Lens Question

[bsykesvt]

Alright folks, I'm a relative newbie to the SLR world, and I thought I had done my homework, but I'm starting to think that I could have done better.

I just got a 30D with a EF 28-135 IS Lens. I absolutely love both, but am kinda dissapointed with the wide angle. I had thought that 28 would have been enough, but the more I look into the EF/EF-S situation I am thinking now that I should have gone with an EF-S lens

Specifically now I am wondering if the EF-S 17mm - 85mm IS might have been a better choice. Reviews describe it as having a 28-135 (35 MM) equivalent view angle.

So my question is this:

How much view angle difference is there between the two lenses, and should I try to swap? I'm looking for a general purpose/carry everywhere lens, and so far the EF 28-135 IS has been wonderful, and has done everything I wanted except for a little more wide angle. (I had a hard time taking some christmas pictures... :))

-Thanks in advance

[RebelRat]

I took a couple shots for you. One is at 17mm and the other was at 30mm. I kinda was guessing at 28mm, but, you get the idea. 28 is just a little wider than 30.

These photos were taken about 3 feet from the screen with the 17-85 lens.

[cdifoto]

You might be better served with getting an ultrawide for your 30D, while keeping the 28-135. Something like a 10-22/12-24 or similar. The 17-85 is widely regarded as an 18-55 with more range and IS...and that's not a compliment.

[bsykesvt]

Thank you for the pictures, that helped a lot.


cdi-buy.com:
I take it you don't like the IS? It's certainly been very nice on my current lens.

[cwphoto]

Thank you for the pictures, that helped a lot.


cdi-buy.com:
I take it you don't like the IS? It's certainly been very nice on my current lens.

The IS is fine, it's the optics of the 17-85 he finds questionable.

[RebelRat]

It's not the IS part he doesn't like. He is referring to the rep of the 17-85 itself. Let's say, for the money, the performance is not up to par in some people's eye.

It's not a great lens, but, it offers a good focal range and IS for me. As typical, EF-s lens have always been more expensive compared to it's EF cousins.