Need Help Selecting Second Lens

Hey guys,

I'm not sure what I wanna get for christmas (new car stuff, new cycling stuff, new lens, or new watch lol!).

One of the things, as mentioned, is a new lens. I have the Tamron 17-50 which I like for its decently quick focusing and f/2.8 but there is no reach, it isn't extremely fast focusing, and not very sharp. I'm not sure why it isn't as sharp as what I've seen on the site (I think it may be front/back focusing) but I'm assuming the problem lies in the lens not the body.

Anyhow, my dream is to get a used Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 for fast focusing/low light/reach but at $600 it is hard to justify. I have been considering getting a 85mm f/1.8 instead. It seems very sharp, more reach, and great low light. Would this combined with a 55-250mm be a good compromise?

Right now I take a lot of pictures of kids, our puppy, motorsports, and some random outdoor photography/still car photography. One of my concerns with the prime is that it will be hard with moving kids/dogs as I can't zoom in/out so if they are running towards or away from me it may be a problem.

Any suggestions? Also wanted to throw out that my girlfriend has a 70-300 or 75-300 (can never remember) but with no IS and small/variable aperture (plus not very sharp), it isn't anything amazing.

Thanks!

Puppy, motorsports, kids, cars and outdoor stuff? Sounds like a 55-250 would be a great fit.

The 85 1.8 will give you better image quality, but the 55-250 would be much more flexible. I would say get the 55-250 and see if you like the range. If you like the zoom feature and the range, consider upgrading to a nicer replacement in the future. If you mostly stick to around 85, then consider swapping it for the prime.

Check out the Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 or the Tokina 50-135mm f/2.8... both are tack sharp and are perfect for what you mention.

I second the 55-250, won't cost an arm and a leg and is a good buy for the money.

The Sigma 50-150 f/2.8 used sounds pretty nice! How is the focusing? Pretty quick?

My main concern with just the 55-250 is focusing speed and lower light situations. When I go hiking with my dog I usually find myself using fairly high ISO on my 40D and usually no smaller than f/5.6 to get reasonable shutter speeds.. Decisions decisions!

Forget the lens upgrade the turbos on the 3000GT

HLxDrummer wrote in post #15237412
The Sigma 50-150 f/2.8 used sounds pretty nice! How is the focusing? Pretty quick?

Yep, pretty quick since it has Sigma's HSM. Definitely faster than the Tokina 50-135mm.

Can I throw a Tamron 70-200 2.8 into the mix for you? I have been very happy with mine.

maverick75 wrote in post #15237425
Forget the lens upgrade the turbos on the 3000GT

I have about everything done to the car I want to except a new clutch to put in my new transmission/transfer case, turbos, and a new rad (what I possibly want for christmas)

I noticed you have a Falcon... My Dad has a Comet from that generation he is doing all kinds of crazy stuff to. You ever go on Ford Muscle?

smmokan wrote in post #15237708
Yep, pretty quick since it has Sigma's HSM. Definitely faster than the Tokina 50-135mm.

Sweet, thanks!

automag928 wrote in post #15237797
Can I throw a Tamron 70-200 2.8 into the mix for you? I have been very happy with mine.

I was looking at that along with the Sigma 70-200 but they are both $500-600 used which is reasonable but hard for me to justify right now. I could get the Sigma 50-150 for (it looks like) $350 used or the 85mm for $300. I really would love the 70-200 though..

HLxDrummer wrote in post #15237824
I noticed you have a Falcon... My Dad has a Comet from that generation he is doing all kinds of crazy stuff to. You ever go on Ford Muscle?

Not really, last time I went on there was to sell a radiator hose kit. But I am a member with the same screename that i've been using since 14

The 55-250 is a terrific lens for the price, and the focusing, while not USM, is plenty fast enough for kids' sports, dogs, etc. I kept mine even after I bought a Canon 70-200, and I still use it for vacations, hiking and other occasions when I don't want to carry the heavier-more expensive 70-200. It never lets me down and has produced some of my favourite images over the years. I highly recommend it.

maverick75 wrote in post #15237902
Not really, last time I went on there was to sell a radiator hose kit. But I am a member with the same screename that i've been using since 14

Gotcha.. Well if you ever get bored check out my Dad's build thread on there, his name is Arabian454.

Also, I have been using this user name since I was about that age as well! I'm only 23 now but I felt kind of funny registering for stuff for school with this user name

ceegee wrote in post #15238567
The 55-250 is a terrific lens for the price, and the focusing, while not USM, is plenty fast enough for kids' sports, dogs, etc. I kept mine even after I bought a Canon 70-200, and I still use it for vacations, hiking and other occasions when I don't want to carry the heavier-more expensive 70-200. It never lets me down and has produced some of my favourite images over the years. I highly recommend it.

Good to hear! I saw the Sigma 50-150 on Craigslist for $350 but it was the old version that people had focusing issues with (which would defeat the purpose for me) so I'm looking at this one for sure.

Think I might try to go with the 55-250 and 85mm combo for the best of both worlds eventually. Then if I want to sell later hopefully I won't take too big of a hit. Do you think the 55-250 focuses similarly to a Tamron 17-50? The 17-50 isn't terribly slow but l said earlier it isn't quite fast enough for our puppy. The 70-300 (or 75-300) my girlfriend has is DEFINITELY not fast enough.

Thanks so much guys!

I also am very happy with my 55-250, as long as you don't start way out of focus it's plenty fast for what it is. you can find them used around $150 or so if i remember correctly. I got a super good deal on mine so I might be a little biased with the quality vs money, but i dont think that being f4-5.6 is really a downfall for the money with this lens

HLxDrummer wrote in post #15238607
Gotcha.. Well if you ever get bored check out my Dad's build thread on there, his name is Arabian454.

Also, I have been using this user name since I was about that age as well! I'm only 23 now but I felt kind of funny registering for stuff for school with this user name

Sure will! got lots of love for those comets!

I'm 23 as well

HLxDrummer wrote in post #15238607
Think I might try to go with the 55-250 and 85mm combo for the best of both worlds eventually. Then if I want to sell later hopefully I won't take too big of a hit. Do you think the 55-250 focuses similarly to a Tamron 17-50? The 17-50 isn't terribly slow but l said earlier it isn't quite fast enough for our puppy. The 70-300 (or 75-300) my girlfriend has is DEFINITELY not fast enough.

I have a Tamron 28-75, and I think the focusing on the Canon 55-250 is probably a bit faster. In any case, it's plenty fast enough for action photos. The shot below was taken with the 55-250.