Opinions please .........

[Shelly]

Hi ,

I currently own the Digital Rebel Xt w/ the kit lens and also own a 50mm 1.4 lens. I would like to purchase another lens and after reading all the reviews I am really confused. Unfortunately I don't live anywhere close to a good camera store. What I am hoping to buy is a good walk around lens that will deliver sharp, clear pics. With my current lenses I am frequently disappointed not having a wide enough lens and also need a good lens to take indoor low light shots of people. I am not sure if I will be able to purchase one lens to meet my needs or will I eventually need to purchase two lenses? Maximum cost cannot exceed $800. I want to get good lenses that I will be able to keep for a long time. I was thinking about the Canon 17-40mm f/4 L. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Shelly

[Elisha82]

The 17-40mm L f/4 is not gonna be good enough on the XT for low light. You want something brighter like the 17-55 f/2.8 or the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8

[robiss]

you never said what lens you got with your kit... the 18-55mm..??...the next logical choice would be a medium-long zoom...like the 70-200mm; but for available indoor lighting; the 28-135mm IS would probably be a better choice

there are 2 topics in this forum you need to look at... 1> the lens reviews...it just won't get any simpler than that 2> the Canon rebate thread... you can get 15-500 in rebates on certain canon lenses, if you act quickly

[Shelly]

The kit lens is the 28-105mm. I am not really interested in a zoom don't really find must use for a zoom. I just sold a 75-300mm IS lens on Ebay because I never used it. I purchased to use for my son's basketball games and he is now done with basketball so the lens was just collecting dust.
I sold it for $350. and want to put that money towards a lens that I will use more frequently.

Shelly

[VTEC_EATER]

35/2 or maybe save for another few months and up the budget by $200 for a 17-55/2.8 IS.

[cdifoto]

If you don't want a zoom, why are you considering the 17-40mm?

Maybe you mean you don't want a telephoto lens...those are the ones that give you "reach".

[Shelly]

You are right ! I meant a telephoto lens.

Shelly

[Mark_48]

The lens linked below is sort of an update of Tamrons 17-50 f/2.8. They've added VC (Tamron speak for Vibration Compensation = IS (Image Stabilizer). This should make it a pretty good lens for handheld shots in lower light than normal and would make a good walk around lens. It's new to the market, so as B&H's site shows, it's not available as of yet. If you're not in too much of a hurry for a new lens this might be worth a look when it's available.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/652136-USA/Tamron_AFB005C700_SP_AF_17_50mm_f_2_8.html


This is the original non-VC version below. I do have this lens and it's been good. Only minor annoying thing is when it auto-focuses, there is a bit of buzz noise.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/423714-REG/Tamron_AF016C700_17_50mm_f_2_8_XR_Di.html

[robiss]

take a look at the 60mm f/2.8 macro...no IS, but you should be able to hand-hold it to 1/30 & still get good shots. I used my 105mm f/2.5 Nikkor on my analog 35mm for available-light indoor shots all the time...it was my favorite lens...the 60mm macro will let you do killer close-ups, & copy work, too...I just got a new one for 392 from Adorama...there currently is a $30 discount on this lens; which expires next week

[michaelb]

Hi ,

... What I am hoping to buy is a good walk around lens that will deliver sharp, clear pics..... I am frequently disappointed not having a wide enough lens and also need a good lens to take indoor low light shots of people. ...

...Maximum cost cannot exceed $800. I want to get good lenses that I will be able to keep for a long time. I was thinking about the Canon 17-40mm f/4 L....
Shelly

The 17-40 is good lens, but f/4 is not fast enough for indoor use without a flash.

Options:
1. Tamron 17-50 f/2.8. Very well respected lens.
2. Canon 17-55 f/2.8 IS. Very nice lens, but even used it runs about $850.
4. Have you considered a flash? Many times even f/2.8 is not fast enough for indoor shots. A 430EX Speedlight runs about $200 and will open up a whole new world of indoor portrait photography to you. I admit I'm not much of a flash user, but there are definitlely times when a flash is the best way to get the shot....(The 17-40 f/4 would be fine indoors with a flash).

430 EX bounced with 85mm 1.8 lens @ f/3.2...
http://brownphotography.smugmug.com/photos/445087292_heWa6-L.jpg

[TheWengler]

What's wrong with your 50mm f/1.4 for indoor shots?

[Shelly]

Hi Michael,

Thanks for your response. I have the 430EX flash. I must admit I am not
very comfortable using it. What I really need to do is take some classes
somewhere. Unfortunately, I live in the country and there is not too much around in this area.
I could wait and put some more money together for a better lens. It seems
like the 17-55 F.2 is highly recommended and maybe that would be a good
choice for my needs.
I will soon by taking hundreds of photos at work for a Christmas party. I am a Social worker in a nursing home. Every year we have a party for all the residents and they get to invite their families. I take all the family photos and print two copies. One is given to the resident and the other to the family. In some cases, it is the last photo of their loved one.

Shelly
i

Shelly

[Shelly]

The 50 mm lens is good for home use. I have a party coming up and where
I take the photos there is not enough room to use the 50mm. I can't move back far enough. Unfortunately space is limited. I was hoping to purchase a new lens for the party.

Shelly

[Shelly]

Thanks Elisha for your response.

Shelly

[Shelly]

Do you think the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 is as good as the Canon 17-55 f/2.8 IS?

Shelly

[fdexclpl]

Do you think the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 is as good as the Canon 17-55 f/2.8 IS?

ShellyI can't speak about the Canon but I have the Tamron. It is an excellent lens, very sharp and pretty good focus speed. It doesn't have IS or USM and the focus motor is a little noisy. I don't think it is loud but some say that it is. The main reason I like it is the IQ. It is excellent!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2602/3996139789_9de89dd5eb_b.jpg

[Mark_48]

Do you think the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 is as good as the Canon 17-55 f/2.8 IS?

Shelly
You can make some comparisons from the sites below. Since I only have the Tamron 17-50, I can't compare it to the Canon. Other than a little noise while auto-focusing the Tamron has done well for me. The Canon is going to be a bit more than your stated budget as well.

Canon 17-55 f/2.8
Images...
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/canon/ef_s_17_55_28_is_usm
Reviews...
http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=303&sort=7&cat=27&page=3

Tamron 17-50 f/2.8
Images...
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/tamron/sp_af17_50_28_xr_di_ii_ld_aspherical_if
Reviews...
http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=308&sort=7&cat=43&page=1

[TheWengler]

For low light group shots you should be using a flash. Kind of hard to keep everyone sharp w/ a shallow DOF.