Which lens with a Canon 40D?

[audreylynn3]

I'm going to be purchasing a Canon 40D this weekend (so excited!) and I know that I want to get the 50mm for it. What is one other somewhat multi purpose lens that I can get on a very limited budget? I'll be using it for portraits, and I'm also going to be helping out a wedding photographer this summer as an assistant/second shooter. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

[Elmo]

Tamron 17-50 f2.8

[johno4280]

Hi Audrey, as a second shooter too... was recently asking the same question as you "Which Lens?"
The 50mm f/1.8 is a fantastic "crisp" and cheap lens... and I love it.. find it great for Brides getting ready, but at a Wedding a fixed 50mm will have you running forward and backward to get your composition right!
Personally (as money is tight) I settled on a Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 constant....for weddings - it has an Ideal range of focal length, and @ f/2.8 will let in lots of light!, (picked up a second hand one on Ebay for $220 Australian) and its a beauty!!
Hope this helps

[Saralonde]

I second the Tamrons as good value for the money, especially as they offer 2.8. They aren't quite as good as some of the more expensive Canon lenses, but they do a decent job and may work for you as a second shooter.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD Lens Review

Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II Lens Review


If you want to spend more, there is the excellent Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens, wonderful for weddings on a crop body.

[GadgetRick]

I've heard good things about the Tamron. Sigma also has a nice f2.8 lens like that. From what I understand, the Tamron optics are a shade better but the focus on the Sigma is much better in low light--faster, too. This is from reading reviews though so I have no real world experience with either lens.

Just be sure to remember, that 50mm f1.8 does get a wee bit soft at f1.8. Other than that, it's a nice lens for the money.

[audreylynn3]

Thank you all so much. I was getting a bit overwhelmed by the vast array of lenses available, and being somewhat of a newbie, I didn't want to buy something I wouldn't be able to use properly. I'll look over the Tamrons and make a decision! Again, big thanks!