Looking for a daily walk around lens.

[tawcat]

Presently I have a Canon Rebel XS, I know it's not the best camera out there, at present it serves my purpose. I have a Tamron 18-250 F3.5-6.3. It's a great lens, my opinion, however I don't like the bulk and I don't always need telephoto.

I've considered something in the 18-85 range, but then I'm still lugging around a telephoto lens. So my question is what lens would you, the experts, consider as a good every day lens. My definition of every day would be anything from pets in the park, some generalized landscape, birds on the feeders, pets inside etc.

Again, I'm a novice at this and haven't really done a lot of experimenting with the different settings, I usually use the "P" setting and on occasion I use the "full auto" mode.

Thanks in advance for your input.

[danchez]

I would go with a 50 1.4, but I am shooting on a full frame sensor.

[tawcat]

danchez - Thanks, I was considering that exact lens, seems they are hard to find.

[LEO III]

Dan is correct, but it depends on your budget.

My first non-kit lens was the 50mm f/1.8, which you can get at B&H for around $120. The 50mm f/1.4 will cost you three times that much, because it is a faster and more solid lens (better constructed) than the 50mm f/1.8. My 50mm f/1.8 stays on my camera most of the time.

Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.8 II Autofocus Lens 2514A002 B&H Photo

Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM Autofocus Lens 2515A003 B&H Photo Video

You will read lots of opinions comparing the two lenses, many of which grouse about the f/1.8. However, if you are on a budget, you can get the 50mm f/1.8, a decent filter and a lens hood for under $200. If you are careful with it, you should have no problems, but if it breaks, another $120 puts you back in business.

Be careful, though: Prime lenses tend to multiply in your camera bag like rabbits.

If you buy from B&H, please don't forget to go through the Pixtus website to get to B&H, in order to help support Pixtus:

Help Support Pixtus.com

[tawcat]

Leo, first I love your avatar!

Thanks for that info. At one time in life I owned an 18-55 kit lens, I found it to be cheaply made, so I sold it. Have owned several lenses, which included the 50mm 1.8, sold them all and settled on my Tamron.

I've read quite a bit about the 50's Canon offers, the 1.8, the 1.4, and the 1.2. Price increases as you go from one to the other. I even though about going with the 60mm macro, but felt then I'd really be limited.

So I think the 1.4 will be my quest. Being retired military I have the luxury of purchasing through the exchange system, however, the 1.4 is not available and they do not have a "in stock" date.

So I'll price this at B&H and if the price is comparable I'll surely go through the Pixtus link to purchase.

Again thanks for the info.

[Nikonfan]

while I HIGHLY reccomend that 50mm 1.8 I would never consider it for a daily walk around lens. But that is based on my deffinition of a walk around lens. For me that is a lens I can put on my camera and use for "almost" any situation. A prime lens would be horrible for this if you don't know what kind of situation you may end up needing to photograph in. On a crop sensor a 50mm would be too long to use in a lot of indoor situations. It may be too short to get that bird at the top of the tree across the street. So for my own deffinition of a walk around lens I find the Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 to be the perfect lens. It's still fast and covers almost all the ranges I need on a daily basis. It's pro quality but still very affordable. That said, you should still get the 50mm f1.8 at some point. Don't get the 1.4 unless you need a very shallow DOF. Many photographers assume it's better because it's faster and more expensive and the truth is the 1.8 is just as good if not better at many apertures.

[tawcat]

Thank you David. Funny you mention the 28-75 as that was the first lens I considered.

[crazeazn]

canon 15-85 for walkaround

[tawcat]

Thank you John. And this will work well on a Rebel?

[LEO III]

Thanks, Stan. He was helping me compute one night, and I got that picture. It's my favorite one of him. Unfortunately, he's not with me anymore.

You're correct, of course, David. It does have those limitations, but I find that it is the lens I use it the most, whenever I'm around town. Of course, I do have a bagful of other lenses with me, just in case....

[danchez]

I like my 50 for a walk around lens because on a full frame, it's pretty darn close to what my eye actually sees. That and it's light.

[tawcat]

I've read a lot about the 50mm FOV on the crop body. So now I'm wondering if I should even consider a 35mm.

[KJ Smith]

24-105L

You will never regret buying it.

Just do a search on this site and read all about it.

[tawcat]

Thank you Kevin.

[texxter]

I use the Nikon equivalent of the Canon EF 35mm f/2 because it's tiny, still pretty fast and it works better as a general purpose lens than 50mm on a Rebel body.

2507A002 Canon EF 35mm f/2 AutoFocus Wide Angle Lens - USA Warranty