Need some views/suggestions on my decisions

[has91]

Hello everyone!

I currently own a Canon 20d and a 28-135mm f/3.5-f/5.6 camera.

I just got myself the 28-135 and find it really useful as my shooting style matches with the range of the zoom. Though I wished I had more money to get a faster lens.

The problem now is that sometimes I realise that this lens is too tight for me when indoors. Its impossible to get a group shot in an enclosed area. So my question is what lens should I get for this function. I would want to have a wide angle zoom with its tele end overlapping a bit of my 28-135 lens. I have an 18-55mm but using it in low light is really hard as mine have no IS.

I was thinking of tamron 17-50 f/2.8. What do you guys think? As I stated earlier, I wish I had more money but I don't. So I guess my budget is below 400 bucks. I don't mind 3rd party lenses (I think I inevitably have to get 3rd party) and also used lens (as in get from Bns section).

Also, people always tell me to really know whats the limit of my equipments before upgrading. Now I find it frustrating that my 20d shows a lot of noise at 800 ISO. Does it mean that its time for me to upgrade the body? I am thinking of getting a used 50d.

Thanks in advance for the help everybody!

 

[David Kwok]

Hello everyone!

I currently own a Canon 20d and a 28-135mm f/3.5-f/5.6 camera.

I just got myself the 28-135 and find it really useful as my shooting style matches with the range of the zoom. Though I wished I had more money to get a faster lens.

The problem now is that sometimes I realise that this lens is too tight for me when indoors. Its impossible to get a group shot in an enclosed area. So my question is what lens should I get for this function. I would want to have a wide angle zoom with its tele end overlapping a bit of my 28-135 lens. I have an 18-55mm but using it in low light is really hard as mine have no IS.

I was thinking of tamron 17-50 f/2.8. What do you guys think? As I stated earlier, I wish I had more money but I don't. So I guess my budget is below 400 bucks. I don't mind 3rd party lenses (I think I inevitably have to get 3rd party) and also used lens (as in get from Bns section).

Also, people always tell me to really know whats the limit of my equipments before upgrading. Now I find it frustrating that my 20d shows a lot of noise at 800 ISO. Does it mean that its time for me to upgrade the body? I am thinking of getting a used 50d.

Thanks in advance for the help everybody!

No doubt your gear are entry level, but what you are asking are entry too. Even if you have 17mm, you wouldn't be using it at f/2.8 for group photos. You will be using f/3.5 to 4. So what does it mean?

It means you should consider how to control your light. Use a flash! I can't help to feel sad that some photographers keep on complaining noise and blurring when what should be done is boost the ambient light using flash properly.

What is wrong with using flash? Makes your subject looks bad? Even you have the best camera, you can't combat the fact that if it is dim, you use flash. Just because the camera can whack at iso6400 doesn't mean you need to.

Think about it why u need f/2.8 in situation where your subjects hardly move.

 

[has91]

oops sorry to mention sir, I have a flash and I do use it too! also, my fault again, I no only want to use the 17-50 as my group shot lens. I'll be using it for walkabout too!

 

[David Kwok]

oops sorry to mention sir, I have a flash and I do use it too! also, my fault again, I no only want to use the 17-50 as my group shot lens. I'll be using it for walkabout too!

Good use it then I shoot in dim light at f/3.5 with iso 640 at 24mm and flash. Would you like to try?

 

[Andrew Tay]

Hello everyone!

I currently own a Canon 20d and a 28-135mm f/3.5-f/5.6 camera.

I just got myself the 28-135 and find it really useful as my shooting style matches with the range of the zoom. Though I wished I had more money to get a faster lens.

The problem now is that sometimes I realise that this lens is too tight for me when indoors. Its impossible to get a group shot in an enclosed area. So my question is what lens should I get for this function. I would want to have a wide angle zoom with its tele end overlapping a bit of my 28-135 lens. I have an 18-55mm but using it in low light is really hard as mine have no IS.

I was thinking of tamron 17-50 f/2.8. What do you guys think? As I stated earlier, I wish I had more money but I don't. So I guess my budget is below 400 bucks. I don't mind 3rd party lenses (I think I inevitably have to get 3rd party) and also used lens (as in get from Bns section).

