Best all around lens for D30?

[acelaman]

Looking for the best Canon lens for my D30. Something that will be on the camera most of the time. As I am new to digital photography, all of the info that I have found on this site is a great help albeit a little bit overwhelming. I am glad that this forum exists and I'm sure I will be using it more often as I become more skilled with this camera. Thanks for all of your help.

[Andy_T]

Hi acelaman,

welcome to the forum.

I may add that you've come to the exact place for the question.

However ... in order to give you good advice, you'd have to tell us what you normally would like to shoot and in what region your budget would be.

There just is no 'best' Canon ('or other) lens that would suit every user.

OK, if it should be on your camera all the time, then it maybe should be a versatile lens with a reasonable zoom range, so the 28-135 IS lens that many Canon owners use as a 'walk-around' lens might come to mind. But then, you might want to shoot mostly landscapes, so this suggestion might be utterly inappropriate.

On the other hand, one thing that is very charming about DSLRs is that you can actually change lenses ... so does it really only have to be one lens? Or would you accept to change lenses if the picture quality was much better, then?

You see ... questions galore!

Best regards,
Andy

[tim]

The two lenses i'd consider are the Tamron 28-75 F2.8, and the Canon 28-135 IS F3.5-F5.6. I got the Tamron myself, because at F2.8 it's a lot faster than the Canon lens. Sometimes i'd like to have the extra reach and the IS, but I always value the fast lens.

[acelaman]

Thanks Andy for your prompt reply. I shoot mostly HS sports, all seasons both indoor and out. I also shoot Amtrak along then NE Corridor, but with the recent crackdown on rail photographers, I have not gotten a chance to use the D30 out there. I'm sure I will get out there soon though. My budget is not a huge concern but I would like to keep things "reasonable". I currently have a 35-70 3.5-4.5 and a 75-300 4-5.6 I have used these lenses w/an EOS 630. A '"walk-around" lens is most likely what I am looking for but I would like to have an assortment of lenses available as I improve and upgrade my bodies. Thanks, Troy

[Andy_T]

Acelaman,

sports is what makes it expensive... you'll need some reach and a fast lens ... Canon EF 70-200/2.8 L (non-IS) comes to mind... should be about $ 1100 new and $ 900 used if you're lucky. Not as long as your 75-300, but should give you better image quality.

Of course, throw in the 50/1.8 and take a look at the Tamron 28-75 /2.8 XR DI (unless you're happy with the 25-70, of course).
For wide angle, there's a Tokina 17/3.5 ATX Pro that is getting great reviews here on the forum.

Best regards,
Andy

So ... quite a bag to carry with you, right?