recommend wide sharp lens

[asdfasdfadsf]

hi,
can recommend me a lense for events shooting. the lens should range of 18-50 or more, image produced must be relatively sharp. Focus speed fast. Ermm, was thinking of USM lens. but any good value third party lens will do.

Can anyone recommend me any such lens? I think the 17-40L is great, but its an overkill for me. My budget is arnd $600, depends on how good the lens is.

thks in advance

[ST1100]

The budget series would be the 19-35 zooms from Tamron or Cosina, new around $400, used can go below $200.

Wide, sharp and $600 - a bit hard to find. There's a Tokina 17mm prime, but i don't know the price or sharpness. Someone was selling a Sigma 14mm prime on CS just a while back ($700?), but that one definitely doesn't qualify for sharp.

There's also the Sigma 20/1.8 (there's one at TCW), Sigma 15 fisheye, the Canon 20/2.8 and 24/2.8. i think all around the $600 region.

[sequitur]

i think the 17-40's the sharpest you can get with no regrets.

for $600..

if you consider 35/f2 as wide, then well that ones a very good one also.

[oeyvind]

Sharpest wide angle for Canon EOS mount would be the TS-E 24mm L but it's not cheap nor does it AF.

[asdfasdfadsf]

Originally Posted by sequitur i think the 17-40's the sharpest you can get with no regrets. for $600.. if you consider 35/f2 as wide, then well that ones a very good one also.

humm... Sequitur, is the 17-40 lens you mentioned an L lens? what is the brand? cos L lens i think more ex issit? I like this zoom range

[imaginary_number]

Originally Posted by asdfasdfadsf humm... Sequitur, is the 17-40 lens you mentioned an L lens? what is the brand? cos L lens i think more ex issit? I like this zoom range

He's saying that the 17-40L lens is the sharpest one could get.

[asdfasdfadsf]

Originally Posted by asdfasdfadsf humm... Sequitur, is the 17-40 lens you mentioned an L lens? what is the brand? cos L lens i think more ex issit? I like this zoom range

Oh, paiseh, i thought the $600 you mentioned is for the 17-40 lense.

Oh, ermm... or is there any non prime lens between that range? I using the 300D kit lens and i like its zoom range. Just that the picture quality really not sharp enough.

[kengwan]

Go for the new Sigma 17-35 f/2.8~4 DG lens. I have just bought it very good.

[sigrd]

This is a quote I got from AP on 20/05/04

Canon EF 17-40 f/4L USM @ S$1,180.00

But I really doubt you could get it 2nd hand at $600....

[asdfasdfadsf]

Originally Posted by kengwan Go for the new Sigma 17-35 f/2.8~4 DG lens. I have just bought it very good.

Whao, that seems to fit the bill!
how much did you bought it? and from which stall?
Thks

Also, do you think its recommended to get any these lenses?

Canon 28-105 3.5/4.5 USM Mk2 with Filters and Hood

Tamron 24-135 Canon Mt

Both arent really wide enough for me, but if they are considered cheap and good, i guess i can get it and use it for the moment.

[jimtong]

Originally Posted by asdfasdfadsf Whao, that seems to fit the bill! how much did you bought it? and from which stall? Thks Also, do you think its recommended to get any these lenses? Canon 28-105 3.5/4.5 USM Mk2 with Filters and Hood Tamron 24-135 Canon Mt Both arent really wide enough for me, but if they are considered cheap and good, i guess i can get it and use it for the moment.

ah.. yes I am selling the Tamron 24-135.
Ok not to do self advertise here.
The 24-135 is good piece of glass. But may not be wide enough for you to do your event coverage. On a 1.6 cropped DSLR, it is roughly 38-216mm. Depend on what type of event also. Maybe you can consider the Tamron 17-35 as acheaper alternative? check it out

[2100]

I presume that you are more interested in the wide range of the lenses.
How about Sigma 18-50DC? $180 new at mscolour. Definitely not sharp but that's for wide-open which is to be expected for this type of lens. Stopped down, it's pretty good. Try try first, if it doesn't work for you then sell at $160 or so. It is probably nearly as sharp as the Nikkor AF-S 18-70 when stopped down (not sure if you are familar with the Nikkor).

Better than you spend much more to get stuff like Tokina 19-35 which isn't that good either. Sigma 17-35 is probably but not sure if you need longer reach (else you will be very visible during events trying to go close in)....but i have heard some bad stuff about it about sharpness. Focusing it is not fast too (the 18-50DC is not fast but main thing is the price).

