Question about general use lenses for Canon 40D

[The_Camera_Poser]

Hi all,

I'm helping a friend buy a camera system. He's getting a Canon 40D, but needs a general purpose lens to go with it.

Can folks vote in the poll and help us make up our minds?

[sonofcoco]

How about the 17-55 2.8 IS? That might be out of his budget range though.

[Clubmanmc]

what about a very nice (used) 28-105 USM F3.5-4.5

i had one for a long time till i bought the 28-70 to replace it

M

[LJG]

Tell him to have a look at the new Canon EF-S 15-85 F4, it seems to be getting rave revues IQ wise as a good general walkaround and is a lot cheaper than the 17-55 F2.8.

[Roosta]

Either the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 Around $399.00 local CK Kennedy price matched againt any O/S internet price(This is the first lens I brought for my 50D and have never looked back), and or the Canon 15-85mm F4, Longer focal zoom, but not as fast.
I went throught this dilema a while back, as I was not happy with the IQ from the 17-85mm Kit lens that came with my 50D, They are being sold cheap as chips second hand, says something abou them, but then, some love them.

[blissful]

Tell him to have a look at the new Canon EF-S 15-85 F4

First time I've heard of this one - have you any links to it Lloyd?

I do have the EF-S 15-85mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM and can vouch for its usefulness as a walk around general purpose lens and its very good overall for IQ, except in low light. I like its wide angle particularly - 15mm on a crop camera such as the 40D is still pretty wide for those landscape and architecture shots. I think the only real downside is its cost.

[Namus]

Can definitely recommend the 15-85mm IS USM lens as walk-about lens; I have one on my 40D; excellent image quality - you won't be disappointed; highly recommended

[fabian628]

i vote for canon 18-55mm IS.

its a good little lens to learn on, also good value as the image quality is quite good. Resale value is also good so when you know more and move up, it wont cost you alot.

a picture i took with the canon 18-55mm IS on 1000D. This is a crop, and still the quality holds up well

[Bercy]

I have some nice fast lenses, long lenses, L lenses, etc, but the lens that actually stays on hte camera most of the time, is the 28-105mm - its not great and its not terrible, but its easy to walk around with, you can get good shots, and its not too expensive.

[LJG]

First time I've heard of this one - have you any links to it Lloyd?

I do have the EF-S 15-85mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM and can vouch for its usefulness as a walk around general purpose lens and its very good overall for IQ, except in low light. I like its wide angle particularly - 15mm on a crop camera such as the 40D is still pretty wide for those landscape and architecture shots. I think the only real downside is its cost.

Sorry, typo, must be getting old........................oops......................too late haha

Yes I did mean the 3.6-5.6



It has created a problem for me though, since buying it I have not used my 10-22 or 28-135

[Bennymiata]

I have a Sigma 24-70 F2.8 on my Pentax and it's sharp as a tack and has no colour fringing that I've ever seen, even in high contrast situations.
With the new OS it could only be better.
It's a bit big and heavy though.

[larrywen]

I think EF-S 18-200 f3.5-5.6 IS is a very good choice. Especially the 200 focus length is very useful.

[Speedway]

For a general purpose lens you couldn't go past the 18-250 sigma (I have one and love it) or the tamron 18-270. Both get good reviews and they cover a very wide range and will give you some idea what you want from your photography without breaking the bank.
Keith.

[crum]

Another vote here for the 15-85mm. Mine is brilliant for an all rounder

[MisterEd]

Another vote here for the 15-85mm. Mine is brilliant for an all rounder

Is the 15-85mm that much different to the 17-85mm lens? I bought one of the kits when I got my 40D and it included the 17-85mm lens. I found that it is a great lens for most things but does have its limitations.

[ricktas]

Is the 15-85mm that much different to the 17-85mm lens? I bought one of the kits when I got my 40D and it included the 17-85mm lens. I found that it is a great lens for most things but does have its limitations.

Every lens ever made has its limitations. It is knowing them and being able to push the lens to its limit. Every lens has its place, and can produce superb results in the right hands, under the right situation. The trick is learning the limitations, and knowing how to choose the right lens for the right situation, and that comes with practice, experience and talking to other photographers about lenses/gear

[crum]

Is the 15-85mm that much different to the 17-85mm lens? I bought one of the kits when I got my 40D and it included the 17-85mm lens. I found that it is a great lens for most things but does have its limitations.

I haven't personally used the 17-85mm myself but as far as I know the 15-85 is the newer version and from the reviews I've read is slightly better. The glass used in them is basically L series so they are a great lens