Best All-Round Lens? Your views appreciated.

[Goodkarma]

Sold off my Nikons/lenses, bought a 40D (no particular reason, just wanted the change).

Can the experts please tell me which Canon lens (something like the Nikkor 18-200 VR) would you buy (L or otherwise) if you wanted this lens on your camera 90% of the time?

I realise that there will always be the + and - for any lens, as no one lens can be called ideal, but I am interested in hearing from you regardless.

Appreciate your opinions, thanks.

[aphis]

Sold off my Nikons/lenses, bought a 40D (no particular reason, just wanted the change).

Can the experts please tell me which Canon lens (something like the Nikkor 18-200 VR) would you buy (L or otherwise) if you wanted this lens on your camera 90% of the time?

I realise that there will always be the + and - for any lens, as no one lens can be called ideal, but I am interested in hearing from you regardless.

Appreciate your opinions, thanks.

good buy I must say~! anyway, Im no experts, juz wanna drop some thots in dis thread, and I suggest you to look for dis lens: Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 OS. it got good features, especially it got Optical Stabilization (like Nikon's VR), and good price too (maximum RM1800). it's not really a bad choice, it got 4 stars out of 5 for its review in UK Practical Photography.
good luck with ur new baby n good luck for ur search~! :D

[ShaolinTiger]

The closest to your requirements is 24-105mm f/4 L, but it's not so suitable for crop sensor, it's much better as a walk around lens with the 5D or 1Ds.

The Sigma 18-200 OS is a good choice, as close as you can get to Nikons lens without switching to another system.

[hanuman]

Tamron 18 - 250 mm.

[Goodkarma]

good buy I must say~! anyway, Im no experts, juz wanna drop some thots in dis thread, and I suggest you to look for dis lens: Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 OS. it got good features, especially it got Optical Stabilization (like Nikon's VR), and good price too (maximum RM1800). it's not really a bad choice, it got 4 stars out of 5 for its review in UK Practical Photography.
good luck with ur new baby n good luck for ur search~! :D

Thank you for your views! Ok, I've got the Sigma to consider now!

The closest to your requirements is 24-105mm f/4 L, but it's not so suitable for crop sensor, it's much better as a walk around lens with the 5D or 1Ds.

The Sigma 18-200 OS is a good choice, as close as you can get to Nikons lens without switching to another system.

Yes, some people in PhotoMalaysia recommended the 24-105L (or the 24-70L). Appreciate your response.

Tamron 18 - 250 mm.

Thanks. Not too sure about the image quality of this lens though. Tamron's 17-50 and SP 90 are of course very competent lenses and quite cheap too (used the 17-50 f2.8 with my Nikon).

*Use multi-quote - Thanks*

[jackyyong]

I have on the Canon EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM. It's on my 350D 99% of the time. Great walkabout range, IS perfect for night shots too. Fast aperture is an added bonus. USM for fast focusing. Couldn't ask for more, except in times when you really need the extra long reach.... :( And oh, it's pricey too. But I'm just thinking that I will not need to buy another lens for my 1.6x crop body.....

.... until I get a 5D that is! :P

[Freaky]

24 not wide enuf on crop...

i got 24-70 as my 1st lens, but it's just not wide enuf for indoors shooting, good landscaping or group photo's...

[Bigcrapshooter]

to stay 90% time with body?it has to be the EFS 17-55 f2.8 IS

[Goodkarma]

I have on the Canon EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM. It's on my 350D 99% of the time. Great walkabout range, IS perfect for night shots too. Fast aperture is an added bonus. USM for fast focusing. Couldn't ask for more, except in times when you really need the extra long reach.... :( And oh, it's pricey too. But I'm just thinking that I will not need to buy another lens for my 1.6x crop body.....

.... until I get a 5D that is! :P

I share your thinking too. Beg, borrow or steal and buy a very good lens, there are usually no regrets in the long run. Appreciate your views!

24 not wide enuf on crop...

i got 24-70 as my 1st lens, but it's just not wide enuf for indoors shooting, good landscaping or group photo's...

to stay 90% time with body?it has to be the EFS 17-55 f2.8 IS

Yes, I suppose you need to start at 17 or 18 for a 1.6 crop sensor - but I accept that compromises have to be made, either at the short end or the long end of the lens - if I am looking for that one lens!

[siew]

Of all the lens I have the Canon 17-40L stays on my cam 80% of the time. If you have the budget, go for the EFS 17-55 2.8 IS.