Also, people always tell me to really know whats the limit of my equipments before upgrading. Now I find it frustrating that my 20d shows a lot of noise at 800 ISO. Does it mean that its time for me to upgrade the body? I am thinking of getting a used 50d.

Thanks in advance for the help everybody!

Hi, sorry, I'm not here to answer your question, I'm asking how good is 28-135mm lens ? I intend to get one for walkabout , now having 18-55mm and 55-250mm. What's the diff between EF28-135mm IS USM and EF- S28-135mm IS ?? Which one r u using ? How much ?

Thanks.

 

[rhino123]

This website show the IQ of different lens where you might find interesting and informative,

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens Image Quality

From the website above, i find the IQ of 28-135mm as compared to the 18-55mm is really good and sharp. So no problem there.

Another thing that might prove useful for you was to use your existing 18-55mm lens to see at which focal length would you find very comfortable with when you are shooting indoor (enclosed area). Only by knowing the actual focal length would you actually know what lens to buy without wasting money.

As for the changing of your camera body... well... as long as you can justify why you need to change your camera, then by all means, do it. I would however advise you to look to 40D too. It is going pretty cheaply these days and it had excellent noise control as compared to 50D (read reviews from the net). Another option would be to bite the bullet and get the 60D.

 

[has91]

Hi, sorry, I'm not here to answer your question, I'm asking how good is 28-135mm lens ? I intend to get one for walkabout , now having 18-55mm and 55-250mm. What's the diff between EF28-135mm IS USM and EF- S28-135mm IS ?? Which one r u using ? How much ?

Thanks.

hello there! so far I had been happy with the lens. if you read some reviews, the IQ of this lens had been compared to 24-105 f/4L. the 135mm tele end is useful for me as my shooting style is to shoot below that range but above 55mm (which is why I disliked my kit lens). anyways when u have a cropped body 135mm becomes 216mm and 216mm is more than enough as a walkabout lens which u mentioned u wanted. of course this lens is heavier than ur 18-55 but it doesn't take long to get used to the weight. the only thing i dislike about this lens is that it doesn't go wide enough for my indoor group shots (which is why i started this topic). can't really blame the apurture range because I didn't pay for the luxury of having a f/2.8 lens. I initially wanted to get 55-250 too, like you. but in the end, i decided against it as the IQ of 55-250 in my opinion isn't as good as the 28-135. anyways i also prefer not to change lenses everytime i want a long range shot. like i said earlier, 28-135mm is my most preferred range due to my shooting style. u would want to discover your favourite ranges first then you decide on what you need and what you don't. if you have the same style as me, i would actually recommend 28-135. but ultimately you have to do the thinking on your own. i hope it helps.

 

[has91]

This website show the IQ of different lens where you might find interesting and informative,

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens Image Quality

From the website above, i find the IQ of 28-135mm as compared to the 18-55mm is really good and sharp. So no problem there.

Another thing that might prove useful for you was to use your existing 18-55mm lens to see at which focal length would you find very comfortable with when you are shooting indoor (enclosed area). Only by knowing the actual focal length would you actually know what lens to buy without wasting money.

As for the changing of your camera body... well... as long as you can justify why you need to change your camera, then by all means, do it. I would however advise you to look to 40D too. It is going pretty cheaply these days and it had excellent noise control as compared to 50D (read reviews from the net). Another option would be to bite the bullet and get the 60D.

hello there!

firstly regarding the lens, do you mind suggesting some lens that I should look at? maybe something similar to Tamron 17-50. maybe something wider? and also I don't think I can afford Canon lenses right now so I don't mind getting third party ones.

and for the dslr body part, you mean that the 40D have better noise handling that 50D? I actually wanted to get 40D initially but since I should have more budget to get 50D, I should as well get it right? and 60D is out of the question. haha. does 50D have video? actually I don't need the video function. i rather have better noise handling than video function.

