Kit lens upgrade suggestions
Discussion
I have a 450d with 18-55 kit lens and 75-300. Kit lens has sand in it and AF doesnt work. I'm an occasional user, so not looking to spend huge amounts,just an opportunity to upgrade the kit lens and get a new toy :-).
Budget of around £300. CANON EF-S 17-85MM F/4.0-5.6 IS USM seems to fit the bill in terms of features and cost, but ive read some reviews that say its awful etc. Understand that at this price bracket, its not going to compare to £1,000+ glass, but at my experience and kit level is there a better alternative?
I've done a fair bit of searching, but a lot of threads are from 4-5 years ago and im wondering if advice still applies etc.
Budget of around £300. CANON EF-S 17-85MM F/4.0-5.6 IS USM seems to fit the bill in terms of features and cost, but ive read some reviews that say its awful etc. Understand that at this price bracket, its not going to compare to £1,000+ glass, but at my experience and kit level is there a better alternative?
I've done a fair bit of searching, but a lot of threads are from 4-5 years ago and im wondering if advice still applies etc.
Personally, I'd chase a larger aperture rather than the extra focal length. Something like this: http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/used-equipment-de... would transform your ability to take pictures in less than perfect light and give you greater control over depth of field (when you need it).
Mr Kitten said:
Have a look at a Tamron 17-50/2.8 - it's a pretty good lens plus 'better' aperture.
I asked on here a few months ago whether people thought I should upgrade my lowly 4 year old base model Sony A290, or invest in a better lens than my Sony 18-250mm. The lens was the overwhelming recommendation.Last week I bought a second hand Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 and the quality improvement is massive, way better than the 18-250mm or the kit lens. I'd very very strongly recommend it for this price range (£150 used off eBay).
Mr Kitten said:
Have a look at a Tamron 17-50/2.8 - it's a pretty good lens plus 'better' aperture.
This is very good advice.Here's an example on a using the Tamron 17-50/2.9 (non VC) on a cheap 1100d
Tiger 1 Vimoutiers by timz2011, on Flickr
This lens stays on my camera unless I need extra reach, it's far better quality than my inexpensive superzoom lenses.
You have a 70-300, so I would recommend you go for quality, over versatility.
I got loads of excellent photos from my 17-85 before it died and I replaced it with a 17-55 2.8.
It's not the best lens but it's quick enough, the IS is excellent, it's compact and it has the perfect rage as a walkaround lens on a crop camera. I'd personally not recommend one though simply because of the reason mine failed - there's a design flaw that is affecting these lenses in which the cable to the aperture breaks through wear, fixing the aperture wide open. If you try to use the lens at anything else, it gives an ERR99 and fails. When this happens halfway through a holiday, you get annoyed
I'd personally look at the sigma 17-50 2.8 or a second hand Canon 17-55 2.8 (but beware it's large) or even a Canon 17-40L (but limited zoom).
The replacement for the 17-85 is the new 16-85 which is a very good lens but also rather pricey.
It's not the best lens but it's quick enough, the IS is excellent, it's compact and it has the perfect rage as a walkaround lens on a crop camera. I'd personally not recommend one though simply because of the reason mine failed - there's a design flaw that is affecting these lenses in which the cable to the aperture breaks through wear, fixing the aperture wide open. If you try to use the lens at anything else, it gives an ERR99 and fails. When this happens halfway through a holiday, you get annoyed
I'd personally look at the sigma 17-50 2.8 or a second hand Canon 17-55 2.8 (but beware it's large) or even a Canon 17-40L (but limited zoom).
The replacement for the 17-85 is the new 16-85 which is a very good lens but also rather pricey.
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