Upgrade on 18-55mm IS

Phall82

Phall82

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I am looking to upgrade on my kit lens 18-55mm IS for my Canon 500D but on a budget (ie, NOT the £500+ bracket). I have looked at the 17-85mm, 18-135mm and 18-200mm. I think my preference maybe the 17-85mm but does anyone have any advice or own one of these or any alternative of similar price? Any advice I grateful.
 
Depends really what you want to shoot, are you just looking for something sharper, something faster (fstop) or just after more range?
 
The range is useful but the main reason is sharpness.
 
If you're not after more range then I would also recommend the tamron 17-50 f2.8 (non VC) which can be had new for £260 :)

I've not used the sigma so can't really comment, but I've also heard good things about it but it doesn't have a constant f2.8 aperature.
 
I upgrade to the Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 as well, and it's a great upgrade. Nice and sharp, and faster with constant 2.8. I found that the AF isn't as good as the kit lens in very low light, but I rarely shoot in very low light.
 
I've seen good reports about the Sigma 17-70, but you'll be losing out in a way as it doesn't have IS (I think). Whether that's a problem or not is a different matter.
 
paul106 said:
Agreed.

Go for the 15-85 if you need that kind of range. Should be able to source one for less than £500 too.
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If you don't mind buying second hand, you should easily be able to find a 15-85 for a lot less than £500. I paid £350 for mine (off here), brand new, split from a kit.

If finding one is a struggle, and £350-400 is still too much, I'd go with the 17-85 instead.
 
Thanks for the advice. My ideal lens would be the Canon 15-85 but even second hand off eBay it seems to go over £500 and it's a bit steep for me at the moment. I hadn't looked at sigma or tamron but I'll do my research on those as well now.
 
Phall82 said:
Thanks for the advice. My ideal lens would be the Canon 15-85 but even second hand off eBay it seems to go over £500 and it's a bit steep for me at the moment.
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I bought one new a month ago off kerso on here for less than £500 :eek:
 
I got the Tamron 17 50 VC which works great for me

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i Would go with a Sigma 17-70mm, but the older non OS version,
Its sharper, than the OS one but not quite as fast at the longer telephoto end and you can pick up a SH one for about £200 from MPB.
On a short telephoto is OS, or IS really that important.
 
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I like the 28-135 IS - but the only problem on a cropped sensor is its not very wide at the short end.
 
mcwarrior said:
i Would go with a Sigma 17-70mm, but the older non OS version,
Its sharper, than the OS one but not quite as fast at the longer telephoto end and you can pick up a SH one for about £200 from MPB.
On a short telephoto is OS, or IS really that important.
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I had both and found the later model a massive improvement but I think with all 3rd party lenses you have to get a good copy. Found OS really handy on mine, I didn't have to push the ISO as much.
 
Im also looking to upgrade from the kit lens. was thinking about the 17-85 canon but people say its no better. my budget is massive either
 
I've had my TAMRON 17-50 F2.8 (non VC) for about 2 years now - initially on my 450 and now on my 50D. It's been a great lens for me.
 
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