upgrade Canon EF-S 18-55
Hello all,
I am looking to buy a new lens for my canon 30D. I currently have the standard kit lens ef-s 18-55. I am interested in landscape photography and am looking for a zoom that will give me more flexibility and is reasonably fast. A macro facility would also be a real bonus.
Also EF/EF-S? Is there a smarter purchase? Obviously I won't be changing my camera anytime soon.
The purchase is not imminent so the budget for this lens is on-going.
Hope you can help,
Thanks Dave.
I am looking to buy a new lens for my canon 30D. I currently have the standard kit lens ef-s 18-55. I am interested in landscape photography and am looking for a zoom that will give me more flexibility and is reasonably fast. A macro facility would also be a real bonus.
Also EF/EF-S? Is there a smarter purchase? Obviously I won't be changing my camera anytime soon.
The purchase is not imminent so the budget for this lens is on-going.
Hope you can help,
Thanks Dave.
Just bought a Sigma 17-70 for my 20D as an upgrade to the kit lens and very pleased with it. This may be a good alternaltive if you need the extra zoom range. 2.8 and only £240!! with macro although not true.
I was tempted with the 17-40 but I need the range and I considered the 17-85IS but some reviews gave the Sigma better reports.
Shawry
I was tempted with the 17-40 but I need the range and I considered the 17-85IS but some reviews gave the Sigma better reports.
Shawry
Another vote for the 17-85 IS.
It's excellent.
I wanted to buy a 1D Mark2 but have not as there isn't a similar lens.
It's excellent.
I wanted to buy a 1D Mark2 but have not as there isn't a similar lens.
Oh my the Kit lens scenario. Sorry for the longish post but let me tell you my story re this.
I have the 30D the same as you and got the 18-55 kit lens with it, I then purchased the EF 55-200 f4.5-5.6 II USM as my zoom type thingy. All well and good until I started taking pictures as opposed to initial snaps.
When looking at RAW images from these 2 lenses I kept thinking my picture taking skills were poor (they are to be fair but...) the images were blurred, now as far as I was concerned I had spent good money on 'one of the best' (non full frame) bodies available yet my images were crap.
I then purchased a really nice macro lens, the Tamron SP AF180mm F/3.5 Di LD (IF) 1:1 Macro. The other night I had my 55-200 zoomed out at around 180-190mm trying to take an image of a distant barn, hmmm I thought let me try this with my macro lens, it focuses on infinity (I'm still learning so its all about playing) and when I got home the difference between the images was startling.
That was it as far as I was concerned I had wasted my money on the cheap Canon's, time for a change -happened before this when I took up golf, you buy a cheap set of clubs then another, in the end my friend said, "Simon, word of advice buy the best set of clubs you can afford and add a few quid, you cant then blame the clubs and they'll last you forever." Good idea this I bought Ping and have never looked back.
Anyway I toyed with the idea of a nice Canon 28-300 L, minimise lens changes etc and its an L what more needs to be said, ok its 1500 quid but it'll last forever. Read some reviews and then changed my mind and instead I purchased the following, a Canon EF24-105mm f4 L IS USM and a Canon EF70-200mm f4.0 L USM. Some of you may say overkill but get this, I got two 'L' lenses for less than one big L and I have to say I have taken a few quick shots and I will never be able to blame the lens or camera again, the images these produce are absolutely startling. It all comes down to me now, as far as I am concerned they are pretty future proof too, if I upgrade to a 5d or a 1 (wishful thinking) they will move to the new body.
As a matter of interest I also have the Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 USM, a truly superb lens, however it does pain me that with it being an EF-S it cannot be used on anything with a full frame sensor, so it will die with the camera if/when I upgrade.
So to sum up, in my opinion buy the best you can afford and if you can't quite afford it try and save some more, but at the end of the day, you really do get what you pay for. We live in an Internet world of cheap pricing etc. and products made in China, but at the end of the day quality costs that little bit more.
Sorry again for the long reply, happy lens hunting and testing.
I have the 30D the same as you and got the 18-55 kit lens with it, I then purchased the EF 55-200 f4.5-5.6 II USM as my zoom type thingy. All well and good until I started taking pictures as opposed to initial snaps.
When looking at RAW images from these 2 lenses I kept thinking my picture taking skills were poor (they are to be fair but...) the images were blurred, now as far as I was concerned I had spent good money on 'one of the best' (non full frame) bodies available yet my images were crap.
I then purchased a really nice macro lens, the Tamron SP AF180mm F/3.5 Di LD (IF) 1:1 Macro. The other night I had my 55-200 zoomed out at around 180-190mm trying to take an image of a distant barn, hmmm I thought let me try this with my macro lens, it focuses on infinity (I'm still learning so its all about playing) and when I got home the difference between the images was startling.
That was it as far as I was concerned I had wasted my money on the cheap Canon's, time for a change -happened before this when I took up golf, you buy a cheap set of clubs then another, in the end my friend said, "Simon, word of advice buy the best set of clubs you can afford and add a few quid, you cant then blame the clubs and they'll last you forever." Good idea this I bought Ping and have never looked back.
Anyway I toyed with the idea of a nice Canon 28-300 L, minimise lens changes etc and its an L what more needs to be said, ok its 1500 quid but it'll last forever. Read some reviews and then changed my mind and instead I purchased the following, a Canon EF24-105mm f4 L IS USM and a Canon EF70-200mm f4.0 L USM. Some of you may say overkill but get this, I got two 'L' lenses for less than one big L and I have to say I have taken a few quick shots and I will never be able to blame the lens or camera again, the images these produce are absolutely startling. It all comes down to me now, as far as I am concerned they are pretty future proof too, if I upgrade to a 5d or a 1 (wishful thinking) they will move to the new body.
As a matter of interest I also have the Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 USM, a truly superb lens, however it does pain me that with it being an EF-S it cannot be used on anything with a full frame sensor, so it will die with the camera if/when I upgrade.
So to sum up, in my opinion buy the best you can afford and if you can't quite afford it try and save some more, but at the end of the day, you really do get what you pay for. We live in an Internet world of cheap pricing etc. and products made in China, but at the end of the day quality costs that little bit more.
Sorry again for the long reply, happy lens hunting and testing.
Thanks to all, the info has been really helpful.
Thanks for the in depth reply Simon. I may hold out longer and save more to get a better lens that will last. That was my logic for getting a 30D over a 350D. I didn't want regrets 6 months to a year down the line. The same is true of all equipment. My dilemma is now 24-105, and a wide angle or 17-85? I've got a few weeks to figure it out.
Cheers
Dave
Thanks for the in depth reply Simon. I may hold out longer and save more to get a better lens that will last. That was my logic for getting a 30D over a 350D. I didn't want regrets 6 months to a year down the line. The same is true of all equipment. My dilemma is now 24-105, and a wide angle or 17-85? I've got a few weeks to figure it out.
Cheers
Dave
Dave,
Have to fully agree with Simon on this.
Have just bought a 17-40mm L lens after 2 years of "playing" with the kit lens. As he said, it is all down to the photographer now. If you are into landscapes, then the 17-40mm is outstanding. I am now saving for the 70-200mm L
Paul
Have to fully agree with Simon on this.
Have just bought a 17-40mm L lens after 2 years of "playing" with the kit lens. As he said, it is all down to the photographer now. If you are into landscapes, then the 17-40mm is outstanding. I am now saving for the 70-200mm L
Paul
