300IS. With the 55-250IS would wouldn't lose any focal range
 
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