1 "decent" lens for my first body

[Cadnium]

Hey,

I have the 15-85mm Canon lens and it is good. The range is fantastic, IS works really well. However, I do find it slow indoors. I have since paired it up with at 580EX-II and have no issues. However if I went back, I would make sure my mid-range lens has a constant f2.8 aperture, even if it meant going to Sigma/Tamron and/or splurging a pit more money.

[silkdiver]

originally posted by Cadnium:

Hey,

I have the 15-85mm Canon lens and it is good. The range is fantastic, IS works really well. However, I do find it slow indoors. I have since paired it up with at 580EX-II and have no issues. However if I went back, I would make sure my mid-range lens has a constant f2.8 aperture, even if it meant going to Sigma/Tamron and/or splurging a pit more money.

Thanks for the insight

[Longshots]

I was going to suggest a nifty fifty, as the 50mm (Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II), as it is such stunningly good value for money. Its extremely sharp, and can be bought for under $100. Its a lens you will never tire of.

[Art Vandelay]

[list][*][*] The Canon EF-S 15-85 IS is not, repeat NOT a kit lens. It is a high-quality mid-range lens similar to (for example) the EF-S 60 macro, the EF-S 10-22, the EF 85/1.8, and the EF 70-300 IS. The fact that you can sometimes buy it as part of a body kit is not relevant - you can buy the 24-105L IS in a kit too, and no-one ever called that a kit lens.[*] The only genuine drawback of the 15-85 is that it's rather slow. Oh, and it isn't cheap, but quality never is.[*]

100% Agree with this.

I'd also add that the Image quality is right next to the 17-55 f/2.8 (I have both). I cant put my finger on it exactly, but at times the 15-85 even brings out a 'richer' more colouful image.

Throw in a 50 f/1.8 as suggested, and you.ve got a lot of bases covered.

[unistudent1962]

Sadly, some photographic snobs seem to consider any Canon lens without an L in it's name is a kit lens.
While L lenses may be something to aspire to owning, they don't make an image, the photographer does.

As suggested, the 15-85 does a very good job, it covers a decent range, has very good IS, and handles CA and distortion reasonably well. Obviously a constant aperture and faster focussing would make it even better, but I doubt the OP would be disappointed should he choose this lens.

[Roosta]

Just to add to your confusion, I've got The Sigma 18-50 F2.8, cost me $399 brand new aussie lens, not as long as the Tamron 17-70 and also the 3 x the price canon 17-55 F2.8.

I cant fault this lens, has all the letters you want after it IS, VR, OS, you chose, all mean the same thing and is constant F2.8 throughtout focal range. The Tamron, was my other choice, but not having the F2.8 throughtout the range it lost out.

Unistudent and also Rod38, make some very valid points re L type lens and where you are at experience wise, But in adding to that, if you can afford the better faster glass, you are mad not to get it, it will last the test of time and suit all the aspects you've mentioned.

Add again to that, Geffsta, makes a valid point. If you like Canon thats great, but there is nothing wrong with the good old Nikon stuff, Their 18-105 Vr lens that can come as a kit with the D90 is a great package, my brother inlaw has this set-up and loves it. It's not just a personal choice, but feel and user friendlness should be taken into account.

Anyway, I still think your first point of call is a quality camera shop in your area that stocks the 50-60D's and a couple of good Nikons, Nikon pricing should be jumping around at the moment due to new model's just being released, but I can't help you there. Pick them up , feel the weight, button location and functions, look through the lens and live views, see what works for you.

Have fun..

P.S. What you save in buying a non-canon lens, I.E say Sigma 18-50, Tamron 17-70/50, you could/should get a decent tripod and head for the savings you make.

[Cadnium]

One more comment:

As i said above, I have the 15-85mm and do find it slow indoors. I also have the 50mm f/1.8, tripod and flash and Yongnuo remote triggers.

As we have a little bub, I take most my shots indoors at the moment. I change lenses alot. When shooting with the 15-85mm i usually find myself resorting to the flash and bouncing it unless there is good ambient light as the shutter speed tends to hang around 1/30s which is too slow unless people are posing for the shot (you won't get camera shake on the 15-85 due to the IS but you will get motion blur!). Babies don't tend to wait when you are shooting.

The 50mm is just such good value for money everyone should have one. I usually find myself stopped down to about f/2.8 which is why i would recommend that aperture if you are going for indoors zoom. I could't justify the extra money for the f/1.4 and in all honesty have only take a couple of shots at f/1.8.

The reason I went for the 15-85mm as my zoome was the wide low-end which is great for landscapes, and the range is perfect on a crop sensor (such as 50D, 550D) for portraits. Oh, and I was only given permission to buy one lens. As everyone said above, the quality of photos is really good which was important to me, and why i didn't get a kit lens.

