kit lens upgrade..

[fastforwardtofriday]

hi guys.. i was wondering which lens u guys recommend for a general purpose lens for a 500d. looking for either 15-85mm(super exp), 18-135mm(does it creep when it is at 18mm lens facing downwards)? or any other recommendation? my general purpose means for like walk about shooting,family gathering and overseas trip shooting.. thanks. max budget for camera and lens about 1.3k..

 

[Octarine]

I thought all the previous threads have given you plenty of feedback and advice. Still asking the same questions? Or cannot find your other threads?

 

[fastforwardtofriday]

I thought all the previous threads have given you plenty of feedback and advice. Still asking the same questions? Or cannot find your other threads?

this thread is for my sister,she saw me wanting to buy then she also wanna buy one for herself.. sorry if i didnt make myself clear.. for me i *should* be getting 550d+18-135mm.. provided if the 18-135mm does not creep when in 18mm facing downwards..

 

[tecnica]

this thread is for my sister,she saw me wanting to buy then she also wanna buy one for herself.. sorry if i didnt make myself clear.. for me i *should* be getting 550d+18-135mm.. provided if the 18-135mm does not creep when in 18mm facing downwards..

it does creep.

 

[hotchoco1ate]

I seriously urge you to reconsider your choice as the 18-135 will grow out of your needs very soon.

IQ not on par with other kit lenses, and a long range zoom that usually means that quality is not there = poor resale value = bad choice.

If you dont have the budget for the 18-135, consider the tamron 17-50 non vc. Cheap, good bulit, images comparable to canon's 17-55. What more can you ask for at that price point? Go do more research before sinking money anywhere. If your sister wants a longer zoom badly, check out the 2nd hand 18-200, going for around 700, or perhaps the 55-250. Anything but 18-135 =D

Edit: Opps not forgetting 17-85 too ... Its around 600 for a 2nd hand IIRC. Dont quote me on this though.

 

[fastforwardtofriday]

I seriously urge you to reconsider your choice as the 18-135 will grow out of your needs very soon.

IQ not on par with other kit lenses, and a long range zoom that usually means that quality is not there = poor resale value = bad choice.

If you dont have the budget for the 18-135, consider the tamron 17-50 non vc. Cheap, good bulit, images comparable to canon's 17-55. What more can you ask for at that price point? Go do more research before sinking money anywhere. If your sister wants a longer zoom badly, check out the 2nd hand 18-200, going for around 700, or perhaps the 55-250. Anything but 18-135 =D

Edit: Opps not forgetting 17-85 too ... Its around 600 for a 2nd hand IIRC. Dont quote me on this though.

wow thanks.. i am considering 15-85mm.. but exp.. for my sis will do more research again.. thanks..

 

[Sivakis]

I've been using my 18-55IS for a while and have appreciated a lot more now how good this lens actually is, considering the price (free!)

Has put a small brake on my WTB urge although it won't be forever

 

[tecnica]

a lot of pple say there is not a need for image stabilisation for the range of 17-50. well imo, if you have stable hands then good for you, else it will be better to get the 17-50 VC.

 

[fastforwardtofriday]

I've been using my 18-55IS for a while and have appreciated a lot more now how good this lens actually is, considering the price (free!)

Has put a small brake on my WTB urge although it won't be forever

a lot of pple say there is not a need for image stabilisation for the range of 17-50. well imo, if you have stable hands then good for you, else it will be better to get the 17-50 VC.

haha.. i tired the 18-55mm not bad.. but i wanna a well-rounded lens...


hmmm.. i saw the tamron 17-50mm lens on their website.. now looking up for reviews on that lens.. i think i will be going got the VC model.. do u have any recommendation of a place to see good reviews?

 

[tecnica]

haha.. i tired the 18-55mm not bad.. but i wanna a well-rounded lens...


hmmm.. i saw the tamron 17-50mm lens on their website.. now looking up for reviews on that lens.. i think i will be going got the VC model.. do u have any recommendation of a place to see good reviews?

