Next Lens?

I bought a 28-80mm Canon lens..and after looking at reviews I find the picture quality is crap. Yay
So, I ride horses, so I need a lens that will take nice pictures of that type of thing. But something that will also take nice portraits.
It'll have to be a while until I get a new one..but I can't afford a L series lens, sadly.
Suggestions?

Hi KatieMarie99, your 28-80 shouldn't be so bad. Have you tried it yet? If you're sure you want a newer lens have a look at the Sigma range - they do a couple of versions each of 18-50mm and 17-70mm lenses that are good value and will fit your D60. If it's a 60D then you can also look at Canon's EF-S lenses like the 18-55mm, but if it really is the D60 they wouldn't fit.

if you can zoom with your feet, the canon 85mm f/1.8 is a great lens. could be decent for horses and portraits.

I think you should upgrade your camera body first~!

KatieMarie99 wrote in post #13049982
I bought a 28-80mm Canon lens..and after looking at reviews I find the picture quality is crap.

Maybe look at your photos instead of reviews.

Canon has made eight different 28-80mm EF lenses. I have used them all. The image quality varies considerably and it is possible to take a good picture with any of them. Take your pictures to work to the lens's strengths rather than weaknesses. The aberrations like distortion and chromatic aberration can be easily corrected in post processing if they bother you.

Madweasel wrote in post #13050259
Hi KatieMarie99, your 28-80 shouldn't be so bad. Have you tried it yet? If you're sure you want a newer lens have a look at the Sigma range - they do a couple of versions each of 18-50mm and 17-70mm lenses that are good value and will fit your D60. If it's a 60D then you can also look at Canon's EF-S lenses like the 18-55mm, but if it really is the D60 they wouldn't fit.

It is the D60, so no EF-S for me! (:
And I haven't gotten in the mail yet..so let's hope it's okay (:
I have a Quantaray on it now, and I've heard good things about Sigma also. I'll take a look, thanks!

thestone11 wrote in post #13050328
I think you should upgrade your camera body first~!

If only I could afford that..

macroimage wrote in post #13050635
Maybe look at your photos instead of reviews.

Canon has made eight different 28-80mm EF lenses. I have used them all. The image quality varies considerably and it is possible to take a good picture with any of them. Take your pictures to work to the lens's strengths rather than weaknesses. The aberrations like distortion and chromatic aberration can be easily corrected in post processing if they bother you.

True. I just find that reviews also help also.
Once I get the lens, I'll know better if it's what I need.

Shop around locally (Craigslist) or online (Amazon, eBay, here on POTN in the Classified area) for an EF 28-135 IS.

There are tons of them around that were sold in kit with 40D and 50D, just gathering dust until their owners sell them off.

It's a great multi-purpose lens that can be bought lightly used for a big discount off the usual price. Sells for $450 new, plus $30 for the hood. I bought someone's kit lens, practically unused, with hood and a $60 B+W filter for all of $250, including shipping. Found it on Amazon, if I recall. I got a great deal, it usually sells for closer to $300 in this condition. But even that is a great deal for a lens that can go head to head with 24-70L and 24-015L for image quality.

It's a decent, usable range of focal lengths, including all the "traditional portrait" lengths, though not wide. EF so it will fit older DSLRs and even full frame or film. USM so it's got fast, quiet, accurate focus. Decent mid-grade build quality ("USM" gold stripe... not L red stripe, but not entry-level plastic toy-like either). Good close focus. And IS to help keep your shots steadier at a jog or trot.

The downside? It's not sealed against dust as well as L-series (which is one reason I usually use a 24-70L instead). And it's an f3.5 to f5.6 lens, so there's limited opportunity to blur down backgrounds or shoot in really low light (f2.8 is another reason I usually use the 24-70L and keep the 28-135 as a backup/loaner/walkarou​nd lens). And it's not wide at all. On an APS-C size crop sensor it will behave as a standard to moderate telephoto lens.

Want wide too? Sometime pick up a used Tokina 12-24/4 first version for about $400 and you'll have a very complete, decent quality kit for minimal outlay of money.

