Which first lens

[Sinns]

Hello everyone,

I'm planning to start of with the right lens with a 400d im purchasing this weekend.
of the 3, which do you recommend for a first lens?

EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
EF-S 17-85mm f/4.0-5.6 IS USM
EF 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

would f/4.0 really make alot difference? and can i shoot landscape with a 24 or a 28mm?

Thanks

[StrifeYun]

hmmm if i could start all over again i would get

EF-S 17-85mm f/4.0-5.6 IS USM

hee

[SnapJaX]

if i had the chance to turn back time,
i'd get:
400D body
18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II kit lens
EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM - $700+-
EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM - $1200 +-

actually i love the 28-135 cos of the IS and the USM, and i'm a telephoto person
that's why i find the 18-55 kit lens limited...

you can shoot landscape with 24/28mm, you'd just find urself stepping back more often to take in the scene

the kit lens is a 18mm, it's wide enough for me.

IMHO get the 400D plus kit lens 18-55 and the 28-135 IS USM

add me on msn so we can discuss more? hahas

oh ya, pls pls dun buy from sim lim except for alan photo there, FUNAN would be a better place ya..

[Sinns]

Originally Posted by SnapJaX if i had the chance to turn back time, i'd get: 400D body 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II kit lens EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM - $700+- EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM - $1200 +- actually i love the 28-135 cos of the IS and the USM, and i'm a telephoto person that's why i find the 18-55 kit lens limited... you can shoot landscape with 24/28mm, you'd just find urself stepping back more often to take in the scene the kit lens is a 18mm, it's wide enough for me. IMHO get the 400D plus kit lens 18-55 and the 28-135 IS USM add me on msn so we can discuss more? hahas oh ya, pls pls dun buy from sim lim except for alan photo there, FUNAN would be a better place ya..

whow.. you guys reply real fast..
forgot to mention in not gettin the kit lens..
instead its one of the 3 lens above and
EF 50mm f/1.8 II

i was recommended the 17-85 but coz its f/4.0 and also the higher price.
28-135 is f/3.5 and also has IS.
coz of that im confused!

[FilterFunk]

17-85 has a newer IS technology (up to 3 stops advantage) compared to 28-135 (up to 2 stops advantage)

i would take the 17-85 anyday, 28 is rarely wide enough for me to capture what i want to take...

[Redsun]

17-85 is actually a great lens if you're just starting out.Not too ex and comes with IS with a pretty good focal range

[LaoBuSiDe]

i would get the 17-85mm too as a first lens... i just started out too. but its too much for my pocket

aiming for the 17-55mm f/2.8 IS

[jervislim]

If I were to get a replacement for the kit lens, Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 will be my top choice. ;D

[miniUltraman]

I second tamron 17-50mm f2.8.. you get constant f2.8 and cheaper.. I think I saw brand new one selling at B&S section for about $600. If strictly only select from the 3, I will choose 17-85 IS

[calebk]

Originally Posted by jervislim If I were to get a replacement for the kit lens, Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 will be my top choice. ;D

Originally Posted by miniUltraman I second tamron 17-50mm f2.8.. you get constant f2.8 and cheaper.. I think I saw brand new one selling at B&S section for about $600. If strictly only select from the 3, I will choose 17-85 IS

Agreed. Cheaper and better than the 17-85. It's sharper, has a brighter, faster, constant aperture, and it's more lightweight. Somehow, it still feels more solid than the 17-85.

The only downside is that the Tamron lacks IS and USM, but note that you're gaining one stop at the wide end (f/2.8 vs f/4) and two stops at the tele end (f/2.8 vs f/5.6, but 50mm vs 85mm. Even so, the max aperture at 50mm on the 17-85 is f/5.0 IIRC). Also, because the Tamron is a f/2.8 lens, the centre cross AF sensor is activated. With the 17-85, you're not gonna get the full sensitivity of the centre AF sensor. The Tamron focuses fast, albeit a little noisily, but it's a minor drawback, at least for me.

I borrowed my friend's copy to shoot in church (entirely without flash, except baptism) over the weekend, and I'm very pleased with the results.

[StrifeYun]

Originally Posted by LaoBuSiDe aiming for the 17-55mm f/2.8 IS

moi too haha... watch out for my tamron 17-50 WTS thread soon hehe

[zekai]

ef 35mm f2

[miniUltraman]

Originally Posted by zekai ef 35mm f2

wow.. 1st lens only you recommend him go prime and 35mm

[standingup]

Originally Posted by miniUltraman wow.. 1st lens only you recommend him go prime and 35mm

Actually, I only shoot by prime lenses.....Can resist from their sharpness..haiz....die liao..everybody is using zoom lenses..

