Lens choice for new 20D

[pwaite]

The time has come to move from film to a 20D and I would really appreciate any comments on the 3 lens options I think would be good . I shoot closeup flowers etc, studio portraits and longdistance birds / landscapes. Quality I need is for camera club competitions and hopefully a few portrait sales one day. I do not really want to carry too heavy equipment as I am used to lightweight SLRs. I will buy one lens now and save for others.The options are
1) Canon 17-85 IS USM + Canon 70-300 (or similar)
2) Tamron/Sigma 18-200 + Macro
3)Tamron 28-300 + Either a macro or 18-55 or similar

[tim]

This thread might help: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=56752 Otherwise the lenses forum is a good place to ask about lenses ;)

Those lenses will do a poor to average job, personally I wouldn't touch any of them. You really need three lenses to do it well: a wide angle for landscapes, a macro for flowers, and a portrait lens. The 100mm F2.8 macro is a good portrait lens, if you have enough space to stand back far enough. The Tamron 28-75 is a great general purpose lens, i'd buy that or something similar first and then add other if and when you find you need them.

[Merlin Driver]

There is a 70-200L 1:2.8 on Ebay at a great price for the next 45 min's.


Cheers,

Lynn

[Andy_T]

Lynn ... what was the final selling price?

They normally really pick up in the last few seconds :wink:

As to the original question...

PWaite, welcome to the forum!

Be advised that any of the hyperzooms (18-200/28-300) will be very hard pressed to deliver the same image quality as a lens with a smaller zoom range (e.g. a 24-70 or 70-300 lens, regardless of L or not). They are convenient, that's right, but there are always tradeoffs.

If you want to get quality glass that delivers consistent sharp photos at an affordable price, go with the Tamron 28-75/2.8 XR DI as 'normal' lens, the EF-S 18-55 kit lens for wide angle (not stellar, but certainly very decent for the 100$ it costs) and something like the 75-300, 100-300 USM or used 100-300L for the zoom range.

Best regards,
Andy

[Merlin Driver]

I haven't looked yet as I don't want to watch it go, but yes the price flies at the end of the auction. I have it on my watch list though.


Cheers,

Lynn