About time to upgrade from my kit lens...

Hi everyone,

I was thinking about getting a new lens to replace my 18-55 kit lens that came with my Rebel XT as a walkaround.


Physical criterias:This new toy should have a good built and give a nice feeling when touched. It should seem (and be...) solid. I'm sick of both of my kit lenses' cheap built.

Uses: Landscapes, cityscapes, architecture and some family shots where I will be able to move quite a bit. Focal lenght would be great if it was in the same range. I'd like it to be zoom since I cannot pay for a lot of L Primes.

Budget:+-800 $CAN

Other information: F/ratio: 2,8 would be great, but 4,0 should do, considering its uses and my soon to come 430 EX.

Thanks!

You could also consider buying a used lens. I've bought several off this site as well as Craig's List over the last few months and haven't been disappointed with any of my purchases.

If you would consider going used you could probably pick up a 24-105 f/4L IS right around that price range. Since I bought that lens I find it is the first lens that I reach for if it isn't already on my camera. This is a VERY popular lens with excellent Image Quality.

funhouse69 wrote in post #5860600
You could also consider buying a used lens. I've bought several off this site as well as Craig's List over the last few months and haven't been disappointed with any of my purchases.

Thanks for your advice, but I never have been able to buy something used, even from a close friend who took great care of it...I just can't for absolutely no reason. I tried 2 times and had some HUGE buyer's remorse, while everything was perfect.

As for the 24-105: I don't think it will be wide enough for landscapes or some buildings.

Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4 or Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 would replace that lens well. They would give you a similar range.

24mm on the wide end is not very wide on the 1.6 crop camera.

grego wrote in post #5860636
Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4 or Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 would replace that lens well. They would give you a similar range.

24mm on the wide end is not very wide on the 1.6 crop camera.

Thanks. But while in this range, wouldn't the 17-40mm give better results?

Because I would be able to have it in the same price range with Canon's mail-in rebates when I'll buy my flash with it.

EF 17-40L w/o a doubt. It's built like a tank (sorta) and has a nice little rubber seal around it's mount. It also focuses really fast, thanks to its ring usm, and has excellent IQ even w/o filters.

jsboutin wrote in post #5860669
Thanks. But while in this range, wouldn't the 17-40mm give better results?

Because I would be able to have it in the same price range with Canon's mail-in rebates when I'll buy my flash with it.

Both are less expensive than the 17-40L of course. That would allow you to build your kit more so with the savings.

The Sigma would give you more reach going up to 70mm. The 17-50 is a 2.8 aperture, so it depends if you value that. You should see what distance you get at 40mm on your 18-55 and see if that is long enough for you.

But, since the rebates are going on now, it would be best to buy any Canon stuff with them (if buying new).

Well...Thanks to everyone who answered here, I should be buying it next time I go to Quebec city.

I vote Tamron here.

L

17-55 f/2.8 IS. I am more than pleased with mine.

17-40mmL

I vote the Tamron as well. Take the money saved and go to Hawaii. Well maybe not that far but at least go out for a nice dinner.

darkninja67 wrote in post #5861390
I vote the Tamron as well. Take the money saved and go to Hawaii. Well maybe not that far but at least go out for a nice dinner.

I'm not even old enough to have my driving licenses (well...I'll have them tomorrow but you get the point...) So I'll be short on loner trips for quite a while. And I'll be able to have them both for about the same price (Well...the 17-40 costs 8$ more), as I know only one Tamron dealer and he has monopoly over his town, so his prices are incredibly high (+-900$ for XT+kit as of now).

If you can afford it...I would go for the 17-40L ...the build quality of the L lenses is excellent and the IQ is great

17-55.