Lens with Canon 600D

Kobusva said:
Will a zoom lens that cover a greater range be to much of a trade-off in the aperture department..?

My logic (and knowledge) tells me that it will make more sense to go with more lenses, which means better quality glass, greater aperture range, faster focus and and.
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Personally, I find that having a larger aperture lens is more valuable than covering then entire focal length range with zooms. For example, I love the Sigma 17-50 mm f/2.8 paired with the Nikon 70-300 mm (which is not a large aperture lens, but at this focal length large apertures are way too expensive). You can always add a few primes (e.g., 85 mm for portraits) later.

The Sigma 17-50 mm is excellent on Canon too (compared to the Canon equivalent, taking price into account) and IIRC there are a few options around 70-300, or 55-250, etc.
 
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fvdbergh said:
Personally, I find that having a larger aperture lens is more valuable than covering then entire focal length range with zooms. For example, I love the Sigma 17-50 mm f/2.8 paired with the Nikon 70-300 mm (which is not a large aperture lens, but at this focal length large apertures are way too expensive). You can always add a few primes (e.g., 85 mm for portraits) later.

The Sigma 17-50 mm is excellent on Canon too (compared to the Canon equivalent, taking price into account) and IIRC there are a few options around 70-300, or 55-250, etc.
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Great advice. I do not have personal experience of your Sigma but the Canon equivalent (EF-S 17-55 f2.8) is very good lens on a crop sensor (very pricy unfortunately). I personally would prefer the Canon 15-85 and the add a prime for the times when a faster aperture is required - possibilities include the EF 50 f1.8 or f1.4 or even something like the EF-S 60mm f2.8 Macro.

Just a comment on the EF-S 17-85 - it is imo underrated as it can deliver great IQ. However because it is not very popular I think it is overpriced new. There seem to be a lot available on the used market at very good prices. The biggest advantage of the EF-S 15-85 imo is the extra 2mm on the wide side which can make a big difference when used as a travel lens (possibly the perfect focal range for a general purpose carry around lens on a crop sensor camera)
 
The 17-85 is much closer to my budget, than the 15-85.

Will the extra 2mm make such a big difference?

I do appreciate all the ideas. It is clear to me that I will use this forum for years to come.

Any recommendations where one can find good 2nd hand lenses?

I also feel the 17-85 is about a R1000 to expensive, but willing to pay it, if it is a good quality lens.

It will be quite/(enough of a) a step-up from the included 18-55?

Think it will meet 90% of my photography needs.

Is a prime like the EF 50 f1.8 (sub - R1000) a good buy?
 
Dave123 said:
I have no problem printing at 20"x30" and could probably go much bigger but for the cost.

I just got a 20"x30" canvas back and the quality is stunning (it looks better than A3 size print did on a 450D with 18-55IS kit lens).
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You shooting in RAW, or max JPEG resolution for those 20x30 inch prints?
 
Kobusva said:

Any recommendations where one can find good 2nd hand lenses?

It will be quite/(enough of a) a step-up from the included 18-55?

Is a prime like the EF 50 f1.8 (sub - R1000) a good buy?
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No. Maybe odp's classifieds but you really want to make sure you inspect the goods first.

Doubt it.

Yes.
 
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Kobusva said:
The 17-85 is much closer to my budget, than the 15-85.

Will the extra 2mm make such a big difference?
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My first setup was was the 40D with the 17-85 included as a kit lens. I was happy with the IQ but often wanted to go wider so ended up buying the 10-22. I have also used a 500D with 18-55 is kit and and did not notice a major IQ difference. I currently use the 7D with the 15-85 and have noticed an improvement in IQ. I also have found that I seldom reach for the 10-22 now that I can go to 15mm.

Kobusva said:

Any recommendations where one can find good 2nd hand lenses?
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ODP classified or ODP shop, BidorBuy and Gumtree are all possibilities but normal precautions needed.

Kobusva said:
I also feel the 17-85 is about a R1000 to expensive, but willing to pay it, if it is a good quality lens.

It will be quite/(enough of a) a step-up from the included 18-55?

Think it will meet 90% of my photography needs.
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It is certainly a better made lens than the 18-55IS kit and more versatile but most likely similar IQ in the overlapping range

Kobusva said:
Is a prime like the EF 50 f1.8 (sub - R1000) a good buy?
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Great value but not very robust - handle with care.
 
mikef said:
My first setup was was the 40D with the 17-85 included as a kit lens. I was happy with the IQ but often wanted to go wider so ended up buying the 10-22. I have also used a 500D with 18-55 is kit and and did not notice a major IQ difference. I currently use the 7D with the 15-85 and have noticed an improvement in IQ. I also have found that I seldom reach for the 10-22 now that I can go to 15mm.


ODP classified or ODP shop, BidorBuy and Gumtree are all possibilities but normal precautions needed.



It is certainly a better made lens than the 18-55IS kit and more versatile but most likely similar IQ in the overlapping range



Great value but not very robust - handle with care.
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Thanks for this great post.

Set my mind completely at ease.

Now it's time for the purchase(s).

After my camera purchase, and travel expenses to Spain, I've got about 6k set aside for a lens(es). Will try and get the absolute most bang for my buck..

