Up Grading my lens collection

Toothie

Toothie

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Thinking of upgrading my zoom lens collection for 2 reasons.

One i could use some IS technology - i find camera shake a big problem when i hand hold.

two i currently have the 18-55mm kit lens, and a 70-300mm zoom that i got second hand and is very old but still in perfect working order. I how ever find myself wanting a focal length between the 55mm and the 70mm - always the way :shrug:

I did impluse buy a tamon 28-300mm but although its a good walk around lens the IQ at both ends of the focal length isn't all that - trying to fit everything into one lens was not the best idea i ever had!

My budget won't stretch to L glass so thats just not gonna happen, these are the 2 i am currently thinking of getting.

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f4-5.6 IS
Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4.0-5.6 IS USM

I know neither of them are very fast but i have my 100mm macro and nifty fifty for that.

Once i have acquired these i will probably look at getting the sigma 10-20mm and a 1.4 extender to complete my kit.

So does anyone have any comments on these lens or suggestions of alternatives?
 
the 17-85 isnt a bad lens, but does it have to be a canon? the sigma 24-70 gives you f2.8, which should let you get the higher shutter speeds to stop shake(1/70th shouldnt be that difficult indoors). i would not bother with the 1.4 converter yet as it reduces the light quite a bit, and IQ. i would think it owuld be quite noticable on these two lenses
 
fletch5 said:
the 17-85 isnt a bad lens, but does it have to be a canon? the sigma 24-70 gives you f2.8, which should let you get the higher shutter speeds to stop shake(1/70th shouldnt be that difficult indoors). i would not bother with the 1.4 converter yet as it reduces the light quite a bit, and IQ. i would think it owuld be quite noticable on these two lenses
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It doesn't have to be cannon but after seeing the difference in image quality between my tamon and canon lenses i'm more inclined to go with canon.

The sigma will give me a faster lens but i will lose some of the focal length that i'm after. I don't shoot much indoors and if i do i tend to use the macro lens or the nifty fifty. I don't find i need to use apatures of 2.8 much when out and about doing landscape stuff.
 
fletch5 said:
sigma 24-70 gives you f2.8
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I agree... this lens lives on my camera most of the time. My plan being that a 70-200 f2.8 can add more length and cover the complete range to 200mm as and when skill/funds allow.

Not sure if this is a good plan, but I reckon with the Sigma 10-20 at the wide end, I should have what seems to be regarded as 'reasonable' quality all the way. :thumbs:
 
I have to say I've been very pleased with my Sigma 24-70 f2.8 OK, there's no IS, but I'm not sure it's really required at that focal length, unlike when you get to "telephoto" lenses, when it's really handy.

If you want to meet up somewhere you can have a play with mine to see how you get on.

Steve
 
how much is the budget toothie?
 
Jelster said:
I have to say I've been very pleased with my Sigma 24-70 f2.8 OK, there's no IS, but I'm not sure it's really required at that focal length, unlike when you get to "telephoto" lenses, when it's really handy.

If you want to meet up somewhere you can have a play with mine to see how you get on.

Steve
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that sounds like a plan - while im doing that you can play with the G9:D
 
fletch5 said:
how much is the budget toothie?
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i don't really have one! Dangerous thing to tell u lot i know. Basiclly its my Birthday in August and i will use my birthday money together with my credit card to pay for the Lenses. If you want good glass you have to pay for it but i cant go crazy!
 
i would consider the sigma 17-50 f2.8(or the canon version if funds allow) this will get you the lower range. i assume you have no intentions of going full frame any time soon. the main reason i would aim for the f2.8 would be more for quality, they tend to be the better IQ and build quality of each range. if you look at most of the canon f2.8(exc primes) they are virtually all L glass. the siggys are all there ex range(there top range). dunno the codes for tamron or tokina.

as a consideration , and since the low f stops aren't important try checking up on the sigma 17-70. i think i remember seeing some good reviews of it
 
fletch5 said:
i would consider the sigma 17-50 f2.8(or the canon version if funds allow) this will get you the lower range. i assume you have no intentions of going full frame any time soon. the main reason i would aim for the f2.8 would be more for quality, they tend to be the better IQ and build quality of each range. if you look at most of the canon f2.8(exc primes) they are virtually all L glass. the siggys are all there ex range(there top range). dunno the codes for tamron or tokina.

as a consideration , and since the low f stops aren't important try checking up on the sigma 17-70. i think i remember seeing some good reviews of it
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Thanks Fletch i will look into the sigma lenses beofre making any finial decisions.


Any thoughts on the 55-250mm anyone?
 
ive seen a couple of good reviews for it, but never used one. iq is supposedly very good though
 
I've a friend with the 55-250 and it's pretty good. My impressions matched up with the reviews, it's good in the center, but a little fuzzier towards the corners (not that you'd really) notice.
Its only real downsides (for the cost) are :
- Slow max aperture when compared against the EFS 17-55 f2.8 IS (which you should seriously consider).
- Front element rotates when it focuses, so CPL filters are a bit of a fiddle to use.
 
thanks Paul

most of my lenses the front element rotates on focousing which is a pain for the filters but im getting used it :)

The Canon EFS 17-55 f2.8 IS is on the list but at £600 might be be doable, if it is though :thumbs:
 
I would have a word with kerso and look at getting the 24070 f2.8 L, havent used mine much but its a very nice piece of kit and I I paid around 650 for it... plus will get cash back but that will be gone by the time you can get it :(
 
foz said:
I would have a word with kerso and look at getting the 24070 f2.8 L, havent used mine much but its a very nice piece of kit and I I paid around 650 for it... plus will get cash back but that will be gone by the time you can get it :(
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the plan is to decide on lenses before looking for the prices but that not a bad idea:)
 
Personally my surgestion would be to go with the 24-105 its got a little extra reach and has IS. Not to mention you can pick up a mint copy for just over 500......or go with Kerso (who I cannot recomend highly enough, he beats the prices of any UK shops and them some) and get new for a fantastic price.


Mark
 
foz said:
I would have a word with kerso and look at getting the 24070 f2.8 L, havent used mine much but its a very nice piece of kit and I I paid around 650 for it... plus will get cash back but that will be gone by the time you can get it :(
Click to expand...

Or alternatively if you dont need f2.8 look at the canon 24-105 f4 L IS. Very nice lens, i have one myself. Quite a bit lighter than the 24-70 and has the IS that you asked for.
 
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