Which Lens should I Purchase ?

[GMAN]

Ok, I have been struggling with this purchase for weeks now. I own the Canon 450D, 18-55mm kit lens, 55-250 f4-5.6, and a Canon 85mm F1.8 prime lens. I immediately noticed how much quicker the 85mm performed while focusing with the USM motor. In addition, the images appear to be a bit sharper than my other two lenses.

I was looking at the Canon 24-70mm f2.8 with a hefty price of around $1,300 + or - a few bucks. Someone mentioned the Tamron 28-75mm, which is less than half the price of the Canon 24-70 f2.8 . Most of of the reviews I've read on the Tamron mention that the lens is slow to attain focus. Any suggestions or advice that will aid me in this situation that I'm in?.

My gut tells me to pay the extra money and get the Canon 24-70, but when I look at the price I say to myself, that Tamron is so much less than the Canon.

[RichardTaylor]

Save yourself money in the long run and get the Canon 24-70 F2.8 L straight up front..
(I don't own one)

["Matthew"]

I cant speek for the 28-75. however I can for the the Tamron 17-55 2.8 VC. I do not own one but have used one. It is a rather nice lens. If you want to go canon and do not NEED the f2.8(for the dof as the 24-105 has IS witch gives 4 stops if remember correct.) the 24-105 F4 IS is much sharper the the 24-70 F2.8.

Here is a ISO12233 set http://www.the-digital-picture.com/R...mp=0&APIComp=3

And the revews.
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/R...ns-Review.aspx
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/R...ns-Review.aspx
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/R...ns-Review.aspx

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Get the Canon EF-S 17-55 f2.8 lens, because with a crop sensor body, 24mm isn't going to be wide enough and you don't have a wide angle lens.

[Rentham]

The Canon 24-70mm is exceptionally heavy and the image is a little soft at the edges. That said, it is a workhorse lens if you need that focal range at 2.8. If I didn't need it for weddings and events, I most likely wouldn't own it.

The question is do you need this lens? What are you shooting right now? Are your current lenses hamstringing you, or do you just want a fancy lens with the red ring? If you absolutely need this type of lens to complete assignments you have, then go with the Canon L. Buy the best and cry once.

Before spending that kind of jack, I'd seriously consider what type of lens you need to be able to handle the assignments you are getting or hope to get soon.

24mm isn't going to be wide enough and you don't have a wide angle lens.

How can you possibly make that determination without knowing what kind of stuff he is shooting on a regular basis?

[Yogesh Sarkar]

I don't, but then again, neither do you!

[MrJones]

like Rentham said, before we know why you need it.. we can't really answer.
after all, maybe the crappy 18-200 is the one for you? maybe it's the 400mm... who knows?

[inkista]

Agreed. What do you need the lens to do?

The advice I tend to give is that you are NOT looking for the Best Lens Evah. You just aren't. Unless you have a ton of money to waste and you spend more time pixel-peeping than shooting. You are looking for the best fit for what you do and what you shoot.

Part of that fit is the price, but the bigger part is what do you want this lens FOR?

The EF 85mm f/1.8 USM is one of the speediest focusing lenses Canon makes. There are few faster. Partially it's because it's a prime as well as the USM. My EF 400mm f/5.6L USM focuses faster than the 100-400L. That doesn't mean it's a better choice. A prime is limited in framing versatility.

The EF 85/1.2L USM is probably four times the cost of an 85/1.8. It's also a helluva lot slower to autofocus. It also has USM.

Each lens is individual, and has an individual character. Going by "it has a USM focus motor so it must be fast to autofocus" is an oversimplification. What are your priorities with this lens? What do you need it for? What are you willing to trade off?

Wide angles generally mean giving up distortion correction, C/A correction and corner performance. Also some vignetting can be common.

Telephotos generally mean giving up max. aperture.

Fast lenses typically have C/A (fringing) wide open, and wide open are more liable to be softer and exhibit spherical aberration or coma issues.

Zooms give up max. apertures wider than f/2.8 and for high-quality optical performance, often give up cost.

The 24-70 f/2.8L USM is a good lens, no doubt. It's a go-to lens for many professionals. But is it what you need is the key question. The 24-105 f/4L IS USM is smaller, more compact, and covers a larger zoom range, as well as being stabilized. You give up f/2.8 and wide-angle performance is not as good. But as a travel/walkaround lens, I'd rather have the 24-105. The 17-40L USM is f/4. But it's actually wide angle on a crop, and it's a third the price of the 24-70. The EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM is wide on a crop, has excellent optical quality, and stabilized and costs about the same as the 24-70, but it can't be used on a full-frame body and does not have the L build quality.

What are your priorities?

[zoe_b1]

New to this site and hoping some more experienced photographers can pass down their advice. (Oh! and where would be a more appropriate place to ask my own questions on this site? I couldn't find a general POST place anywhere) I am as green as they come with my knowledge of photography. But I LOVE to shoot my family and friends! I am wanting to become more experienced, but I home school my kids, am the church secretary, and my husband is a Youth Pastor plus...I'm pretty busy. However, I do shoot in my spare time and would like to upgrade to the right equipment. All I currently own is the Canon Xs and the three lenses mentioned below. I got advice to purchase white foam core (till I can afford to upgrade to a nice flash) for these upcoming pictures. Thanks for any advice!!

***I am reading up on lenses and how important they are in making a great photo. I
own three lenses and was hoping you all might suggest which are best for what
I'm doing.

Canon 35-80mm 1:4-5.6 (circle symbol lined through) 52mm
Canon 18-55mm 1:3-5.6 " " " 58mm
Phoenix 70-300 1:4.5-5.6 " " 62mm

I am taking Sr. Pics of a model who is thin, like really thin. We are doing
mostly outdoor shots. I have several places in mind, but I plan on close-ups
for most of the shots. I was wanting to get some putting the background out of
focus. Recommendations?