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jambo · 22-02-13, 10:48 AM

I have had 3 "standard zoom" lenses for my Canon DSLR so far:

1) The kit 18-55 that came with the 400D. Felt plasticky, was a little slow to focus and let in a moderate amount of light. The new IS kit lenses are much nicer feeling (my dad's 1000D has one and it's really quite good).

2) A 17-85 IS USM. The IS was helpful indoors, the USM is much faster and quieter, and I quite like the extra zoom range. Better, but again I think it'd be less of an upgrade from the current 18-55 IS than it was from the non-IS one I had. That said they come up for sensible money 2nd hand (which is how I got mine) and it's the lens I reach for when I'm going to be outside for the day.

3) A Tamron 17-50 f2.8 (non-IS/VC). This is now my work a day lens. It's a little noisy when focusing, but the extra light it lets in allows it to be used as a standard portrait lens, and to get much better photos indoors of my son who insists on moving around a lot. I got it because having a kid meant I was going to start needing the shutter speeds indoors that an f4-5.6 lens just wasn't going to give me. Don't discount 3rd party glass. Zoom ring moves the "wrong/Nikon" way, but this doesn't seem to bug me.

So it depends what you want. For me, I really wanted to let in more light, and the Canon 17-55 f2.8 IS was just too much money, as was the 24-70 f2.8 L (and I'd have missed the wide end). That left me looking at Tamron, Sigma et all, as the prices were in my budget. So I got the Tamron.

The other thing I'd ask is how important video is to you? If you don't need video some of the older XXD Canons can be very good value. I got spoilt rotten and was bought a prosumer SLR by my wife last year, the biggest differences have been having access to the options I want without having to go through the sub-menus, the brightness of the viewfinder and handling. Pick up a 40D / 7D or similar and look through the veiwfinder, and compare it to the mirrors on the 650D. If all my kit was stolen tomorrow I'd probably go out and by a used 40D and another Tamron 17-50 f2.8.

Jambo

Edit: This might make a good starter kit. Better quality glass & body. Sacrificing the video capability, warranty & pixel count.

22-02-13, 10:48 AM	#4
jambo Member Mega Poster Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Croydonia Posts: 5,376	Re: Kit lens(es) or save up a bit more? I have had 3 "standard zoom" lenses for my Canon DSLR so far: 1) The kit 18-55 that came with the 400D. Felt plasticky, was a little slow to focus and let in a moderate amount of light. The new IS kit lenses are much nicer feeling (my dad's 1000D has one and it's really quite good). 2) A 17-85 IS USM. The IS was helpful indoors, the USM is much faster and quieter, and I quite like the extra zoom range. Better, but again I think it'd be less of an upgrade from the current 18-55 IS than it was from the non-IS one I had. That said they come up for sensible money 2nd hand (which is how I got mine) and it's the lens I reach for when I'm going to be outside for the day. 3) A Tamron 17-50 f2.8 (non-IS/VC). This is now my work a day lens. It's a little noisy when focusing, but the extra light it lets in allows it to be used as a standard portrait lens, and to get much better photos indoors of my son who insists on moving around a lot. I got it because having a kid meant I was going to start needing the shutter speeds indoors that an f4-5.6 lens just wasn't going to give me. Don't discount 3rd party glass. Zoom ring moves the "wrong/Nikon" way, but this doesn't seem to bug me. So it depends what you want. For me, I really wanted to let in more light, and the Canon 17-55 f2.8 IS was just too much money, as was the 24-70 f2.8 L (and I'd have missed the wide end). That left me looking at Tamron, Sigma et all, as the prices were in my budget. So I got the Tamron. The other thing I'd ask is how important video is to you? If you don't need video some of the older XXD Canons can be very good value. I got spoilt rotten and was bought a prosumer SLR by my wife last year, the biggest differences have been having access to the options I want without having to go through the sub-menus, the brightness of the viewfinder and handling. Pick up a 40D / 7D or similar and look through the veiwfinder, and compare it to the mirrors on the 650D. If all my kit was stolen tomorrow I'd probably go out and by a used 40D and another Tamron 17-50 f2.8. Jambo Edit: This might make a good starter kit. Better quality glass & body. Sacrificing the video capability, warranty & pixel count. __________________ Modern motorcycles are bloody brilliant, enjoy it while we can Last edited by jambo; 22-02-13 at 01:30 PM.