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KenSimone
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p.1 #1 · Good *really* cheap lenses?

I know this topic comes up a lot, and the conversation seems to hover around the $400 price point. Pretend like I'm *really* strapped for cash. What are some good lenses for < $200 (used or new)? I own the 50/1.8 and the 35/2 and I know that those are good. I did some research and people seem to generally like the EF 28-70mm f/3.5-4.5. The Sigma 24-60mm f/2.8 also falls into this list. I tried a copy and it was soft and had poor contrast, but other people seem to really like it. Anyone have any others that they've been pleasantly surprised by?

Thought I would summarize what people have posted so far (I tried to get all AF lenses that were mentioned at least twice).

Lens ---------------------------- New / Used
=================================
Canon 18-55 IS Kit lens ----------- $167/$130
Cosina / Tokina 19-35 ------------- $99/$60
** Sigma 24-60mm f/2.8 ---------- $219 (Amazon/Cameta)/$160
Canon 24-85 3.5/4.5 USM --------- $315/$160
Canon 28-70 3.5/4.5 -------------- na/$130
Canon 28-105 3.5/4.5 II USM ------ $224/$130
Canon 50/1.8 --------------------- $90/$65
Canon 55-250 IS ------------------ $264/$215
Canon 70-210 3.5/4.5 ------------- na/$160
Sigma 70-300 4-5.6 APO ---------- $250/$160
Canon 135 2.8 -------------------- $269/$205

** A lot of people have reported getting mediocre copies of the Sigma 24-60mm/2.8, try before you buy if possible!

Edited on Oct 13, 2008 at 08:56 PM · View previous versions

Sep 30, 2008 at 01:42 PM

Jman13
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p.1 #2 · Good *really* cheap lenses?

You should try another 24-60 - it's a solid lens. Mine had a little bit of a front focus issue, so it was sent to Sigma for calibration.

There are a lot of alternative lenses that fit the bill, but you've mentioned most of the native EF ones that I know of.

Alternative wise, the Zeiss 50 f/1.7, Takumar 50 f/1.4, Takumar 35 f/2, Olympus 28 f/3.5 and 24 f/2.8 all fit the bill.

Sep 30, 2008 at 01:49 PM

foxfire235
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p.1 #3 · Good *really* cheap lenses?

Tamron 28-200mm XR is a great lens for about $150 on KEH.

Sep 30, 2008 at 01:51 PM

asparkes
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p.1 #4 · Good *really* cheap lenses?

I think the nifty 50 is one dirt cheap lens that everyone should own, especially when they are starting out or on a budget. I used mine to death for three years and it is still ticking on a friend's EOS, as we speak.

Sep 30, 2008 at 01:51 PM

gasrocks
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p.1 #5 · Good *really* cheap lenses?

Go over to the Alternative Forum and look around. Like Jman13 mentions there are a lot of bargains. I have 7 good lenses that I use that cost $100 each or less.

Sep 30, 2008 at 01:58 PM

Ian.Dobinson
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p.1 #6 · Good *really* cheap lenses?

should be able to pick up either the 28-105 3.5-4.5 usm or its smaller brother 24-85 for less than $200 . good optics and proper Ring USM thats fast and acurate.

Sep 30, 2008 at 01:59 PM

forrest5000
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p.1 #7 · Good *really* cheap lenses?

24-85 USM is a reasonably good lens if you can't afford the 24-70 f2.8L and don't like weight lifting

John

Sep 30, 2008 at 02:05 PM

Steve Spencer
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p.1 #8 · Good *really* cheap lenses?

I have the 28-70mm f/3.5-4.5 MKII and although it is old and has an old autofocus motor and the front element rotates, it just takes great pictures. I picked mine up for under $100. One tip is you do buy one, also get two cokin 52mm extension rings. Without these rings the front element and threads retracts into the barrel of the lens and makes using filters or even keeping the lens cap on a bigger pain. The extension rings fix that problem. Here are a few shots with it:

This image is copyrighted by the owner

This image is copyrighted by the owner

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Sep 30, 2008 at 02:28 PM

mh2000
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p.1 #9 · Good *really* cheap lenses?

the 28/2.8 and 135 SF are also really good.

Sep 30, 2008 at 02:42 PM

GeorgeK-NJ
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p.1 #10 · Good *really* cheap lenses?

The 28-105 isn't bad. I've got one formthe late 80's that worked great until I got the "L" Fever.

Sep 30, 2008 at 02:45 PM

rceres
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p.1 #11 · Good *really* cheap lenses?

The 100 f2 is right at your price point and very good.

Sep 30, 2008 at 02:46 PM

dhphoto
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p.1 #12 · Good *really* cheap lenses?

rceres wrote:
The 100 f2 is right at your price point and very good.

<$200 ??

If you want to have some fun with other focal lengths, have you considered a third-party teleconverter?

David

Sep 30, 2008 at 02:50 PM

RikWriter
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p.1 #13 · Good *really* cheap lenses?

