Lens experts...Help!

[Claytonian]

OK, guys, I know there are multiple posts day after day from people asking should I get this lens or that, etc, etc. I also know that L glass is preferred. I don't think L is something I can afford at the moment.

Here is my dilemna and I am turning to you because I have been going crazy for hours and days on the internet looking for the most well reviewed lenses. I just bought a used 10D which included a Canon 50mm 1.8 prime. I'm set there. Now I am looking into another lens or two to get some wider shots and some zoom shots.

I don't really have a set budget, but I would like to keep the cost low which is why I have also been looking on Ebay and in the Marketplace forum here. I was hoping to get some satisfactory lenses for under $500 total. This obviously limits me (probably to only one lens). That's why I have been trying to research Tamron and Sigma alternatives to Canon brand lenses. Just a few I have looked at are:
the new Tamron 28-300mm 3.5/6.3 XR Di
Tamron 28-75mm 2.8 Di
Sigma 70-300mm DL
Sigma 18-50mm 3.5/5.6
Tokina 24-200mm
etc. etc.!

I know there are others that you might recommend, so let's hear it. What do you think I should get? If there are any other factors you want to know, let me know. I shoot a lot of family/portrait stuff (since I have a 1.5 year old!) and I like landscape/architecture shots as well. Wildlife not a whole lot, but I tend to do more of that on vacations. So what do you think I would benefit from having? Even if you think it may be out of my price range, let me know what you think. I obviously want quality when possible, but I know there is a trade-off when you go lower in price so I guess it boils down to best value/quality ratio!

Thanks for reading all this and offering any advice!

[Jon]

Landscape/architecture, you might want to think about the Sigma 12-24 or 15-30 mm. zooms. They're in the $600-700 range (12-24 at the high end, 15-30 at the lower) when new.Since you have a 10D, you won't be able to use any of Canon's EF-S lenses (as and when they come out) that may otherwise be mentioned here.

[roanjohn]

How about the Sigma 18-125???

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=324384&is=REG


Ro1

[MarkH]

the new Tamron 28-300mm 3.5/6.3 XR Di
Tamron 28-75mm 2.8 Di
Sigma 70-300mm DL
Sigma 18-50mm 3.5/5.6
Tokina 24-200mm
etc. etc.!

I have been reading this group for about a year and a half (since a little before getting my 10D and have learnt a lot.

On your list the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 is one that has been highly praised, I think I'll buy one of those soon.

Is the Sigma 18-50 the DC lens? If so then I have one and would only recommend it if you don't use wide angle much. It is not a great lens (it is cheap to buy because it is a cheap lens).

Is it possible to get each lens you want one at a time as you can afford them to allow yourself higher quality lenses that you will be more satisfied with?

Now:
Buy the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 - excellent lens, very sharp

Later add:
Canon 17-40 f4L - excellent lens, good value for a Canon 'L' series.
Canon 70-200 f4L - same as above.
Canon 1.4x teleconverter - increases the above lens to 280mm while still retaining AF.

I think these might impress you with sharpness and general picture quality without the cost of lenses like the Canon 24-70 f2.8L or the Canon 70-200 f2.8L IS.

Also remember that you can use these lenses for a long time, they should still work great when you update the 10D to a 30D or 40D (or whatever).

[Claytonian]

The Sigma 18-125 is also on my "looking" list. Anyone else have thoughts on this lens? Seems like a good price for the range as long as the results are good.

Mark H...Thanks for replying as well. I could indeed buy in stages as you suggest. A pricier one now and another later. Sometimes I am a little too budget minded for my own good I guess! The Tamron 28-75 is near the top of my list simply because of all the high praise I have seen for it like you said. I like the idea of having the 70-200 4L, but it is a little out of my range unless I can find it used. What exactly is the 1.4 converter you mentioned? I did a search on B&H and could not tell which one you were talking about.

Thanks again for your help!

[CyberDyneSystems]

I can't commnet on the Sigma 18-125mm but my gut tells me it won't be the sharpest tool in the shed.

Do try to ignore/cross off your list all the 28-300 or 28-200mm lenses...

And I agree that the Tamro 28-75 is a great deal.

And don't forget tht the 70-200mm f/4L is under $600.00 .. the Prime 200mm f/2.8 can be had for about $500.00 used.

[MarkH]

What exactly is the 1.4 converter you mentioned? I did a search on B&H and could not tell which one you were talking about.


I meant this one:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=220456&is=USA

[RbnDave]

I have the Tamron 28-75. It's a great lens, but on my 10D it isn't very wide. For landscapes you might want to get something wider. I've used the Tamron for some landscapes, but I find myself taking it off my camera a lot when I need something wide. Also, since you already own the 50mm prime, you will have some over lap if you get the Tamron. I own a 50mm also and I pull the tamron off and put on the 50mm whenever I shoot near the 50mm range. If I had it to do over again, I'd save my money and get the Canon 17-40, keep the Canon 50mm, and then wait to get a longer tele later, maybe the 70-200. Also you might want to look at the Sigma 12-24. On a 10D, I think a wide angle zoom makes for the best walk around lens. The Tamron is just too narrow.

Stay away from the super zooms. You might as well go out and buy the Canon powershot S1 if you are going to stick a super zoom on your camera.

[roanjohn]

....... If I had it to do over again, I'd save my money and get the Canon 17-40, keep the Canon 50mm, and then wait to get a longer tele later, maybe the 70-200. .......

Some words of wisdom here.............

Ro1

[Claytonian]

Thanks to everyone for your replies. This is helping me narrow down my options. I think my ideal route would be the 17-40 (or something similar) and then the 70-200 4L later on. I have an old zoom lens on my old Canon AE1, would I be able to use that on the 10D in a pinch (sans any AF of course) for some zoom shots?

Again, thanks to everyone for your help and suggestions!

[DC]

... I have an old zoom lens on my old Canon AE1, would I be able to use that on the 10D in a pinch (sans any AF of course) for some zoom shots?...

'fraid not, different lens mount. Not sure if you can get a converter though ??

I'll just throw in the Sigma 100-300 F4 EX. It's an excellent lens and well worth the money. It has the advantage of having constant aperture and internal focusing and zoom, unlike for example the Canon 100-400 L. (Watch me get flamed now :twisted: :twisted: )

It may not be what you're looking for but I'd thought I'd mention it :)

[Claytonian]

Thanks to everyone for your replies. This is helping me narrow down my options. I think my ideal route would be the 17-40 (or something similar) and then the 70-200 4L later on. I have an old zoom lens on my old Canon AE1, would I be able to use that on the 10D in a pinch (sans any AF of course) for some zoom shots?

Again, thanks to everyone for your help and suggestions!

[Jon]

No. The AE-1 has a totally different, and completely incompatible, lens mount. Thereare adapters out there, from Canon and third parties, that will allow you to mount your FD lenses on the EF body with various limitations (mild teleconverter action, loss of infinity focus, cheap third party ones significantly degrade image). But they're more money/trouble than they're worth unless you have a really sterling piece of FD glass that you get the expensive Canon adapter (which allows focus to infinity, has mild teleconverter effect, but doesn't degrade the image too much).

[Claytonian]

OK, I didn't think the old lens would work. It probably wouldn't be the sharpest tool in the shed to use with the 10D anyway!