Anyway, I dun believe in one lens for everything. Since you've coughed out so much money for the 40D I believe you will get serious very quickly and don't waste money on average lens like 18-200. Hope this helps. :D

[ckchowov]

Best standard zoom lense : Tamron 18-250
Serious shooting, casual lense, why not?

[Goodkarma]

Of all the lens I have the Canon 17-40L stays on my cam 80% of the time. If you have the budget, go for the EFS 17-55 2.8 IS.

Anyway, I dun believe in one lens for everything. Since you've coughed out so much money for the 40D I believe you will get serious very quickly and don't waste money on average lens like 18-200. Hope this helps. :D

Best standard zoom lense : Tamron 18-250
Serious shooting, casual lense, why not?

Thanks for the input!

[takashi]

How about EF-S 17-85 IS USM f/4-5.6
I've tested my fren one... its not bad... considering the cheaper price range and greater focal range :)

[Goodkarma]

How about EF-S 17-85 IS USM f/4-5.6
I've tested my fren one... its not bad... considering the cheaper price range and greater focal range :)

Yes, that's a good lens - unless you are going for a L!

[xcaliber]

wish nikon has something like this:-
EF28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM

[o_buy]

:) Tamron SP17-50mm f2.8 ,cheap and sharp !!!!

[Goodkarma]

:) Tamron SP17-50mm f2.8 ,cheap and sharp !!!!

Cannot argue on this - had the Tamron 17-50 2.8 with my Nikon, but sold everything and want something different on the Canon. Closing in on one of the L lenses...

[Wutang Crane]

Canon doesn't make anything quite like 18-200mm. they want you to buy lots of lenses. My personal choices would be:-
1. Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 (RM 1,200, very sharp, fixed aperture, noisy AF)
2. Canon EFS 17-85mm f4-5.6 (RM 2,100, flexible range, IS, fast AF, barrel dist., non fix aperture)
3. Canon EF 17-55 f2.8 (very expensive, IS, pro-grade lens)
4. Canon EF 17-40 f4 L (RM 2,500, very sharp, small max. aperture)
5. Canon EF 16-35 f2.8 L (RM 5,200, very good lens)
6. Sigma 17-70mm (useful range, macro, non fixed aperture)

Crane

[Goodkarma]

Canon doesn't make anything quite like 18-200mm. they want you to buy lots of lenses. My personal choices would be:-
1. Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 (RM 1,200, very sharp, fixed aperture, noisy AF)
2. Canon EFS 17-85mm f4-5.6 (RM 2,100, flexible range, IS, fast AF, barrel dist., non fix aperture)
3. Canon EF 17-55 f2.8 (very expensive, IS, pro-grade lens)
4. Canon EF 17-40 f4 L (RM 2,500, very sharp, small max. aperture)
5. Canon EF 16-35 f2.8 L (RM 5,200, very good lens)
6. Sigma 17-70mm (useful range, macro, non fixed aperture)

Crane

Useful info, Crane! I had/have (1) and (2) and they are very decent lens. Unless you really need the wide angle part of a lens, the 70-200 L f4 (IS or non-IS) are very good buys. Expensive yes, but worth it. I guess the only "all-rounder" Canon has is the 24-105 L which is even more expensive!

[Bigcrapshooter]

Best standard zoom lense : Tamron 18-250
Serious shooting, casual lense, why not?

U may do serious shooting with any lens,
but sometimes some lens will fail to deliver serious result to match with the serious state of mind :D

[Wutang Crane]

Useful info, Crane! I had/have (1) and (2) and they are very decent lens.

Since you have EFS 17-85mm 4-5.6, are you happy with it? If yes, then get a EF 70-200 f4L (RM 2,500) to fulfill your telephoto needs.

If you're not happy with it, consider upgrading to Canon 17-55 f2.8 IS or Canon EF 17-40 f4L. both are high quality glasses in mechanical and optical aspect.

If you shoot a lot of wedding, events, church, indoor/low-light without flash, then it's best to get a fixed minimum f2.8.

If you shoot for the newspaper company with flash and no time to swap lenses, go for anything like the Sigma 18-200mm DC OS

If you want to exchange your 17-85mm with my Tamron 17-50 f2.8 just for try-out, please PM me anytime.

Crane

[Goodkarma]

Since you have EFS 17-85mm 4-5.6, are you happy with it? If yes, then get a EF 70-200 f4L (RM 2,500) to fulfill your telephoto needs.

If you're not happy with it, consider upgrading to Canon 17-55 f2.8 IS or Canon EF 17-40 f4L. both are high quality glasses in mechanical and optical aspect.

