Looking for a better carry around lens...

[Mad Scientist]

Right now i have a Canon Xsi with the 18-55is kit lens and a 50mm 1.8. I am looking for a better carry around lens than the kit lens. Something with sharper optics. I have been eye-ing the Canon 28-135is, but figured i would see is some of the wise counsel here, has a better option to go with.

[zebulus]

Does canon make a 35 1.8?

[PhotoByLeal]

Originally Posted by Mad Scientist

Right now i have a Canon Xsi with the 18-55is kit lens and a 50mm 1.8. I am looking for a better carry around lens than the kit lens. Something with sharper optics. I have been eye-ing the Canon 28-135is, but figured i would see is some of the wise counsel here, has a better option to go with.

What is your budget?

Originally Posted by zebulus

Does canon make a 35 1.8?

Canon 35 f/2.0

[J Eddington]

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/co...categoryid=151
Wide-Angle
These lenses let you capture more by broadening the angle of view and increasing the depth of field bringing more area into focus. By expanding the apparent distance between the foreground and background, they provide a unique perspective. Their exceptional compactness allows for greater mobility.



EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM


EF 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye EF 15mm
f/2.8 Fisheye


EF 20mm f/2.8 USM EF 20mm
f/2.8 USM


EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM EF 24mm
f/1.4L II USM


EF 24mm f/2.8 EF 24mm
f/2.8


EF 28mm f/2.8 EF 28mm
f/2.8


EF 35mm f/1.4L USM EF 35mm
f/1.4L USM



EF 35mm f/2 EF 35mm
f/2


EF 28mm f/1.8 USM EF 28mm
f/1.8 USM

[KATI]

I was going to say also, it depends on your budget. I did use the 28-135is for almost 90% of my portrait sessions last year, and it was wonderful. But now I stick to my 85 1.8 and my 50 1.8 for most portraits. Saving up to get an L series lens, as that's all I really want next :)

[zebulus]

I think the 35 makes an excellent walking around lens and is probably my favorite focal length on a crop camera because it closely mimics a true 50mm on a 35mm camera. I used to have a 35 2.8 manual focus but I sold it. I now want the new 35 1.8 AFS nikon makes, that is my next lens purchase for sure.

[Mad Scientist]

I would prefer to find a lens in the $200-$400 range for now. I shoot a couple of local motorcycle stunters and the ability to adjust my focal range is almost a must.

[clbryant1981]

I don't know how much you're willing to go over 400 for an "all in one" lens, which is what sounds like you want or need, but Tamron has a 18mm-270mm with vibration control, it runs around 600 and is a great lens.

[mmuhlenkamp]

For a general walk around lens I've been really happy with my 28-105 II. It's light, good range, good optical quality, very quick and accurate focus and budget friendly. I used this lens and 70-300 IS exclusively on my trip to Maine last year and was very pleased.

Very good lens for the money. Though I don't use mine as much anymore since I've gotten addicted to primes.

I've posted some photos in the sample gallery, though I should update it because I've taken better pictures with this lens since then.

[SevenAndMe]

From what I've read, the 28-105/f3.5-4.5 gets better reviews than the 28-135/f3.5-5.6.
You may want to consider the 28-105 instead of the 28-135 that you have been looking at.

Of course nothing is going to be as good as the 'L' lenses if they are in the budget.

Tks.

[toverman]

The 28-105 (version I) was my first Canon lens, and the one I used almost exclusively on my film camera, for 12+ years.

If you're looking at action shots, the Canon 70-200 f/4 is a little more than your budget new but is a real winner. Not exactly a walkaround lens. If you were willing to consider a prime (for ultimate sharpness in most cases), the 85 f/1.8 is a killer. With some practice, you might wonder why you ever wanted a zoom.

[JohnT]

24-105 F4L (38-168 FoV on 1.6 sensor). However, it's twice as much as the top end of your budget.

[venchka]

I didn't read everything that was said. However, I could never never ever ever be without at least one nice wide angle focal length lens. If the 18-55 kit lens doesn't float your boat, you have two choices as I see it: 10-22 or 17-40. Either will mate nicely with the 50mm lens until you can afford a 70-200.

Sharp doesn't equal good photos.

[zebulus]

The canon 17-40L is an amazing lens. I know a guy who only owns that one lens and he works wonders with it!

[venchka]

Originally Posted by zebulus

Does canon make a 35 1.8?

No. They make a better than perfectly acceptable very affordable f/2.0 and the obscenely expensive and obscenely fabulous 35/1.4.

Sigma makes a decent 30/1.4.