20D Lens Options

[AXENA]

OK.... let's do this..... If I had a budget of $2000 right this second, and I had my choice of various brands of lenses, which brand of lens would actually "make the grade?" I would be looking for one 50mm prime, one 70-300 (2.8 or capable of doing indoor action photography (sports) and one for portraits (non-studio).

Brands that come to mind right off the cuff would be Canon, Tamron, Sigma, etc..... any links to samples of images from these non-canon lenses would be great as well.

Thanks.... now throw in those $.02!

[snibbetsj]

Right now at B&H the 50mm f1.4 is $295 with rebate, the 70-200 f2.8/w IS is 1650 w/ rebate and the 1.4 teleconverter is $295. That would put you at $2225. The 50 f1.8 is $75. which would bring it down to $2005.


I'm sure others will have more/better suggestions.
Have fun :)

[swans]

Good discussions on portrait lens:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=68866
I would go for Cannon 50mm 1.8 - $50 to $70 US (1.4 better but costly)
Good reviews:
http://www.photophil.ch/photography/equipment/canon_ef_50_1.8_ii.php
http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=30&cat=2
http://www.photo.net/equipment/canon/ef50/

Then I may go for the Tamron 28-75 2.8 - ~$350 to $400 US
Great walk-around all purpose lens, fast, fair or better portraits.
Some Canon lens purists may take offence to this but for this price and performance, it's hard to beat. Check out these reviews:
http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/reviews/tamron_28_75.html

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=187&cpage=2&sort=&perpage=15&cat=43 (http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=187&cpage=2&sort=&perpage=15&cat=43)

http://www.epinions.com/pr-Tamron_28-75_F2_8_XR_AF
These choices would leave you over 1500 for the telephoto such as:
Canon 70-200 f2.8 IS - $1650

[Longwatcher]

Note: this thread needs to be moved to the Lens sub forum.

OK.... let's do this..... If I had a budget of $2000 right this second, and I had my choice of various brands of lenses, which brand of lens would actually "make the grade?" I would be looking for one 50mm prime, one 70-300 (2.8 or capable of doing indoor action photography (sports) and one for portraits (non-studio).

Brands that come to mind right off the cuff would be Canon, Tamron, Sigma, etc..... any links to samples of images from these non-canon lenses would be great as well.

Thanks.... now throw in those $.02!
With that budget and specified ranges
70-200/2.8L and a 1.4x extender (to get you close to 300)
50/1.4
and 85/1.8 because the two better choices break the budget.
All Canon.
The better choices of 70-200/2.8L IS and 85/1.2 (with maybe the 100-400L for longer) definately break the budget by almost a factor of 2.

As to the poll though.
For a 20D, you may want to get the 10-22 for very wide shots and that is the only EF-s lens (other then the kit lens at time of purchase) that I would ever recommend getting.
Otherwise Go "L" whenever you can afford it, then Canon with some select Sigma/Tamron lenses.

Just my opinion,

[Andy_T]

I second longwatcher's suggestions, and the Tamron 28-75/2.8 XR DI is also a very nice lens ... very usable for portraits.

In your vote, I voted for all the possible choices :p , because this really has to be analyzed on a lens-by-lens base.
Each of these manufacturers produces great, good, bad and mediocre lenses.

Best regards,
Andy

[DavidEB]

I have the Tamron 28-75 and the Sigma 70-200, both f2.8. Both are excellent. Reviews on this forum and elsewhere are convincing that these lenses are close to the optical quality of the EF-L lenses. I'm no expert but in pics I took at the store I was unable to tell the difference between the sigma and the EF 70-200 f2.8-L. If money is no object and you want the absolute best, go with the Canon EF-L lenses. If you're on a budget and have other desires in life, consider these Tamron & Sigma lenses.

Total cost under US$1000 after rebates. That leaves you $1000 to buy other good stuff. Knock yourself out.


David

[Todd Jacobsen]

Hmm...

Fortunately, the poll allowed me to vote for EF, EF-S, and L...

[AXENA]

Thanks for the opinions all..... it's newbies on this forum like me that find out there are entire LENS threads elsewhere...sorry bout that! :-( In any case... I was just looking for a general consensus on whether the Sigma or Tamron could be a good rival for the Canon Glass. I did in fact find the LENS threads and picked up some great info there. Senior members... don't be shy to kick me in the pants and say "Hey NEWBIE.. go to the LENS section.... you'll find it there!" :-) Thanks again for all the input... great forum... great advice... (i.e. CF4-1.... LOVE IT!)