Walk around lens advice (Canon)

ShakyUK

ShakyUK

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Rick
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I am looking to replace my kit lens (18-55mm) with another walk around lens.

I am on a budget as I'm saving for a house deposit right now so can't really justify big spend.

I'll probably buy second hand from this website and I have narrowed it down to:

Canon EF-S 18-135 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens
Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4.0-5.6 IS USM Lens (has been the one I thought I'd get for awhile)
Sigma 18-125mm f3.5-5.6 DC OS HSM (one for sale on here right now)

I generally take pictures of everything, the only things I don't really photograph is wild life and sports.

I mainly photograph architecture and landscapes.

I've read various reviews on these lenses, but would like some personal views on people who have used any of the above, if you've used more than one of those I've listed then that would be even better!

Thanks in advance.
 
I had the 17-85 on my old 30d and thought it was a very good lens, certainly decent value. It's pretty sharp and has a good range, ideal for a walkabout. I'm using a 24-105L nowadays, which is a terrific lens, but slightly more pricey of course, lol.
 
I've got the 18-125mm and it was a great step up from the kit lens. Good reach and good quality.

Have since gone to a Tamron 17-50 as my main lens, with hopes of getting a 70-200 or 100-300 when the money is available.

Have got my 18-125mm up for sale on another forum but can't sell on here yet.
 
I owned the 17-85mm but the aperture began sticking and I found that its a known problem with a flex cable in the lens assembly. I would now avoid that particular lens but now own the Canon 18-135mm which I find to be a great walkaround lens with a good balance between focal length and image quality. The Canon 15-85mm looks the best option if the budget could stretch that far.
 
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I own the 17-85 and love it, I use it all the time, I don't have a massive bag of lens mainly for fiscal reasons ;) but this is one lens that for me will cause me to keep a crop sensor camera even if I do move to FF

It's a great lens that I think has a nice solid feel to it

Matt
MWHCVT
 
If you don't need as far reach as Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4.0-5.6 IS USM Lens or Canon EF-S 18-135 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens. I suggest you go for Canon 17 55 2.8

I have sold my 17-85mm about a mouth ago and now Im about to buy 17-55mm, I know it's twice more expensive, but it seems to be worth of the money.
Bytheway Im also into architecture as well as portraits and I found 17-85mm a bit too long. Because most of the times you are close enouth to your object. And even if im a bit ferver away from my subject I use my 75-300mm lens which is great piece of glass.
 
Thanks for everyones input. I think I'll go with my original thought of the 'Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4.0-5.6', I'd love the 15-85 but I can't stretch that far!

I think the added range of the 85 will be used as I find myself wanting that extra range when I'm using my 55 kit lens.

Cheers again.
 
I upgraded to the 17-85 and am very happy with it, its a fair bit bulkier than the standard kit lens, but feels a much better build quality and the image quality is superb.
 
SimonUK said:
28-135 is a good lens!
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Great lens, nice pictures and good reach. One drawback I find is that it can take longer to spin up the IS than some of my lenses. Using the IS start button/option prior to focusing helped me a lot. The 5.6 at the long end is sometimes difficult

paulefox said:
Just got the canon 17 55 2.8. Fantastic lens
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Got one around a year ago now. Brilliant. Downside to it, it makes it obvious how dark/slow my other lenses are!
 
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