In search of a cheap zoom lens. Help is needed! :D

[lesliekoh]

Hi all, i just bought my first DSLR, Canon 500D with Kit 1 lens, 2 weeks ago.
realized that the kit lens is not zooming far enough for the shots i wanna shoot.
after some light research and browsing, i have somehow come to a conclusion on which models that will meet my requirements:

1. Sigma (CanonMount) 28-200mm F3.5-5.6 DG MACRO
2. Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
3. Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5mm II USM

basically, i'm looking for a cheap zoom lens for daily usage but not sure which of this lens is value for buck. i'm intending to get a 2nd-hand one as this lens will most likely be abused by me very often and before i go for a L lens with a similar focal length

so, just drop me all your views and opinions or suggestions if i've missed out any models which suits better!

Thank you all for your time and effort in helping me and happy snapping!

 

[Gerald Lam CK]

The 3 models you mentioned might be sufficient to last your "hunger" for awhile..but afterwhich you might find it limited again! Furthermore i think all these 3 models are rather old lens which might be hard to get if you are looking for 1st hand.

Y not consider sigma 18-200mm, canon 55-250mm or the cheapest will be canon 70-300mm?

 

[Gerald Lam CK]

But then again..when you mnetioned cheap...how "cheap" is your "cheap"?

 

[lesliekoh]

hey Gerald, thanks for your fast reply!

well, looking for less than $500 since i'm intending to get a 2nd hand one

 

[wildsoyabean]

i assume is kit 1 lens is 18-55 lens.
lets say u are willing to bring to lens out. then the next lens you need to find is something 55-XX onwards

suggestions for such focal length are:
55-200
50-250
70-300

depends on what u need, get what u want.

 

[prec85]

You might want to try out the zoom lens to see how much zoom you need? Else if you get a max focal length of 105mm and find it not sufficient then it will be a waste of time.

Can get a canon 18-200mm to play safe.

 

[lesliekoh]

wildsoyabean - i'm intending to replace the kit len with this zoom lens thus, the 18/25-105/200mm

prec85 - thanks! that's what i thought so too but not sure if i can find a lens that is with that focal length and cheap at the same time

 

[rgy1993]

save for a 24-105 f4 L

its good glass... worth it

 

[setsunaze]

wildsoyabean - i'm intending to replace the kit len with this zoom lens thus, the 18/25-105/200mm

prec85 - thanks! that's what i thought so too but not sure if i can find a lens that is with that focal length and cheap at the same time

if you dont mind changing lens, then canon 55-250 is a good option that you can get <$400 first hand
otherwise if you want 2nd hand, can look for the canon 18-200, sigma 18-250, tamron 18-270. that said, image quality might not be so good for these all in one zooms, although price range probably all >$500 even 2nd hand.
might want to consider how fast you are going to upgrade and just save up for the best you have in mind

 

[shaoken]

I think before buying, rent the lens if it's available for rent.
Test the lens out before deciding what you want to buy.

That is what I've thought all these while.

 

[PrimePhotog]

Try the 70-300 IS. It may not be that cheap but it is really worth saving a little more for.