buying Digi Rebel XT: Plz help select lens

[rmpcanon]

I am about to purchase a Digital Rebel XT, and have a question regarding the lens.

Most reviews of the Digital Rebel XT seem cool on the kit lens (18-55mm f/3.5-5.6). Because of this, I am considering purchasing a body only plus an upgraded lens. The lens that seems to be most recommended is the ES-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM at about $600 retail.

Other than the price difference, is there any downside to purchasing and owning the 17-18 IS in place of the kit lens? Is there anything that the kit lens would do better?

I always have thought I would want IS capability, but never have been able to try one. Is IS in general an "all good" feature, or are there compromises required to attain IS? Are there any drawbacks to IS lenses in general and/or this IS lens in particular? For example, are images taken w/IS lenses of lessor quality than non IS lenses because of the IS? Or, are IS lenses more prone to malfunction because of the additional complexity? If the IS feature breaks, does the lens continue to function as a non-IS lens, or does it not function at all w/o IS?

Please give me your comments to help me decide.

[formula4speed]

I personally wouldn't consider the 17-85 IS lens much of an upgrade, IS can be nice in low light situations but I'd rather have a faster lens (wider aperature). What is it that you want to take pictures of? There are so many choices out there its hard to recommend a lens without more information.

[richardho11]

The EF-S 17-85 f/4-5.6would be a decent lens. IS helps out alot about 2 stops interms of sharpness, but you can only take photos of non moving subject (great for art museums or places where they do not permit flash). IS does not do anything for you if the subject is moving. I think the only advantage for the 18-55 compared to the 17-85 is that the aperture is 3.5 as compared to 4. That little boost in shutter speed helps out when your trying to take photos of moving subjects in low light. I haven't heard of many people having IS issues and believe they are quite reliable. But of course this is only my opinion. Hope this helps.

Richard
Canon Rebel XT
Canon BG-E3
Canon EF-S 18-55
Canon EF 24-70 L f/2.8
Canon EF 70-200L f/2.8

[lostdoggy]

Just a suggestion. Take the Kit lens and add either the Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 EX lens or the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 XR Di lens either lens is less then $400 or the Canon L version for $1200. They all have gotten very good reviews. Then you could consider a 70-200 f/2.8 later on. The Canon version go for $1100 for non-IS and the IS go for $1700 or you can get the Sigma EX HSM version for $800. With these lens you would be covered from 17 -200 or equiv. 27.2-320 with alot of speed.

On the Lowend total cost: $2200
On the highend total cost: $3900

Happy shopping

[lostdoggy]

The EF-S 17-85 f/4-5.6would be a decent lens. IS helps out alot about 2 stops interms of sharpness, but you can only take photos of non moving subject (great for art museums or places where they do not permit flash). IS does not do anything for you if the subject is moving. I think the only advantage for the 18-55 compared to the 17-85 is that the aperture is 3.5 as compared to 4. That little boost in shutter speed helps out when your trying to take photos of moving subjects in low light. I haven't heard of many people having IS issues and believe they are quite reliable. But of course this is only my opinion. Hope this helps.

Richard
Canon Rebel XT
Canon BG-E3
Canon EF-S 18-55
Canon EF 24-70 L f/2.8
Canon EF 70-200L f/2.8


Hey I know a R. Ho.
Are U R Ho from NJ???

[Dew]

I've had my 350D a number of weeks now and love my 17-85. It can produce some pretty sharp results & the focusing is quick. IS works well. I get a bit of vignetting with mine at 17mm, but not too bad. Also some CA (purple fringing) in some circumstances (tree bracnches / bright sky). All in all though I'm quite happy for now! I like the range it offers.

[richardho11]

Hi Lostdoggy,

Im sorry, Im from California. =/

[AjP]

it is really up to your budget, if it is low get cheap lenses (not good thing to do)
medium: might get 28-135 IS USM, may be 50 1.4, or 85 1.8
and of course, no prob with money, get L lenses 16-35 L, 24-70 L, 70-200 1.8 L IS, etc..

[lostdoggy]

I've had my 350D a number of weeks now and love my 17-85. It can produce some pretty sharp results & the focusing is quick. IS works well. I get a bit of vignetting with mine at 17mm, but not too bad. Also some CA (purple fringing) in some circumstances (tree bracnches / bright sky). All in all though I'm quite happy for now! I like the range it offers.

With what your saying, 17-85 seems to be a bad lens. Why pay that much money for a lens that under performs. For under $100 the 17-55 seems to be a better deal. I have the 17-55 and it isn't one of my favorite lens but its there if I need a 17mm lens. It seems to me that $600 is alot of money to spend on a lens that is limit to only 3 camera body (DRebel,XT, & 20D). Not a good investment. If the 17-80 is build like a L lens then it would be a good investment. With the kit lens and either of the Tamron and Sigma the total cost would still be below $600. My 0.02

[rmpcanon]

Thanks for the comments. I have several responses.

1. The types of pictures I like to take are a little of everything -- travel photos, events, scenery, people, some portraits. I also enjoy extreme closeups (I presently use diopters that screw on the front of my lens). For whatever reason, I never have been able to take satisfactory pictures of moving objects -- especially sports scenes. I would like to do so w/the Rebel XT. In summary, I guess I like to photograph everything; and with that in mind, would not want to buy a lens that would limit me in some way compared to a different lens.

