Best "All Around" Working Lens

[Old School Mike]

When I bought my Canon Digital XTi package deal from Costco last Xmas
it came with an 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 & 75-300.

I am NOT a working professional anymore, those days are long gone, so
I won't be using it everyday.

I would like to buy ONE lens that would be better quality, f2.8, and
still lightweight than the basic 18-55. OR... is the 18-55 really
fine for the part time photos I take. Will I really see a difference
if I change to something faster?

Do I have to stay with Canon for the quality or does Tamron, Sigma,
Vivitar etc. make anything work looking into? Best place to buy too?

Thanks in advance,
Old School Mike

[Craig D.]

Mike,

Maybe the best way for me to offer my opinion is by starting with what
I use day-to-day. I always have two Canon 40d's ready to go in my
truck. One has either a 16-35mm f2.8 or a 24-70mm f2.8. The other
has a 70-200mm f2.8. I pretty much only use "L" Series Canon lenses
these days. The only thing I find annoying about "L" Series lenses is
that there can be gaps in available focal lengths from lens to lens,
requiring you to have different lenses on hand like the ones I've
mentioned. The "L" Series lenses are great lenses and can be very
pricey so if you're just looking for a decent all-around lens to have
fun with you may consider Tamron, Sigma, etc. if you're on a budget.
These days, we're pretty much ALL on a budget.

You mentioned you wanted speed (aka f2.8). You'll be hard-pressed to
find a sub-$800 lens that will get you that speed. Personally, I'm
considering the Canon 24-105mm IS lens as an Xmas present to myself.
It's relatively fast and covers a great range in the way of focal
length. Much better for day-to-day shooting in my opinion but I
haven't really had the chance to play with one yet. The painful part
is that they're running about $900 new.

I always advise that while you can go cheap on the camera body you
should never go cheap on the glass. Pretty much any Canon DSLR will
make a great image if you let it. If you have a cheap piece of glass
on the front of it, that alone could ruin what would otherwise be a
memorable shot. How many photographers upgrade camera bodies on a
regular basis? Plenty. Why do they tend to stay with one
manufacturer? A big reason, at least for me, is because I (they) have
invested too much darn money in good glass to have to go buy all new
stuff!

One more thing, when looking at consumer and pro-sumer Canon lenses,
if you see the option to get a USM lens vs. a non-USM lens - spend the
extra money for the USM lens. They'll look exactly the same sitting
in front of you on the counter but the USM lenses have much better
components, especially the focusing motor. They're much quieter and
faster to lock focus. You'll thank me later.

I've had great luck on Ebay and of course at Samy's (http://
www.samys.com) and B&H (http://www.bhphotovideo.com). You'll normally
find better pricing than your neighborhood photo shop unless, of
course, you want one-on-one sales service. Also look for rebates.

Final note - You're 18-55mm should work well for you in general, but
with the smaller sensor of the XTi (as with many of the current Canon
DSLR's) the 18mm becomes the equivalent of a 28mm so it may limit your
wider shots. That same magnification helps you on the other end
though. The 55mm becomes an 88mm and you don't lose any light in the
process. Long story short, what you really have is a 28-88mm lens.
Don't go spending all kinds of money on glass unless you know for sure
what you already have isn't satisfying your needs. Varying your
technique can also help you get more out of a lens that may otherwise
cramp your style.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

Craig D.

[WichitaFire.org]

I use a 17-55 f2.8 IS, works very well! It dosn't matter much what
lens your shooting with if the scene lighting isnt good. I used to
have a 50mm 1.8 but I hated not getting those upclose, wide angle
shots.
I hope that helps!
Andy Thomas
WichitaFire.org

[Joel Neild]

I own a Canon 10D and the lens that is always attached is my Canon
35-135mm F3.5-5.6. Not a very expensive piece of glass but it covers
the immediate range I need when I arrive on scene. It also works well
for a Portrait lens. I also have a sigma 15-24, Tamaron 200-400 and
Sigma 105mm Macro. The Canon glass is most used on the fire ground,
sometimes the tele zoom when I want close ups for roof work etc.

Joel

[Old School Mike]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate all the great info. I think for now I
will stick with what I have. It is doing a good job for me now as I
don't take that many pictures.
Old School Mike

[firstduephotos.com]

This was a good discussion as I am looking for a replacement "all
around" lens.
Thanks to all who posted. Good info!

-Ted


On Dec 16, 12:00 am, Old School Mike <thedogtraine...@gmail.com>
wrote:

> > Joel- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

[ry...@firelinephoto.com]

I personally like the Nikon 18-200 VR (3.5-5.6). I am a Nikon shooter
obviously, and use this as my primary lens. My only wish is to have a
faster lens for that night time shot. I have carried on occasion a
50mm 1.8 that I picked up from Woodland Hills camera for under $100
new. It's a great portrait lens, it's just don't like a fixed focal
length when working on the fireground because the action is usually
right in front of you 50mm, It's hard to compose that perfect shot.

Ryan Ling
www.firelinephoto.com

[Skyview]

Funny you should ask.

Since shooting digital for the last 5 years, with Nikon D100 then
Nikon D2x, the lens that as been the most useful and remains on the
camera is my Nikon 17-55 f2.8 lens. It has a great range (26-83
equivilant format), is very very sharp, and relatively fast with
f2.8. Works great outside as well as indoor ceremonies.

However, since the new arrival of my full frame D700, I am struggling
to rationalize my lens line up. Have borrowed a friends 28-105
f3.5/4.5 which works well in terms of focal length but is not as sharp
as Id like, and is slow being f3.5/5.6. What to do, looks like I will
be listing my Nikon 12-24 and 17-55 for sale and replacing with Nikons
14-24 f2.8 and 24-70 f2.8, with the 24-70 becoming the new workhorse
lens.