Canon Lens Galore

[GWestphal]

So I have crop body 60D and the 18-135mm kit lens. I'm contemplating the following moves.

1.Sell/Trade the 18-135mm for the Canon 28-135mm ($350). The one thing I'm concerned about is if the IS on the 28-135 is up to par with the IS on the 18-135mm, because that is so much newer. The 28-135 rates much higher as a lens in general.

2. Getting either the Sigma10-20 ($450) or the Canon 10-22mm ($800)

3. I can't afford the 70-200/2.8L/4L IS ($2400/1400), but I was considering the 70-200/4L non-IS (~$650). Is it worth getting that type of lens if it doesn't have IS?

4. Still wondering if there is a place for 30mm or 50mm prime.

 

[angry hampster]

Why don't you give us some more information?

What are you trying to accomplish? Where is your current lens falling short?

Any recommendations without first knowing the answer to those questions will be uninformed.

 

[AkumaX]

1) going from the 18-135mm to 28-135mm is more of a sidegrade. Have you been using the 18-135? The 28-135 gets higher ratings because for some reason there were a couple of bad reviews when the 18-135mm 1st came out, and then everyone just jumped on that bandwagon. If anything, I'd suggest either a Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 non-VC, Sigma 17-50mm f2.8 OS, or the Canon 15-85mm

3) Try out a 55-250mm, its totally worth the ~$150
4) just get the 50mm f/1.8. Its too cheap NOT to have

 

[RobDickinson]

1.Sell/Trade the 18-135mm for the Canon 28-135mm ($350). The one thing I'm concerned about is if the IS on the 28-135 is up to par with the IS on the 18-135mm, because that is so much newer. The 28-135 rates much higher as a lens in general.

The 28-135 is better built and has IS. Its also optically no great thing and 28 is not very wide on a crop body. Its not a change I would consider.

2. Getting either the Sigma10-20 ($450) or the Canon 10-22mm ($800)

Both are good. Canon is probably all round better lens but not by much.

3. I can't afford the 70-200/2.8L/4L IS ($2400/1400), but I was considering the 70-200/4L non-IS (~$650). Is it worth getting that type of lens if it doesn't have IS?

Yes, IS is a useful tool but something you can happily live without (I do with my 400 and 70-200). 70-200f4L is superb, fast USM, good build, sharp as a tack from f4 on. Also small and light (for its type).

55-250IS is a good cheaper tele zoom (as above).

4. Still wondering if there is a place for 30mm or 50mm prime.

Yes, both... always a place for a fast prime. But does depend on what you shoot. 50/1,8 is really cheap. 35f2.0 is worth a look too, cracking lens if not so cheap.

 

[alfa147x]

Thoughts on prime lenses? I almost prefer them over zoom lenses.

^This does not apply for the 70mm+ range

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

OP, just want a good camera/setup? Or a real hobbyist that takes fancy photos?

I got the 50mm prime as someone wanting to step up from point-and-shoot. I kinda regret it. On that note, if you want one I might sell mine. I have the lense hood (Canon branded) for it also. It's the 50mm f/1.8,

Also have the 18-55 kit. I want to replace it. One of hte considerations is the 15-85. If not that, I might do a 12-24 (model TBD) and an 18-XXX where XXX is 135, 200, 250 or 270. If I get the 18-250/270 I might also dump my 55-250. Basically go to a two lense setup.

Do not get the 75-300mm Canon. It is junk. The 55-250mm is nice for what it is at it's price. Love the thing. A real hobbyist might want something better though.

 

[GWestphal]

Wanting to pick up a new hobby that can make me some scratch on the side. I think I decided to slow down a bit and take some photography classes while saving up for a 70-200 f4 IS and possibly the 5d3. I'll have to report back in a few months. I found a website showing the crops of many different cameras and the 18-135 to 28-135 really wouldn't net me much, so I'll keep the 18-135 for now. Might pick up a 50/1.4 though just to get some hands on with wide apertures.

 

[slashbinslashbash]

1) going from the 18-135mm to 28-135mm is more of a sidegrade. Have you been using the 18-135? The 28-135 gets higher ratings because for some reason there were a couple of bad reviews when the 18-135mm 1st came out, and then everyone just jumped on that bandwagon. If anything, I'd suggest either a Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 non-VC, Sigma 17-50mm f2.8 OS, or the Canon 15-85mm

3) Try out a 55-250mm, its totally worth the ~$150
4) just get the 50mm f/1.8. Its too cheap NOT to have

I agree with all of these suggestions. To elaborate a little more:

1) You don't want to go from 18-xx to 28-xx. Just not worth it to lose the wide end. If you want something "better" than the 18-135 then get something with constant f/2.8 aperture.

2) The 55-250mm is a REALLY good performer for the price ($200, not $150). You could buy 3 of them for what you'd pay for the 70-200 f/4 non-IS (which I have owned in the past, before upgrading to the IS version). Not to mention the 55-250 is much lighter and smaller, has IS, and an extra 50mm long. If you don't currently have a telephoto then you really can't go wrong with the 55-250. After using it, you can decide if you really need to upgrade to the 70-200. It is an upgrade in some ways but a trade-off in others, not the least of which is cost.

3) The 50mm f/1.8 is so cheap, everyone should have one. Since you mention the 50mm f/1.4, then I would look at the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 instead. It is a fantastic lens. Canon really needs to update the 50/1.4 to real USM and a more modern optical formula.

 

[gplracer]

I have a 70-200L F4 lens and it is my favorite.

 

[iGas]

Have there been situations that the 18-135mm couldn't do?

Have you been shooting sports, and in low light situations that you need fast aperture?

IMHO, you wouldn't be able to tell much of a IQ different between the 18-135mm and 28-135mm at f/8, while it is much nicer to have 18mm at the wide end instead of 28mm. And, 135, is 216mm in 35mm equivalent which is long enough for most user, unless you want to shoot birds, the moon, or spies on people then it might warrant a longer lens (a SX40 or SX30 would fit the bill).

18mm = 74°

28mm = 51°