[miniUltraman]

Originally Posted by standingup Actually, I only shoot by prime lenses.....Can resist from their sharpness..haiz....die liao..everybody is using zoom lenses..

I agree.. I love my 50mm and 85mm prime too.. better than L zoom... but this new guy 1st lens.. maybe recommend him a good zoom first

[Adelfin]

if u're looking at only one lens, i'd say the 17-85mm.. u'll appreciate the wideness.. and the IS...

you could get the 28-135mm too, but do get the kit lens for times when u need to take wide shots and have no space to move backwards...

if u have cash, try the 17-55 f/2.8... large aperture and great IQ... but personally i find 55mm a little short for my use...

[Sinns]

Thanks everyone for yer very informative input,
I dont know if its just me but i dreamt of owning my canon while i sleep. i think about lenses at work even! This photography thing can get really into you.

the tamron 17-50 f/2.8 sounds really good in terms of quality and $, coupled that with a prime 85mm f/1.8. i get both telephoto as well as a good zoom lens. (but bundled together i think would cost at least $300 more than option below?)

either that or a 17-86mm f/4 and a 50mm f/1.8.

I apologies as ive never really tried different lenses and my knowledge is based entirely on reading on the internet at home (my workplace blocks clubsnap)

Ultimately, I just dont want to go thru the phase of, 'i should have bought ..... instead' and end up upgrading too soon.
Hopefully other new owners could refer to this thread as a guide.

[yehosaphat]

Originally Posted by Sinns Thanks everyone for yer very informative input, I dont know if its just me but i dreamt of owning my canon while i sleep. i think about lenses at work even! This photography thing can get really into you. the tamron 17-50 f/2.8 sounds really good in terms of quality and $, coupled that with a prime 85mm f/1.8. i get both telephoto as well as a good zoom lens. (but bundled together i think would cost at least $300 more than option below?) either that or a 17-86mm f/4 and a 50mm f/1.8. I apologies as ive never really tried different lenses and my knowledge is based entirely on reading on the internet at home (my workplace blocks clubsnap) Ultimately, I just dont want to go thru the phase of, 'i should have bought ..... instead' and end up upgrading too soon. Hopefully other new owners could refer to this thread as a guide.

Looks like you have been poisoned by the BBB virus! ha... anyway, if you are looking for general purpose lens and not planning to upgrade to FF, EF-S 17-85mm f/4.0-5.6 IS USM will serve you well for its focal length and IS!

[miniUltraman]

Originally Posted by Sinns Thanks everyone for yer very informative input, I dont know if its just me but i dreamt of owning my canon while i sleep. i think about lenses at work even! This photography thing can get really into you. the tamron 17-50 f/2.8 sounds really good in terms of quality and $, coupled that with a prime 85mm f/1.8. i get both telephoto as well as a good zoom lens. (but bundled together i think would cost at least $300 more than option below?) either that or a 17-86mm f/4 and a 50mm f/1.8. I apologies as ive never really tried different lenses and my knowledge is based entirely on reading on the internet at home (my workplace blocks clubsnap) Ultimately, I just dont want to go thru the phase of, 'i should have bought ..... instead' and end up upgrading too soon. Hopefully other new owners could refer to this thread as a guide.

You don't want 'i should have bought ..... instead' ... then you should get L lens
*Kidding*... once you hook on to this expensive hobby.. it is a neverending story welcome to the club!!!

[calebk]

Originally Posted by Sinns Thanks everyone for yer very informative input, I dont know if its just me but i dreamt of owning my canon while i sleep. i think about lenses at work even! This photography thing can get really into you. the tamron 17-50 f/2.8 sounds really good in terms of quality and $, coupled that with a prime 85mm f/1.8. i get both telephoto as well as a good zoom lens. (but bundled together i think would cost at least $300 more than option below?) either that or a 17-86mm f/4 and a 50mm f/1.8. I apologies as ive never really tried different lenses and my knowledge is based entirely on reading on the internet at home (my workplace blocks clubsnap) Ultimately, I just dont want to go thru the phase of, 'i should have bought ..... instead' and end up upgrading too soon. Hopefully other new owners could refer to this thread as a guide.

17-85 is not a f/4 constant lens. It goes from f/4 at the wide end to f/5.6 at the tele end, which technically places it at a disadvantage to the kit lens (in terms of widest aperture). If you're going to shoot indoors most, then the 17-50 Tamron coupled with the 85mm f/1.8 USM is gonna be the best, lowlight option to begin with. The 17-85 is not going to give you any motion-stopping shutter speeds indoors.

Something very important to learn about Image Stabilizer: it helps you correct hand-shake, but it will never help you stop motion.