canon 7D lens kit

Perhaps you should have a look at the 18-135  IS  STM. From some reports it´s optically better than  the older version with a very good AF.

bigelow wrote:

Hello, I'm new to digital, and I'm planning on buying a new canon 7D and I would like advice on deciding which kit lens to buy: either the EF-S 18-135 or the EF 28-135. I am leaning toward the EF 28-135 as it appears to be a better lens from what I have read, although I wonder if I would miss the width of the former.

The 28-135 has Ring USM which is a better AF mechanism, but optically it's nothing special - probably on a par with the 18-135. Also it has a much older and less effective image stabiliser. I wouldn't describe it as a better lens.

And you're right, 28 mm would be very limiting. If you're coming from film don't forget the field of view of most digital SLRs is smaller - 1.6x smaller in the case of the 7D. This means a 28 mm lens on the 7D has the same field of view as a 28x1.6 = 45 mm lens on your film SLR. Would you be content with that as your widest lens?

Probably the best all-round standard zoom is the 15-85. Or if you want f/2.8 throughout the range, but at the cost of a smaller zoom range and higher price, it's the 17-55.

Yes, I agree; I do need something wider than 28. Thank you for the 15-85 tip. I've read about it and I plan to get it for my standard walkabout lens when I can gather the funds. Do you think an EF-S 18-55 would be reasonable for the interim or should I go with the 18-135? I don't need much telephoto capability - I just want a reasonably good lens to use until I can afford to buy the 15-85.

When I moved from 7D to 5D... my biggest gripe is losing the 17-55 lens. If you can spend that much its the best walk round lens for crop

Its super sharp and 2.8 is a life saver indoors.

I would say, you can drop down to a t3i if that will make room for a 17-55... The next best is the 15-85. I would not get anything other than these two.

I have used the 28-135, though its a decent glass I hated the lens creep.

jitteringjr wrote:

You would get better pictures with a 60D and a good lens like the 15-85 than you would with a 7D and a cheap lens like a 18-55 or the first 18-135 non STM. Think about getting a 60D instead to give you more money to spend on glass.

I agree, especially considering that the OP is new to digital. Depending on the type of shooting he wants to do, the 60D might fit his needs.

BHP sells the 7D for $1199, and the 60D for $699, a difference of $500. And the 15-85 goes for $699.

I had the 7D and 17-55 (since sold), and that combo produced razor-sharp images. But I'm into event photography (parades, fairs, car shows, etc) and 55 didn't give me enough reach many times. If I had to do it over again, I'd buy the 15-85, which is optically a great lens, also.