The 24mm f2.8 is a nice cheap lens.

Sep 30, 2008 at 03:01 PM

ScooberJake
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p.1 #14 · Good *really* cheap lenses?

rceres wrote:
The 100 f2 is right at your price point and very good.

No, used one's go for around $300.

Sep 30, 2008 at 05:25 PM

Aberdeen Photo
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p.1 #15 · Good *really* cheap lenses?

The 135 2.8 soft focus is a neat little lens with quite good iq and keh has one for $205.

Sep 30, 2008 at 05:35 PM

Jman13
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p.1 #16 · Good *really* cheap lenses?

ScooberJake wrote:
rceres wrote:
The 100 f2 is right at your price point and very good.

No, used one's go for around $300.

And only if they're beat up. New, they're $400...I'd expect used to go in the $350-$375 range, depending on condition and age.

Sep 30, 2008 at 05:49 PM

patrickphoto
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p.1 #17 · Good *really* cheap lenses?

Aberdeen Photo wrote:
The 135 2.8 soft focus is a neat little lens with quite good iq and keh has one for $205.

Incredible lens sharp without SF and awesome fun with SF

Sep 30, 2008 at 05:49 PM

alexandre
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p.1 #18 · Good *really* cheap lenses?

Canon 28-105 3.5-4.5 is great as well.
The kit IS lens is $170 brand new and is awesome for the price, assuming you have a crop DSLR.
I only disagree with Jman13 about Oly 24/2.8, it's much more expensive than the other lenses mentioned (about $150 on its own). All other can be bought for less than $200, and all of them are worth it.

Sep 30, 2008 at 05:53 PM

ICQ

joebee
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p.1 #19 · Good *really* cheap lenses?

patrickphoto wrote:
Aberdeen Photo wrote:
The 135 2.8 soft focus is a neat little lens with quite good iq and keh has one for $205.

Incredible lens sharp without SF and awesome fun with SF
I have one too. The lens is as sharp as my 80-200L. Not bad at all. The lower levels of SF seemed to work best for me. I didn't like the full SF effect. The next foggy morning, I think I should get the SF out.

Sep 30, 2008 at 06:44 PM

rocketpop
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p.1 #20 · Good *really* cheap lenses?

135 f2.8 SF is nice and usually under $200 on KEH.

I got plenty of surprisingly good shots out of my sigma 55-200 DC--I was always impressed with that lens IQ.

The sigma 70-300 APO SUPER (must get the APO version) is generally under $200 new
and is a great deal for a 300mm lens.

The canon 18-55 IS, is imo, a great deal for a wide to standard. Very nice IQ for the price, and the IS is excellent.

Sep 30, 2008 at 06:55 PM

ICQ

photomarvin
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p.1 #21 · Good *really* cheap lenses?

let's not forget the oldie but goodie 70-210 3.5/4.5...great telephoto for the price!

Sep 30, 2008 at 06:58 PM

Ariel Bravy
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p.1 #22 · Good *really* cheap lenses?

Since we're going for cheap cheap, how 'bout making a pinhole lens out of a body cap?

http://www.camerahacker.com/EOS_Pin-Hole_Lens/index.shtml

Sep 30, 2008 at 07:22 PM

robstein
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p.1 #23 · Good *really* cheap lenses?

How about one of the older lensbabys? Looks like a fun lens and certainly on my play list at some point.

Sep 30, 2008 at 10:01 PM

jay tieger
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p.1 #24 · Good *really* cheap lenses?

How'bout the 50/2.5 CM? and why not the 18-55 IS kit..?

...and I got a KodakGear labeled Tamron 80-210mm lens at a pawn shop for $10 (typically ebays for about $50) that stopped down a click meets the definition of good and really cheap...here's a sample shot that's pretty much full frame with minimal USM...
This image is copyrighted by the owner

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Edited on Oct 06, 2008 at 05:56 AM · View previous versions

Sep 30, 2008 at 11:26 PM

RobertLynn
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p.1 #25 · Good *really* cheap lenses?

24 2.8 is a nice little lens. I had one that I bought from another FMer, and sold to another FMer, that was crazy sharp wide open, and had nice nice nice colors. I only sold it because my wife said "if you have a 24-70 2.8, why do you need a 24 2.8?"

Quite frankly, if you're stopping down, the EF-S 18-55 3.5-5.6 or whatever it is (I have one to use at 18mm f/8+) is a damn fine lens. I own it, and a few L's, but just because I have the more expensive lens, doesn't mean the cheaper one doesn't get pounded on.

I have a 50 1.8, and though my 24-70 is my main bread and butter lens (and consequently the one that's been getting the use when i've been selling a few photos), the 50 1.8 is my favorite lens. It's stupid slow AF that hunts, and misses, it's loud, but dammit it's like an old car or a fat girlfriend.

Sep 30, 2008 at 11:28 PM


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