Canon 17-85mm USM IS lens - worth it?
Discussion
Bee_Jay said:
...I have it on the 28-135 and it's always useful if you're shooting indoors.
True, it's a great little lense and I love mine. However, it's version of IS can't be used for motorsport (as you probably know). The dual mode IS's (like on the 100-400IS) allow panning.
Phil, you're going to find that you spend more on lenses than the camera by far. It's a nasty, expensive addiction this photography thing
Hmm.. I love panning as well. Damn! It all seemed so easy 5 minutes ago!
Then again for most of the car shots I have done so far I have used a Canon 70-300mm EF lens, and I don't know if that will change until I buy a better long lens.
Also, is IS of much use for panning anyway? I guess you can diable it and use the lens mentioned above for that sort of shot, and I can't see the stabiliser doing much on a panned shot?
Any comments?
Then again for most of the car shots I have done so far I have used a Canon 70-300mm EF lens, and I don't know if that will change until I buy a better long lens.
Also, is IS of much use for panning anyway? I guess you can diable it and use the lens mentioned above for that sort of shot, and I can't see the stabiliser doing much on a panned shot?
Any comments?
Phil S said:
Also, is IS of much use for panning anyway? I guess you can diable it and use the lens mentioned above for that sort of shot, and I can't see the stabiliser doing much on a panned shot?
Disabling it is fine as you say. The 100-400IS and (maybe) the 70-200IS have the IS switchable so it only works in the vertical direction. Pefect for panning.
Does it actually help? Well, at 300-400mm yes. Shorter? A bit, but not so much and you can work without it.
That said, the 28-135IS is a great lense for most things. What lense were you thinking of getting?
The only one I have found advertised with the kit is the 17-85mm EF-S one. ( http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3861306885&fromMakeTrack=true )
The lens you mentioned sounds good, but I did use the full wide angle on my old 18-55mm EF-S lens with my 300D every now and then, and feel I may miss this if I get something longer.
I *think* that I will get that lens and then in time a decent long lens too with 2 way stabilisation as you mentioned. The IS seems to be far more useful on a long lens and more of a luxury on such a short lens from what I have read this evening.
The lens you mentioned sounds good, but I did use the full wide angle on my old 18-55mm EF-S lens with my 300D every now and then, and feel I may miss this if I get something longer.
I *think* that I will get that lens and then in time a decent long lens too with 2 way stabilisation as you mentioned. The IS seems to be far more useful on a long lens and more of a luxury on such a short lens from what I have read this evening.
Hhhmmm, I've heard that the 17-85mm is a bit w4nk, but I've not used one. Anyone else?
I know what you mean about the wide requirements. I've got a Sigma 15-30mm which is very good. Don't use it much but for indoor stuff it's a must. In fact I'm thinking a need wider than that sometimes, so I might get a bigger sensor....well, I've not bought myself a Christmas present yet
I know what you mean about the wide requirements. I've got a Sigma 15-30mm which is very good. Don't use it much but for indoor stuff it's a must. In fact I'm thinking a need wider than that sometimes, so I might get a bigger sensor....well, I've not bought myself a Christmas present yet
I'm not sure on the UK prices (inherantly more expensive) but surely the $600 new 17-85 lens is better than the $140 new 18-55?
I had no problems with the 18-55 on my 300D, but I really want to upgrade to something more future-proof whilst i'm buying a new 20D anyway.
I've been looking at 24-70 or 28-70 L Lenses, but can't really find anything in my budget yet. I have yet to see a bad review though so I will keep looking!
Edit: Just priced up a 20D body and 24-70 L lens for £1250 + shipping from the US..
And I do have an 18-55mm EF lens still from my 35mm Rebel so I could still take (albeit quite poor) wide angle shots if the need arose.
>> Edited by Phil S on Sunday 19th December 00:17
I had no problems with the 18-55 on my 300D, but I really want to upgrade to something more future-proof whilst i'm buying a new 20D anyway.
I've been looking at 24-70 or 28-70 L Lenses, but can't really find anything in my budget yet. I have yet to see a bad review though so I will keep looking!
Edit: Just priced up a 20D body and 24-70 L lens for £1250 + shipping from the US..
And I do have an 18-55mm EF lens still from my 35mm Rebel so I could still take (albeit quite poor) wide angle shots if the need arose.
>> Edited by Phil S on Sunday 19th December 00:17
Phil, I just got the Tamron 28-70 2.8 in the post yesterday.........incredible lens!!
If you read the reviews on lenses on www.fredmiranda.com, they give it top marks, in some say its better than the Canon equivalent, at 3 times the price.
You could always buy the camera body only, and get the special lens you want separately.
LB
If you read the reviews on lenses on www.fredmiranda.com, they give it top marks, in some say its better than the Canon equivalent, at 3 times the price.
You could always buy the camera body only, and get the special lens you want separately.
LB
I've been reading Fred Miranda for a few hours and I have decided that they hate everything 
I have noticed some mention the Tamron on the review for the 'L' series lens, but some also say the extra 4mm makes a huge difference.
