p.1 #1 · I could use some advice on a good walk around zoom lens...
Recently I went on a vacation with my family and took my new 350D. I have the kit lens 18-55 and the thrifty fifty (50mm 1.8). Well, the 50mm prime wasn't really all that useful for most of the situations I was in. The kit lens stayed on the camera about 95% of the time. I went through the pics I took, and most of the pics were taken between 18-30mm. There were a few cases when I zoomed all the way to 50mm, but mostly stayed in the lower range.
I'm kind of looking for something now to replace the kit lens with. I've been looking at the 17-40L, but I'm worried the 40mm end might be a little limiting. I'm also not sure if the f4 is as fast as I'd like. The other zoom lenses I've looked at don't go nearly as wide as the kit lens and the reviews are mixed.
If anyone has any ideas or opinions, I'd love to hear them!
p.1 #6 · I could use some advice on a good walk around zoom lens...
I'm not on a super tight budget, but I am really not a professional and don't really want to spend thousands on lenses if I can help it.
I have been reading a lot on the 24-70L, and it looks like it'd handle most of my needs, but some reviews state that it casts a shadow when using the built in flash, that isn't a huge deal for some, but I am a little concerned with that. Also, of course, concerned with the $1150 price that most places list that for.
The sigma 18-50 looked like it'd do a lot of what I wanted, but I am worried about getting any more EF-S type lenses (specifically designed for smaller sensors, other companies call them other things I know). With technology moving as it does, I am worried about buying a lens today that will not work on cameras in the future.
p.1 #7 · I could use some advice on a good walk around zoom lens...
I went from the kit lens to the 17-85IS. I really cannot fault this lens- focuses accurately, nice and sharp, wide range, the IS is really useful. I did go and buy a 17-40L and anticipate a face-off. If the 17-40 outperforms the 17-85 by a wide margin, I'll leave it on the camera. If by a small margin, I'll use it for 'photography' and not as a walk-around. If not better at all, you can buy it from me. You can buy the 17-85 for $400 here on FM.
The 24-70 was way too expensive and way too heavy for me and does NOT go wide enough for sightseeing. I really use the 17-24 range A LOT.
p.1 #8 · I could use some advice on a good walk around zoom lens...
I recently took my Sigma 18-50 2.8 to Cuba. It worked like an absolute charm in conjunction with my 85 1.8 and a Tamron 1.4x tele for the 85 (when I need just a little more reach).
As for the DC mount on the sigma, that depends on what you plan on having as your next camera. If you are thinking 5D, 1DSmkII or something to that effect, then by all means go for the 17-40.
p.1 #9 · I could use some advice on a good walk around zoom lens...
On the 350D.....
Canon Lenses
1st Choice: 24-105mm f4L IS (if money is no object)
2nd Choice: 28-135mm IS (if you can live with the 28mm end)
3rd Choice: 17-40mm f4L (if you can live with the 40mm end)
4th Choice: 17-85mm IS
Honorable Mention: 24-85mm USM (if your trying to save money)
Non-Canon Lenses:
Tamron 24-135mm
Tamron 18-200mm
Sigma 17-70mm (new lens and initial reports are good)
If money wasn't an issue, the Canon 24-105mm f4L IS is hard to beat. I like my 28-135mm IS but at times do wish it was a 24-135mm.
p.1 #10 · I could use some advice on a good walk around zoom lens...
I would too recommend the 17-85 as walk around lens. It is not a fast lens (4 to 5.6) but IS comes in handy and range is quite ok. As walk around means for me having a single lens for 'point-and-shot' type of photography in normal daylight. Even at night for static subjects, the sensitivity of the 350D and the IS you can take pretty sharp pictures.
For more demanding work or depending whether I take the film body as well, I would take other lenses (mostly primes).
For 1.6 lenses I would wait until PMA to be 100% sure (that is until next PMA...) but I would not be surprised that Canon will continue to produce good cams up to 20D range, i.e. investments in EF-S will not be lost over time.
p.1 #11 · I could use some advice on a good walk around zoom lens...
Hmmm... it does appear that a new 17-55 EF-s lens is to be announced tomorrow. If that turns out to be an EF-s equivalent of the 24-70 f/2.8L it would make an awfully nice high-quality walkaround for the 1.6x crop bodies.
p.1 #14 · I could use some advice on a good walk around zoom lens...
For wide landscape shots the 10-22 can't be beaten on a 1.6. For general walkabout the 24-105 is ideal, not too heavy with good reach and excellent results. If you could afford these two you'd be covered for 90% of most situations
p.1 #17 · I could use some advice on a good walk around zoom lens...
If you want a one lens solution, then I'd recommend either a 17-85 or a sigma 17-70.
If you don't mind the 17-40mm range, then a Canon 17-40L f4 or a Tamron/Sigma 17-35 f2.8-4 maybe a good idea.
I personally think a Sigma 10-20EX and a Sigma 24-70 EX f2.8 makes a better choice than one lens. I also like really wides for more dramatic shots than what 17 or 18mm can offer.
Good luck
would be nice...)