If you shoot a lot of wedding, events, church, indoor/low-light without flash, then it's best to get a fixed minimum f2.8.

If you shoot for the newspaper company with flash and no time to swap lenses, go for anything like the Sigma 18-200mm DC OS

If you want to exchange your 17-85mm with my Tamron 17-50 f2.8 just for try-out, please PM me anytime.

Crane

Good advice, Crane. I have had quite a few cameras (I prefer light weight compacts-have the Fuji F30, also owned D100, D70s, D40, Fuji S2 Pro) and wanted to get a used D200 but decided that the Canon 40D is a better deal. So the 17-85 is brand new and unused, I am selling it for a L lens. The logical choice would be the 24-105L (as recommended by many) but I am impressed with the 70-200L f4 (I know - I will lose wide-angle capability).

Also, I am impressed with the responses I have been getting on ShutterAsia!

[Wutang Crane]

For the time being, If i were you, I'd keep the Canon 17-85mm and get a Canon EF 70-200 F2.8 (2nd hand) from J One Camera, Amcorp mall - which is selling for RM 3,950.

After that, with some pocket change left (hopefully), I'd grab a EF 50mm f1.8 for portraits, shallow DOF, bokeh, creative shots...etc. RM 290.

These two combined is still cheaper than 24-105 L.

Crane

[Goodkarma]

For the time being, If i were you, I'd keep the Canon 17-85mm and get a Canon EF 70-200 F2.8 (2nd hand) from J One Camera, Amcorp mall - which is selling for RM 3,950.

After that, with some pocket change left (hopefully), I'd grab a EF 50mm f1.8 for portraits, shallow DOF, bokeh, creative shots...etc. RM 290.

These two combined is still cheaper than 24-105 L.

Crane

Once again, you make perfect sense. One question - how good is the 17-85 really? I am beginning to see that a two-lens solution (like a 17-40 and a 70-200) may be all the lens one would really need. Yes, they will cost a bomb but I think an investment in two L lenses over the long term is not a waste of money.

[SooHK]

I am using 17-85mm IS. So far my experience is bokeh is not that good, if you want sharpness you need it to be around F8.

on the tele... I am using 70-300 mm IS, love this lens, great sharpness...

[Goodkarma]

I am using 17-85mm IS. So far my experience is bokeh is not that good, if you want sharpness you need it to be around F8.

on the tele... I am using 70-300 mm IS, love this lens, great sharpness...

Nice pics you have! Yes, others have pointed out the bokeh too on the 17-85.

[SooHK]

oh thanks...

[ckchowov]

U may do serious shooting with any lens,
but sometimes some lens will fail to deliver serious result to match with the serious state of mind :D

The title is best all round lense, not best 'serious' lense. :D. It is a 'single' all round lense. :cool:

[g88]

Sold off my Nikons/lenses, bought a 40D (no particular reason, just wanted the change).

Can the experts please tell me which Canon lens (something like the Nikkor 18-200 VR) would you buy (L or otherwise) if you wanted this lens on your camera 90% of the time?

I realise that there will always be the + and - for any lens, as no one lens can be called ideal, but I am interested in hearing from you regardless.

Appreciate your opinions, thanks.

What's lens is ur 40D come with ? I used to own 28-135 IS but sold off about a month ago..now leaving my kitlens and 50mm with me...

28-135IS no doubt a great lens but compare to L still very far :tongue_roll:

[o_buy]

Cannot argue on this - had the Tamron 17-50 2.8 with my Nikon, but sold everything and want something different on the Canon. Closing in on one of the L lenses...

oic..suggest u buy these for all range..
wide -Canon ,EF-s10-22mm USM-RM2440(quite and fast AF)
Macro(middle range) CAnon EF-s 60mm f2.8 1.1 RM1500 or below..or 50mm
tele-zoom -Canon 70-200mm f.4(RM2450) f2.8(RM4300) ,f2.8 IS(RM5800) or Sigma APO -70-200mm f2.8 HSM (RM2950).

[Goodkarma]

What's lens is ur 40D come with ? I used to own 28-135 IS but sold off about a month ago..now leaving my kitlens and 50mm with me...

28-135IS no doubt a great lens but compare to L still very far :tongue_roll:

oic..suggest u buy these for all range..
wide -Canon ,EF-s10-22mm USM-RM2440(quite and fast AF)
Macro(middle range) CAnon EF-s 60mm f2.8 1.1 RM1500 or below..or 50mm
tele-zoom -Canon 70-200mm f.4(RM2450) f2.8(RM4300) ,f2.8 IS(RM5800) or Sigma APO -70-200mm f2.8 HSM (RM2950).