Having said all of that. most of my best shots have come from the cheap 50mm f/1.8, especially when paired with a tripod and remote trigger!

As for the body - I got the 50D for about $900, and it is fantastic. I have to say that I had no idea what I was looking for at the time and just went on feel (i.e. the controls felt right). I have no regrets. My friends 500D feels like a toy in comparison (just my .02c!).

[midnightexpress1]

When I started this hobby,I was given one good advice,and that was buy the best lens you can afford,if not save and buy the best when you can.having said that I got the 550d twin kit and I only used it 2 times and now they are just sitting on the shelf collecting dust.

Also the 550d takes better pictures than the 50d (in my opinion),I can't comment about the 60d as I have not used one yet.

[in2fx]

Have a play with the 550D and 50D and see what feels good in your hands.

Then have a look at the EF-S 18-200 for a general walk around lens.
It may not be a great lens, but much better than a kit lens and it covers the most common focal lengths used until you decide which specialised lenses you want in your toy bag.

[wmphoto]

+1 for the 15 - 85. I don't have one, but my old man just bought a 550D with the 15 - 85 and I was really impressed with it. (Note to self - old man has better camera body than me, can't have that, time to start shopping again.........MMMMmmmm 7D ).

edit +2 for the 50mm F1.8 II. Very good cheap lens.

[silkdiver]

I will be getting a nifty fifty, that is one lens that is a definite!

[crum]

Another vote the for 15-85mm here. I got one with my 7D and its perfect for me as an all round lens as I don't really shoot 1 certain genre. No complaints about the image quality whatsoever either

[Roosta]

http://www.dwidigitalcameras.com.au/...gory=9&brand=2

Check prices here for examples...

[silkdiver]

even if I don't a body to put it on...yet

[PH005]

even if I don't a body to put it on...yet

Now you MUST get a body ! Keep us informed.

[midnightexpress1]

even if I don't a body to put it on...yet

Hahaha,can't wait hay

[smallfooties]

Just wondering, i was told that the XXXD range depreciates faster than the XXD range... is this true? If it is, then perhaps this is something you might consider if in case you want to resell your equipment when you're ready to upgrade?
Also, i know there's alot of hype about buying the latest model and keeping up with technology but, how often are you gonna go to the shops to get the latest model?
I was reading some of the posts, and in it, some members have suggested to hold and play around with different brands. Are you going to do this or have you set your mind on canon? If you have, that's awesome. As i think you can go no wrong with Canon or Nikon. I don't know about other brands because i have never used them... but i'm sure the other members can help you with that. I suppose, i'm saying try and not narrow your selection on a body too soon and too quick? But i also understand we tend to do that based on preconceived ideas and influences. I did that when i first wanted to get a DSLR... and i wasn't too happy later cos i did not know any better - i hadn't discovered this forum yet at the time!
Anyway, if you see my signature, i think i have the sigma 18-50 F2.8 lens but on the nikon D200... I'm not sure if it might be the same lens but a different mount for the canon...but i really love this lens... it's my everyday walk about lens... and the quality of the pictures it produces is much better than the quality that my kit lens produced when i was using canon.
If you're interested, i bought my nikon D200 second hand and lens brand new - both for $1.5k
Anyhow... I don't know if i'm making sense here...
but i hope you make your decision wisely...
and i'm looking forward to seeing your work when you've gotten your gear!!!!!

[OzOutbackGirl]

I am a complete newbie on this forum and trying to find the answers to my questions via many threads. I am also trying to decide on a new lens. I have the Canon 350D (will upgrade to a 5D in the next few mths) and the two kit lenses that came with it. 18 - 55 and 75 - 300mm. Excuse me for my ignorance but are they not really very good quality. I have always wondered why my pics look a bit soft and never tack sharp as they say. I also don't really understand the difference between the lenses....for example why buy a 50mm lens (set focal length) instead of say a 15 - 85mm which includes the 50mm length? And what do you mean when you say a lens is slow? I am a tour guide and take a lot of landscape photos (especially sunsets etc) but also animals etc. Actually I take a variety of shots and tons of them. I was going to get the 24 - 105 lens but there seems to be a lot of recommendation of the 15 - 85mm. What would you suggest if you were in my job? Any help and advice would be much appreciated.

[smallfooties]

hey outbackgirl,
i don't know the technical bits but i did notice a vast difference in IQ between the kit lens and my sigmas.... So i think there is some truth there... perhaps the other members can explain better...

[crum]

I totally agree with your comment on those kit lens's OzOutbackGirl. I got those with my 400D and the can't even be compared to the 15-85mm I got with my 7D