[lens question]...I'm sure a repeat..sorry

I have my second Drebel, my first was RMA'd.

I could swear the kit 18-55 lens on my first was sharper than my second. I would really like to purchase a new lens, but after reading and reading, I got nothing but confuse.

I want, for the moment, a nice "inbetween" lens. If anything, something that leans more towards telephoto than wide, I guess I want something that has decent reach, but not too crazy....sorry for the poor explaination.

I can spend maybe 300 bucks on a lens for now. If you can get past my pi$$-poor description, can someone point me in a direction of a couple lenses to consider?

It's somewhat over the $300 budget, but consider the Canon 28-135mm I.S.

---Bob Gross---

From all the pics Ive seen the tamron 28-75 2.8 is much sharpet than my 28-135. Its a trade off, better images and much faster lens but not as much reach, plus the tanron is cheaper.

Canon 28-105 is only about $230.

FlipsidE

If you're happy with the zoom range of the kit lens but want to replace it with something better, go for the Tamron 28-75mm for $369.

If you want to keep the kit lens and increase your zoom range, you could get the Canon 75-300mm for around $399 now with rebate. B&H just happens to have one used for $319 Click here for the used one

Thanks for the input all, greatly appreciated. Do you have to go to "L" glass to go 2.8?

pcasciola wrote:
If you're happy with the zoom range of the kit lens but want to replace it with something better, go for the Tamron 28-75mm for $369.

If you want to keep the kit lens and increase your zoom range, you could get the Canon 75-300mm for around $399 now with rebate. B&H just happens to have one used for $319 Click here for the used one

Actually, I would like to go beyond that of the kit lens tbh. Once I played with an IS lens at best buy...what a difference from non IS.

Get the Tamron 28-75mm 2.8, imo the photo's it turns out are not that far behind being 'L' quality!

Regards.

is this the one you're talking about?

Would that be preferred over over this one?

Well, the two lenses you just showed us are on opposite ends of the spectrum. So, I guess the question needs to be asked...are you trying to replace the kit lens or are you wanting a telephoto-specific lens?

To replace the kit lens, you have the option of the Canon 28-105, the Canon 28-135, or the Tamron 28-75 (I'm sure there are many more, but these are the most commonly suggested). The Tamron seems more popular on this message board.

If you are wanting to use the kit lens no matter how unsharp (is that a word?) it may be, then the 75-300 might be a logical choice. But, if you are looking for a wide angle telephoto lens, I'd stick with one of the three I listed above that have been suggested earlier in this thread.

FlipsidE

Yes, that is the Tamron everyone is raving about lately. It's a great value, and great replacement for the kit lens. Like Flipside said, it's a matter of whether you are looking for a kit lens replacement, or to increase your zoom coverage and keep the kit lens. That's why I threw the two options out there.

Adding the 75-300mm would give you pretty complete coverage from 18mm all the way up to 300mm, and the Image Stabilization if very helpful too.

If it were me, I would go for the 75-300mm now, and then upgrade the kit lens later, but that depends on whether or not you need a lot more zoom than what you currently have.

- I agree

FlipsidE

I do want to replace my kit lens AND increase zoom ability as well. I'm glad you guys are giving some great suggestions.

So If I understand this correctly, a direct replacement plus some zoom would be the Tamron as suggested, or if I wanted a replacement plus a lot more zoom, then the canon suggested. Is this right? And if it is, then the Canon offers IS, none with Tamron. What about image end result?

The 75-300 can't replace your kit lens as it only allows for 75mm-300mm shots. Your kit lens is an 18mm-55mm lens. To replace your kit lens would require something with a wide angle and telephoto capabilities (like the Tamron 28-75, the Canon 28-105, or the Canon 28-135). If I'm not mistaken, all of these replacement lenses are at least as fast, if not faster than the kit lens. The 75mm-300mm would be an excellent addition to your kit lens or to any of the ones mentioned above, but it would not be a replacement.

Edit (just a further explaination): If you were to just use the 75-300, you'd lose all zoom capability below 75mm. In other words, you would not be able to take any pictures at the same zoom range as your kit lens.

FlipsidE

I completely overlooked that, lol...no more drink and post for me. Thanks very much for the input. One more thing though, is it mfg specific or the particular range of zoom behind some of these suggestions, as far as image quality is concerned...this is really what i'm shooting for. A real long lense is nice, but for my first_second_lens, I don't need it just yet.