I've taken (and sold) thousands of images of horses and their riders with 28-135.

amfoto1 wrote in post #13050839
Shop around locally (Craigslist) or online (Amazon, eBay, here on POTN in the Classified area) for an EF 28-135 IS.

There are tons of them around that were sold in kit with 40D and 50D, just gathering dust until their owners sell them off.

It's a great multi-purpose lens that can be bought lightly used for a big discount off the usual price. Sells for $450 new, plus $30 for the hood. I bought someone's kit lens, practically unused, with hood and a $60 B+W filter for all of $250, including shipping. Found it on Amazon, if I recall. I got a great deal, it usually sells for closer to $300 in this condition. But even that is a great deal for a lens that can go head to head with 24-70L and 24-015L for image quality.

It's a decent, usable range of focal lengths, including all the "traditional portrait" lengths, though not wide. EF so it will fit older DSLRs and even full frame or film. USM so it's got fast, quiet, accurate focus. Decent mid-grade build quality ("USM" gold stripe... not L red stripe, but not entry-level plastic toy-like either). Good close focus. And IS to help keep your shots steadier at a jog or trot.

The downside? It's not sealed against dust as well as L-series (which is one reason I usually use a 24-70L instead). And it's an f3.5 to f5.6 lens, so there's limited opportunity to blur down backgrounds or shoot in really low light (f2.8 is another reason I usually use the 24-70L and keep the 28-135 as a backup/loaner/walkarou​nd lens). And it's not wide at all. On an APS-C size crop sensor it will behave as a standard to moderate telephoto lens.

Want wide too? Sometime pick up a used Tokina 12-24/4 first version for about $400 and you'll have a very complete, decent quality kit for minimal outlay of money.

I've taken (and sold) thousands of images of horses and their riders with 28-135.

Oh awesome!
Now you know I'm going to have to go check it out, even if I won't be getting it now.
Really appreciate it! Thanks so much

For portrait work, a prime will never go wrong. Try the 50mm f/1.4 or the 85mm f/1.8.

amfoto1 wrote in post #13050839
Shop around locally (Craigslist) or online (Amazon, eBay, here on POTN in the Classified area) for an EF 28-135 IS.

There are tons of them around that were sold in kit with 40D and 50D, just gathering dust until their owners sell them off.

It's a great multi-purpose lens that can be bought lightly used for a big discount off the usual price. Sells for $450 new, plus $30 for the hood..

the 28-135 gathers dust because the 18-55IS and 55-250IS is a whole lot sharper
http://www.the-digital-picture.com …omp=0&FLIComp=2​&APIComp=2
or
www.photozone.de

watt100 wrote in post #13055547
the 28-135 gathers dust because the 18-55IS and 55-250IS is a whole lot sharper

But that doesn't help the OP because she is using a D60, not a 60D.

KatieMarie99 wrote in post #13049982
I bought a 28-80mm Canon lens..and after looking at reviews I find the picture quality is crap. Yay
So, I ride horses, so I need a lens that will take nice pictures of that type of thing. But something that will also take nice portraits.
It'll have to be a while until I get a new one..but I can't afford a L series lens, sadly.
Suggestions?

tamron 17-50 is crazy sharp
same for tamron 28-75 (although the AF is slowwww)
canon 55-250
canon 18-55 IS
canon 85 1.8 for fast AF
tamron 70-300 VC

some of those might be short for horse photography though

Sirrith wrote in post #13056389
But that doesn't help the OP because she is using a D60, not a 60D.

so the old D60 doesn't take EF-S then? 10D was the first??

And are we sure that is not just a type D60 for 60D?

KatieMarie99 wrote in post #13050744
It is the D60, so no EF-S for me! (:

wombatHorror wrote in post #13056988
And are we sure that is not just a type D60 for 60D?

Actually the 10D didn't take EF-S either. It was also EF only.

wombatHorror wrote in post #13056988
And are we sure that is not just a type D60 for 60D?

KatieMarie99 wrote in post #13050744
It is the D60, so no EF-S for me! (:

Definitely D60.