Need some direction for a good multi use lens

Alright guys I'm looking to maybe buy a new lens. I currently have a canon 60D and purchased it mostly for video purposes but have now been infatuated with taking pictures as well. I really enjoy the versatility of my 18-200 kit lens but want something sharper and with better IQ. I am an outdoor type photographer/videograp​her and shoot a lot in low light. My other lenses include 70-300 DO and a sigma 50-500. I don’t use the 70-300 much now that I have the 50-500 sigma. I like the sigma but it’s not always practical. If the 18-200 EF-S was of L quality it would be perfect. I was looking into the 24-105L but really might need something wider for use with my 60D? What would be the best lens for me and why?

I need something that performs well in low light.
Something that is tack sharp.
Great for video and photo’s
Semi versatile zoom range if possible. (If two lenses would be the way to go I would occupy the thought.)


Thank you!

Low light, consider a prime as 2.8 is as fast as zooms go. Tack sharp, also a prime or get the 17-55 2.8 IS as it duplicates the function of a 24-105 serves on full frame for a crop body. Its on your to decide what zoom range you want. Keep in mind the greater the range of a zoom, the less sharpness you get across the range and those lenses generally have a smaller max aperture.

I have the 24-105L and the Tokina 12-24F4. This covers me from 12-105. The 24-105 is as sharp as a good prime at the shorter focal lengths, and pretty close at the longer ones.
I use a fast prime for low light - the Canon 35f2 or Canon 50f1.4.
I'd rather use a fast prime in low light, than any zoom. This depends on what you are photographing. If people, I like a prime. If inanimate objects, a zoom with IS can do the job, but perhaps not at night.

Check out the EFS 15-85 IS. This little gem never ceases to amaze me at what it does, even at low light. Haven't used it for video, but assume it would do what you need. You might rent one from lensprotogo or one of the others to try it for a few days before you buy.

+1 = 15-85

Have had mine almost two weeks and I really am pleased. Perfect walk around lens (for me).

MGLittle wrote in post #14902365
Check out the EFS 15-85 IS. This little gem never ceases to amaze me at what it does, even at low light. Haven't used it for video, but assume it would do what you need. You might rent one from lensprotogo or one of the others to try it for a few days before you buy.

Rest assured it won't let you down. I shot a dance competition at the beach the other day, just happened to be there without my 50 and shot it with 15-85. The results just blew me away. Its a gem of a lens for crop sensor cameras, not as sharp on UWA as I would like but really there's nothing else that offers such incredible range and sharpness.

bossman27 wrote in post #14901000
Alright guys I'm looking to maybe buy a new lens. I currently have a canon 60D and purchased it mostly for video purposes but have now been infatuated with taking pictures as well. I really enjoy the versatility of my 18-200 kit lens but want something sharper and with better IQ. I am an outdoor type photographer/videograp​her and shoot a lot in low light. My other lenses include 70-300 DO and a sigma 50-500. I don’t use the 70-300 much now that I have the 50-500 sigma. I like the sigma but it’s not always practical. If the 18-200 EF-S was of L quality it would be perfect. I was looking into the 24-105L but really might need something wider for use with my 60D? What would be the best lens for me and why?

I need something that performs well in low light.
Something that is tack sharp.
Great for video and photo’s
Semi versatile zoom range if possible. (If two lenses would be the way to go I would occupy the thought.)


Thank you!

These images came from a Canon 18-200mm IS lens, with no difficulty.

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15-85 would be a very good option. Or if you can't justify the cost, there is the Sigma 17-70. Check the lens sample archive for examples of each.

DC Fan wrote in post #14903253
These images came from a Canon 18-200mm IS lens, with no difficulty.

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The Canon 18-200 IS lens has easily handled every task it's been asked to perform from here.

I have an 18-200mm and I think its a much better lens then many people say it is. However, its definitely softer in the corners and edges then the 15-85 and has very high chromatic aberration. The build of the 18-200 is also not as good as the other lenses mentioned. But...its a great walk around lens, especially if you need/want the additional focal length. I gave mine to my wife and use the 15-85 as my general walk around lens now.

I've have the 18-135mm Canon kit lens and it's been a workhorse of a lens for me. But back to the OP's question, I would also recommend the 15-85mm lens if you want something with better IQ.

There aren't a whole lot of wide lenses with IS that are good for low light and give you good IQ. There's usually some kind of tradeoff.

If you want versatilty, widish angle, and good IQ then the Canon 15-85. Takes great stills and I've found it excellent for video. This was shot using the 15-85
http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=eIzxULLcEiU

Sharper, better IQ, daylight = Canon 15-85. Actual "low light" and I'd say Sigma 17-50 f/2.8.

But, honestly, you need to be sure the 18-200 you already own is really missing something you need...

Sell the 18-200 and the 70-300 and get a 17-5x f2.8 and a 70-200 f4 IS. That combination will tick your 'low light' and 'sharper' boxes.

I really hate to invest in an EF-S lens although the 15-85mm sounds like a great lens. In the future I can see myself purchasing a full frame camera and I don't believe the EF-S lens are compatible with full frame. I spoke with someone the other day that has basically the same interest as I and I believe his go to lens is the 24-70mm L 2.8. He said he is able to get by with the field of view at 24mm.

bossman27 wrote in post #14918240
I really hate to invest in an EF-S lens although the 15-85mm sounds like a great lens. In the future I can see myself purchasing a full frame camera and I don't believe the EF-S lens are compatible with full frame. I spoke with someone the other day that has basically the same interest as I and I believe his go to lens is the 24-70mm L 2.8. He said he is able to get by with the field of view at 24mm.

Some day maybe when you some day perhaps buy a full frame camera you can easily sell the lens you no longer need to buy one that you want. Good lenses hold their value well and it makes zero sense to buy the wrong lens to use because of a purchase you may never make.