Help choosing an everyday lense

[marino420td]

I have a Canon 10d and I need a reasonably good everyday lense. I say reasonably good because I don't want to spend $1000 for it. I would like to spend $500 or less.

I have asked on several photography only forums and most replies come from professional photographers. They of course recommend I spend $1000 and get the best.

I'm no professional but I do want to be able to take quality indoor and outdoor shots of my kids. I'm thinking along the lines of a 28-70mm range.

What would you suggest?

 

[edwing206]

What about this little guy?
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0703/07030805sigma200500mm.asp
jk. sorry I don't know what lns would be a good choice for you.

 

[Blazer88]

You have plenty of options in that range. Of course I would recommend the 24-70 F/2.8L or a 24-105 F/4L IS, but those are a grand. What other lenses do you currently have? I use my 24-105 as my walk-around lens, but the 24mm isn't very wide on a crop sensor and it's nice to have something that can go below 20mm. I use my Sigma 10-20mm with my 24-105 for tighter spots. I hear good things about these lenses (all for around $300):
-Sigma 17-70 F/2.8-4
-Sigma 18-50mm F/2.8 EX (I had one, great lens)
-Sigma 24-70 F/2.8 EX
-Tamron 17-50 F/2.8

 

[jwedehase]

I use the Canon 28-135 IS f/3.5-5.6, and like it a lot, but often wish it went wider, as mentioned above.

Does anyone know off-hand? Can the 10D use the EF-S lenses? If so, the Canon 17-85 IS might be a decent option.

 

[Blazer88]

I don't think a EF-S lens will fit on that camera. Another good everyday lens would be the Canon EF 17-40 F/4L. It's a little more expensive at around $500 used, but it's an L

 

[jwedehase]

And a GREAT lens. I took it to Monterey Bay Aquarium for a day, and never swapped lenses all day. I was quite shocked by how sharp it was.

 

[Blazer88]

I just took my 24-105L to the Aquarium of the Pacific today and I am expecting tons of great pics. The IS was sooo helpfull in the low light, I can't wait to see how the pics turn out when I get home tomorrow.

 

[jwedehase]

Wait a second, Bellevue boy... AotP.. you're in CA already? Oh well. Should have stopped by. Next time....

 

[Blazer88]

Yep, I've been in Huntington Beach for the past few days on business. I'll be down again in June with my wife to hit Nappa Valley, Yosemite, and San Diego. The weather was sure a nice change from Washington!

 

[BlueCorn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9432084#post9432084 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jwedehase
I use the Canon 28-135 IS f/3.5-5.6, and like it a lot, but often wish it went wider, as mentioned above.

Ugg - I too had that lens. The happiest experience that I had with it was packing it into a box to ship it to it's new owner.

 

[Rosseau]

I just bought a Sigma 24-60mm f2.8. So far it's been great for me and has gotten good reviews, i.e. fredmiranda.com

It's pretty compact and IQ is good. Again, some would probably say it's not "L" glass, but this lens won't lose its value too fast so selling it off when you want to upgrade is always an option. It's worth a look.

$400 for constant f2.8 and a decent zoom range. I found it to be slightly higher rated and revieed than the 24-70mm ones.

 

[jwedehase]

Beerguy... really!? Honestly, I'm happy with the lens. It's no L, but luckily that's also reflected in the wallet impact. Honestly, it's been a great lens for me, though I'm ready for more lens now. If I could probe you for opinion/experience... what didn't you like?

 

[BlueCorn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9439335#post9439335 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jwedehase
If I could probe you for opinion/experience... what didn't you like?

Just a few things really

• Not wide enough.
• Very prone to flare (even with the lens shade that you have to buy separately)
• Very prone to CA
• Really soft below f/8
• Poor contrast and color saturation
• Poor construction, i.e. zoom creep

Otherwise it was a fine lens.

 

[TimsReef]

Another vote for the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L

Another vote for the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L

This lens is a little above your price ceiling of $500, but can be had for around $600. It is WELL worth the money.

Lens Specs

and a great review comparing it to the more expensive 16-35mm f/2.8L Here

Tim