sharp lens for a newbie

Hi,

I am using 350d for the last 15 days with kit lens. Yesterday i have received 50 / 1.8 lens and bowled over by it for the sharpness.

can you suggest one more lens which is sharp and with decent lowlight capabilities under 500 bucks.

cheers
sanil

Sanil,

welcome to the forum

What focal lengths would you be looking at?

There are a lot of alternatives (mostly primes)
Important: $ values are my best estimates, they might be off ... check at B&H!

- Canon EF 15/2.8 Fisheye (500$)
- Tokina 17/3.5 ATX (350$)
- Sigma 20/1.8 EX (400$)
- Canon EF 28/1.8 (400$)
- Canon EF 28/2.8 (250$)
- Sigma 30/1.4 EX (450$)
- Canon EF 35/2.0 (250$)
- Canon EF 50/1.4 (400$)
- Canon EF 85/1.8 (400$)
- Canon EF 100/2.0 (450$)
- Canon EF 100/2.8 Macro (500$)
- Canon EF 135/2.8 (450$)

Some zooms that may or may not be very sharp (but certainly not as sharp as the primes) include:
- Sigma 18-50/2.8 EX (400$)
- Sigma 24-70/2.8 EX (400$)
- Tamron 28-75/2.8 (350$)

Take a look at the lens tests at www.photozone.de

Hope that helps...

Best regards,
Andy

Welcome to the forums, Sanil! It's great to hear that you're enjoying your brand new 350! I would suggest getting the Canon 85mm f/1.8 for its low light capabilities. Its a fantastic lens for the price. I'm very happy with mine. The 100mm f/2 is also great, if you wanted something longer. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the replies. I am looking at 85/1.8 or 100/2.8.

Pls suggest. Is 100 lens sharp and good enough for portraits as well as macro.

cheers

sanil

The 100/2.8 Macro is supposed to be one of Canons sharpest available lenses...

Best regards,
Andy