If you only had $250...

And you wanted to replace your 18-55 lens kits with a better everyday lens, what would you get?
(Using mostly for portraits, indoor and outdoor) I already have the nifty fifty and I love it, but I want something similar but with more of a range.

Get the Sigma 17 - 70mm f2.8 - 4.5 DC Macro. I think its a brilliant lens, it gives you much better quality, is almost an entire stop faster, and even gives you a close up 1:2.3 vs the 18-55's 1:3.6
The autofocus is almost as fast, there is a distance scale on the lens and it generally feels much better built. I can't stop singing praises of it ever since i got mine about a week back...
check out photozone.de for a detailed review on it... it should also be around $250...
Best of luck

EF 100 f/2 is an absolutely fabulous lens. I just sold a virtually new one on eBay for just a bit over $250.

EF 85 f/1.8 is also amazing.

EF 135 f/2.8 soft focus can be had new for just a tad over $250; though I have no experience with this lens I hear it is very good. It can be shot in non-soft focus mode and would give you much more reach.

I think I'd go for the 85mm f/1.8. From what I've seen of it it's a very good lens and excellent value for money. I'm sure with a bit of looking around you'd pick one up in top class condition within your budget.

cheers
Bill

I would save another $100 and get a Sigma 24-70mm.

the nifty fifty is a perfect for portrait work with a APS-C body. Maybe not as good at getting close at places like the zoo, but still a nice walk around lens. Super light, compact, and sharp as heck.

The Sigma AF 17-70mm is an interesting option. Its certianly not within the $250 range, unless you add in the ~75 bucks you can sell the 18-55mm lens for.

The 75-300mm f/4-5.6 lens is absolutely within the $250 cap, will give you A LOT of range, and is very sharp and usable when stopped down to ~f/8. Its certianly not the best lens in the world, and I would only consider it a 75-200mm lens as anything over that is kinda useless (soft). The rest of the mentioned lenses are well over 300... damn close to 400.

The 135mm f/2.8 SF lens does look pretty appealing though...

Save up until you have $420-450 and buy the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8

You might find the Sigma 17-70mm used for $250 but I just ordered one new and it was $365. Unless you are buying used I don't think there is a replacement for the kit in the $250 price range. I would agree with others and say you should wait a little, save another $100 or so and then get a nicer lens, either Sigma or Tamron.

Keep saving - you won't get anything better or more versatile than the kit lens for that kind of money. If you have to get something - a feeling I empathise with all too well - get the 50 1.8.

Better to save for longer to get a good lens than rush in and buy cr*p.

Steve who is still saving....just not too sure what for yet!

so the verdict is, get yourself a 5.05% savings account?? Beats inflation!!

carriel_miller wrote in post #2137563
And you wanted to replace your 18-55 lens kits with a better everyday lens, what would you get?
(Using mostly for portraits, indoor and outdoor) I already have the nifty fifty and I love it, but I want something similar but with more of a range.

i'd get the canon 24-85. i had one and it's a pretty good walkaround. you have the WA covered with your kit lens.

for about $300 you can pick up a used tamron 28-75, which has excellent optics.

ed rader

After owning a bunch of consumer zoom lenses, I'm not really impressed. I've sold them all and filled my case with a variety of inexpensive smoking fast sharp primes. Canon makes a bunch of them as long as you can live without FTMF and USM.

Thanks for everyones opinions...now i have some researching to do!
I like the range of the kit, but I just don't feel that its that sharp of a lense....maybe it's just the way i'm taking the pictures.

Check the 28-105 USM... Not too bad...

Wilt wrote in post #2137736
Save up until you have $420-450 and buy the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8

I found my tammy for $300 and I agree with you completely. It's a fabulous lens...

sari