The perfect all round lens??????

You really only need three lenses.

The ultimate beginners kit: 18-55mm IS, 50mm f/1.8, and 55-250mm. You can get it all for about $400 or close to $500 new. From here, you can decide what you like and upgrade from there.

AmbientMike wrote in post #11156041
If you can get close, the 135/2.8 canon might be the cheapest with good speed for rugby. Available used for sometimes under US$300. 200/2.8 probably better.

i don't know if the focusing speed on the 135mm is going to be any better than something like the 55-250mm...it'll be good if f2.8 is needed, but if it's not, i think the 55-250mm would work out o.k.

hieu1004 wrote in post #11156050
The ultimate beginners kit: 18-55mm IS, 50mm f/1.8, and 55-250mm. You can get it all for about $400 or close to $500 new. From here, you can decide what you like and upgrade from there.

i think that, and adding a flash is a great set-up

A glance at images from a Tamron 18-200mm lens, at the extremes of the unit's focal lengths.

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CountryBoy wrote in post #11155820
There is no such lens !
I would suggest getting a Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 non-VC for the landscape and such , and the Canon 70-200mm f/4 for the rugby. Then save your money for a macro .

Funnily enough, I already have this lens and was considering selling it along with the G12 which would put my budget upto, maybe 700 UK pounds, for the perfect lens!!

Andy

so you already have the 40D, and tamron 17-50mm?...anything else?

i'd look at just adding a lens instead of going for an all-in one type lens...

maybe look at the new tamron 70-300VC...it should fit under budget i'd think...and the focusing should be faster than the 55-250mm which would help for your sons action shots

The 70-200 f/2.8 IS or non is what I use a lot. It's a very useful focal range and at 2.8 you can use it to control your bokeh and adjust yourself to difficult lighting situations. The 24-70 is what I find most useful after the 70-200 for general walk around stuff.

I personally like 70-200 on FF quite a bit. Although I tend to keep a 17-40 in my pocket as well.

tnebigyin121 wrote in post #11156161
Funnily enough, I already have this lens and was considering selling it along with the G12 which would put my budget upto, maybe 700 UK pounds, for the perfect lens!!

Andy

Then keep it and add a 70-200mm and you're set to go !

just get the 55-250IS and you're set to go !


XSi/450D and 55-250IS -

watt100 wrote in post #11156508
just get the 55-250IS and you're set to go !


XSi/450D and 55-250IS -

I second this advice. It's an excellent lens for its price, and not too heavy of an investment while you try to sort out your hobby. With the 40D, you will have decent enough performance at ISO 800, and maybe even 1250, that you can push it if you need it in lower light.

If you try this lens and find it too limiting, then you'll probably have better insight into which area of your shooting that you need better lens performance.

If there was a single perfect lens for everything, then what would be the point of having an interchangeable lens mount?

fritzk3 wrote in post #11160855
I second this advice. It's an excellent lens for its price, and not too heavy of an investment while you try to sort out your hobby. With the 40D, you will have decent enough performance at ISO 800, and maybe even 1250, that you can push it if you need it in lower light.

ISO 1250 @ f5.6 is NOT "lower light". That would be like a heavily overcast day outside. The 55-250 is worthless once the sun touches the horizon.

hieu1004 wrote in post #11156050
The ultimate beginners kit: 18-55mm IS, 50mm f/1.8, and 55-250mm. You can get it all for about $400 or close to $500 new. From here, you can decide what you like and upgrade from there.

+1

I have heard fantastic things about this kit. If I were starting again I would go with this.

(I had the original 18-55 and the 55-200. not nearly as good....)

If you already have the 17-50, that may be pretty close to the perfect lens! Can you afford a used 300/4 non-IS? that would probably be really good for rugby. Wildlife too Or maybe 200/2.8 or tamron 70-210/2.8 type zoom. I think 500 pounds might be enough for one of these. Don't know how close the 17-50 focuses, but the 18-55 gets close enough for some macro.