Canon Lens Help

[The Captain]

Alright, I have the basic 18-55 lens that comes with my xti, but I want to look for an upgrade. I'd like something with a little better zoom-ability and image stabilization because apparently i'm shaky aamf.

I looked at the Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens, and i think that's a pretty good lens for my price range, but does anyone have any other options i should look at? I'd like to stay sub-$500.

A larger aperture would be nice, but def. not completely necessary.

Thanks for your input.

[97TurboDSM]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but i dont think you will find many Canon IS lenses for under $500. The best option you have is the 28-135 IS which can be had for under $500 and that might be the only one.

[The Captain]

I'm open to other options, if i gotta save an extra paycheck, that's fine.

[97TurboDSM]

i would suggest a used 70-200 f4L IS if you can manage. that'll be 900ish used. if you havent already done so, sign up on POTN.com. you'll find all kinds of gear for sale there and lots and lots of info.

[GregV]

The 70-300 IS will get you some nice range and is a solid lens. With the rebates right now it's only $500 new

[i like rice]

Tamron 17 50 f2.8

[97TurboDSM]

greg makes a good point, i forgot bout that lens. my brain only thinks of L lenses, sorry haha.

[GregV]

Originally Posted by i like rice

Tamron 17 50 f2.8

Doesn't exactly fit the description of better range than his kit lens or stabilization?

[Ciotti]

Originally Posted by The Captain

Alright, I have the basic 18-55 lens that comes with my xti, but I want to look for an upgrade. I'd like something with a little better zoom-ability and image stabilization because apparently i'm shaky aamf.

I looked at the Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens, and i think that's a pretty good lens for my price range, but does anyone have any other options i should look at? I'd like to stay sub-$500.

A larger aperture would be nice, but def. not completely necessary.

Thanks for your input.

I was in the same boat as you 6 months ago and after weeks of reading reviews and getting as hands on as possible at camera shops with my different options, I settled on the IS version of the kit lens and Canon's newish 55-250 IS lens...

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-EF-S-18-...060678&sr=1-10

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-55-250mm...5060765&sr=1-6

For the money, they have exceeded my expectations and almost everywhere I read, they got better reviews than any of Canon's $300 - $700 lenses with IS.

Here are the most recent pics I've shot with the 18-55 http://www.ciottiindustries.com/gall...v=thumbs&Qis=L and here are some from the 55-250 http://www.ciottiindustries.com/gall...v=thumbs&Qis=L

[The Captain]

I was literally just about to ask about the 55-250. So you recommend?

[i like rice]

Originally Posted by GregV

Doesn't exactly fit the description of better range than his kit lens or stabilization?

It's a better lens regardless of what he wants. 2 full f-stops faster, sharper, and cheaper than either of the Canon wide angle angle zoom lenses in his price range (17-85 or 28-135 IS). Pretty much every other lens other than the Canon 17-40 4.0L or 70-200 4.0L will be a disappointment, for $500 or less.

[GregV]

Originally Posted by i like rice

It's a better lens regardless of what he wants. 2 full f-stops faster, sharper, and cheaper than either of the Canon wide angle angle zoom lenses in his price range (17-85 or 28-135 IS).

It may be a better mid range zoom but that's not what he's looking for.

Originally Posted by i like rice

Pretty much every other lens other than the Canon 17-40 4.0L or 70-200 4.0L will be a disappointment, for $500 or less.

What an absurd claim

[The Captain]

i like the idea of the tamron, especially the f stop advantage, but my problem is my shakiness. I have a tripod coming in the mail, but for just regular shooting, anything i can do to combat it without IS?

[GregV]

Maybe I was confused then; are you looking for a mid-range replacement for the kit lens? I interpreted "better zoom-ability " as you wanting a telephoto lens.

Without IS, if you really are that shaky, maybe look into buying a flash. The idea of the wider aperture is you can use a faster shutter speed and not worry about the shakiness, though you have less DOF to work with.

[The Captain]

I don't know if i'd need something like a telephoto, but I would like better zooming ability. I think a max zoom of 85-135 range would suffice. I'd also like a larger aperture because i like to look of the shallow dof.

[97TurboDSM]

rule of thumb to use to combat camera shake is the shutter speed should be 1/the focal length you're using. so if you're shooting at 200mm(320) on a crop body, use shutter speeds at 320 or higher. 85mm(135 on crop) would be 1/160th or higher shutter speed. that should help eliminate your need for IS, at least initially

[i like rice]

Originally Posted by The Captain

i like the idea of the tamron, especially the f stop advantage, but my problem is my shakiness. I have a tripod coming in the mail, but for just regular shooting, anything i can do to combat it without IS?

The larger max aperture will allow you to shoot at faster shutter speeds, negating the need for IS. You'll be able to hand hold at 50mm down to about 1/30 or 1/60 shutter speeds.

[i like rice]

Originally Posted by GregV

It may be a better mid range zoom but that's not what he's looking for.


What an absurd claim

Post up 5 lenses under $500 that will be sharper, offer less chromatic aberration and less vignetting at the widest focal length and prove me wrong.

[97TurboDSM]

dont worry, he cant. i got your back skinny one.

[GregV]

I didn't say that there are better lenses, but to claim that anything other than L glass would be a disappointment? There are thousands of casual photographers who are more than satisfied with non-L glass, myself included.