G88 - I sold my 17-85 yesterday so I do not have any lens now! In Malaysia, they offer the 18-55 or the 17-85 as kit lens for the 40D but in US, they give you the 28-135.

o_buy - Good recommendations. I will very likely buy the 70-200L IS version first, almost everybody is selling rm4k. Do you know of any place that will sell cheaper?

Also, there's a guy (in Lensa Malaysia or Fotokaki, I can't remember) who's selling new Japan 24-105L and another L lens - each for rm3250 - very good price!

[roksancaspian74]

i am planning to get an DSLR by year end, most probably 40d. I would prefer canon body to nikon due to the fact that i used to canon features and interface as I was using canon film body before.

However, when it comes to lenses, i am bit disappointed with current canon offering. seems like canon not really keen in promoting their APS-C camera. Not a single zoom L lens start with 17mm comes with IS. I am looking at lens like the 24-105 L IS range on the full frame. that means to say i am looking for good quality lens with IS with range from 17-80 for the APs-C body.

The 17-55 IS 2.8 seems like the closest i can get, but, paying RM3900 for a non L ring lens seems a bit ridiculous.

The non-availability of suitable lens have made me think again....may be nikon will be a better choice. dude, what u think?

[Bigcrapshooter]

i am planning to get an DSLR by year end, most probably 40d. I would prefer canon body to nikon due to the fact that i used to canon features and interface as I was using canon film body before.

However, when it comes to lenses, i am bit disappointed with current canon offering. seems like canon not really keen in promoting their APS-C camera. Not a single zoom L lens start with 17mm comes with IS. I am looking at lens like the 24-105 L IS range on the full frame. that means to say i am looking for good quality lens with IS with range from 17-80 for the APs-C body.

The 17-55 IS 2.8 seems like the closest i can get, but, paying RM3900 for a non L ring lens seems a bit ridiculous.

The non-availability of suitable lens have made me think again....may be nikon will be a better choice. dude, what u think?

If u are not shooting sport, i strongly recommend 5D.
Or wait for the 5D replacement. But best solution is to own one FF body and one 1.6 crop body, that way it's like enjoying 2 wife. One with angel face and the other evil body :D

[roksancaspian74]

Ha.
Thks for your reply. 5D with 24-105 f4L IS is the most idea combination for me. The main reason of buying the camera is as an walkaround kit. 5D combination will cost me over 10K and totally out of the pic.
Ever wish canon will come out with one lens that accomplish 24-105 range with IS and L series for the APS-C camera.

[Bigcrapshooter]

Ha.
Thks for your reply. 5D with 24-105 f4L IS is the most idea combination for me. The main reason of buying the camera is as an walkaround kit. 5D combination will cost me over 10K and totally out of the pic.
Ever wish canon will come out with one lens that accomplish 24-105 range with IS and L series for the APS-C camera.

For the difference abt 3k+ btw 5D and 40D ( heard 5D around 7K+ now), u should really consider...after wet the head liao, better take a complete shower loh.
Yes, either the 24-70 or 24-105 is made for FF, in fact all EF lens are make for FF ( the focal range was intended for FF)

:D take a shower laa, dun just wet the head

just my 1cent, cheers

[karheng]

I tested the 18-200 OS from Sigma yesterday and bought it. Desmond (YL) said that it was the fastest moving Canon mount from Sigma, so far one of their fastest moving Sigma(canon mount).

Simple reason. Colours are warm and lens is very sharp, especially at 200mm!

OS works very fine....

[roksancaspian74]

the sigma 18-200 OS seems rather tempting. Read some review on the net and seems like this lens is on par with the 17-85 in terms of the MTF. I've also tried out the lens mounted on 30d body. the autofocus seems rather fast for sigma lens. but still, i do prefer a red ring in front of my camera..hahaha

[cucubud]

the sigma 18-200 OS seems rather tempting. Read some review on the net and seems like this lens is on par with the 17-85 in terms of the MTF. I've also tried out the lens mounted on 30d body. the autofocus seems rather fast for sigma lens. but still, i do prefer a red ring in front of my camera..hahaha

Dear roksancaspian74,

Do you know that this Sigma lens has a red ring on its lens?:D:D:D

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3302&navigator=6

[Goodkarma]

Yes, its the red ring, white body and L designation that tempts people. As I have been using Nikons for a few years, I am beginning to accept that not only are a lot of Nikkor lenses comparatively cheaper than Canon lenses, but a lens like the 18-200VR really makes things easier if someone is looking for an all-round lens.

