New guy here with a lens question

Hi this is my first post here. I currently have a Canon 450d/XSi with a 18-55mm IS kit lens, I am looking to ugrade the lens and have a few questions. I am looking at either a EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS or a EF-S 15-85mm IS. I mostly use my camera for taking pictures of my 2 and half year old daughter running around or sitting still, indoors and outdoors. Currently when shooting indoors with my kit lens I have to use the built-in flash. So I am considering either the 17-55mm or a 15-85mm plus a speedlite (either the 430 EX II or the 530 EX II not sure which yet). Which would be best? Also I have heard that the 17-55mm IS system has a high failure rate, is this true?

Many Thanks

David

EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS would be my choice. A quality piece of glass that would work well for you indoors and out.

The Speedlight alone is going to make the most difference to you, so I suggest you get that to start and hold off on any new lenses. Point the Speedlight at the ceiling to bounce it and take some pictures (M mode, ISO400, 1/200 f/5.6 to start) and see the difference.

As for those two lenses:
The EF-S 17-55 mainly brings a faster aperture to the range you have covered by the 18-55 now. This will allow you to blur out backgrounds more easily. It probably will not be fast enough to shoot indoors without flash though.....although you might like using it with a CTO gel and the 430 EX indoors using a technique known as dragging the shutter.

The EF-S 15-85 is optically just as slow as the 18-55 you have now, meaning it will be the same regarding light and depth of field. What this lens would do for you is increase your zoom range. It's a nice bit wider (15mm vs. 18mm) on the wide end and a lot longer (85mm vs. 55) on the long end. It's also priced really high for what it is right now because it is brand new.

Welcome to the forum. Don't believe everything you hear. The 17-55 IS lens is great and does not have a high failure rate. You might also consider the new Tamron 17-50/2.8 VC lens.

I'd recommend getting the flash first and see if it does well for you. The 18-55IS can give you sharp photos with flash.
If you want to shoot without flash, try a faster lens, like the Canon 35f2 or the Sigma 30f1.4. I have the Canon and really like it.

artyH wrote in post #9265214
I'd recommend getting the flash first and see if it does well for you. The 18-55IS can give you sharp photos with flash.
If you want to shoot without flash, try a faster lens, like the Canon 35f2 or the Sigma 30f1.4. I have the Canon and really like it.

I second this, try the 18-55is with the flash before you drop $1,000 on a lens that you may not need.

I found that with the 17-55, I still need flash. 2.8 helps, but with quick children, 1/30 or 1/60 isnt going to cut it. With an external flash, you will notice that your\ kit lens will perform much better and become sharper. You will not want to shoot without it.

As said before
Get a flash first and learn to use it, it will make the greatest impact to your photography (quality and experience too)
Indoors even f2.8 will not cut it
Then decide what range (lens) you really need
cheers

match14 wrote in post #9264956
Also I have heard that the 17-55mm IS system has a high failure rate, is this true?

If eveyone owned that lens and for the ones that nothing ever went wrong, you would never hear.. "My 17-55's IS has a high success rate". With that said, I have also heard about the weak IS system and its failure after one year. The true rumor about this is the lens is that it does suck in dust. That is by itself. Once you put on a UV filter on the front, this is no longer the case. If you were to buy this lens, install one the first day you have it and it wont be an issue.

Thanks for all the replies. I think I'll look in to getting a flash. Is there much benifit with the 580EXII over the 430EXII

Faster recycle time. One more stop of power I believe. I have the 430 EX and my next purchase is going to be the 580 EX II. I always find that I am always needing or at least could use that extra stop.

I would get a 430EX II. The 580EX II has more features and more power, but you might not use em all! You can always get a 580EX II when you feel you need one, then it can be a master to your 430EX II =)

Give just a new flash a try, I think that is your problem, not your lens.

If you ever plan on using your flash as a master to control other flashes, then the 580EX is your choice. Otherwise, the 430EX even though it's a bit less powerful will do fine for most everything else. It's smaller and lighter, which may be a benefit since you're not using it on a really heavy or weather sealed body (which means you don't need it's weather sealing either). I have the 430EX I and I'm very happy with it.

match14 wrote in post #9264956
Hi this is my first post here. I currently have a Canon 450d/XSi with a 18-55mm IS kit lens, I am looking to ugrade the lens and have a few questions. I am looking at either a EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS or a EF-S 15-85mm IS. I mostly use my camera for taking pictures of my 2 and half year old daughter running around or sitting still, indoors and outdoors. Currently when shooting indoors with my kit lens I have to use the built-in flash. So I am considering either the 17-55mm or a 15-85mm plus a speedlite (either the 430 EX II or the 530 EX II not sure which yet). Which would be best? Also I have heard that the 17-55mm IS system has a high failure rate, is this true?

Many Thanks

David

Maybe not, but do you really want to spend over $1000 for a lens that's only going to fit the newer Rebels and XXD models?