This lens business is killin' me!

[martcol]

OK, OK, I've been here before expecting help and I've moved on a bit but still full of anxiety over which lens to choose! Sorry people, but if you know what your talking about, try to think back to the days you didn't and you'll understand.

I put down a deposit on my 10D (Yes mine, all mine..... oops), today with local, UK, independent dealer: no word of when etc. but really helpful and although £60 dearer (£1,300) than the cheapest online dealer, I'm happy to pay that for the benefit of some hand-holding along the way.

Anyway, I'm tempted to start with the 28-135 IS lens. There's no way I can afford something like the 28-70 which people seem to regard as the best but even the 28-135 is quite pricey. Anyway, it's too early to say what kind of photography I'm into but I llike kind of arty, streety, canid, people stuff... Is that a category? I'm not into landscape or animals.

Cheers

Martin

[Dave C]

Martin

Up till getting the 1Ds the 26-135 was a reasonable lens to use but the 1Ds has showed it up a touch, that said I would think that the 28-135 could be bettered on the 10D.
If money is a bit tight you might consider the Sigma 15-30 which will give you around 24-48 on the 10D, it has recently gone down in price and can be had for just over £400( i use one and it is as good on the 1Ds as the D60)
Add to this the 50 1.8Mk 11 for about £75 and you will have a good portrait lens of around 80 f1.8 .
Of course you will need a tele lens but that can come later.

[Coolmax]

Hi Martin,

I just went out and lost an arm this morning by going to my local dealer to get a 10D. I love it, and I'm sure you will to. :)

But to answer your lens question, I would actually recommend Tamron's 24-135mm. I have the Canon 28-135mm USM/IS myself, I did have a Tamron 24 - 135mm at one point when I purchased my Elan7E, I exchanged it for the Canon 28-135mm, and I've been kind of regretting it ever since. The Tamron costs less, and offers a bit more range, and that range will prove most useful for your 10D.

The Tamron however doesn't have USM or IS. The IS is nice but really, I don't think its a "must have" feature.

But if I had to pick one lens, it'd be the Tamron.

Kenny.

[Rudi]

Martin,

I have replied to you in another thread, but I would also go for the Tamron (heard very good things about it, but no personal experience), or for the Canon 24-85mm over the 28-135 IS (and this IS from personal experience! :) ).

The other option would be to buy a 28-70 L second-hand. That's what I did, and it only cost me a little more than a new 28-135 IS.

[DavidValdez]

Hello Martin,

I understand what you are going through. I just bought a Canon 10D this last weekend. And had a crash course on lenses. I got used to my Sony DCS-700, which had a fixed lens on it. But I was in luck that I met a real cool sales guy at a Pro Camera shop. He gave me the down scoop on lenses which might be argued here. But I can see his point.

I bought the Tamron AF 28-200 Super Zoom F/3.8-5.6 AS XR (IF) Macro. I like it because I can get real close to a subject and still get a good focus. The Canon lens I could not get as close. Also I am amazed at my pictures as well!!! I asked him what is the diffrence between the Canon Lens and the Tamron lens. He replied back and said "the monitor in Canon lens are little bit faster the quality of the lenses are the same. Which is not a big thing for me which I was already amazed with its speed (my Sony was slow). And he also replied back along with the others sales reps. that they cannot tell the diffrence in photos with a Nikon, Canon or Tamron lens. Then I ask him about Sigmas Lens. He replied back "I not a fan of the lens, I don't like there preformace I prefers Tamron but this is my opion which in time you will form yours.

But he recomended either I buy Tamron or Canon Lens. So I think it is not a matter what lens is good or not, just don't go so cheap. With Tamron you will save $100 -$150 vs the Canon Lenses.

So basically buy what you can afford and when you get used to your camera and lens then start looking at other lenses that way you have something to compare with.

I myself recomend the Tamron lenses.

Cheers,

David

[jmamer]

Martin,
I went through exactly this experience when I bought my D60. I had no lenses (I was upgrading from G1). I looked at what people seemed to by buying for lenses at the time and the 28-135 3.5-5.6 IS and the 28-70 f2.8L seemed to be the most popular "everyday" lenses.

