What lens would you get to replace the Canon EF-S 18-55mm?

nate42nd wrote in post #11034099
Canon EF-S 17-55 F/2.8 IS USM hands down.

+1. It's a direct replacement - basically the same focal range, but faster, constant zoom, better bokeh, faster and more positive focusing, full time manual focus. It's a whole different league (as I found out today - I just got mine. It makes me feel more like a "real" photographer too ).

But I agree with what's already been said - the 188-55IS for the money is quite decent, and it's perfectly possible to get great shots with it. If you are finding your shots lacking, my gut feeling says that a new lens isn't necessary going to be a magic fix (though of course it's difficult to say without knowing your level and seing some example shots.)

To be honest, unless you've got plenty of money to throw around, I wouldn't even recommend investing in good glass until you've used your gear to death, got the most from it and now *know* exactly why you need better glass.

My original kit lens was the 18-55IS with my old T1i. 18-55IS is a good all around lens for its price. I found the focal range lacking, wanting more zoom on my kit. This is the primary reason I went for the 15-85. Additional benefits of the 15-85 are excellent build quality (not L of course), better IQ, quiet and fast autofocus, etc. Just an all around excellent upgrade from the 18-55 kit lenses. the difference between 15mm and 18mm wide angle is suprising. I find myself using the full focal range of the lens for walk-around applications. At $700 or so now, the 15-85 isn't quite as compelling as it was when Canon had the $100 promotion awhile back compared to the 17-55.

Vixen89 wrote in post #11032377
Just wanted some open opinion on replacing this lens; I know everyone gets the 18-55mm lens if you buy the kit and I feel like it doesn't do much for me and it just feels so cheap because it's all plastic ish..any ideas on what I should get to replace this one lens? Sorry for the bad grammatical errors going on; even I'm having a hard time understanding what I just typed. *brain fart*
EDIT: I want it for a crop body because I don't plan to upgrade the body anytime soon and I can't afford L lenses so something reasonable in pricing please. lol

if you can get over the "plastic-ish" and just appreciate the sharpness of that 18-55IS kit lens you will be much better off !

But if you are compelled and determined to replace the 18-55IS then get something like the Tamron 17-50 2.8 or Sigma 17-50 2.8

I'm replacing my 18-55 IS with the Canon 15-85 IS. The lens should get here tomorrow.

The kit lens is fine like most people said, but I find the zoom range is bit lacking. I don't need a super fast lens since I have the Sigma 30mm f1.4 and the Canon 50mm f1.8 already.

Either the 24-70L (big budget) or 15-85 (medium budget), or the 50, 1.8 (remarkable value)

It's not just about sharpness. The biggest problem with the 18-55 is it's f/3.5-f/5.6. It changes aperture as you zoom and I really can't live with that. f/5.6 at 55 makes it a lousy portrait lens as well. You want to be out at 55mm (which is 88mm on a 1.6 crop) and f/5.6 is just too tight to really bokeh the background.

I really don't buy any lens slower than f/2.8. For the crop body cameras, nothing beats the Canon 17-55 f/2.8 IS.

-Charles

^ I agree on the variable aperture being annoying. I've been pleasantly surprised with my 18-55mm IS, but there are definitely reasons to upgrade. I haven't noticed any issues with sharpness on my 40d, especially at f/8-f/11. The focusing system is pretty accurate, but it's slow and pretty much impossible to use with grads and polarizers. For me, these "flaws" rule it out for low-light shots, action, non-studio portraiture, and many landscapes.

I'd recommend the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 (VC or non-) or Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 for low-light, "bokeh portraiture," action shots, etc. The 15-85mm would be useful if you need a wide-range zoom, but I don't think you'd see a major improvement in IQ.

Tamron Di-II 17-50mm f/2.8 for $460 - 45 MIR
or EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM for about $1k

CountryBoy wrote in post #11032428
Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 non-VC , it's still plastic but better then the kit lens , or the new Sigma 17-50mm 2.8 OS lens .

i used my neighbors tamron 17-50 not sure the exact model.. but it was really nice.. it gave me better pics over the kit lense.. im a total newb but on my kit lense.. my one cat always gets that green hue eyes due to the flash.... but with the tamron that did not happen... ill try and get my pics up tonight to show the difference.. ill show it unedited..

im leaning towards the tammy myself.. but i do use the video feature and that is why i really borrowed the lense.. the kit lense with IS seemed to do better (less shakey) than the tammy i used....

17-55 IS is the best bet for a Crop User imo

What about the 17-85? I just picked one up used and it seems pretty good. Should be more affordable than the 15-85.

I actually replaced a little used 24-70 L WITH an 18-55 IS, that got used frequently. The 18-55 IS is a darn good lens, period!

Jason C