I'll let you know what route I followed, and give some feedback.

Thanks again!
 
The IQ difference between the 15-85 and 17-85 is well documented. You won't regret the 15-85, it's like an L lens for crop sensors.

I'm going on my first overseas trip with a DSLR soon, before that it was always a variety of P&S's. Taking my Canon 550D with a 15-85 and either the 50 1.4 or 35 2 - still deciding, 35 probably more practical on crop, but I'm in love with the quality of the 50 1.4! Rounding it off with a Canon S95 for backup.
 
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GarethC said:
I've got a Sigma 18-200 IS and I've been very happy with it.
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My Sigma 18-200 migrated from my 300D to my 450D - I had 3 other lenses but the 18-200 was so versatile I just never felt the need to take it off - realised about a year ago that the lens had not been removed for over a year....

Sigma also now has a 18-250IS

Then again, I lay absolutely zero claim to being anything more than an enthusiastic amateur
 
AfricanTech said:
My Sigma 18-200 migrated from my 300D to my 450D - I had 3 other lenses but the 18-200 was so versatile I just never felt the need to take it off - realised about a year ago that the lens had not been removed for over a year....

Sigma also now has a 18-250IS

Then again, I lay absolutely zero claim to being anything more than an enthusiastic amateur
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Haha, nice :P Yeah, I'm also not going to claim amazing IQ or anything like that, it does the job for me and I'm happy with it. The IS is also a great help from after my 18-55 nonIS.
 
mikef said:
The 18-55IS kit lens together with the 55-250IS is not a bad starting off setup - IMO the possible IQ would be slightly better than the Tamron 18-270 over the whole range at the expense of convenience. To get the just about the best currently available image quality while staying with zooms I would recommend upgrading to the EF-S 15-85 IS and the EF 70-300L IS which is not cheap. The older 17-85 is not a bad lens but I would not recommend buying it new - good copies are currently being sold on the used market for just over R2500.
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Some feedback:

I decided that a superzoom was not really what I'm currently looking at, mainly due to the issues with superzoom (especially the f6.3 at the 270mm end). I'd also rather have a (fairly) nice walkaround lens...

I followed mikef's advice and scoured the Internet for a (as new - hopefully) 17-85mm. Got one for just above 2k..! What can one fault with that??

My budget unfortunately doesn't currently stretch to the almost 8k of the 15-85mm :-(.

I then ordered a 50mm f1.8 as well. Got it for below 900 bucks. I know it is plasticky and and. But I'm fairly new to (D)SLR photography and with this lens I will be able to get accustomed with my camera and I need a fast lens for indoor photography to capture a very busy 1 year old.

Thanks for all the advice.

Will see if my budget allows for a mid-range 70-300mm before my trip to Spain.

Currently waiting anxiously for my purchases.. (Tuesday hopefully).

Will be sure to get back to you guys and share my thoughts.
 
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Kobusva said:
Some feedback:

I decided that a superzoom was not really what I'm currently looking at, mainly due to the issues with superzoom (especially the f6.3 at the 270mm end). I'd also rather have a (fairly) nice walkaround lens...

I followed mikef's advice and scoured the Internet for a (as new - hopefully) 17-85mm. Got one for just above 2k..! What can one fault with that??

My budget unfortunately doesn't currently stretch to the almost 8k of the 15-85mm :-(.

I then ordered a 50mm f1.8 as well. Got it for below 900 bucks. I know it is plasticky and and. But I'm fairly new to (D)SLR photography and with this lens I will be able to get accustomed with my camera and I need a fast lens for indoor photography to capture a very busy 1 year old.

Thanks for all the advice.

Will see if my budget allows for a mid-range 70-300mm before my trip to Spain.

Currently waiting anxiously for my purchases.. (Tuesday hopefully).

Will be sure to get back to you guys and share my thoughts.
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Nice - so what flash did you get. . . :)

BTW - nothing wrong with the 50mm f/1.8 - it's a great place to start with for fast primes. Just don't drop it! :eek:
 
Kobusva said:
Some feedback:

I decided that a superzoom was not really what I'm currently looking at, mainly due to the issues with superzoom (especially the f6.3 at the 270mm end). I'd also rather have a (fairly) nice walkaround lens...

I followed mikef's advice and scoured the Internet for a (as new - hopefully) 17-85mm. Got one for just above 2k..! What can one fault with that??

My budget unfortunately doesn't currently stretch to the almost 8k of the 15-85mm :-(.

I then ordered a 50mm f1.8 as well. Got it for below 900 bucks. I know it is plasticky and and. But I'm fairly new to (D)SLR photography and with this lens I will be able to get accustomed with my camera and I need a fast lens for indoor photography to capture a very busy 1 year old.

Thanks for all the advice.

Will see if my budget allows for a mid-range 70-300mm before my trip to Spain.

Currently waiting anxiously for my purchases.. (Tuesday hopefully).

Will be sure to get back to you guys and share my thoughts.
Click to expand...

Nice. Enjoy. Where did you buy from?
 
Bought the prime from Fotodiscountworld.co.za and the 2nd hand 17-85mm from Gumtree
 
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