So I bought a 28-135 and a 85mm f1.8 prime. I figured to use the prime in low light and the zoom in daylight and with at flash. After a little checkbook recovery I added a 200 mm F2.8L prime.

My 28-135 seemed soft from the beginning. To get a really sharp image I had to keep it stopped down to f8 or so. At f8 it was acceptable, most of the time. I was surprised at how soft the lens seemed especially in comparison to the L-series lenses. I can attribute it to two things: 1) the sensor on the D60 is quite high resolution and so you can actually see differences in lenses 2) I tend to print and view my digital photographs at much larger sizes than I did with film larger formats make the differences more apparent.

After a little more checkbook recovery (O.K. not enough) I finally went for the 28-70 f2.8L. I noticed a big difference. The speed is really nice, the 85mm prime seldom comes out of the camera bag (although I will keep it as a backup lens). The 28-70 is a big lens, so it's not subtle, but other than garnering some good natured teasing (which I attribute to equipment jealosy), it has been quite convenient to use. And my copy of this lens is really sharp. Between this and my 200 mm L I don't use nearly as much photoshop sharpening as I used to.

I've given the 28-135 to my wife who likes it. She shoots film and seldom looks at enlargements beyond 5x7 or 4x6.

I don't think that one must only buy canon's "L" series glass, I do think that these big sensors need quality lenses. My rule of thumb is that anything that Photodo gives a 3.9 or better to is probably O.K. for my D60. If I had it to do over again, I'd probaby start with two good primes, say a 50mm and a 200mm, and then, when I had the money, get one of the "L" series zooms. My idea would be that the primes are high quality, cheap, small and fast. They will make good backup lenses for when I travel, even after I have adequate coverage in "L" series zooms. Of course I grew up on prime lenses for my film camera, so they don't feel particularly confining to me.

Just my $.02
j

[Yavor75]

Wow..I'd be totally confused If I as reading all this. OK,, everything said above is good advice....but what wasn't said is: The 28-135 IS has very good numbers (Photodo.com analysis) once it is above F4. It's IS function allows you to shoot it at F4 or above- at 1/15th-1/30th sec- hand-held (at 400ASA+) in most natural room light situations- with excellent results. It can be had for just over $300US on Ebay and is a very good value.
Also, Canon lenses work with Canon cameras really well.
There is no compromise in performance. One lens only?- it's the 28-135 IS. Oh, before that- go out and get yourself a 50mm 1.8 for $65 new. It will be your favorite lens until you spend a grand on a "L" series.

Bob

[photography By Evangelos]

Go with the 28-135 IS it is a dam good lens and you will be very happy. Every pro and non pro canon user usually has this lens it is great! Start out slow and when you have extra cash save up and go for "L" glass. when getting into a system any camera system you need to start out slow and see if you are happy with it and then start investing in other lenses. But do you self a favor stay away from sigma it is not very good and often will let you down when you need it most. I have a friend who loves sigma and he as had to many problems to list in the last 6 years. He is now seeing the light and just now is buying more canon lenses. There is no value in somthing that needs service all the time and will not work on a high end Digital camera body. Good luck and have a great day.

[HoodedOne]

Finding a lens is always difficult. Reading tests of the lenses can help, but is most of the time useless, because if you read ten different test you get 10 different results.
Example: I'm currently using a Sigma 28-105 2.8/4 on my Eos 33 (don't have a DSLR yet). The German photo magazine "foto magazin" gives the following ratings
Optical 9.2, technical 9.2
The canon 28-105 3.5/4.5 USM gets these ratings: Optical 9.2 Technical 8.8
And these are the ratings of the Canon 28-135 3.5/5.6 USM IS: Optical 8.8, Technical 8.8

Then how come, that everybody here says the Canon 28-135 USM IS is so damn good.

The best thing you can do is, check some magazines and the internet, and make a list of lenses that you like.
visit some dealers, and ask what they think is a good lens.
Now decide what you want to do with the lens, and if the expensive lens really makes a difference. (A good lens does not automatic makes good pictures)
And last, look at your budget and buy the fastest lens possible.

cheers, HoodedOne

[Wolfgang7]

Go for the 28-135 USM IS ! Best value, best pictures. I`ve got the 4/70-20L as well. You wount see the difference!
Regards
Wolfgang
Also Leica-users M6TTL and some lenses!

