I've a 350D and I need to replace the kit lens. What with though?

[ought]

I feel it is about time I replaced my 350D's kit lens.

I want something that is at least as wide angle as that at 18mm, ideally a little more, and that will zoom up to much the same, 55mm ish.

It will be my only lens for now, and will be taken on lots of walks often in less than stunning sunlight. Something with sharp pictures and not much distortion, and not too heavy too ;O)

I guess the budget is about £300. Any suggestions please?

Thank you!

[puddleduck]

Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 Di.

Superb lens.

[ought]

Ooh. I have not considered that one.

Can you point me to a good review, as the one I found says it is sharp but sufferes distortion. Is that true?

And any idea how it compares to these 2?

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 EX DC MACRO

Thanks again ;o)

[puddleduck]

No idea how is it compared to the 17-85mm - completely different animals, slow consumer zoom with IS vs fast Pro glass. You either need one or the other I would think...?

I tested one sample of the Sigma 18-50 and the Tamron was sharper wide open at the long end.

Pretty much any wide angle lenses will have some distortion, thats the nature of the beast - its not something that I have ever noticed either pixel peeping or in print.

I've never seen a bad review of this lens, Amateur Photography, Photozone.de and Thom Hogan all have given it glowing reviewers. Just google, plenty of info out there about this lens. My own opinion is that its one of the best optical bargains in the last two years.

[ajuniper]

I like my Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4.5 as a good all rounder on my 350d, much nicer than the kit lens. Comes in well under budget too.

[ought]

Mm, yes, that Sigma does have a better range, and some good reviews too. Perhaps that is the better option.

Will research more.

Thanks ;o)

Also, how sharp do you find the Sigma as some people seem to complain about that?

Thanks!

[JohnMid1098]

I have the Tamron mentioned above and I do like it a lot. I have a friend who has the Sigma mentioned on his 350D and he loves that lens also.

[ajuniper]

Also, how sharp do you find the Sigma as some people seem to complain about that?


See for yourself, at http://aj.homeunix.net/gallery/favourites

Any photo without a letter suffix is straight jpg from the camera.

PS. It took some getting used to the faster lens, you have to concentrate far more on exactly what the camera has focussed on, since the reduced depth of field means that your subject is more likely to be out of focus if you are slightly off :-)

[marky_h]

I like my Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4.5 as a good all rounder on my 350d, much nicer than the kit lens. Comes in well under budget too.

Yup, agreed. Have produced some good shots with mine over the last few months. I've now upgraded to a 24-105, so my Sigma is up for sale here. (http://www.thedvdforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=496465)

[GarethH]

Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 Di.

Superb lens.

Wot he said :D

[Tastydirt]

The Sigma 17-70, while offering 20mm extra at the long end sacrifices the f/2.8 aperture at anything but 17mm. I would go for one of the constant f/2.8 zooms personally.

[Ono]

Looking for a kit lens replacement. Want to take my piccies up to that next level :lol:

http://www.thedvdforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=511228

[Taq]

I have the 17-70 and find it very versatile for general use and on holiday, with the good focal range and it's sharp enough for my needs.
It also doubles as a semi-macro lens as it can focus down to about an inch or so which comes in very handy occasionally. My only concern it's that the focus motor isn't the quickest for fast moving objects but then again that's not really what it's designed for.

Taq

[RobDickinson]

And any idea how it compares to these 2?

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 EX DC MACRO

Thanks again ;o)


Tamrons slighlty better opticaly than the sigma, sigma is built better and has pseudo macro. They both have advantaes over the other, both excelent lenses.

The canon 17-85 is IMO poor, even the new IS kit lens blows it away.

[Ono]

Would I be able to pick up the Tamron for £200 second hand?

[Tastydirt]

Easily, it's about £170 second hand I think. If you look around you can get it for just over £200 imported.

[tonytol]

Detailed lens reviews here. http://www.slrgear.com Useful for comparison.

[puddleduck]

Two options that spring to mind:

1) Tamron 17-50
2) Sigma 17-70

[GarethH]

Detailed lens reviews here. http://www.slrgear.com Useful for comparison.

Nice one! :thumbs:

[Ono]

Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 Di.

Superb lens.


Is this the one:

http://www.onestop-digital.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=301

(Can't seem to affiliate the direct link)

[GarethH]

Is this the one:

http://www.onestop-digital.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=301

(Can't seem to affiliate the direct link)

That's the one! A purely fantastic lens!

[Ono]

Nice one. So this is a good allrounder yeah? Will be used for 90% of my photos.

[RobDickinson]

Read photozone.de's reviews of the sigma and tamron versions of this lens. They both have advantages over each other.

I think I'd probably buy the sigma as its built slightly better and has pseudo macro.

[raymondlin]

Is this the one:

http://www.onestop-digital.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=301

(Can't seem to affiliate the direct link)

I have that.....may be selling it in the next 2 weeks if i can save up £400 to get the Canon 17-55 2.8 IS................

The Tamron is fantastic but i could do with the IS for weddings.

[raymondlin]

I like my Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4.5 as a good all rounder on my 350d, much nicer than the kit lens. Comes in well under budget too.

The problem with that is the 2.8 is only at the very wide, soon as you zoom you are at 3.5 and then before you get half way up the zoom you are at 4.5.

[RobDickinson]

Yeah, the 17-70 is opticaly ok but not fast for much of its length, and lacks OS/IS.

If you want cheap and arnt bothered by the f2.8 the new kit lens is opticaly pretty good (still built like crap) and has 4 stop IS..

[Ono]

Shortlisted:

Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 Di.
Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 EX DC MACRO
Tokina AT-X 124 AF PRO DX 12-24mm f/4


Just on the Tokina - is it too wide and not enough zoom for kit lens use?

[puddleduck]

The 24mm on the Tokina is quite useful, but its not really a kit lens replacement as these are typically 18-70-ish

The Tamron 17-50 is much better than the Sigma 18-50. I've got a Sigma 18-50 at the monent to replace a Tamron 17-50 (I sold so I could get the newer version), and the Tamron is much sharper, especially wide open. Don't even consider the Sigma 18-50 when the Tamron is cheaper, and optically better.

[Ono]

OK, thanks pudds.

I am going to order the Tamron new then. Just give it a few more hours in case someone disagrees with you strongly :D

[Ono]

Tamron ordered :)