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any advice? for 30D

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KathyL

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OK I am down the the wire to make up my mind - picking up 30D body Thurs.

Any opinion on these 2??

Canon 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM EF Lens

or

Canon EF-S 17-85MM F/4-5.6 IS USM Lens

--
Kathy L
 
Go w/ the 17-85 EF-S. The 28-135 is not very useful on the 30D unless you already own a wide angle lens. Both are excellent lenses for the $$$.
KathyL said:
OK I am down the the wire to make up my mind - picking up 30D body
Thurs.

Any opinion on these 2??

Canon 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM EF Lens

or

Canon EF-S 17-85MM F/4-5.6 IS USM Lens

--
Kathy L
Click to expand...
--

 
I think the 17-85 is a better match for a 30D for most people because they find the 28-135 too limiting on the wide end and need it more than the long end. Not everyone, but most people.

So, the question becomes, which of those people are you?

The other thing to think about, is which other lenses do you plan to purchase in the future? And how will this purchase fit in with the next?

Regards,
Jeff
 
Big Hands said:
The other thing to think about, is which other lenses do you plan
to purchase in the future? And how will this purchase fit in with
the next?

Regards,
Jeff
Click to expand...
Total agreemant on that! Sit down and think a few minutes - what are my eventual goals? Most people don't have the up-front money to satisfy all their desires at the start, so think about what you might want to do. THEN plan your purchases in stages.

About the 17-85 - I considered that pretty seriosly, but the reviews aren't really that great - see http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_1785_456_is/index.htm . I finally went for the Sigma 17-70 as my 'prime' lens, as it's a good range for general walk-around, shows well on the reviews, doesn't break my bank ( less than $400), and the semi-macro is a VERY nice feature.
But this was part of a 'plan' -
1) Good range promary lens - Sigma 17-70
2) Portrait/low-light - Canon 50/1.8
3) Wide-angle - Sigma 10-20
4) Flash unit
5) Telephoto - something in the 70-300 range, as yet undetermined
6) various others, when the money shows up.
I now have 1, 2, and 3, and I'm planning for 4.

But the essential part is - have a plan! If you get the 17-85 now and later get the hots for the 16-35, you've got a LOT of overlap, and may want to dump the 17-85. MAKE A PLAN!
--
BJCP National
 
well some day (in my dreams) I would love the 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM

BUT (ok I am awake now) I will need something to shoot sports.... for now maybe a Canon 70-300mm EF f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens ?? not sure... that is about $625

I guess the 17-85 can be a nice walk around for now.

Also, would like some sort of macro - 100 looks nice :)

Thanks for the help and you are so right I need to look at the whole picture - just need to get started with something.

Thanks
--
Kathy L
 
You are sooo right

A PLAN

That is the hard part having about $2200 to spend now and $1379 of that is for the body

and I really dont think I will spend more for about 8 mo to a year so I am trying to get a good variety to cover me now :( at least not for a big ticket item... maybe something for a few hundred

so I am trying but the more I read the more confused I get

The plan right now is -

30D body
a walk around lens maybe the 17-85?
a not so expensive telephoto Canon 70-300mm EF f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens
and a macro.... ?? who knows....

oh and some film in case I cant decide and I need to dust off my A1 :) Just kidding
--
Kathy L
 
I've had the 17-85 for about a year now and love it. It's been a great walkaround for my 30d.

I'm getting a 24-105 and plan to use it exclusively for a while to see if I miss the wide end of the 17-24 range. If so, I'll get the 10-22 (and may do so anyway).
 
I thought about that decision for a LONG time myself. I read so many reviews and swore I wouldnt buy a 17-85. But.... after seeing one come accross my way for $380 I just couldnt pass it up.

I LOVE IT! It is by far the best lens in my bag, and it is rarely removed, only for something way beyond its reach, or for better perspective from a 70-200.

Id say go for the 17-85, my copy is VERY sharp and the IS is absolutely rock solid. I was surprised how well it works and didnt realize how much my hands shake even at wide angle. Clearly a difference from a non IS lens.

go for it.
--
C Jackson
http://www.cameronjacksonphotography.com
 
WOW Thanks!!

Akk $380 - that is GREAT

I was looking at $590 - I think I was getting the shaft...

Ritz is $599

Any hints as to a less exp. place to shop???

--
Kathy L
 
Kathy,

The 17-85 is a nice walk around for those on somewhat of a budget. I have one and like it quite a bit. I sold my Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 because of the lack of wide angle and the inferior autofocus compared to the 17-85 IS.

For a sports starter lens, I would recommend either the 70-200 f/4L and maybe a 1.4x TC or the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8. Find a nice used copy of the Sigma for around $550. The f/2.8 aperture is important for shooting sports and would sway me toward the Sigma over the Canon in this price range at least to get started. If you decide you like it, keep it. If you want something different, start saving while you use the Sigma. You should be able to sell it for what you paid for it.

Using any of the 70 or 75 to 300 f/4-5.6 zooms is not nearly as good a choice IMHO for sports.

Regards,
Jeff
 
I basically agree with what everyone has said, but would like to offer one more suggestion. For under $100 extra you can get the 18-55mm kit lens, which I did, and have found to be a very nice walk-around lens. Use it while getting to know the camera, and your needs. Used properly, I believe you can get some really good photos. Here are two links to shots all taken with this lens on my very new 30D. Good luck.

http://www.pbase.com/fredric/canon_18-55mm

http://www.pbase.com/fredric/spring_flowers
 
the 17-85 IS is $509 at buydig and $499 at bhphoto.

If you don't live in New York, bh would be good to avoid sales tax.

For $380, if it's new, could be a Dell deal. If it's not Dell, I'd like to know where it sells for that. If the poster that reported the $380 price would reveal their source and if it still sells for that, thank you in advance, it would be appreciated.

Regarding Dell: You have to be a quick shopper, all kinds of internet coupon savvy and willing to negotiate the maze that Dell takes you through and possibly wait for months for your lens to get the best deal from Dell (which can be quite a deal). Not always, but it's not unusual either.

You can do your own search on Dell and their wonderful sales to keep this thread from going off topic and turning into a Dell debate.
KathyL said:
WOW Thanks!!

Akk $380 - that is GREAT

I was looking at $590 - I think I was getting the shaft...

Ritz is $599

Any hints as to a less exp. place to shop???

--
Kathy L
Click to expand...
 
as for the $380 price, I found it at a George Lepp photo seminar. They were selling it at the table as a "Show Special".

I never found it online less than $500, thats why I was so hesitant to buy it. For just a few bucks more I could have gotten a 17-40L and not worry about the EF-S mount.

anyway, after having the lens now for several months, I wouldnt hesitate buying it online if you could find it close or under $500. Its a great lens IMO.
--
C Jackson
 
no text
 
I am also considering this lens but like I almost everyone else am worried about the poor reviews on this lens.
Here my question if I could get the 17-85 for under $400 - shipped.
would the lens be woth it then.

because from what I read in the review and other posters at over $500 the wide end photo should come come better.
 
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