lens for 350D to replace kit lens

[kobus2]

I know this topic has been raised maybe 5 million times. I have read many of those posts and want you guys to give me some advice.

I read good things from the following lenses, and they all seem comparable in quality and in price. The lenses I have been reading about (and if you have another to recommend in this range please add) are:

Sigma 18-50 F2.8 EX DC Lens:
Sigma 17-70 F2.8-4.5 DC
Tamron SP AF 28-75mm F/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF)
Canon 17-85 IS USM

Which one(s) would be a great replacement of my kit lens. Keep in mind I will use it mostly for portrait and weddings. Everyday use too of course. I have only used the kit lens and a Canon 75-300 USM II lens to date so do not know anything better. I would like to have something that gives me low light capabilities as well as some zoom. L glass is not an option.

I am leaning towards the Tamron because the good reviews I have seen. It is not a common lens around here, but it can be sourced.

[coreypolis]

The Tamron covers different focal lengths than the others, but is the best optically op the group.

none of the others are fast enough to be used as a wedding lens, atleast not well and without a lot of knowledge and practice.

you'll still want a wider lens though, so you might look at the new Tamron 17-55 f/2.8 tht came out. its a little more than the other tamron, and maybe not as good optically, though still better than the other lenses listed, and it would cover more area for you

[kobus2]

Thnx for the reply.

I know the focal lengths are not exactly the same, but those seemed suitable for my needs. Other options would be the canon 28-135 IS USM or 28-105 3.5-4.5 USM II. The low light capabilities of the non IS lens is a question though.

My aim is to have a lens with 2.8 or such through the whole range. As I am new to the wedding scene, it might of course be that I am overlooking something obvious. I have a 350D, plan to get another body soon, and to add a 580EX to my current 430EX flash.

[AdamJL]

Canon 17-85 IS USM


This is my choice (I've got one). Great lens, and IS is a wonder.


My aim is to have a lens with 2.8 or such through the whole range.

70-200 f2.8L :lol:
I wish....

[rlhphotos]

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm F/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF)

Although I like my Canon 28-135 IS and have used it to cover weddings without issue.

[picturecrazy]

I've used the kit 18-55. IT works.

I upgraded to the Canon 17-85 IS USM. It's much better than the 18-55 and the image stabilizer really helps for evening receptions and darker churches.

Then I upgraded again to the Canon 17-55 F2.8 IS USM. It's TOPS! Much better than the 17-85 in every respect, especially sharpness and image quality, and shooting at F2.8 with IS will let you get fantastic dark shots. The only problem is that it's in the L price range. I dumped my L for this lens and have NO regrets!

Sorry, I haven't tried the other lenses, so I can't comment.

[RobKirkwood]

Other options would be the canon 28-135 IS USM... The 28-135mm IS works well at the wide end, and our copy is acceptably sharp at this end of its range. Problem is at 135mm the lens drops to f5.6, and it becomes softer - not impossible to get useable images, and we do find its full-time manual focus very handy, but I think the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 is a better choice overall despite the IS and FTM of the Canon lens.

We'll shortly be selling on our 28-135 IS (getting a Canon 17-55 f2.8 IS), but have no plans to sell our Tamron 28-75 f2.8. We also plan to add a 5D & 24-105 f4 IS - but that's another story, and I hope our bank manager doesn't read this :)

Rob

[tony fanning]

I have the Tamron and I personally think it`s great.can`t comment on the others,sorry.

[PIXI_666]

I have the 17-85 and its great, but you will also need to get a good low light lens to go with that because in dark churches i can use the 17-85 BUT would be better if i had a nice f2.8 to go with it... :) working on that!!!
Del

[tim]

If you could only have a single lens i'm not sure if i'd suggest the Tamron 28-75, or the Canon 17-55 F.8 IS. Probably the Canon because the Tamron isn't wide enough on a 20D. A good combination would be the 17-55 F2.8 IS and the 70-200 F2.8 IS, which is the combo i'll probably use next season.

[kobus2]

I have the 75-300 for the longer range, in good light conditions. Therefore I'm leaning towards something that will be used most of the time on my camera for the indoors shots for example and would be sharp for the majority of the day's shots - such as the ring shots, etc..

I will later replace the 75-300 with something better for low light.

[Toogy]

A good combination would be the 17-55 F2.8 IS and the 70-200 F2.8 IS, which is the combo i'll probably use next season.

That's the combo I used exclusively for my last wedding, and it was great!!!

[kobus2]

I managed to find a used Tamron SP AF 28-75mm F/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) for a reasonable price.

I will keep the 18-55 kit lens for any wide angle stuff (>F8 for groupos), and hope to use the Tamron for most of the general wedding stuff. Thnx for the advice people.

[jamiewexler]

...A good combination would be the 17-55 F2.8 IS and the 70-200 F2.8 IS, which is the combo i'll probably use next season.

That's the conbo that I've been using for my last 4 weddings, and it is unequalled IMHO.

To the OP - buy the best you can afford, and plan on using the proceeds to upgrade. I know you said that L is not an option, but I've yet to find the third party lens that equals an L in color, sharpness, and AF speed/accuracy. I've owned both the Sigma 18-50 f2.8 and the Tamron 28-75. They were both fantastic optically, but both had trouble focusing in low light settings (even with the flash's AF assist light). Nonetheless, they gave me enough keepers for enough weddings for me to save up for the L versions, which have all of the image quality AND the AF speed/accuracy.

So buy what you can afford now, but set your sights on pro level gear if you want equipment that won't let you down...

[kobus2]

I am sure - a dream combo. (17-55 and 70-200)

Have to start somewhere though and reviews are pretty good of this Tamron (28-75) so I hope it will work out for me...

[Derrick_SA]

Work your way up, I just dumped the kit lens, and got me the 17-85 IS for weddings, it's a step up, and I hope to make enough money off it to go L series lens. The IS really helps alot!

TRUST ME, make money of the lens you got to go to the next step continiously, that way it never feels like your putting yourself in a spot.

- Derrick

[daclozer]

I have the Tamron 28-75 and I would rather eat the kit lense than put it on my 30D... I am being a little dramatic of course, that kit lense gets no respect. I shot a lot of great photos with the kit lens. I do love the Tamron, for the money it is the best lens out there...

[karl_burns]

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm F/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF)

I echo Jamie's comments. I used the Tamron my entire first season. Now I've got the 24-70 "L".... now that I can afford it.
Karl

[kobus2]

Good to see I am on the right track...

[kobus2]

Update - got myself a mint condition used Tamron 28-75 today. I have to say 2.8 is quite a change from the kit lens!