Canon 17-85mm EF-S IS USM or SIGMA 18-200

[andreicretu]

I despretly need advice. I just bought the 350D with the kitlens and i'm verry dissapointed. Now, I need an all-around lens to replace my 18-55. As i'm new to slr, i would really appreciate your help. Till now, i decided over the 2 abovementioned lenses. The Canon is IS and supposingly better quality, but the sigma has a better range. what do u think? Any other comments?

[SAZABI]

I was thinking about 17-85 too... however, for that money, i decided to go with 17-40 L.
No regret up to this point. :)

[S230]

I am in the same situation as you are.. i am disappointed with the Kit lens.. What I have in mind is Sigma's 18-125mm or the 18-200mm. It is not a L quality but certainly better than the kit lens.

[Kentish]

I too was a little disappointed with the kit lens on my 350D, but I went for the Tamron 28-75 f2.8.
Its really cracking, and a massive improvement.

[ggibbs1971]

I had the Sigma 18-125. It is a great inexpensive outdoors lens. However I found that I was shooting indoors. So I sold it and got the 28-75. I am now happy, though I do miss the wide angle (18-28). Guess I will have to buy another lens. Maybe the Tamron 17-35, or one of the super wide angle zooms (12-24).

Geoff

P. S. Kentishman: Where in Kent? I used to live in Bexleyheath

[S230]

I had the Sigma 18-125. It is a great inexpensive outdoors lens. However I found that I was shooting indoors. So I sold it and got the 28-75. I am now happy, though I do miss the wide angle (18-28). Guess I will have to buy another lens. Maybe the Tamron 17-35, or one of the super wide angle zooms (12-24).

Geoff

P. S. Kentishman: Where in Kent? I used to live in Bexleyheath
Darn... should had sold it to me.. :) Even indoor, I believe that compared with the Kit Lens., the Sigma should be better.

[Mike2005]

I have the 17-85mm and am very happy with its performance. I tend to have shaky hands....the IS works great to rectify this.

[ron chappel]

I've seen examples that show the sigma 18-125 to be little or no better than the kit lens-but many of this forum say it is consistantly better .
I've also seen examples that show the 17-85 to be WAY ahead of both of them.
Honestly-if you are "very disapointed' with the kit lens,i can't see you being all that much happier with either sigma
http://www.pbase.com/franklin/canon_sigma

[freddiebear48]

What is the opinion of the group on the main difference in Canon, Sigma, Tramron and Tokina lenses? As a rule of thumb should one stay with a Canon lense for a Canon 20D?

[MrChad]

I'm very happy with the Sigma 18-125mm DC on my Digital Rebel. Friends of mine had the Drebel and 18-55 kit lens before I purchased my DSLR. I really disliked the EF-S kit lens, as such I took a gamble on the Sigma 18-125mm for the money I spent at the time, $260 from BHphoto, it has been a wonderful lens, much better then I expected from Sigma.

AF speed wise I'd rate this lens on par with that of other non-L's the lens AF is a bit noisy too. But the build quality is top notch, better IMO then some of my Canon EF USM lenses.

In low light it's short enough to mate with the POP up flash and works just fine with my 420EX flash

Plus because of the long reach of this lens and the wide angle my copy lives on my Digital Rebel 99% of the time, it's my favorite lens all of a sudden.