I have seen samples of the new Sigma 24-60 2.8 EX and it seems good, but not yet released to the market and not sure if it's wide enough.

[jimtong]

Originally Posted by sigrd This is a quote I got from AP on 20/05/04 Canon EF 17-40 f/4L USM @ S$1,180.00 But I really doubt you could get it 2nd hand at $600....

Does the quote reflect the GST?

[asdfasdfadsf]

Originally Posted by 2100 I presume that you are more interested in the wide range of the lenses. How about Sigma 18-50DC? $180 new at mscolour. Definitely not sharp but that's for wide-open which is to be expected for this type of lens. Stopped down, it's pretty good. Try try first, if it doesn't work for you then sell at $160 or so. It is probably nearly as sharp as the Nikkor AF-S 18-70 when stopped down (not sure if you are familar with the Nikkor). Better than you spend much more to get stuff like Tokina 19-35 which isn't that good either. Sigma 17-35 is probably but not sure if you need longer reach (else you will be very visible during events trying to go close in).

Sigma 18-50DC, is that a new model? $180 is fine for me, but if i sell my Canon kit lense 18-55, and get this, is there a reasonable quality difference? else, not very wise i think.

Btw, i really love the kit lense zoom range... just the quality... or is it my skill? humm.. gotta try f>11 and iso100 later for a test

[2100]

Originally Posted by asdfasdfadsf Sigma 18-50DC, is that a new model? $180 is fine for me, but if i sell my Canon kit lense 18-55, and get this, is there a reasonable quality difference? else, not very wise i think. Btw, i really love the kit lense zoom range... just the quality... or is it my skill? humm.. gotta try f>11 and iso100 later for a test

Oh, if you have the EF-S 18-50, then it probably is not very much different. Yes, it's the new model, and it focuses tack accurate on my D70, absolutely balanced DOF blur both front and back of AF target. I am impressed!
If so, then the EF-S is a good lens for events coverage. For Nikon, the 18-70 has really good sharpness for the price (you can get really new copies when users dump it for just $450) and really good range....but you are using Canon. Else a 17-40L would be the next grade up, but that is over your budget.

I mean, general event coverage, you print more than S8R? Unless you are covering celebrities.

[Zerstorer]

I can second the recommendation for the Sigma 18-50DC. It offers surprisingly good performance for its price. Have covered 2 events with it and it certainly doesn't disappoint.

[asdfasdfadsf]

Originally Posted by Zerstorer I can second the recommendation for the Sigma 18-50DC. It offers surprisingly good performance for its price. Have covered 2 events with it and it certainly doesn't disappoint.

Hi Zerstorer,
i am quite interested in this lens. But of course my concern is still whether its worth the extra money since i got the Canon 18-55 kit lens -- 100% overlap.
Is there a picture output quality difference and AF speed? I am not so concerned about the built.

Have you tried the canon kit lense before? if you are interested, maybe we can meet and try out both lenses???

[asdfasdfadsf]

Originally Posted by 2100 ....EF-S is a good lens for events coverage. For .......a 17-40L would be the next grade up, but that is over your budget. ....I mean, general event coverage, you print more than S8R? Unless you are covering celebrities.

I just need to cover general events, like wedding and seminars, forums. Almost all of these, i am not being paid, so i cant afford to invest. Print more than S8R? i don think so... maybe that's the limit. But my photos taken with the kit lens really seems bad...

I guess partly due to my skill too , but a better lens i believe would help a lot

[cqrv]

Can try EF 28 f2.8 as well.
Gives abt 45mm on a DSLR with 1.6X crop factor.
Nice small lens, sharp & good value for money.

[Zerstorer]

Originally Posted by asdfasdfadsf Hi Zerstorer, i am quite interested in this lens. But of course my concern is still whether its worth the extra money since i got the Canon 18-55 kit lens -- 100% overlap. Is there a picture output quality difference and AF speed? I am not so concerned about the built.

I see, I wasn't aware that you had the EFS lens. Actually, there isn't anything that you can get within your budget of $600 that will replace your EFS 18-55 in functionality. Even 3rd party 17-35zooms from sigma and tamron cost more than that.

Quote: Have you tried the canon kit lense before? if you are interested, maybe we can meet and try out both lenses???

Can't do that as I'm on the nikon system. You might want to drop by the shops to take some comparison shots. The lens is good for any use from f5.6 onwards. Maybe you might want to try stepping down your 18-55 to see if it improves matters.