Need Lens Suggestions Please!

Hi all,

Just getting back into the photography hobby and will be receiving my new 60D shortly My problem now lies in lens selection for my photography style which is:

People - I love taking close up portraits of people and trying to tell a story with their faces and features.

Places - I travel a lot and it's my other major hobby. Thus, I love taking pictures of the places I go. City shots, street shots, food, cars, market stalls and so on. I also love getting night shots of the places I visit - epsecially from a high vantage point taking sweeping city shots.

Now, for the people part of the equation I am using the Nifty Fifty which I think I can keep using for portraiture for now.

That leaves me needing a general "Walk-around Lens" for when I am out and about travelling and in life in general.

I guess, what I'm asking for is advice on a lens that will be able to travel with me and capture the shots I take described above and satisfy my "daily life" photographs. I like the focal range of the 18-55 kit lens so perhaps an upgrade on that? Something along that range with better low light capability perhaps?

The 17-55 f2.8 looks great but it is perhaps out of my price range. I'm looking to spend around $400 - $600. If the 17-55 was worth it I'd consider going for it!!!

Sorry for the long winded post folks, guess I'm just having a brain dump!

You're asking a lot out of one lens. I would suggest a prime lens (50mm 1.8 if budget is main concern) and a 15-85mm. Neither one of these lenses are spectacular, but they do their job well and cover your needs within your price range.

If you're looking for a replacement for your kit lens and the 17-55mm is not an option, consider third-party alternatives such as the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 or Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 OS. Both of these are regarded highly among board members and fits your budget for your needs.

I have the tamron 17-50 2.8 non-vc, and it is a treat. A little slow focusing, but I don't shoot sports with it so that's okay.

15-85 is an excellent lens for that body.

I've had my 60D for a few weeks and based on recommendations from a few 60D thread members, I purchased the 15-85. I have no frame of reference with the 17-55 but it's been a great walk around lens for me.. and it's available at the moment at the Canon Direct site/refurbished lenses for $639.99 plus tax and shipping.

http://shop.usa.canon.​com …wAll_10051_1005​1_-1_22751

Phoenixkh wrote in post #14376746
I've had my 60D for a few weeks and based on recommendations from a few 60D thread members, I purchased the 15-85. I have no frame of reference with the 17-55 but it's been a great walk around lens for me.. and it's available at the moment at the Canon Direct site/refurbished lenses for $639.99 plus tax and shipping.

http://shop.usa.canon.​com …wAll_10051_1005​1_-1_22751

I didn't even think to look at refurbs! Thanks for that link!!

goaliejake22 wrote in post #14376674
I have the tamron 17-50 2.8 non-vc, and it is a treat..... A little slow focusing, but I don't shoot sports with it so that's okay.

I second that for a walk around lens, and I don't find the focus slow.

My vote goes to the 15-85; it has a wider range than the 17-5X lenses, excellent IS, and excellent image quality, its main limitation being the variable f/3.5-5.6 maximum aperture compared to the EF-S 17-55's constant f/2.8.

You can see sample shots here https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=760140

I got my 15-85 used which helps on the cost, but I would highly recommend a speedlite as well.

I'd say there are 3 options......

Canon 15-85 - not the best aperture (3.5-5.6), but a solid lens with a great focal range, sharp, and fast focusing. High end or just out of your price range

Sigma 17-50 OS - stabilized 2.8 aperture in your target focal length. High end of your range, fast AF but might miss here and there, fantastic IQ

Sigma 17-70 OS - cheapest of the bunch, 1 stop variable aperture (2.8-4.0), close focusing for fun shooting, and covers a pretty decent range, although it loses a bit towards the long end

Now the tamron 17-50 non VC is also a good choice if you think you could live without IS.

People up close, and travel/sight seeing, if it's just one lens, i recommend EF 24-105L IS. Great for taking candid images of people without standing in their face, and blur the bg at 105mm. And at 24mm still able to take some scenery pictures.
It camera+ 2 lens is possible, then Tamron 17-50 VC and Ef 24-105L