Need a good $500-600 replacement for the T1i kit lens, need opinions.

Right now I'm using the kit lens with my T1i and its OK. I know there is much better glass out there. If I had a budget of about $500 plus or minus $50 or so, what's a good lens to step up to? I know the budget doesn't leave me much room, but I can't drop the coin on something above that right now.

I already have a nifty fifty on the way with a B&H UV filter and would prefer something that has some decent wide angle ability for a second lens.

Or am I better off going with a wide angle fixed lens? Thoughts?

Welcome to the forum

Whats the 18-55IS not giving you now? or are you looking on another range?

I have no experience with this lens, but a used Canon 15-85mm IS should fit into your range if I recall correctly and would be an upgrade as a kit lens (although the 18-55IS has a very good reputation for its price). Here's the photo archive for that lens:

https://photography-on-the.net …=760140&highlig​ht=15-85mm

And here is a pretty good review on the lens:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com …6-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

Good luck in your search.

Hello and welcome to the forum!

If it were me, I would look at the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8. The lens has great IQ and is a constant f/2.8 throughout the range. It lists new at B & H for $449.00. There is a VC (Vibration compensation) model of this lens also, but it lists new for about $180.00 more.

Tamron AF 17-50mm F/2.8 SP XR Di II VC

I've seen plenty of pros use this lens and it is plenty wide for most uses. Then next, you can buy a 70-200 to cover your long shots.

Very light lens and the most bang for the buck. The non-VC will save you a few bucks too. You can probably find the latter on here for sale too.

Like other have said, check out the Tamron 17-55 f/2.8! I would reccomend the NON VC version to stick within your budget! Here are some links to help you out as well!

The non VC version can be had used for about 300-375 and you can still find them new from BH for $450.

This lens has a huge fan base and people LOVE it! Great IQ and its fast and priced well!


Link to BH:

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_17_50mm_f_2_8_​XR_Di.html

Link to the photo archive:

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=209580


Take some time and check out a few pages of the tamron photo thread. There are some great images! I use and LOVE this lens as well! Constant 2.8 is AMAZING!


Good Luck!


.Chris Bacarella.

I've been using the Tammy 28-75 f/2.8 this week as a kit lens replacement for my T1i ... and I've been real happy. thought about the 18-50; but got this one for the extra reach and because I plan to get an ultra-wide like a Sigma 10-20 or one of the Tokinas (11-16 f/2.8 or 12-24 f/4). Anyway, from all the research I did here and elsewhere, it seems like you can't go wrong with a Tammy for the money.

Thanks for the replies!

The current lens just doesn't have a low enough f stop for me, and the images could be clearer IMO

I'll look into that tamron, sounds like a winner.

Dokk wrote in post #9267883
I've been using the Tammy 28-75 f/2.8 this week as a kit lens replacement for my T1i ... and I've been real happy.

+1 on this, Santa got me the same thing. I went for the 28-75 also because it's compatible with the FF cameras. Once the price on the 5DMII body drop, i'm buying one

How does the 28-75 compare to the 17-55 in sharpness?

FastGT94 wrote in post #9267976
Thanks for the replies!

The current lens just doesn't have a low enough f stop for me, and the images could be clearer IMO

I'll look into that tamron, sounds like a winner.

Not low enough f stop, I'll give ya that one, but if the images aren't clear, thats prolly not the lens, thats proly you =P

Could you post an image with all settings that the image was taken with so maybe I could give some better advice?

FastGT94 wrote in post #9279481
How does the 28-75 compare to the 17-55 in sharpness?

If you are talking about the 17-50 and the 28-75, they are darn close in sharpness. I use both depending on what I am going after at the time. Decide on the focal length and don't worry about the sharpness as you can't go wrong with either one.

I don't even have the kit lens, but am looking for something to cover that range. I currently have 10-22mm (my favorite), 50/1.8, 50/1.4, 85 1.8, and 55-250mm.

To fill that humongous gap I'm thinking of 17-50 or 28-75 tamron, or 35mm/f2. I know I went at it backwards but I haven't been able to decide and all of these other deals came up instead. I hardly use the 55-250mm so I may send that to the chopping block so to speak. But once I sell it I know I'm going to hit the lagoon near my house and find some awesome bird that I can't reach because I sold it.

I'm worried I might miss the wider angle of the 17-50 if I went with the 28-75. I'll get a sample pic

Dokk wrote in post #9267883
I've been using the Tammy 28-75 f/2.8 this week as a kit lens replacement for my T1i ... and I've been real happy. thought about the 18-50; but got this one for the extra reach and because I plan to get an ultra-wide like a Sigma 10-20 or one of the Tokinas (11-16 f/2.8 or 12-24 f/4). Anyway, from all the research I did here and elsewhere, it seems like you can't go wrong with a Tammy for the money.

That or Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8