Which lenses?

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I am compiling a 'wish list' and want say 3 lenses to cover all subjects. I am fairly new to photography but adore my Canon 450D. But it is a mine field out there trying to choose some lenses.

I have 3 lenses at the moment and am really only happy with one of them that seems sharp enough.
* 18-55 kit lens
* 50 prime 1.8 II - this is my favourite although one day I would like to change to the 1.4
* Canon EF 55-200mm 4.5-5.6

I am looking at the Sigma 10-20 for landscape as the reviews seem great. I will keep the 50mm, so I am then looking for something for a zoom lens (but a portable one that doesn't need a tripod). I live near a beach and ideally this lens would be for being able to zoom in inconspicuously as I love character shots, and I also work with animals which aren't always that easy to shoot.

I appreciate this is such a big ask, but if anyone has any great ideas, please advise.

Thanks
Donna
 
I have a anon 50 f1.8 Mark I...great lens but would also like the f1.4...have a Pentax 50 f1.4 up for sale here...but did not realise I could get a AF confirm back for it...and having second thoughts...as I loved it...

I shoot with a 50D...so crop sensor...but am thinking FF...if so...lenses would be...

One/Both 50s above...
My 70-200L f4...
and a 24-70L f2.8...

STEVIER
 
If you are happy with the lenses you have at the moment, then a UWA like the Sigma 10-20 would be my choice for landscapes.

Or replace the kit lens with the Canon 17-55 f/2.8 for a faster walkabout lens which does get wide enough for landscapes too.
 
In order to get a decent lens that I would want to keep for a long time, I will have to fork out what is needed, as I don't want to buy something for 6 months knowing I want better.

However saying that, I say my top end of the budget would be around £300 for the telephoto lens (if that is what is recommended).
 
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I would change the kit lens, its the weak link. Maybe a Tamron 17-50 or Simga 17-70, as this general lens is probably the one you use most.

Then go for either a 10-20 or a decent long range depending on what you shoot the most.
 
Thanks very much for your help. My ideas are now:

* Sigma 10-20 (or the likes of the others suggested)
* Canon 50mm 1.8 (which I already have)
* telephoto? I really don't like the one I currently have, as never seem to get sharp pictures
 
I'm trying to build my range of lens too, I have brought or short listed these for use with my 50D:

Canon 17-55mm f2.8 or Tamron 17-50 f2.8
Sigma 10-20
Canon 50mm f1.4
Canon 70-200 I went for f4 with IS I would have liked the f2.8 IS Mk11 but funds did not allow maybe one day. The std f4 without IS is also very good.

The above lens will cover most areas, Latter I will also be looking for:

Canon 100-400 or sigma 150-500
Tamron 90mm macro
 
Thanks very much, that is a great help. If you were travelling, which ONE would you take?

The canon 70-200 looks great which I would love to get, but looking at the size I guess it wouldn't be the ideal travel companion?
 
weebleswobble said:
Thanks very much, that is a great help. If you were travelling, which ONE would you take?

The canon 70-200 looks great which I would love to get, but looking at the size I guess it wouldn't be the ideal travel companion?
Click to expand...

70-200 f/4 is tiny and light. You must be already thinking about the big 2.8 version :lol:. There are no issues taking one for travel.

You could look at 15-85mm Canon for travel, as it might be 'wide enough'.

Also Tamron 17-50 as suggested.

If you are still after something wide, I could recommend Tokina 12-24mm (better than Sigma).

One excellent single travel lens could be 24-105mm f/4L although it is better suited for full cameras like 5D or 1Ds (Not a problem if you take that something very wide).
 
Is your 18-55mm the IS model ?
If not then consider upgrading to the new one with IS.

For a tele zoom how about Canon 55-250mm IS or 70-300mm IS ?
 
Wow, thanks for all your replies. Many reviews are now set up on the computer to read through them all as well

EF24-105 - sounds fantastic (but for when I win the lottery)
Tokina 12-24 - I had my heart set on the Sigma as heard good reviews, but am now in a dither and looking at this one as well as the Tamron 17-50!
EF 55-250IS - really like the price on this one, so will look more into
but also like the Canon 70-200 f4 (I guess the one without IS is still good), so will keep a look out on ebay..., and also looking at the 70-300

Big decisions to make (but over time).
 
I use my tamron 17-50 the most, its great for a walkabout lens.

I did think about canon 24-105 f4 as the extra length would be nice sometimes, but the improved speed and width with the tamron won me over. I might still try the 24-105 at some point as it is a great lens.

I have been using my 70-200 f4 IS at the zoo today I love this lens, it was a great buy. Lots of people love the non IS too its very sharp and a bit of a bargin, plus they hold ther money well if you want to trade up at a latter date.

Next lens for me to buy will be Canon 50mm f1.4.
 
Thanks Tris,

This may be a really silly question, but I thought IS would make clearer pictures, and I don't know if I could trust myself without image stabilisation, so why would hte 70-220 be clear without IS?

I love your selection, and although the Tamron 17-50 sounds very tempting, I feel I would then lose the need for my 50mm 1.8 - but then it would mean I would still need to take 2 lenses on holiday instead of just the Tamron...
 
for the telephoto have a look at the sigma 70-300mm OS version, i haven't had a play with it for about 4 months but is suprisingly good WE are selling it just over £300
linky link link if you can find a second hand 70-200mm L f4 non-IS then go for that, optically beautiful. if you are shooting in a dingy room then its worth the IS but for out and about shooting i wouldn't worry about it..

wait till you've won the lottery and get the f2.8 ;)
 
70-200 f4 is a great lens, the IS model does help hand holding and in lower light with static objects. At faster shutter speeds the IS makes little diffrance.

The 70-200 f4 is a great sharp lens and one of the best at it price point. I would take a look at some reviews. This lens is money well spent! if you can streach to the price of the IS even better. Lots of people manage without IS most lens did not have it 5-10 years back and still produced A+ images.

The 50 f 1.8 is a great lens very sharp and good with low light. I will be buying a canon 50mm f1.4 when funds allow. A prime lens offers better IQ than a zoom but less flexibilty.
 
One other thing if you need extra reach with the 70-200 you can also buy a 1.4X or 2X TC to boost the range. The reviews say the 1.4X is very good and the IQ is still great when using it.

Its yet another thing to add to my ever growing list.
 
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