Something to replace my canon 18-55

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I have the 18-55 canon that came bundled with my 450d, and now I'm getting better with the camera, I'm starting to notice it's limitations. Is there any general purpose lens like this one that I can get that is better?

Any recommendations would be appreciated. Don't want to spend an obscene amount of money, but don't want anything too cheap either.

Any ideas?

Thanks :)
 
The nifty fifty 50mm 1.8 prime was my first lens after the kit...Great way to learn and you will get some lovely shots, just search the forum for pics that have been taken with it. New they are about £80, second hand £50. Great way to learn about Depth of Field and composition (you have to move your feet, rather than zoom around!). This shot taken with it..and it was through the car windscreen!

Untitled-3_600x374.jpg
 
Was minutes away from posting exactly this question and am eagerly awaiting the responses. I have a Nifty Fifty, and for the price it really is a bit special especially indoors. Every kit bag should have one.
Only this mornining I've been looking at information on the Tamron 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di ll LD Aspherical (IF) and the Sigma equivalent. Both seem reasonably well priced for an f2.8 but in this Month's Photoplus tests the Sigma didn't do too well.
Not sure whether either of these would offer a massive improvement over the standard kit, but someone'll be along in a bit to share their views.
 
I replaced my 18-55 kit lens with the 17-40f4L, however if that is going to be your only lens it might restrict you a bit (I already had a 50mm so didn't notice the lack of reach).

What other lenses do you have?
 
What limitations are you finding with the kit lens? The new IS kit lens is much much better than the old one so suggesting replacments is pretty difficult unless there is an obvious area that you are finding a challenge. The old standard reply used to be the sigma 17-70 as it is alot sharper than the old kit lens and also faster and usefully longer, however i'm not sure it would be a huge improvement on the new kit lens. If it's speed you want then something like the above Tamron 17-50 f2.8 would be ideal or if you want to go the full hog canon do a lovely 17-55is f2.8 but thats some serious cash.
 
Amb3rsil LOL at that picture... is that your car ariel???

Sigma 24-70 f2.8 is what im looking at to do the same as you.
 
I`ve just started a similar thread and I`m looking at the Sigma 17 - 70 Zoom, I have only heard good things about it so far but looking for a few more opinions first.

Its aperture range is F2.8 - F4.5 :)
 
Dom_Cabarete said:
Amb3rsil LOL at that picture... is that your car ariel???

Sigma 24-70 f2.8 is what im looking at to do the same as you.
Click to expand...

No thankfully! The muppet in front hadn't taken his off, mine was safely inside the car.
 
Oops, should've mentioned my other lenses. I have a nifty fifty, which I love, and rarely leaves my camera, and I also have the 60mm macro lens. Really just want something that is better than the 18-55 and has a decent zoom.

I'm looking at the Tamron 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR DI at the moment. Going cheap in jessops
 
I went from the kit lens to the Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 and it was a brilliant move. Only thing that bothered me was it isn't wide enough for me in some situations. I have now replaced it and the kit lens I still had with a 24-105 and a 17-40 which covers it all off.
 
leave1 said:
I'm looking at the Tamron 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR DI at the moment. Going cheap in jessops
Click to expand...

Thats not a step up from you existing lens in terms of quality, also 28mm is not very wide at all on a crop body I would find a it very limiting as a walk about lens.

If you must have a super zoom, which personally I wouldn't, then have a look at the sigma 18-200 os or the new tamron equivalent.
 
:agree: Add to that the very steady hands or very fast shutter speeds you'll be needing for 300mm @ f6.3 it's likely to be a disappointment as a replacement for your kit lens....
 
I replaced my kit lens with a Tokina 16-50 and havent looked back at all!
 
Guys, thanks for all the help. I decided to just stay with the kit lens and went and got a 55-250 IS instead.
 
The Canon EF-S 17-55 f2.8 IS is an excellent lens, an L without a red ring.
 
Wow, this lens is really very good for the money. Glad I bought it.

Now if only I could actually go out and come back with something I need. I still don't have a walkabout lens. I don't think I can justify the money it costs for a good one either. Maybe in a while.
 
leave1 said:
I'm looking at the Tamron 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR DI at the moment. Going cheap in jessops
Click to expand...

I've had one for about 4 years now , it cost me £200 and I've never regretted it :)
 
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