The most versatile lens?

[JET]

For landscapes and some mid range photography, what is the best all round lens to buy? I want to replace the Canon 18-55 f3.5-5.6 which came with my 300D. I am looking for a fixed f2.8 zoom of similar range. There is a Tamron 28-75 but it's not wide enough but certainly produces some excellent results. I've been warned off Sigma, is this good advice? Sigma offer a close replacement with the 18-50 f2.8... any advice would be welcome. JET, New Zealand.

[KevC]

Canon 17-40L
It's a little slow at f/4 only, but it has tonnes of value stuffed into a small lens.

[Citizensmith]

There isn't a Canon lens that does what you want.

The 17-40 is a great wide to normal lens but is only f/4.
The 16-35 is f/2.8 but expensive and 35 is barely mid range.
The other f/2.8 lenses tend to be 24 or more often 28-X so don't really do wide.

So as much as you've been warned of sigma they may be your only option.

I went for the 17-40 and it does fine for me.

[aam1234]

24-70L all the way.

[JET]

Might well have to go with the Sigma 18-50 f2.8 as there is really not much choice in this range. The 24-70L I would get but for the NZ$2,267 price tag. 17-40 is Canon (f4) right? Thanks for the help.

[jyrgen]

Sigma 18-50/2.8 is a fine lens. Comparable to Tamron 28-75/2.8 in most aspects. The only downside is that it shows similar effects as most "full frame" lenses on "full frame" cameras, like vignetting when wide open and relative unsharpness in corners. I had already forgot those issues existed, having used mostly "full" lenses on croppled camera. FWIW, I sold my Canon 17-40/4 for the Sigma 18-50/2.8, because of usable f/2.8, compact size and meaningful lens hood ;).

[tim]

If you really like landscape and want a general purpose lens too, the Sigma 18-50 sounds like a good idea. I rarely do landscapes, so the Tamron 28-75's ideal for me.

Where in NZ are you Jet? I'm in Wellington.

[RbrtPtikLeoSeny]

Yyyeeeeaaaaaa...... what your asking for is some what hard/impossible. If you have the cash though, the 24-70L is great! Best walk around lens in my opinion, but if you need wider maybe the Tamron 17-35 f/2.8. Waaayyyyy cheaper! Not going to give you much on the long end though at only 35mm. You could compliment the 17-35 with a 28-75 I guess. That'd be a lotta changing of lenses most likely though.

If I were looking for the same thing, I'd just go out and get the 24-70L. Regaurdless of it's price. I like to say the price shouldn't be what matters rather how much joy it can bring you. Then you could save up for the 10-22 as your next purchase. Just some ideas........

Jeez, lotsa these threads lately! Last week it was all about the 70-200mm f/4 this week it's all about the wide angles. O well! Good learning experience.

[KevC]

Actually I think a wide prime with a normal zoom is your best bet.

Russian fishy... MC Zenitar 16mm/2.8 and Sigma 24-70 or Tamron 28-75. Good luck!

[JET]

This has been really helpful. I've ordered the 18-50 to try from Photo/Video CHCH which is due at the end of the month in NZ. Tim, I'm in North Canterbury, having moved away from ChCh 2 years ago and never regretted the decision.
What prime is THE one to get?

[KevC]

In your case, the Canon EF85mm f/1.8. Perfect focal length for portraits.