Which Canon all-purpose lens?

[fxxrodriguez]

Hi All-- New to the forum and need some advice on an all-purpose lens. Recently upgraded to a Canon EOS T1i and not too happy with the lens kit (18-55mm)... I want to replace it with a good Canon all-purpose lens that I can use on a daily basis. (I am planning on spending anywhere from $500-$700 for this lens). I have also read the thread here on "Canon EOS Beginners Lens" section; but it's a bit confusing for a beginner like myself to understand it all.... thanks much for your input ..

[Samanax]

What is it about the 18-55mm kit lens you don't like?

Are you interested in a specfic type of photography?

Do you need this lens to perform well in low light situations?

[fxxrodriguez]

Samanax- After practicing alot with the camera, I noticed I would rather have a "standard" lens with better zoom capabilities for everyday shooting, so-to-speak. I know that eventually, I will get a Canon L-lens telephoto zoom for travelling and photographing far-away scenes.

Since I am new to DSLR, I do not have any specific type of photography in mind...

I will probably use the lens indoors from time-to-time; but most of my photos will be outdoors.

[natek313]

While it's not a low-light lens, you may want to look at the Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens.

[Samanax]

In that price range you could get the EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM lens (non IS but it's a "L" lens), but I'm not sure it would do what you're looking for. It's not really a general purpose walk-around lens.

Canon has the EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens which gives you a wide zoom range.

You could look at the old stand-by, the EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens.

Or the newer EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens.

And Canon also has the EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 USM lens.

I really don't know what the image quality for these particular lenses is like (except for the EF 28-135mm...I have one and it's okay but I don't use it much). I don't use zoom lenses that often, I shoot mostly with the EF 50mm f/1.4 USM and EF 85mm f/1.8 USM prime lenses.

[inkista]

Originally Posted by fxxrodriguez

Hi All-- New to the forum and need some advice on an all-purpose lens. Recently upgraded to a Canon EOS T1i and not too happy with the lens kit (18-55mm)... I want to replace it with a good Canon all-purpose lens that I can use on a daily basis. (I am planning on spending anywhere from $500-$700 for this lens). ...

One question. Did you upgrade from another dSLR? Or from a P&S camera?

Because if you "upgraded" from a P&S camera, it may only partially be the lens that's at fault. There are quite a few more skills required to shoot well with a dSLR, vs. a P&S. A P&S is designed to be foolproof at getting good photos. A dSLR is designed to give you more control, but that may come at the expense of misfocus, camera shake blur, or leaving the lens cap on.

You need to know how to hold the camera, what shutter speeds you need to freeze the action, or to eliminate camera shake blur (IS has a limit, y'know), how to use the AF system (have you tried using the center point? Aiming at areas of high contrast?), how to stop the lens down (i.e., use an aperture setting other than your maximum), and most importantly, how to post-process your photos.

A P&S tends to add saturation and sharpness in the camera. By default, dSLRs are typically set to be more neutral so that you can flavor to taste. You may want to mess about with your camera's picture settings, or learn how to post process your photos.

To me, if you don't actually have your list whittled down to two or three candidates, you're not ready to get a new lens, because you don't yet know what it is you need. You're just vaguely looking for something better, and falling for all those board postings that say the kit lens is a piece of crap. It's not. It's limited. But within those limits, it can perform pretty well if you learn how to use it.


Cano 50D. 18-55 (non-IS) kit lens. iso 200, f/8, 1/160s. Handheld.

Nine times out of ten, with your first dSLR and your first lens, the problem is going to be you, not the gear. My advice is not to get another walkaround right now. Extend the function of your camera with other types of lenses: a telephoto zoom, a fast prime, a macro lens, whatever. And learn to use the 18-55 until you know specifically what it is about the lens that frustrates you and that it is genuinely the gear and not your technique that's in the way. That will guide you to what you want to replace it with, and whether or not you want to supplement, rather than replace.

My recommends for additional lenses are the 55-250 IS (to extend reach), and the 50mm f/1.8 II (to extend available light capability). They're both low cost ($250 and $100, respectively), and will get you more versatility and use (and experience with lenses) than any single walkaround zoom. You bought an SLR because you can use different lenses on it. Why are you trying to turn it back into a P&S all-in-one solution? That's what a P&S is for.

[Elmo]

Lets not forget most DSLR provide only minimal sharpening in camera. Most DSLR shots especally with kit lenses require sharpening in post processing.

[Raoul Isidro]

This site might help a bit...
Canon EOS Digital Camera SLR Lens Reviews
Cheers!

[fxxrodriguez]

Originally Posted by Raoul Isidro

This site might help a bit...
Canon EOS Digital Camera SLR Lens Reviews
Cheers!

Thanks.... this site will definitely be a learning curve for all the different lenses available from Canon.

[fxxrodriguez]

Inkista-- Thanks much for your lengthy input. Definitely appreciate all the help I can get.

I did upgrade from a P&S camera.

To better understand the world of digital photography, I've bought 2 books on the matter and taken a digital photography workshop class for beginners'... I am in better understanding on all the different shooting modes the camera offers. And I realize it will take quite some time to get comfortable with shooting in a particular mode or two... all I need is practice, practice & practice.

Perhaps I have read too much on the topic of the "kit" lenses being mediocre, as you mentioned, and that's why I want to replace the standard lens. I guess the reason I want to replace it for a better "standard" lens that has better zooming capabilities is because of the pending trip I have planned this summer.

I know that at a much later time, I will like to get the telephoto zoom 70-200, f/2.8L from Canon; but that won't happen anytime soon. Perhaps for the time being, I should just get used to photographing with the kit lens, as you suggested, until I get more used to the camera and discover what type of photography I enjoy shooting the most.

Thanks again for your input and I will look into those lenses you suggested.