Lens recommendation based on current usage

cesar rf wrote:

Hi, I'm new here and relatively new in photography; I would like your opinion on which lens I could buy next.

I've been using my canon T4i since 2013, before that i used a couple unremarkable point and shoot cameras.

Trying to learn what i enjoy the most in photography, my original plan was getting an all around lens with the biggest focal range i could find, and use it for a while to see what range I prefer. In my first weeks I sold the kit lens and got a canon 18-200mm IS. After a couple of months I learned some things about balancing aperture and focal distance and tried my luck with a 40mm f2.8 pancake that was replaced later with the newer 24mm f2.8 (both canon).

So my lens experience is only:

• 18-200mm
• 40mm f2.8
• 24mm f2.8

You can see I stayed with cheap lenses with arguable bad image quality. I can't invest in expensive lenses as of now, i consider prices > $600 USD expensive given my current income.

The next (current) part of my plan is to sell the 18-200mm and buy something with better image quality in a focal range better suited for my use. Here's were the data gathered comes in.

I've plotted some stats from my lightroom catalog (2458 photos), shown here is focal distance and aperture graphs. I used JF data plot plugin.

focal distances

aperture

Most of my photos are from trips and vacations, and occasionally a night out with friends. I enjoy mostly landscapes but indoor group shots take a considerable amount of my catalog. Considering this, I've been looking at wide to normal lenses and wide and (or) fast primes.

I'm in Mexico, but can buy from the USA (adorama, B&H or ebay) and don't mind buying used lenses. Specifically I'm currently interested in these:

• Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC
• Canon 15-85mm F/3.5-5.6
• Canon 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS

I would like to read your opinions and suggestions about which lens would work best for me.

P.D. I apologies for any errors in my writing, English is not my first language.

Based on your usage charts I would say you should get a constant f2.8 lens that starts at 17 (or wider).  I would say something like the Canon 17-55 f2.8 (or Sigma equivalent) would be a good choice.  You will miss the longer reach occasionally but if you keep the 18-200 it can provide that when needed.     The 10-18 would be my suggestion for your next lens down the road and your 3rd "new" lens might then be something with longer reach (70-200 f4 IS or if on a tighter budget consider the 55-250 IS).

Good luck with your decision.