[Dave C]

I have to come back here, Sorry.
I had the 70-200 f4 and it is head and shoulders in front of the 28-135(provided you can hand hold steady or monopod) yes it is a bit slow but the results are superb.

One of the above posters say that everyone says the 28-135 is so good! i didn`t,I said its OK on the D60 but not on the 1Ds.

And as for saying that (basically) Sigmas will let you down, well thats not true, there are many many Sigma users out their that are completely satisfied(me included with the 15-30) I traded a 17-35 `L` Canon for it and and my wide angle shots looked up after.

It is true to say that it is a mine field with regards to choosing your first lenses and (IMHO) you have to go with your gut feeling and you will make mistakes before you find the combination that fits your type of photography.

70-200 f4 image http://www.pbase.com/image/5547080

15-30 image http://www.pbase.com/image/5547080

28-135 imagehttp://www.pbase.com/image/5547080

The 28-135 is very good at hand held close in on flowers though.

Hope it helps(although I realise that you can`t truly evaluate at web size) but you can get a feel for a lens.

Critic welcome

[brunz]

I have a 28-135 IS and this is really a nice lens. I am a part time professional and used it with my D60 to take a baby picture using white lightning lights. The results were unbelievable!! I use Mamiya 645's regularly and the 16x20 that I made was medium format quality. The detail shocked me and I've been doing photography for over 30 years. Digital photography is better than film in the 35 mm class. The lens used was the EOS 28-135IS at F11. I haven't had any problem at wider f stops. I would recommend this lens to anyone for a good all around lens. I have the 28-70 L lens and its wonderful but too heavy to carry around.

[hurry]

Dave C wrote:

70-200 f4 image http://www.pbase.com/image/5547080
15-30 image http://www.pbase.com/image/5547080
28-135 image http://www.pbase.com/image/5547080



Same links :-) ... but well done pictures

[Rudi]

brunz wrote:
I have a 28-135 IS and this is really a nice lens. I am a part time professional and used it with my D60 to take a baby picture using white lightning lights. The results were unbelievable!! I use Mamiya 645's regularly and the 16x20 that I made was medium format quality. The detail shocked me and I've been doing photography for over 30 years. Digital photography is better than film in the 35 mm class. The lens used was the EOS 28-135IS at F11. I haven't had any problem at wider f stops. I would recommend this lens to anyone for a good all around lens. I have the 28-70 L lens and its wonderful but too heavy to carry around.

The 28-135 IS might be a good studio lens (which lens isn't, especially when you control everything in a studio!), but it's not a good choice for an every day all-around lens for digital (never used it much with film). I know, I had one (bought it because it seemed like a great lens for just that!).

The 28-135 IS is not so hot in low light with a D30/D60 combo! I used one for several months on professional jobs, and usually reached for one of my primes than use the 28-135 IS. The exposure with this lens is also inconsistent on the digital bodies. The 24-85 is much better, and a second-hand 28-70 L is best! (Which is what I bought :) ).

[Dave C]

Sorry, the other links are

15-30http://www.pbase.com/image/14215051

28-135 http://www.pbase.com/image/958754

Regards

[brunz]

Rudi....I use the 28-135 at weddings with a 550 flash and find this to be a good combination. The 24-85 lens seems to have a lot of barrel distortion on it so I seldom use that lens. I like the 28-135 but rarely use it at less than f8. It's a great lens for me and has paid for itself many times over in reprint sales. I really like the 20-35 usm too.....It's a relatively inexpensive lens but delivers a very good image. I have a 28-105 USM but the lab frequently sends me notes about the negatives(1N) being soft and I quit using it. I use a lot of flash so I am using the good part of the lens when I shoot F8. Canon lenses are overall superb and I have very little to complain about relative to performance.

[Rudi]

Brunz,

I was mainly complaining about the build of the lens (I have seen three break) and its AF performance with the D30/D60 (probably more of a camera problem). I had no issues with the lens optically when I had mine, contrary to other reports - mine must have been a good example! It was just frustrating to work with in dimly lit churches with a D30/60...

Still, the 28-70 L is getting so cheap second-hand, that I'd rather go with that (and I did!). :)