Interesting - the Sigma 18-200, which is the closest we (Canon users) will ever get to the Nikkor 18-200VR. How much is the price now?

[roksancaspian74]

dear cucu,
the red ring only appears on the non-OS.... the newer model with OS is without the REEEEEEEED ring...sign.
By the way, how is the IQ compared to the notorious kit lens 17-85 IS???

[karheng]

At YL it is RM 17xx...

[sowdog]

ah my favourite dillema, how to best spend what little money i have. finally boiled down to the question of how serious you are(or in my case, how kiasu) you are.

If you're not that serious and want a walk around lens, I'd say go with either the sigma 18-200 OS or the canon 17-85 IS. got my hands on a 17-85 and it was a good upgrade to the kit lens. You'll be "poisoned" by the IS and the IQ is quite acceptable. Nice focal range too.

If you cant sleep at night knowing theres a sharper walk around lens starting at 17mm get the 17-55 IS. costs a bomb but you'll have the comfort of knowing your pictures suck not because of the lens.

if you're super serious and would like to turn pro, get the 24-105 F4 IS and use it till you can get a full frame body. That ****s hot. and expensive.....

Personally, I'm going to eat bread and kaya for the next few months to get the 17-55 IS. Wish me luck.

[EFN]

ah my favourite dillema, how to best spend what little money i have. finally boiled down to the question of how serious you are(or in my case, how kiasu) you are.

If you're not that serious and want a walk around lens, I'd say go with either the sigma 18-200 OS or the canon 17-85 IS. got my hands on a 17-85 and it was a good upgrade to the kit lens. You'll be "poisoned" by the IS and the IQ is quite acceptable. Nice focal range too.

If you cant sleep at night knowing theres a sharper walk around lens starting at 17mm get the 17-55 IS. costs a bomb but you'll have the comfort of knowing your pictures suck not because of the lens.

if you're super serious and would like to turn pro, get the 24-105 F4 IS and use it till you can get a full frame body. That ****s hot. and expensive.....

Personally, I'm going to eat bread and kaya for the next few months to get the 17-55 IS. Wish me luck.


Cool choice. 24-105 will not let you down....all the puasa LOL!

[Goodkarma]

ah my favourite dillema, how to best spend what little money i have. finally boiled down to the question of how serious you are(or in my case, how kiasu) you are.

If you're not that serious and want a walk around lens, I'd say go with either the sigma 18-200 OS or the canon 17-85 IS. got my hands on a 17-85 and it was a good upgrade to the kit lens. You'll be "poisoned" by the IS and the IQ is quite acceptable. Nice focal range too.

If you cant sleep at night knowing theres a sharper walk around lens starting at 17mm get the 17-55 IS. costs a bomb but you'll have the comfort of knowing your pictures suck not because of the lens.

if you're super serious and would like to turn pro, get the 24-105 F4 IS and use it till you can get a full frame body. That ****s hot. and expensive.....

Personally, I'm going to eat bread and kaya for the next few months to get the 17-55 IS. Wish me luck.

I like your philosophy! Yes, its always value for money and yet there's always a lens out there that is sharper but so very expensive. Its so easy to rush to the shop and get the Sigma 18-200 for so little money (compared to the L lenses or even some of the expensive EF-S ones) but after its done - will you sit back and question whether you should have gone with the bread and kaya and got a L instead?

[Goodkarma]

Having read the many views and opinions posted on this site and PM, and having learnt, and in some way influenced by what was expressed, I have today purchased two L lenses - the 17-40 and 70-200 f4 IS.

I am not a pro nor have I ever taken a wedding shot, and the only bird I wish to capture on digital film is the two-legged one - so I hope this investment will not result in regrets.

I have never been a fan of big and heavy although I have owned my share of somewhat bulky film slrs and dslrs - thus I have always gone back to the (relatively) small and light digital compacts/prosumers. All the more reason I hope my current equipment will not see the light of day in the 'for sale' columns of ftz, pm or shutter asia in the forseeable future!

Once again, thank you for your postings!

[sowdog]

sweet purchases :). gluck with your bird hunting ;)

[Goodkarma]

sweet purchases :). gluck with your bird hunting ;)

Thank you and hope you get your 17-55 soon!