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Tamron-17-50mm-f-2.8-XR-Di-II-VC-Lens-Review.aspx

it's around $900.

 

[Sivakis]

VC or no VC still depends on how or what you shoot.

But the 17-50 Tamron non-VC is touted as sharper compared to its VC-cousin.

There was a discussion earlier regarding IS versus Aperture, which you may find interesting though not really related to kit lenses in general:
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=753763

 

[fastforwardtofriday]

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Tamron-17-50mm-f-2.8-XR-Di-II-VC-Lens-Review.aspx

it's around $900.

VC or no VC still depends on how or what you shoot.

But the 17-50 Tamron non-VC is touted as sharper compared to its VC-cousin.

There was a discussion earlier regarding IS versus Aperture, which you may find interesting though not really related to kit lenses in general:
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=753763

wow thanks for the link.. $900 just for the lens? i only got budget of 1.3k lols..


o.0 i think if i get 17-50 i will get the vc version bah.. thanks!

 

[fastforwardtofriday]

hi guys.. is 17-50 AF sound loud? i see youtube videos when the AF it is quite loud for me..

 

[candycaine]

Sorry, why aren't you considering the normal 18-55 kit lens? That's good enough for general usage and IQ is not bad. Please don't be tempted to buy more than what is needed, especially if you're still learning. It's a waste of good money.

 

[fastforwardtofriday]

Sorry, why aren't you considering the normal 18-55 kit lens? That's good enough for general usage and IQ is not bad. Please don't be tempted to buy more than what is needed, especially if you're still learning. It's a waste of good money.

erm.. i want something abit better then the normal kit lens.. also the zoom range is abit short for me.. also considering some other lens.. :sweat:

 

[mayhemics]

Sorry, why aren't you considering the normal 18-55 kit lens? That's good enough for general usage and IQ is not bad. Please don't be tempted to buy more than what is needed, especially if you're still learning. It's a waste of good money.

i think it'll only be a waste of money if either: (a) TS underutilises the lens and gives up photography altogether; or (b) TS never learns from beginner mistakes.

given the fact that a lens, if well taken care of, can last for many years, and chances are TS' photography will only improve over time, bypassing the kit lens and going for something better makes for good investment.

 

[candycaine]

erm.. i one something abit better then the normal kit lens.. also the zoom range is abit short for me.. also considering some other lens.. :sweat:

The zoom range is a bit short? But you are considering the 17-50!! Has it occured to you that the zoom range of that is even shorter??

 

[fastforwardtofriday]

The zoom range is a bit short? But you are considering the 17-50!! Has it occured to you that the zoom range of that is even shorter??

yah i know.. i am just checking it out only.. i am looking at 15-85mm but its so exp!! why dun they have a normal 15-85mm lens..

 

[fastforwardtofriday]

i think it'll only be a waste of money if either: (a) TS underutilises the lens and gives up photography altogether; or (b) TS never learns from beginner mistakes.

given the fact that a lens, if well taken care of, can last for many years, and chances are TS' photography will only improve over time, bypassing the kit lens and going for something better makes for good investment.

o.0 whats the beginner mistake? :sweatsm:

 

[Octarine]

hi guys.. is 17-50 AF sound loud? i see youtube videos when the AF it is quite loud for me..

You haven't shot a single image but you start discussing things like the noise of AF motors? :bigeyes:
Please, do yourself a favour and stick to basics. Even if this thread is for your sister, people with no knowledge at all should stick to kit lenses and start walking there. Personally, I have the Tamron 17-50 since more than 2 years. I seldom had the situation where the AF motor was clearly audible. But the lens gave me lots of sharp pictures. What will you show online, to your friends, family..? Noise or sharp images?
On short focal length the IS is less relevant. Rarely had the situation where I needed IS. Either I had a tripod or there was enough light / flash. IS becomes helpful at 85mm or longer lenses. Check the reviews about performance differences.