Help me chose my new lens!

[gabew]

So I have been looking into upgrading my current lens. Right now I have a canon t2i and am using a 28-80mm f3.5-5.6 lens. For a new lens I am looking to spend around $400 and also don't mind getting something used or refurbished. So far I can't decide between three canon lenses. The cheapest is the canon 28-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM lens new for $480 or refurbished for $383. Then for a little bit more there is the canon 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS lens for $500 new or $400 refurbished, this one has more wide angle but lacks the USM. Finally for the most there is the canon 17-85mm f4-5.6 IS USM for $600 new or $480 refurbished, this one is a little more money and has less at the telephoto end but I am willing to sacrifice that if it really has better image quality.

So please help me decide! Should I go with the 28-135 for the low price and the USM? Should I go with the 18-135 for the large zoom range? Or should I go with the 17-85 for the higher price?

Thanks so much

 

[90sShooter]

I wouldn't go with any of those lenses.... I have had the 28-135 since it is a kit lens. I actually sort of liked it but others say it's junk... Go find yourself a Tamron 17-55 or 28-75 f/2.8. I Personally own the 28-75 version which is nice in the fact that if you ever go full frame, you won't have to ditch it. The 17-50 is quite a bit wider on the wide end but you also lose some reach. It depends what you like to shoot. The downfall I admit is the Tamron doesn't feel as nice as the canon lenses and the focus is not quite as fast or silent as any USM. But I think you will find the image quality is fantastic. I was actually listing mine for sale because I have filled that focal range with other lenses and rarely pull it out anymore but when I started taking some test samples vs some of my "L" lenses, it was NOTICEABLY sharper! I think it is a great started lens for your body and used they go for right around what you are looking to spend. Good luck!

 

[BlueCorn]

The 28-135 is a terrible lens that no one should own.

 

[90sShooter]

See... lol :beer:

 

[gabew]

Ok thanks guys. So it looks like the 28-135 is not a good choice. My guess is that it is between the canon 17-85 and the tamron 28-75. So of those two which would you suggest? The canon has a better zoom range, IS, a USM, and of course the canon name, but it might have less sharp images. The tamron on the other hand appears to have extremely sharp images but has a shorter zoom range and no IS or USM. Finally I can buy the canon refurbished from canon in extremely good condition where I might have to buy the tamron used with a chance of lesser condition if I wanted to bring the price down, unless there is another very good place to buy used stuff you might suggest. So like I said which one would you suggest? Obviously the cannon has some very good features like IS which would be very nice to have, but if there really is that big a difference in image quality I might have to make the sacrifice.

 

[Brett9917]

If nothing else, the ability to have a constant f/2.8 is pretty appetizing to me. I am actually looking at getting the Tamron for Nikon...

 

[gabew]

Oh wow just noticed the aperture difference. Ok so one vote for the tamron then. Anyone else?

 

[IPT]

I have the 28-135 .... sitting in the closet. Haven't used it in years. I agree there are sharper lenses and moving up to "L" glass for me made a huge difference.

Not sure about those two lenses you mention as I have experience with nether, Hiowever, if it were me and I could have a constant F2.8 aperature that would tip me in that direction for sure.

 

[nightOwl]

I don't get a chance to shoot much as I would like to anymore, but when upgrading your glass I would suggest sticking to fixed aperture if you can. "L" series lenses make a huge difference in my opinion. It may cost you more, but you will enjoy the results. Save your money and save up for the lense you really want the first time. Nothing sucks more than spending a few hundred on a lense that you later find out is subpar.

Good Luck

 

[gabew]

I have the 28-135 .... sitting in the closet. Haven't used it in years. I agree there are sharper lenses and moving up to "L" glass for me made a huge difference.

Not sure about those two lenses you mention as I have experience with nether, Hiowever, if it were me and I could have a constant F2.8 aperature that would tip me in that direction for sure.

Ok so one more vote for the tamron. And of course I really wish I could go L but that simply isn't in the budget.

I don't get a chance to shoot much as I would like to anymore, but when upgrading your glass I would suggest sticking to fixed aperture if you can. "L" series lenses make a huge difference in my opinion. It may cost you more, but you will enjoy the results. Save your money and save up for the lense you really want the first time. Nothing sucks more than spending a few hundred on a lense that you later find out is subpar.

Good Luck

It sounds like a third vote for the tamron because of the fixed aperture. Again really really wish I could go macro but I just can't. The reason I am doing all this research is to make sure I don't pay $500 for a bad lens.

I am surprised no one is speaking up for the canon. Is it just that bad of is the tamron just that good?

 

[IPT]

I think a lot of folks around here are using the 24-70 and 70-200, or 100mm macro Canon lenses, not the ones you're talking about. Canon is not known for the quality of it's lower line of lenses. It is for the higher end "L" lenses. Tamron (and Sigma) is somewhat more known for filling in the mid level (quality wise) lenses for less than the brand names like Canon and Nikon.

Just my opinion of course. I used a 28-135 for years and years before I upgraded. I also looked closely at the Tamron macro lens as it got great writeups (but ended up getting the Canon). I just think in the focal range you're looking some of the "off" brands hold their weight well, thus the recomendations.

 

[rogerwilco357]

Well it depends on what your shooting , as for the 28-135mm I don't understand why so many shoot it down it was my first work horse lens I used it as my daily walk around lens. Now the 24-105L has taken it's place as my walk around lens ..but till then I really enjoyed taking pics of the family with the 28-135 ..Fish tank shots are almost always in macro I use the Tamron 90mm.