Upgrading 18-55 IS kit lens... Want a decent EF zoom for futureproofing!

I find myself still using the 18-55 IS kit lens that came with my old XSi. I'm not particularly impressed with the image quality anymore, and am looking to upgrade. I plan to buy a FF body someday, so I would like to get something compatible with an EF mount. I was looking at used 17-40 4L which seems to be about my max budget right now ($500-600). Also came across the tamron 17-50 2.8, but that's an EF-S equivalent, not sure if I want to be tied down to the crop sensor forever!

Is there anything else I should be looking at? Exactly how much of an upgrade should I expect coming from the old kit lens with whatever lens I decide on?

Here's my existing lens lineup:

18-55 IS
50 1.8 mk I
70-200 2.8 IS mk II

All used on an original 7d.

The problem you are going to run into is wide on a crop body and wide on a full frame body are quite different from one another. When are you planning to go full frame? Since your other lenses are compatible, now may be the time to make the jump.

What do you typically takes photos of? What range are you using most on the 18-55?

Do you need the zoom or the wide angle end of the 18-55? If not, consider the 35mm f2 IS. Can be had for around $500 used, is an excellent "normal" field of view on a crop camera, and will work perfectly on a full frame.

If you need a zoom, the Tamron 17-50 2.8 non VC is an excellent lens, and it's used value has held up pretty well. I bought one with a crop camera for $275, used it for a year and a half, and sold it for $240.

You can always sell lenses if/when you decide to upgrade. Consider it a rental cost. Even if you plan to go full frame in 6 months or a year, it's always best to buy the tools you need now. If you buy something for $300 and sell it 6 months later for $250, you paid $8 a month to use that lens. Not a bad deal.

Never select a lens because you "may" upgrade to full frame "someday". Someday may never come, and you will probably be buying a less than optimal lens for your current camera and uses. Unless you have definite plans to upgrade in the very near future, you should consider lenses based on your existing needs. As QLayer2 said, you can always sell your EF-S lenses in the future if you do eventually decide to enter the world of full frame.

Everyone is different, I know. That said, I decided to stick with my 15-85 for my medium zoom. We have two of them and both my wife and I enjoy using ours. If I ever move to a full frame camera, I'll get rid of my EF-S lenses then... in the mean time, I like having a lens that goes wide enough for me and has a bit longer range.

We are on vacation and have been to a few places where I concentrated on flowers and scenery rather than wildlife. The 15-85 has been stellar, though I also used my 100L macro in an orchid greenhouse.

I had a 17-55 f/2.8 for a while. It performed well, but I found the range a bit limited for me. The 17-40 on a crop camera wouldn't be my choice. Recently, the prices for a used 15-85 have dropped down to around $400-450 and the 17-55 around $600-650. I know I sold my 17-55 for $650.

You'll also see recommendations for the newish 18-135 STM. From all accounts, it is very capable as well. I prefer 15mm vs. 18mm but this really depends on your use. Wide works better for me than the extra length.

i would buy a used canon 17-55.

Use it for however long you have a crop camera, and then sell it if/when you go FF. The used prices on this lens have come down a lot lately, and even if two years go by, you could probably sell it for a hundred bucks less than you paid. For 50 bucks a year, that's a great deal.

it is smaller, lighter, and will give better image quality than any cheap FF wide angle. There is some issue with this lens, i think something like a focusing cable breaking. but it is a warranty issue that can be taken care of. Just make sure the lens is either not effected or has had the work done.

the Tamron 17-50 is a nice lens, i owned the non-vc. Cheap. You might be able to find it as low as 250 bucks. Use it for a couple of years and sell it at a 25 dollar loss. Only issue i ever had was not so good low light focusing performance. I'm talking concert photography in a dimly lit bar kind of light, or standing around a camp fire in the middle of the woods kind of light.

When I shot with a crop body, the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS was my primary "walk around" zoom lens. However, if I was shooting "crop only" today, I think I would prefer the added range of the EF-S 15-85mm IS instead and supplement it with a couple of fast prime lenses. That is how I have built my full frame kit -- f/4 zooms in combination with 50L and 135L primes, and it works very well for how I shoot. I generally need the fast primes at different times than the zoom lenses, so I can carry one set or the other, depending on my shooting circumstances.

I suppose it makes sense to get a good EF-S right now, as I don't know when I will be able to upgrade to a FF. Looking for deals on the Canon 17-55 2.8 IS now. I love the USM and FTM on my 70-200, so I'm glad it has those features.

Any advice on searching for used copies? Anything to watch out for, common problems, etc.? Would love to find one for <$600 if possible!

Why not a brand new 24-105 L? Mine was $600. It can be used on both FF and crop

gqllc007 wrote in post #17537142
Why not a brand new 24-105 L? Mine was $600. It can be used on both FF and crop

I really take most of my shots indoors with my 18-55 at 18, so I feel 24 would be too tight at the widest zoom.

Then I would recommend the 15-85 I have the 17-55, the 15-85 and the 24-105...

As others said, and you sound to be considering it, sticking with a good EF-S lens. I would(and did) go with the Sigma 17-50 2.8 if you enjoy that range but want better IQ, faster AF, and more low light capability. The Sigma HSM AF system is pretty fast and relatively quiet. Not quite the USM of Canon but still pretty good.

If you are not concerned with a faster lens, you could go with an 18-135 stm for added range, IQ, and faster AF. Even a new 18-55 STM would be a significant step up if you have the OLD 18-55.

Let me add to the recommendations for the 18-135 STM. If you want wider, I'd also consider the 10-18 or 10-22 for indoor use. You could pick up the 10-18 and 18-135 for less than the 17-55. Though, if you want a 2.8 normal zoom that goes wide-ish on a crop, that's the one, of course.

LonelyBoy wrote in post #17537188
Let me add to the recommendations for the 18-135 STM. If you want wider, I'd also consider the 10-18 or 10-22 for indoor use. You could pick up the 10-18 and 18-135 for less than the 17-55. Though, if you want a 2.8 normal zoom that goes wide-ish on a crop, that's the one, of course.

+1 for the 10-20ish range!
I've only used the Sigma 10-20 f4-5.6 and its pretty awesome. Love that fun focal range!

talz13 wrote in post #17537138
I suppose it makes sense to get a good EF-S right now, as I don't know when I will be able to upgrade to a FF. Looking for deals on the Canon 17-55 2.8 IS now. I love the USM and FTM on my 70-200, so I'm glad it has those features.

Any advice on searching for used copies? Anything to watch out for, common problems, etc.? Would love to find one for <$600 if possible!

you can get it refurbished from canon for around $700 right now, with a 1 year warranty...if you're not in a hurry, you can try and wait for a refurbished deal...they'll usually do a 10-20% off thing...

If you are interested in a 15-85, here's one: https://photography-on-the.net …showthread.php?​p=17531794
It is mine.