EOS D60 Lens Recommendations

[chorse]

Hi,

I purchased my Canon EOS d60 a couple of months ago and have been using my low-end 28-80 Canon Lens that came with my original Canon EOS Rebel 2000 way back when.

I'm looking to upgrade to a faster (2.8 starting) lense with approximately the same zoom focal lengths(28-70, 28 - 80) at a budget of not more than $300.00

Looking for any and all feedback/recommending a lens that meets my criteria above...Sigma, Tokina etc.

Much Appreciate
-Tim H

[Harlod]

Get one of the Tokina ATX Pro models. They are excellent values. The older 28-70mm Pro II can be found used for less than $300. I bought a new one from Helix camera in Chicago a few months back for $349. Adorama carries the new 28-70 ATX PRO SV model brand new for $299. The new model has several technical advantages over the old model, but it hasn't been widely used yet so there aren't any published ratings on it as far as I could tell. I've heard good things about the Sigma, but no direct experience with it.

[Sheila]

chorse wrote:
Hi,

I purchased my Canon EOS d60 a couple of months ago and have been using my low-end 28-80 Canon Lens that came with my original Canon EOS Rebel 2000 way back when.

I'm looking to upgrade to a faster (2.8 starting) lense with approximately the same zoom focal lengths(28-70, 28 - 80) at a budget of not more than $300.00

Looking for any and all feedback/recommending a lens that meets my criteria above...Sigma, Tokina etc.

Much Appreciate
-Tim H

Hi Tim

I suggest you check out http://www.cmpsolv.com/photozone/resultEOS.htm

which is a survey of Canon lenses.

I have the 28-105 which is not a fast lens, but I find it a very good lens for the price.

Cheers
Sheila

[vriesjp]

I'm not yet using a D60 but since many years Canon:
The D60 will be there next year (I hope!)
My advice: use Canon lenses! I have used several branches, without satisfaction: A few years I decided to buy only Canon! Good QUALITY and good SERVICE!

[lazoj]

Look into the 24-85mm Canon. Remember, in order to take full advantage of you 2000.00 body you must place nice glass in front of it. I understand you have a budget, as do I, but lenses must be taken into consideration with a DSLR system.

[Longwatcher]

Hi Tim

I suggest you check out http://www.cmpsolv.com/photozone/resultEOS.htm


Cheers
Sheila


I am really glad I looked at the above link, I need one last lens to have what I consider a full set for my D60, I was looking at the Canon 16-35mm lens to give me a full range. I noticed on the link that the two lens I have (28-135mm IS zoom and 75-300mm IS telephoto) rated poorly with the 28-135 doing better, which is strange since my best quality shots come from the 75-300mm. Maybe I just got a good lens. I do agree with the autofocus ratings though. I also noted that with one exception the ones with the most inputs had lower ratings, with one exception. I noted that the one I was looking at is rated as excellent across the board with quite a few inputs to the rating. My 28-135mm lens just barely makes it for full body model shots within enclosed spaces and I really need a wider lens, but don't want to go fixed length unless I had to and the price is steep to go "L" series which is all that is available for wider zoom lenses. Anyway thanks, very helpful, just need to save my money up I guess.

[Hawkeye12]

lazoj wrote:
Look into the 24-85mm Canon. Remember, in order to take full advantage of you 2000.00 body you must place nice glass in front of it. I understand you have a budget, as do I, but lenses must be taken into consideration with a DSLR system.

i second the suggestion of the 24-85.
a lot of people have bought this lens and determined it to be one of the best non L zooms that you can put in front of the D60.
this lens yields beautiful pictures, and compares with the 28-70L for color and contrast.

[magnum]

I purchased two new lenses for my D60. the EF 28-135mm = $435, and the EF 75-300mm = $465. Both lenses have the amazing stabilizer! Really works!

I got them at CDW. Next, a macro lens. Canon lenses have come a long way and I will stick with them.

Magnum

[Hawkeye12]

magnum wrote:
I purchased two new lenses for my D60. the EF 28-135mm = $435,

Magnum
only problem with the 28-135 (and this is reported by a number of users) is that it tends to have an underexposure problem on the D60.

[magnum]

As soon as I see an underexposure I will report it, but as of now, smooth sailing, err... I mean smooth shooting.

Magnum

[Hawkeye12]

magnum wrote:
As soon as I see an underexposure I will report it, but as of now, smooth sailing, err... I mean smooth shooting.

Magnum
you're one of the lucky ones then, but for those that don't know about it, here are a couple links to topics where the 28-135 underexposure problem is discussed......



http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1019&message=3567278



http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1019&message=2864453



http://www.robgalbraith.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=8&t=002785

[dhalbrook]

I just dropped a hefty chunk of change for a D60 & lenses about an hour ago.

The same rule applies to digital as it does to film, and even more so: the lenses matter far more than the body. That isn't to say you need everything to be "L" glass, but I guarantee you'll be happier with the image quality from a 50/1.8 than any non "L" 28-70 or other standard zoom. Also to keep in mind: good glass is a much better investment than cheap glass. I had my Contax Zeiss glass for quite a few years before going AF, and resold it for about 70% of its original value.

After a lot of research on the lenses people seem to be shooting with the DSLR bodies (my fave EF lens for film was the 85/1.8 ) I chose three lenses: the Sigma 15-30, the EF 50/1.4, and the EF 70-200/4. A lot of the choice came down to weight and what I tend to shoot, so your choices may vary, but if nothing else, save your money for the glass and spend the meantime researching what's out there. I've found this site really useful:
http://www.photozone.de/2Equipment/easytxt.htm

If you really only want one lens, the 24-85 ain't bad :)

[magic]

Yes but don't forget that one of the great features of the D60 is being able to post view your image and if it appears under exposed slightly simply adjust your exposure compensation and shoot again if thats possible of course. I find the histogram feature extremely helpful in checking exposure. You also realize you could simply shoot in RAW format and adjust for exposure later if its off a bit.
Magic

[jmamer]

So far I've got the 28-135 F.5-5.6 IS, the 85mm f1.8 USM, and the 200mm f2.8L. The 85 and the 200 are very sharp and I like them. The 28-135 is a little soft but incredibly convenient. If I keep it stopped down to the f8-f11 range it gives me pretty good results.

Lots of people love the 70-200 f2.8L. It's nice if you can afford the money and the weight. I generally follow photodo.com. Their research seems indicate that canon glass is better than many of the other lens makers.

I really wish cannon would build a L series in a 28-135 zoom.

Have fun!
john