Best walk-around lens for XSi as of now.

This has been asked before, but new lenses come out all the time. I just got an XSi and I am trying to figure out which zoom lens to buy. I don't need anything too powerful, just something sharp, fast with some range. What do you think it a good walk-around lens for the XSi? The kind of lens you use most of the time.

Check out the Sigma 18-200 OS. It's not super fast (3.5-6.3), but it does have stabilisation of 3-4 stops. That should cover your focal range for most general "walk around" subjects.

If your budget can stretch, and you don't care much for longer focal lengths, then the 17-55 2.8 IS is a good investment. Sharp as a tack, and the best available low-light lens on the Canon EF or EF-S format today.

OTOH, if you're planning to shoot macros or BIFs, you may want to look at a fast prime.

HTH

--
Cheers,

Matthew

'True. You can shoot a Canon with a Nikon ... but it's much more fun shooting a Nikon with a Cannon.'

Right now I am leaning towards 24-105 which is pretty expensive .. this guy's review is pretty convincing ...

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Canon-Lenses/Canon-General-Purpose-Lens.aspx

or the Tamron 17-55 f/2.8 -- but it has no IS, the Canon version has IS but costs 2x .. not sure it's worth another $500 .. 24-105 is 1k but at least you get more range and probably better glass.

Matthew Porter said:

Check out the Sigma 18-200 OS. It's not super fast (3.5-6.3), but it
does have stabilisation of 3-4 stops. That should cover your focal
range for most general "walk around" subjects.

If your budget can stretch, and you don't care much for longer focal
lengths, then the 17-55 2.8 IS is a good investment. Sharp as a
tack, and the best available low-light lens on the Canon EF or EF-S
format today.

OTOH, if you're planning to shoot macros or BIFs, you may want to
look at a fast prime.

HTH

--
Cheers,

Matthew
'True. You can shoot a Canon with a Nikon ... but it's much more fun
shooting a Nikon with a Cannon.'

Click to expand...

Matthew,

I think you will find that the Canon 17-55 2.8 IS is an EFS format lens only.
It is a great option for the XSi however...

For most purposes if ultimate lens speed is not a concern your suggestion of the Sigma 18-200 OS is an excellent one. I love mine which has proved a very good buy and which constantly surprises me with its usability.
--
Wallabytoo

Wallabytoo said:

Matthew Porter said:

Check out the Sigma 18-200 OS. It's not super fast (3.5-6.3), but it
does have stabilisation of 3-4 stops. That should cover your focal
range for most general "walk around" subjects.

If your budget can stretch, and you don't care much for longer focal
lengths, then the 17-55 2.8 IS is a good investment. Sharp as a
tack, and the best available low-light lens on the Canon EF or EF-S
format today.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

No it's not. It will take EFS and EF lenses.

Wallabytoo said:

Wallabytoo said:

OTOH, if you're planning to shoot macros or BIFs, you may want to
look at a fast prime.

HTH

--
Cheers,

Matthew
'True. You can shoot a Canon with a Nikon ... but it's much more fun
shooting a Nikon with a Cannon.'

Click to expand...

Matthew,

I think you will find that the Canon 17-55 2.8 IS is an EFS format
lens only.
It is a great option for the XSi however...

For most purposes if ultimate lens speed is not a concern your
suggestion of the Sigma 18-200 OS is an excellent one. I love mine
which has proved a very good buy and which constantly surprises me
with its usability.
--
Wallabytoo

Click to expand...

--

--- After 53 years of photography, I shoot for memories, not perfection. - Ron_M.

I use the Tamron 28-75 and it is great. Super sharp and fast. http://www.tamron.com/lenses/prod/2875mm.asp

oleg106 said:

This has been asked before, but new lenses come out all the time. I
just got an XSi and I am trying to figure out which zoom lens to buy.
I don't need anything too powerful, just something sharp, fast with
some range. What do you think it a good walk-around lens for the
XSi? The kind of lens you use most of the time.

Click to expand...

--

--- After 53 years of photography, I shoot for memories, not perfection. - Ron_M.

Not sure what you mean by "powerful", but sharp, fast and with some range do not go together well.

There are a number of sharp fast lenses: Tamron 17-50, Sigma 18-50, Tokina 16-50, Canon 17-55IS, all constant f/2.8 but all with limited range. Similar qualities can be found at other focal lengths. Tamron 28-75 for instnace is longer but not as wide. The Tokina 11-16 is much wider, with little range.

If you want much more range, you lose the constant f/2.8. The Canon 17-85IS gives you more range, but f/4-5.6. Sigma and Tamron have lenses with even more range, and they go to f/6.3 at the long end.

I use the Canon 17-55IS as my walkaround lens, mainly because it is excellent and works well in very low light too. But it's not a devil-do-all.

oleg106 said:

This has been asked before, but new lenses come out all the time. I
just got an XSi and I am trying to figure out which zoom lens to buy.
I don't need anything too powerful, just something sharp, fast with
some range. What do you think it a good walk-around lens for the
XSi? The kind of lens you use most of the time.

Click to expand...

--
Slowly learning to use the 450D and and the Canon G6.
Public pictures at http://debra.zenfolio.com/ .