Most affordable walk around lens

[holycow57]

I have a DR and shoot a variety of things for a community newspaper (color and b&w). While many times it's indoors for groups, speakers and the like...it also requires outdoor shooting, no so much sports but general news and feature photos.

I have the lens kit that came with the DR (18-55) which works well for large groups and when I need to get in kind of tight.

However, I have quickly discovered I need to switch to the 35-105 that came my way. It's not long enough for my taste, if you know what I mean.

So, if I was looking for an affordable lens that would work for both, what would you recommend?

thanks

rc :rolleyes:

[tim]

If I read the correctly, you're looking for a lens that has a range of something like 18-200mm? Correct me if i'm wrong.

[holycow57]

Not necessarily. I would like the best of both worlds, but the lens would have to begin with 18 mm.

[tim]

I've not heard of many lenses that start at 18mm and go up to near 100mm - most seem to start at 28mm, like the Tamron 28-74 or Canon 28-135. You might end up having to use more than one lens - that is the point of a SLR after all. You might consider the Canon 70-200 as a zoom lens to us in addition to the kit lens.

[Redbird_xo]

If I read the correctly, you're looking for a lens that has a range of something like 18-200mm? Correct me if i'm wrong.

Quoting Tim for convenience here, but if the original poster answer this question yes, then I must offer my good luck to him/her. As far as I remember, there is no good or decent lens out in the market that covers that range. A few selections from the third party makers, but none is worth buying. I could be wrong. Have two lenses to cover that range, then you will be a happy person.

[Mchu86]

Hi,

I do the exact type of shooting as you do! I work for my school newspaper and typically get lectures, concerts, etc, with some sports like indoor basketball and outdoor soccer. I also am currently using the Digital Rebel w/ the EF-S 18-55 lens. I have a EF 70-200 f/2.8L on the way. I decided to get this lens because I found that in a lot of my assignments, I'm in a low lighting situation and I needed more zoom as well. So this was my choice. I didn't think it was justified to spend an extra $600 for the IS version. When I do need a more wide angle, I'll just be switching to my 18-55 lens. Eventually though, I'll want to replace the kit lens with something optically better, perhaps the EF 17-40 f/4L but haven't decided yet. Hope this helps!

Michael

[Mike Panic]

affordable and quality dont go together

sounds like you either need to get a 17-85IS lens or... what would prob be the best solution and cheaper then that lens is the 28-135IS

[cactusclay]

I second Mikes motion, if you are happy with the quality of the 18-55, then you would be thrilled with the 28-135.

[Persian-Rice]

Canon only? Or will you go third-party?

General walk around is the 20-80mm area. Canon's 28-135 is good, Tamron's 24-75 is better.
What is your price range? 350? More? Less?

[RJSorensen]

The 17-85 IS is a good walk around lens, I have found. It is the same as . . . a 28-136 in film cameras.

[aznkid.com]

the sigma 18-125mm.. very inexpensive and good bang for buck

[Gus00]

Tamron 28-300 f/3.5 - 6.3