What lens to buy ?


Sherwin Shevilapple

New Member
May 10, 2013
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Hi guys !

Could you all give me some suggestions ? I like to do DSLR filming and taking quality photos . So I've set my eyes on the Tamron AF 24-70mm f/2.8 SP Di USD VC as it has F2.8 and VC which means a lot to me . But I'm kinda worried as it's mainly for full-frame cameras and so, there will be a crop factor on my Canon 650D which technically means that it will have a focal length equivalent to 38-112mm . Earlier , I saw the Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD Aspherical (IF) Lens which is like one-third the price of the 24-70, But the focal length to me, is kind of limited and I'm not sure if it will produce a substantial amount of quality . Also , I'm afraid that there are compatibility issues or auto-focusing issues for either of the lenses as it will be very annoying to have a slow-focusing lens. So could you please advise me on this and if you have any suggestions of other lenses that fit what I want , feel free to tell me :D

Thanks !
 

Hi guys !

Could you all give me some suggestions ? I like to do DSLR filming and taking quality photos . So I've set my eyes on the Tamron AF 24-70mm f/2.8 SP Di USD VC as it has F2.8 and VC which means a lot to me . But I'm kinda worried as it's mainly for full-frame cameras and so, there will be a crop factor on my Canon 650D which technically means that it will have a focal length equivalent to 38-112mm . Earlier , I saw the Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD Aspherical (IF) Lens which is like one-third the price of the 24-70, But the focal length to me, is kind of limited and I'm not sure if it will produce a substantial amount of quality . Also , I'm afraid that there are compatibility issues or auto-focusing issues for either of the lenses as it will be very annoying to have a slow-focusing lens. So could you please advise me on this and if you have any suggestions of other lenses that fit what I want , feel free to tell me :D

Thanks !

All these lenses are good, but do note that there might be noise during autofocusing when using these lenses. Have you consider the STM lenses such as the 18-135mm STM lenses from Canon, as far as I know, the STM lenses are designed with video taking in mind and focusing is practically noiseless.
 

Do note that autofocus is not a strength of Canon in video anyway. Almost all Canon video shooters use manual focus.
 

All these lenses are good, but do note that there might be noise during autofocusing when using these lenses. Have you consider the STM lenses such as the 18-135mm STM lenses from Canon, as far as I know, the STM lenses are designed with video taking in mind and focusing is practically noiseless.

Man ... Should have asked for some advise before buying my camera . I thought the 18-135 was expensive so I went for the 18-55 kit instead :(

But which lens is better ? Is the 38-112mm equivalent focal length gonna be hard for me to take wide photos ?
 

Man ... Should have asked for some advise before buying my camera . I thought the 18-135 was expensive so I went for the 18-55 kit instead :(

But which lens is better ? Is the 38-112mm equivalent focal length gonna be hard for me to take wide photos ?

How wide do you consider as wide (note: this is not a trick question, just very personal feel), I survive on my 18-55mm kit for quite a while... and for a long time, I use a 28mm f2.8 (which translate to 44.8mm for the crop camera) for my landscape and wide angle shots and I find it perfectly alright... although I do admit that I hope for something wider at times... So for me... 24-70mm lens (in term of wideness) is no problem at all... but I do not know about you, and only you can decide.
 

How wide do you consider as wide (note: this is not a trick question, just very personal feel), I survive on my 18-55mm kit for quite a while... and for a long time, I use a 28mm f2.8 (which translate to 44.8mm for the crop camera) for my landscape and wide angle shots and I find it perfectly alright... although I do admit that I hope for something wider at times... So for me... 24-70mm lens (in term of wideness) is no problem at all... but I do not know about you, and only you can decide.

Haha thanks for the advice :) I shall try the lenses when I get a chance to . Any idea if these lenses are commonly sold at IT shows ? Or should I go to a shop instead ?
 

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Haha thanks for the advice :) I shall try the lenses when I get a chance to . Any idea if these lenses are commonly sold at IT shows ? Or should I go to a shop instead ?

Get them from a specialist store instead. They tend to have ready stock and, if you are street smart, cheaper too.
 

Haha thanks for the advice :) I shall try the lenses when I get a chance to . Any idea if these lenses are commonly sold at IT shows ? Or should I go to a shop instead ?
They are called IT show for a reason :) Usually these shows only carry IT and some standard cameras with kit lens. And prices for these items are nothing attractive, apart from few exceptions and promotions. We have a lit of shops in the price guide sections. Call them, get e-quote and stock confirmation, much easier.
 