2. I forgot to state on my original post -- my existing camera is an EOS Elan film camera, with a Canon28-80mm f/3.5-80 and a Sigma 70-210mm f4-5.6. On the XT, those lenses would yield 45-128mm and 112-336mm, respectively. The 70-210 I plan to use on the XT, but the 28-80 is not sufficiently wide-angle; hence the need for a digital lens that starts in the 17-18mm range.

3. I have a question regarding Richardho11's reply: Do I understand you correctly that the IS does not function if the subject is moving? What about if the camera is panning? If everything has to be still for the IS to function, that would seem to be a problem. Or have I misunderstood the post?

4. Regarding formula4speed's reply: With my present equipment, I think I shoot most of my pictures @ 28mm, 50mm, 110-120mm and 210mm (film sizes). Therefore, having a primary digital lens in the 18-80mm range (28-120mm film size) would seem to be a good thing.

[richardho11]

[QUOTE=rmpcanon]
3. I have a question regarding Richardho11's reply: Do I understand you correctly that the IS does not function if the subject is moving? What about if the camera is panning? If everything has to be still for the IS to function, that would seem to be a problem. Or have I misunderstood the post?
QUOTE]

You heard it right rmpcanon. The IS is functioning when your trying to take a photo of the moving object. But its JUST that if the object is moving while your using the IS, you will have a blury photo.

[lostdoggy]

Thanks for the comments. I have several responses.

3. I have a question regarding Richardho11's reply: Do I understand you correctly that the IS does not function if the subject is moving? What about if the camera is panning? If everything has to be still for the IS to function, that would seem to be a problem. Or have I misunderstood the post?



The IS in the 17-85 doesn't work during panning and tripod use, but that doesn't hold true to all IS lenses. With the exception of a few IS lens most IS will work for panning in the different mode selection. These lenses allows for selection for either horizontal only or vertical and horizontal IS, handholding or tripod. Since panning is the function of camera moving in a horizontal plane usually on a tripod for trekking the vertical IS is switched off. There are other more intellegent IS that will automatically switch off the vertical IS.

[twkong2003]

I would go with the kits lens as it is quite decent in picture quality and I think the 17-85IS does not give you that much better picture quality as compared to the 18-55. The only thing you get is faster focusing and IS. A better choice would be to go with the kit lense and then get a 70-200f4L to complement the long end. I am sure you will find this investment a lot worthwhile as the picture quality is much better than the 17-85IS. The L is a professional series lense and the price is less than $600 at Amazon with a $25 rebate. Can't bit that deal with this lense.

[rmpcanon]

I just noticed that the 17-85 has USM, but the kit lens does not. What is USM; and is it important?

[Dante King]

USM is the ultrasonic focusing motor. ITs a very nice feature. Allows for super quick AF. Dont leave home with out it.

[Dew]

With what your saying, 17-85 seems to be a bad lens. Why pay that much money for a lens that under performs. ..... lens that is limit to only 3 camera body (DRebel,XT, & 20D).

I was saying "love my 17-85. It can produce some pretty sharp results & the focusing is quick. IS works well"... which I don't think is bad. It's not perfect (not many lenses are), so I was pointing out some of it's cons.
As for the 3 bodies - I only have 1 so it doesn't bother me. ;)

Here's a 100% crop straight out of the camera (no processing at all)
1/400th f/5.6 @85mm...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/Dewspics/Carsington/crop.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/Dewspics/Carsington/orig.jpg

[hotled]

I just bought the Rebel XT, it came with the lenses in my signature and Im fairly happy with them.

I do wish I would have saved up for a faster lens since I will be shooting my daughter playing soccer. I didn't research to much and I will have to pay for it in the long run by adding better lenses etc..
My setup was right at $1200.00 with the following:
Canon Digital Rebel XT SLR Camera Body (Black), Canon EOS Mount Sigma 18-50mm f/3.5-5.6 Autofocus Lens and Canon EOS Mount Sigma 55-200mm f/4-5.6 Autofocus Lens, Lexar Pro 1GB 80x WA CompactFlash Card, USB 2.0 High Speed CompactFlash Card Reader, Memory Card Storage Wallet, Canon Deluxe SLR Camera Case, Microfiber Cleaning Cloth, Digital Concepts BP-2LCL Battery (NB-2L)

[NJames73]

From all the research I have done....and People I have talked to.....If you can some how fit an L into your budget you wont regret it. 16-35mm f/2.8L USM or 24-70mm f/2.8L USM............the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM...is another sweet lens....but I would maybe start out with the 24-70.....

[DavidEB]

Try this -- buy the XT with a 50mm f1,8 which is only $70 (US). This is an excellent lens and you won't outgrow it for a long time. Use it with this lens, plus the lenses you've already got, until you know what you want based on what you shoot. Then you'll know what you should buy next, based on your needs.

[davidfig]

I don't know if you know this. I went to your web page and the portraits and contact pages are broken.

www.foreveryoursphotos.com

[JulianL]

Personally, I'd get the 17-40 f/4L.