 

[Andrew Tay]

hello there! so far I had been happy with the lens. if you read some reviews, the IQ of this lens had been compared to 24-105 f/4L. the 135mm tele end is useful for me as my shooting style is to shoot below that range but above 55mm (which is why I disliked my kit lens). anyways when u have a cropped body 135mm becomes 216mm and 216mm is more than enough as a walkabout lens which u mentioned u wanted. of course this lens is heavier than ur 18-55 but it doesn't take long to get used to the weight. the only thing i dislike about this lens is that it doesn't go wide enough for my indoor group shots (which is why i started this topic). can't really blame the apurture range because I didn't pay for the luxury of having a f/2.8 lens. I initially wanted to get 55-250 too, like you. but in the end, i decided against it as the IQ of 55-250 in my opinion isn't as good as the 28-135. anyways i also prefer not to change lenses everytime i want a long range shot. like i said earlier, 28-135mm is my most preferred range due to my shooting style. u would want to discover your favourite ranges first then you decide on what you need and what you don't. if you have the same style as me, i would actually recommend 28-135. but ultimately you have to do the thinking on your own. i hope it helps.

Hi, thks for spending time to share. I'm a beginner, really have to find out what's my shooting style. But the way u talk abt the 28-135mm, I think it will be my next lens. ( not very ex, abt $720 I think). Thanks again.

 

[has91]

Hi, thks for spending time to share. I'm a beginner, really have to find out what's my shooting style. But the way u talk abt the 28-135mm, I think it will be my next lens. ( not very ex, abt $720 I think). Thanks again.

i advice u to get 2nd hand at 350. worth it when u wanna sell it off again.

 

[Andrew Tay]

i advice u to get 2nd hand at 350. worth it when u wanna sell it off again.

Where got lobang at $350 ??

 

[Andrew Tay]

hello there! so far I had been happy with the lens. if you read some reviews, the IQ of this lens had been compared to 24-105 f/4L. the 135mm tele end is useful for me as my shooting style is to shoot below that range but above 55mm (which is why I disliked my kit lens). anyways when u have a cropped body 135mm becomes 216mm and 216mm is more than enough as a walkabout lens which u mentioned u wanted. of course this lens is heavier than ur 18-55 but it doesn't take long to get used to the weight. the only thing i dislike about this lens is that it doesn't go wide enough for my indoor group shots (which is why i started this topic). can't really blame the apurture range because I didn't pay for the luxury of having a f/2.8 lens. I initially wanted to get 55-250 too, like you. but in the end, i decided against it as the IQ of 55-250 in my opinion isn't as good as the 28-135. anyways i also prefer not to change lenses everytime i want a long range shot. like i said earlier, 28-135mm is my most preferred range due to my shooting style. u would want to discover your favourite ranges first then you decide on what you need and what you don't. if you have the same style as me, i would actually recommend 28-135. but ultimately you have to do the thinking on your own. i hope it helps.

Hi, rgds to ur problem of indoor group shots, I might face it on day. So should I get a EF S18-135mm instead of yours ??

 

[coolthought]

Hello everyone!

I currently own a Canon 20d and a 28-135mm f/3.5-f/5.6 camera.

I just got myself the 28-135 and find it really useful as my shooting style matches with the range of the zoom. Though I wished I had more money to get a faster lens.

The problem now is that sometimes I realise that this lens is too tight for me when indoors. Its impossible to get a group shot in an enclosed area. So my question is what lens should I get for this function. I would want to have a wide angle zoom with its tele end overlapping a bit of my 28-135 lens. I have an 18-55mm but using it in low light is really hard as mine have no IS.

I was thinking of tamron 17-50 f/2.8. What do you guys think? As I stated earlier, I wish I had more money but I don't. So I guess my budget is below 400 bucks. I don't mind 3rd party lenses (I think I inevitably have to get 3rd party) and also used lens (as in get from Bns section).

Also, people always tell me to really know whats the limit of my equipments before upgrading. Now I find it frustrating that my 20d shows a lot of noise at 800 ISO. Does it mean that its time for me to upgrade the body? I am thinking of getting a used 50d.

Thanks in advance for the help everybody!

it is so many things to buy but such tight budget.... you are not alone...
one way to lessen the burden is to sell off equipment that is redundant or will be replaced.
and do it one at time over a sustainable period.

anyway, you have already answered the question yourself.
you can sell off your 18-55 and get the tamron 17-50.

do note that having IS helps in reducing handshake blur but not motion blur.

 

[SkyStrike]

Hello everyone!

I currently own a Canon 20d and a 28-135mm f/3.5-f/5.6 camera.

I just got myself the 28-135 and find it really useful as my shooting style matches with the range of the zoom. Though I wished I had more money to get a faster lens.

