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Archive 2016 · Best Lens for Canon SL1

  
 
MiguelRivera
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Best Lens for Canon SL1


Trying to get a all around everyday use lens for multi purpose to shoot what ever at when ever. have a Canon sl1 with 18x55,55x250,50mm,and a 85mm that i really like but its good for portraits.

what will you guys recommend to do.

-upgrade Body
-upgrade Lens

Any advise will help.

Thank you,



Apr 26, 2016 at 10:58 AM
Max_Pain
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Best Lens for Canon SL1


SL1 is a nice little capable camera, with many limitations. What do you think is holding you back, a limitation of the body, or a lens that you think is missing in your kit?

If I remember correctly, the SL1 has the same sensor as the T5. I schlepped along with a T5 for a couple of years and captured many great memories with it, but I felt limited with its low light performance. I upgraded to a 6D and I am very satisfied now. However, you can't use EF-S lenses with a 6D or equivalent FF camera, so that would be another concern for you.



Apr 26, 2016 at 11:13 AM
grizz9
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Best Lens for Canon SL1


Well your 4 lenses cover a nice reach with the zooms and some speed with the primes. Given the range you currently own Canon made a 18-200 that would cover your needs. I cannot recommend it as I never owned it. If you can give a little on the long end the 18-135 would work. I own an sl1 and for me the 40 mm is on it most of the time. That combo is great to carry sround. I also recently walked NY City with the sl1 as a second camera with the 10-18 on it. That was a nice little shooter as well. Doesn't cover your needs though.


Apr 26, 2016 at 11:20 AM
JameelH
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Best Lens for Canon SL1


Sl1 is a nice walk around body. Mine is paired with a tamron 17-50 f2.8 (non VC). Also have the 55-250 stm. My serious kit is a 5DsR with a bunch of other lenses.


Apr 26, 2016 at 11:36 AM
tsangc
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Best Lens for Canon SL1


I guess you need to define what you feel is the problem with your current setup.

Is it the focus system? Is it the quality of the images? Too many lenses?

That'll really drive your next decision.

If you're like me, you might have purchased your SL1 because it's small. Sure it has limitations like it's archaic focus (hey, I had the same focus system eight years ago on the 20D) but it's handy to have a such small true SLR camera. So upgrading to a larger body or a large lens might not be for you if you like how small the SL1 is.

Another factor that goes along with that is too many lenses--to remain small, you don't want a bag of multiple lenses. It's also a pain to juggle all those lenses for general use, especially when traveling. A Canon 18-135mm is a great general use zoom, though longer than the kit lens, it can take 80% of regular photos, covering wide-enough angles and just a bit more than average long shots too.

If it's quality you're after, there's a number of large aperture, high quality lenses like the Canon 17-55mm f2.8 IS USM. I use a Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 which was pretty cheap, reasonably sized and fairly sharp.



Apr 26, 2016 at 12:01 PM
jcolwell
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Best Lens for Canon SL1


I use my SL1 + 70-200/4L IS for personal vacation travel, along with a Fuji X-E2 + 14/2.8 and 18-55 OIS. I've thought about getting a wider lens for the SL1, and if I did, it would be the EF-S 15-85/3.5-5.6 IS.


Apr 26, 2016 at 12:08 PM
Jeff Nolten
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Best Lens for Canon SL1


If you are happy with your 18-55 then you are there. You could consider the EF-s 24 f2.8 if you like non-is primes. While I like my EF-s 15-85, it seems heavy for the SL1 and its USM AF doesn't work well with the SL1's video AF. That was one of my motivations for getting a 70D (now 80D). Both excellent upgrade bodies. I've kept my SL1 as a light weight alternative body to use along side my G1X much like JColwell. The 10-18, 24, and 55-250 STMs are the main lenses I use with the SL1.

For completeness I'll add that the EF-s 60 f2.8 macro is a nice small lens on the SL1. The OP pretty much has this covered with his current 50 and 85. Three other lenses that IMHO would work well with the SL1 are the EF 24, 28, and 35 IS primes. I have the 35 but mainly use it on FF.



Apr 26, 2016 at 12:24 PM
OntheRez
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Best Lens for Canon SL1


Got my girl friend an SL1 as she felt even a 60D was too large for her. It came with a couple of nondescript low end lenses. Her main interest is shooting the birds that live around us, so she stole my 70-300mm f/4.0 - f/5.6 IS. She's very happy with the lens. But a problem has cropped up. As she has gotten more experienced she's found the SL1 AF to be poor and often complains about lost shots. I offer up the trite line that shoot more/get better. That often gets me in trouble

I played with the camera for a bit and agree that its value is in its form factor. Truly a small DSLR and the sensor is ok for what its design goals were. I also agreed that the AF was junk (speaking as a man that shoots 1,000s of pix with a 1Dx). So suddenly her hands have grown, and she's eyeing my 5DIII which no doubt has better AF, IQ, and ISO. This is still playing out though I'm beginning to think I may have to borrow the 5DIII when I need it. I did point out if she really wanted great AF we should look for a used 1DIV which in my book is still an excellent camera. She didn't reject the idea out of hand.

