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I am shopping for a good multi-purpose mid-range zoom to replace the kit zoom from my Digital Rebel (p.s. I just got a 40D, yippee!).
I really want the Canon 24-70 2.8 USM but I can't find it for under a grand, which is the very most I want to spend. More like $900. Any thoughts on other options? I want this mostly for portraits... but I already have a Canon 85mm 1.8 and a Canon 60mm Macro. This is to kind of fill the gap.
I know enough about lenses to be dangerous, but not enough to feel comfortable when chatting with the fast-talking sales people.
I'm a Nikon aficionado myself (D80), but I have a Nikkor 35-70 lens, which translates to about 50-100 when put on a digital camera. I also have a (cheaper) 18-55 lens for when I need to pick up wider angle shots. I'm sure that they make something with similar lengths for the Canon family. Mine cost in the $400 range (note that this is an old-school lens - it was designed for film cameras, but works on any Nikon except the D40x which has no AFS motor in the body - I'm sure that Canon lenses work the same way).
I don't know where you're located, but here in NY, the best camera store is B&H Photo. Professional photographers swear by them (they take up almost an entire city block here). They also have a really excellent website, with lots of information - I actually spent a lot of time at their site doing research, and then went to the store itself to get the camera. Even if your not local, it might be worth doing some research on their site for lenses (you can search by brand, fit, price, focal length, zoom).
Before you decide which lens to buy, can you answer what you want it for? On a film camera 24-70 is a nice range from wider angle to something that's good for portraiture. But on a digital camera like the 40D, I think it's equivalent to a 40-112 kind of range (there's a 1.6 multiplier). So that's close to standard (50mm) to potraiture (135mm) size. So if you're looking for a wide angle, this won't do it for you.
The lens I use the most on my Canon Xti (400D) is a 28-105mm Promaster lens that I got years ago when I had a Canon film SLR. Most of my flickr photos are taken with that one and it wasn't as expensive as the Canon glass.
Bernard, that's exactly the range(ish) I am looking for. (50mm) to potraiture (135mm)... ish. Doens;t need to be exactly that of course, but somewhere in there.
Hey Aimee,
I have a 24-105 f/4 Canon L with IS and I love it. It may not help you in the price range tho', it's currently listed at $1040 at beachcamera.com. I was really struggling with sharpness on my pics, I thought it was my Rebel. Then I went to a local camera store and tried some lenses. The 24-70 was tack sharp - so started saving. I decided on the 24-105 after months of thinking about it, it really is a huge decision. I decided the IS would make up for the speed.
Unfortunately, once you buy an L lens it's hard to go back.
I've heard the new Sigma's EX line is pretty nice and very sharp.
I did lots of Internet research and I also went to a higher end camera store. I took my camera and always asked if I could try the lens on my camera. They always let me. The best part about that was I was able to take the pics on my card and take them home and analyze them. (I'm anal like that.) ;)
There is a link to my flicr account on my blog if you are interested in checking out some of my pics.
I wouldn't worry about fast-talking sales people in higher end camera stores. Most sales people are long time photogs and love to talk about it and share their knowledge. If you aren't comfortable with someone then just leave. I've never really felt pressure to buy, tho' I have met a jerk or two, you know, Mr. Knowitall.
Sheryl, I was waffling between those two exact lenses and I ended up trying for the 24-70 because I like small DOF, so the f2.8 was attractive to me. But if I found the other for under a grand, I would be certainly happy with that too. Basically it's company funds I am using, so I am under a strict $1000 cap with shipping and taxes. But I want to get the best I lens I can for up to that cap budget amount, kwim? :)
It's more the people on the phone for the internet stores who I have found to be very pushy. You are right that I should go down to a actual brick store, I would probably have better luck talking to someone with less smooze.
And I have been so busy this week I have had very little time to play with the 40D but thus far I am loving it!
Thanks to both you and Bernard for you advice, I really appreciate it!
My biggest advice is don't order this by phone. Find a local camera store. One that specializes in selling cameras and camera equipment. In my case I use a store that's about 30 miles from me. Once a salesman in that store advised me to buy the less expensive of two cameras I was thinking about, and it was exactly the right choice for the reasons that he said.
If it's a good store you should be able to get lots of advice and even try the lens out. And some camera stores also have 2nd hand lenses and other equipment. Good luck.
Bernard is right in go to a reconized dealer shop ..You get to try out the lens' and see what you are most comfortable with....Also check out the non-Camera brand lenes that are quality .. Also you are not obliged to buy at the shop .. when you know what you want you could then shop around with a definate lens in mind ... Much easier ..
D
Canon has a 18-55 f2.8 IS USM lens that is priced around 1000. Sigma and Tamron have two very similarly priced 17-50 and 18-50 f2.8 lenses that are both around 420. The Sigma and Tamron are about one inch shorter than the canon above and about a pound lighter. The tamron does have a noticible motor noise but makes some superb images.
thanks so much everyone abd especially Jared. I went to a store and played with the 18-55 and really liked it. Unfortunately they would not come down under a grand on the price but I found it on Anazon dmfir $950 and ordered it. Yay! Thanks again!