The problem now is that sometimes I realise that this lens is too tight for me when indoors. Its impossible to get a group shot in an enclosed area. So my question is what lens should I get for this function. I would want to have a wide angle zoom with its tele end overlapping a bit of my 28-135 lens. I have an 18-55mm but using it in low light is really hard as mine have no IS.

I was thinking of tamron 17-50 f/2.8. What do you guys think? As I stated earlier, I wish I had more money but I don't. So I guess my budget is below 400 bucks. I don't mind 3rd party lenses (I think I inevitably have to get 3rd party) and also used lens (as in get from Bns section).

Also, people always tell me to really know whats the limit of my equipments before upgrading. Now I find it frustrating that my 20d shows a lot of noise at 800 ISO. Does it mean that its time for me to upgrade the body? I am thinking of getting a used 50d.

Thanks in advance for the help everybody!

When one is limited by funds (like me too..), one will have to work around the limitations. May have to ask the group to "squeeze" or make multiple rows etc. If you are going to use Tamron's 17-50 for group portraits, I suggest you try out the kit lens, as many group shots are using smaller apertures (maybe f4 or smaller) coupled with a ext flash.

I once read a forum stating, "before changing your kit lens, consider getting a flash gun". I find that it works for me, till when I need/want the larger aperture for getting ambient light, but normally not for portraits but for still life. at this point of writing, I don't like primes, cos of the fixed focal length...I like versatility which aperture will be a trade-off.

But for a walkaround, 17-50 or 28-135 definitely is quite a nice range, but some took the EF-S15-85 which you can consider saving up then get it. quite a sweet lens with u.wide to short tele.

Hi, thks for spending time to share. I'm a beginner, really have to find out what's my shooting style. But the way u talk abt the 28-135mm, I think it will be my next lens. ( not very ex, abt $720 I think). Thanks again.

Hi, rgds to ur problem of indoor group shots, I might face it on day. So should I get a EF S18-135mm instead of yours ??

Save up abit and look at EF-S15-85 OR Tamron 28-75. Tamron's 28-75 can be used on FF body as well...

 

[has91]

Where got lobang at $350 ??

BnS section bro. got mine from a lady user so it was as if she bought it first hand and just sold it to me 2nd hand for joy fun and laughter. lol

 

[has91]

Hi, rgds to ur problem of indoor group shots, I might face it on day. So should I get a EF S18-135mm instead of yours ??

if you had done some research on the 18-135, you should know why I avoided it.

 

[has91]

When one is limited by funds (like me too..), one will have to work around the limitations. May have to ask the group to "squeeze" or make multiple rows etc. If you are going to use Tamron's 17-50 for group portraits, I suggest you try out the kit lens, as many group shots are using smaller apertures (maybe f4 or smaller) coupled with a ext flash.

I once read a forum stating, "before changing your kit lens, consider getting a flash gun". I find that it works for me, till when I need/want the larger aperture for getting ambient light, but normally not for portraits but for still life. at this point of writing, I don't like primes, cos of the fixed focal length...I like versatility which aperture will be a trade-off.

But for a walkaround, 17-50 or 28-135 definitely is quite a nice range, but some took the EF-S15-85 which you can consider saving up then get it. quite a sweet lens with u.wide to short tele.






Save up abit and look at EF-S15-85 OR Tamron 28-75. Tamron's 28-75 can be used on FF body as well...

im actually pretty happy with the 28-135 range. so for now I won't be selling it off. but maybe if I find that I only use until 75mm mostly might as well i sell off my 28-135 and get the 28-75 right? we'll see how i find my current lens. maybe ill get the tokina 12-24. tokina 11-16 is way over my budget. hahaha

 

[SkyStrike]

im actually pretty happy with the 28-135 range. so for now I won't be selling it off. but maybe if I find that I only use until 75mm mostly might as well i sell off my 28-135 and get the 28-75 right? we'll see how i find my current lens. maybe ill get the tokina 12-24. tokina 11-16 is way over my budget. hahaha

Good stuffs are always worth saving up for...

 

[Chrissp]

You can sell your 18-55 non IS, get the IS version and use flash when you need to. Otherwise, yes, tamron 17-50 non-vc is a viable option. If you can stretch your budget a little, consider the sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4 as well.

Just offering some possible options for you based on your needs and budget.

 

[samuelsss]

Save and then upgrade to a Tamron 28-75. That is a possible solution to your current problem.