For whatever reason her hands seem to have gotten bigger. Also, she never takes the 70-300 of the SL1 so it's her "walk around" lens.

Robert



Apr 26, 2016 at 01:05 PM
Sorbet
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Best Lens for Canon SL1


MiguelRivera wrote:
Trying to get a all around everyday use lens for multi purpose to shoot what ever at when ever. have a Canon sl1 with 18x55,55x250,50mm,and a 85mm that i really like but its good for portraits.

what will you guys recommend to do.

-upgrade Body
-upgrade Lens

Any advise will help.

Thank you,


You are all set. Make pictures.



Apr 26, 2016 at 02:38 PM
Jefferson
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Best Lens for Canon SL1


... Learn to shoot manual exposure mode, that way you will know how to shoot many different subjects the way you want them to be seen I don't know if the SL1 has RAW, but if it does ... use it (along with a small jpg. maybe).

I use LR for post work, but there are others. Also good to know.


Jefferson ...



Apr 26, 2016 at 02:55 PM
Jeff Nolten
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Best Lens for Canon SL1


The SL1 has raw and the same 18 MP hybrid sensor as the 60D.


Apr 26, 2016 at 05:13 PM
dtolios
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Best Lens for Canon SL1


Other than the Tamron 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II that was already mentioned, I would look into the Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS C. It is not a fixed f/2.8, but the range is welcome and it is cheaper than both the Tamron or the Canon EF-S 15-85 IS.

And of course the Canon EF-S 24mm STM is excellent low-key all-around normal lens that fits the size of the SL1 perfectly.

All of the above are a step-up from the EF-S 18-55, but as others had mentioned, its a slippery slope: you don't "need" any upgrade. Wanting one, is ok, but won't give you anything really, your kit is perfectly sufficient as is.

Edited on Apr 26, 2016 at 05:57 PM · View previous versions



Apr 26, 2016 at 05:50 PM
Gochugogi
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Best Lens for Canon SL1


My fav wee combo is the SL1 and EF-s 24 2.8 STM. Put my Pen to rest after shooting it for a few days.




Apr 26, 2016 at 05:55 PM
mmurph
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Best Lens for Canon SL1


My SL1 (and 7DII) lens kit:

Canon 24 mm 2.8, 40 mm 2.8, 50 mm 1.8 - about$300 total used or refurbished.

Plus the 85 1.8

For zooms, I bought a Sigma 17-50 2.8 OS on eBay as an import for $269. It is an incredibly good lens that I use wide open in low light, although it is a little better stopped down.

I also have the Excellent Canon 24-70 4.0 IS (about $625 used or refurbished), and the Canon 70-200 4.0 nonn-IS ($425 used.)

I bought the Canon 55-250 STM for my wife for Xmas for $110 refurbished. That is supposed to be an excellent lens, and I'd certainly cheap enough.

The Canon 18-135 STM at around $250 IS also an excellent all around lens, and the STM is silent for video.

Good luck!



Apr 26, 2016 at 09:02 PM
chiron
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Best Lens for Canon SL1


MiguelRivera wrote:
Trying to get a all around everyday use lens for multi purpose to shoot what ever at when ever. have a Canon sl1 with 18x55,55x250,50mm,and a 85mm that i really like but its good for portraits.

what will you guys recommend to do.

-upgrade Body
-upgrade Lens

Any advise will help.

Thank you,


The only thing you are missing, really, is a ultra-wide. You are now limited to an equivalent of 28.8 mm on a FF. Therefore, you might think about the EF-S 10-18 IS STM or the EF-S 10-22 lenses. They would get you much wider than you are now and make a nice urban shooting lens.



Apr 26, 2016 at 09:16 PM
cmyb
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Best Lens for Canon SL1


I have the 10-18 stm lens on my SL1 most of the time.


Apr 26, 2016 at 09:18 PM
pKai
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Best Lens for Canon SL1


You are missing this lens.......






Edited on Apr 26, 2016 at 09:40 PM · View previous versions



Apr 26, 2016 at 09:33 PM
pKai
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Best Lens for Canon SL1


Seriosuly... you have an excellent walk-around kit already. Learn how to wring every ounce of ability from the 18-55 and 55-250.... Shoot RAW, shoot manual.... When you hit a wall, you will know it.... Until then--- fight the gear lust...

If anything, consider the EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM to gain super-wide.









Apr 26, 2016 at 09:39 PM





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