Good "kit lens" for full frame

I finally managed to snag a 5D tonight, which I have been wanting to do for a while. I love the 85/1.8 on the 5D, and the field of view of the 50/1.8 (but I'm ready to upgrade that one to the 50/1.4).

The 50 makes a pretty good walk around in many situations, but I need something with wider angle, and preferably a zoom as a do anything lens. I had the Tamron 17-50 for my 40D. I loved the range, speed, and sharpness, but I hated the AF noise and speed. I am a big fan of USM.

When I bought the 5D I picked up a 28-135 IS used. Since it is dark I haven't done a ton of shooting with it to see how images are, but reviews of this lens are good, not great.

I would prefer to have something faster, but I'm kinda hoping to avoid the noisy Tamron 28-75. Is there anything else I could get in that price/focal range with good focusing and good IQ?

I would not worry about reviews and give the lens you have a shot first =)

Just because a review says a lens is not good, doesn't make it not good.

24-105 USM IS f/4L may be a good choice, or 24-70 USM f/2.8L if you are willing to sacrifice some reach and a lot of extra money.

I say the 24-105 would fit the bill well

Erik_L wrote in post #9280326
24-105 USM IS f/4L may be a good choice, or 24-70 USM f/2.8L if you are willing to sacrifice some reach and a lot of extra money.

I say the 24-105 would fit the bill well

I'm ultimately looking to get the 24-105L and a 35L (plus something wide, probably 16-35L or 17-40L) to round out the kit, but can't quite swing the 24-105L just yet.

I was kinda thinking if the 24-85 USM might be better than the 28-135 or if Sigma made an HSM in this range without costing $900 like the current one, or if there is something else I don't know about.

http://cgi.ebay.com …3ca8c62a6c#ht_3​125wt_1165

ahem.

Erik_L wrote in post #9280326
24-105 USM IS f/4L may be a good choice, or 24-70 USM f/2.8L if you are willing to sacrifice some reach and a lot of extra money.

I say the 24-105 would fit the bill well

I think thats the best all around lens for a ff camera IMO

laydros wrote in post #9280211
I finally managed to snag a 5D tonight, which I have been wanting to do for a while. I love the 85/1.8 on the 5D, and the field of view of the 50/1.8 (but I'm ready to upgrade that one to the 50/1.4).

The 50 makes a pretty good walk around in many situations, but I need something with wider angle, and preferably a zoom as a do anything lens. I had the Tamron 17-50 for my 40D. I loved the range, speed, and sharpness, but I hated the AF noise and speed. I am a big fan of USM.

When I bought the 5D I picked up a 28-135 IS used. Since it is dark I haven't done a ton of shooting with it to see how images are, but reviews of this lens are good, not great.

I would prefer to have something faster, but I'm kinda hoping to avoid the noisy Tamron 28-75. Is there anything else I could get in that price/focal range with good focusing and good IQ?

did you ever consider buying a used lens? i got a EF-28-70 2.8L with a 5D classic; and technically it's a great combo if weight was ignored. but for most of the time, my 50/1.4 sits on the camera as walk around lens since i have got more and more in love with primes. it's a much smaller combination btw.

I guess I didn't make it clear in the first post, but I'm hoping to find something in the $400ish range the Tamron is in for the time being. The Canon 24-105L or 28-70 or 24-70 would be about right (I'd probably rather have the light weight of the 24-105 and use primes for really low light), but all are out of my price range.

Looks like for my price I'm stuck with either the 28-135 I have, the 24-85 (which is pretty soft in the corners according to reviews) or a Tamron or Sigma without HSM. Are the non-HSM Sigmas just as loud as the Tamron?

I have used tamron and non HSM Sigmas and yes, they're about as loud. and as slow

Save more money, sell more blood and hustle more street corners until you can afford what you want.

tamron 28-75

I've used the EF 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 USM with my 5D. It isn't bad. The focus is quick and the lens is a bit faster aperture than the 28-135. It is pretty sharp. To get the corners better, you have to stop down more. It is very inexpensive though. It is small and light too. Use the hood to minimize flare.

Another one might be the EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 USM. This one works quite well for me too. Focus is fast ring USM with FTM and it is about the same sharpness as the 28-135mm which is pretty good. It is also lighter, smaller and a lot cheaper.

The EF 28-70mm f/3.5-4.5 II is very sharp and inexpensive, however it doesn't have USM and the front element rotates.

For a bit more money, like $500, you could get a Canon EF 28-80mm f/2.8-4 L USM which is very sharp and has FTM. It is large and heavy like the 24-70L.

There is the EF 35-135 f/4-5.6 USM that has real ring USM and FTM, however it isn't better optically than the 28-135, isn't faster, and 35mm isn't very wide on FF. It is smaller and lighter though and cheap.

You might want to give the 28-135 a bit more of a chance. It is very versatile and if you use lens corrections in DPP or better yet DxO, then it works very well as the distortions, vignetting, and chromatic aberrations are eliminated. It is quite a bit sharper on the 5D than on a crop body.

Again, another suggestion for 24-105 if you shoot mostly in bright light.
Go with 24-70 if you shoot in dark settings.

The affordable Sigma 24-60 f/2.8 has quite a following, if you can find one.

Tamron 28-75

Canon 28-105 1:3.5-4.5

Canon 28-135

All are pretty reasonable and vary from faster to slower with a larger range and IS.

Since you already have the 28-135 and can't yet afford the 24-105L, I say use the lens you currently have until you can afford the one you really want.