Sherwin Shevilapple said:
Hi guys !

Could you all give me some suggestions ? I like to do DSLR filming and taking quality photos . So I've set my eyes on the Tamron AF 24-70mm f/2.8 SP Di USD VC as it has F2.8 and VC which means a lot to me . But I'm kinda worried as it's mainly for full-frame cameras and so, there will be a crop factor on my Canon 650D which technically means that it will have a focal length equivalent to 38-112mm . Earlier , I saw the Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD Aspherical (IF) Lens which is like one-third the price of the 24-70, But the focal length to me, is kind of limited and I'm not sure if it will produce a substantial amount of quality . Also , I'm afraid that there are compatibility issues or auto-focusing issues for either of the lenses as it will be very annoying to have a slow-focusing lens. So could you please advise me on this and if you have any suggestions of other lenses that fit what I want , feel free to tell me :D

Thanks !

Hi!!!

I'm a 650d user too. Bought in Dec 12.
I got the 18-55 kit lens instead of the 18-135 kit cos I didn't know that there would be a difference. Silly me.
I then moved to 50mm 1.8 II for a month.
Then I decided to make the leap to a 24-70 as a needed the flexibility and a relatively wide aperture.

Narrowed down to the 3 big ones.

Canon 24-70 2.8 mkII
TAMRON 24-70 VC di usd SP
Sigma 24-70

Each has it's perks. In my opinion, Tamron lost out to the canon just very slightly.Note : This is only cos its is on the crop framed 650D. Its a different story when on the full frame cameras apparently But the image quality is very comparable on the 650d (according to the mtf charts). I bought the Tamron. I'm loving the image quality. I realized that it iq varies slightly at diff apertures and diff focal lengths. There is a sweet spot. Mine is at 40-50mm at f7.1. Buy the Tamron. Value for money.
$1700 with Kenko zeta protection filter @ SLRR.

The comparisons that I made and the mtf charts can be seen on the Tamron VC di 24-70 thread.

DRAWBACK. slower autofocus thru the viewfinder. But not so bad that you miss shots. But when you are on liveview, it takes about 2 and a half years to lock on to a subject.

Check out my street photos.
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/street-candids/1242750-streets-moments-capturing-resonance.html
And flickr photostream for sample images. http://www.flickr.com/photos/normanselvaraju/8709367061/in/photostream
 

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Thanks Norman ! But $1700 is way off my budget . I expected something like $1400 max cuz I don't have enough money :(
Is the VC a lot better than the IS on the 18-55 ? And do you have any tips on manual focus filming ?
 

Thanks Norman ! But $1700 is way off my budget . I expected something like $1400 max cuz I don't have enough money :(
Is the VC a lot better than the IS on the 18-55 ? And do you have any tips on manual focus filming ?

I would think that the newer VC found in Tamron 24-70mm would be better than the IS found in the kit lens 18-55mm.

Anyway, if you are not in the rush to get a new lens, I would definitely advise you to save up and spend that 1700 on the Tamron lens, which is a fabulous lens.
 

just make do with whatever in your hands.

build up your gears along the way.

[video=youtube;fdyhjh4jR4s]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdyhjh4jR4s[/video]
 

The $1700 is inclusive of a $90 plus Kenko Zeta Filter. And a result of poor bargaining skills in March.

I am pretty sure you can push them to part with it for $1500 plus if cash is your only concern.

Aa for comparing it with it IS, I can't give you concrete data cos I didn't specifically do a comparison.

But I am comfy shooting handheld at even 1/8 on a 70mm zoom with the Tamron. The VC works well I would say.

As for movies, Ive never shot a single frame using the 650d. Can't help you there. Keep in mind the not so ideal autofocus response. I think it will be more of an issue when shooting movies.
 

get the 17-55 IS USM.

leave the 24-70s to full-frame users, unless you are ok with the 38mm equivalent wide end.
 

For video, it depends on your style. I prefer manual focus with primes. So smth like a 35/2 or 50/1.8 would b cheap n good.

If u die die need zoom, then any of those mentioned is fine. If u do pp and add audio on top of your footage, noisy af is not an issue already.
 

IIRC, the 17-55 cost less than the Tamron 24-70 VC.

IIRC ? Can help me find reliable sites ? I saw a lot of sites citing different prices . The Canon official website says that the 17-55 is sold at 1899 . Then how does the Tamron 17-50 fair with the Canon 17-55 ? Thanks :)