Phil: Nice pan shots, but to be honest I/anyone can't tell much about a lens from that I don't think, for example here is a pan shot I took with a 300D (no AI servo!) and a 70-300 EF bargain basement lens, http://69.57.156.33/~philsher/cpg132/displayimage.php?pos=-322
The reviews and advice from you lot and the other sites is spot on, look how much i've changed my mind in one post alone! I'm now off to read up on the Tamron, as the Canon 24-70 L series doesn't have the best reviews for its price.
I have noticed some mention the Tamron on the review for the 'L' series lens, but some also say the extra 4mm makes a huge difference.
Phil: Nice pan shots, but to be honest I/anyone can't tell much about a lens from that I don't think, for example here is a pan shot I took with a 300D (no AI servo!) and a 70-300 EF bargain basement lens, http://69.57.156.33/~philsher/cpg132/displayimage.php?pos=-322
The reviews and advice from you lot and the other sites is spot on, look how much i've changed my mind in one post alone! I'm now off to read up on the Tamron, as the Canon 24-70 L series doesn't have the best reviews for its price.
Phil S said:
I've been reading Fred Miranda for a few hours and I have decided that they hate everything
I have noticed some mention the Tamron on the review for the 'L' series lens, but some also say the extra 4mm makes a huge difference.
Phil: Nice pan shots, but to be honest I/anyone can't tell much about a lens from that I don't think, for example here is a pan shot I took with a 300D (no AI servo!) and a 70-300 EF bargain basement lens, <a href="http://69.57.156.33/~philsher/cpg132/displayimage.php?pos=-322">http://69.57.156.33/~philsher/cpg132/displayimage.php?pos=-322</a>
The reviews and advice from you lot and the other sites is spot on, look how much i've changed my mind in one post alone! I'm now off to read up on the Tamron, as the Canon 24-70 L series doesn't have the best reviews for its price.
Phil, those photos are excellent. The link to that site is good as well. Allthough a little scary to see so many proffesionals in one place with such a wealth of excellent pictures. Any idea what the mood of the forum is like without me trawling? - towards newbies etc.
>> Edited by bilko2 on Sunday 19th December 09:02
Phil, panning shot is excellent. 
Bilko, quite a few of us on here use fredmiranda.com. Its an excellent site, and very inspirational when you see the results of some of their work. They're not all professionals by the way, most are just like you and me, keen amateurs looking to make the best shot possible with their equipment, and their imagination.
For me, the best forums are Canon SLR, Lighting, and People. The People forum shows some incredible work, which I fell never able to achieve, but gives me lots of good ideas to work on. There's also a lot of work shown that doesn't look so great, and people offer constructive criticism.
So go for it, have a read of those forums, get a userid, and start posting.
LB
Bilko, quite a few of us on here use fredmiranda.com. Its an excellent site, and very inspirational when you see the results of some of their work. They're not all professionals by the way, most are just like you and me, keen amateurs looking to make the best shot possible with their equipment, and their imagination.
For me, the best forums are Canon SLR, Lighting, and People. The People forum shows some incredible work, which I fell never able to achieve, but gives me lots of good ideas to work on. There's also a lot of work shown that doesn't look so great, and people offer constructive criticism.
So go for it, have a read of those forums, get a userid, and start posting.
LB
After sleeping on it I think the Tamrom seems adequate for a carry around lens (especially for the price) and I can put some money in the pot for a decent long lens as that is what I use most of the time!
Luca I have a couple questions on your lens:
1) Is the focus as slow as people make out? How does it compare to the 18-55 Canon EF-S lens?
2) Does it feel flimsy at full zoom?
3) How would you rate the quality? Any examples from the lens?
4) Anywhere cheap to buy one from?
And a general one, in normal use am I likely to find that I need anything shorter than the 28mm?
Cheers,
Phil 'Definitely going to order today before he changes his mind' Sherwin.
Luca I have a couple questions on your lens:
1) Is the focus as slow as people make out? How does it compare to the 18-55 Canon EF-S lens?
2) Does it feel flimsy at full zoom?
3) How would you rate the quality? Any examples from the lens?
4) Anywhere cheap to buy one from?
And a general one, in normal use am I likely to find that I need anything shorter than the 28mm?
Cheers,
Phil 'Definitely going to order today before he changes his mind' Sherwin.
Phil S said:
Luca I have a couple questions on your lens:
1) Is the focus as slow as people make out? How does it compare to the 18-55 Canon EF-S lens?
- Perfectly good for me. Not as fast as the 70-200L, but perfectly quick enough, and not very noisy. Far superior in every respect to the 18-55.
2) Does it feel flimsy at full zoom?
Nope
3) How would you rate the quality? Any examples from the lens?
See below. Love the quality. Really, really pleased with it.
4) Anywhere cheap to buy one from?
Got mine from warehouseexpress.com. Jessops would have price matched to Park Cameras, but the one they had in had a fault on the lens, so didn't buy it.
As for the extra wide angle... well you've still got the 18-55, so keep it for those wide angle shots, and set it to f5.6 f8 for good clarity.
Do it, you know it makes good sense.
This was just a quick test shot. No extra sharpening applied, and just resized for the web, at only 54k.
LB
Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff