18-135 IS STM on a 650D... Is it worth getting a higher end lens?

Hi everyone,

I recently purchased the 650D (t4i) and got the kit with 18-135 IS STM lens. I have been shooting with it for a while and I am pretty satisfied with it. However, as anyone else I would like to be able able to get those sharper and more brilliant pictures with the smooth blurry background.

Will upgrading my kit lens to a mid-to-high range zoom such as the TAMRON 24-70 f\2.8 or Canon 24-105 f\4L really create a noticeable difference in the parameters I expressed above? Alternately, is the APS-C format or the 650D itself such a limiting factor that only a f\1.x prime would really bring something new to my pics (I have the Canon 50mm f\1.8 II but I sharpness s really not improved over the kit lens... background blurring is pretty good though).

I am confident I read all the reviews on the Tamron published to this date, but I couldn't really figure out the answer to my problem.

Oh and I would love to just be able to go out and rent the Tamron to try it out... but there is nothing available around here

Matt

Hi everyone,

I recently purchased the 650D (t4i) and got the kit with 18-135 IS STM lens. I have been shooting with it for a while and I am pretty satisfied with it. However, as anyone else I would like to be able able to get those sharper and more brilliant pictures with the smooth blurry background.

Will upgrading my kit lens to a mid-to-high range zoom such as the TAMRON 24-70 f\2.8 or Canon 24-105 f\4L really create a noticeable difference in the parameters I expressed above? Alternately, is the APS-C format or the 650D itself such a limiting factor that only a f\1.x prime would really bring something new to my pics (I have the Canon 50mm f\1.8 II but I sharpness s really not improved over the kit lens... background blurring is pretty good though).

I am confident I read all the reviews on the Tamron published to this date, but I couldn't really figure out the answer to my problem.

Oh and I would love to just be able to go out and rent the Tamron to try it out... but there is nothing available around here

Matt

wrong move to get FF lenses like that.

keep your eyes on the new sigma 30 f1.4 art

I have the 100L which is really great on the T4i

A 50 F1.4 is good choice.

I would strongly advice you to keep 18-135mm STM + 50mm f/1.8 combo.

STM is very useful for smooth video transition in focus pulling.  While Canon USM are faster, that quick AF makes for jerky video transition, that is why smooth manual focusing is prefer over traditional AF with usm lens.

50mm f/1.8 is actually sharper than 50mm f/1.4 wide open.  50/1.4 also need to be step down to f/2.2 to avoid halation and softness wide open.  The trouble is that bokeh highlight has an obvious octagon shape @f/2.2.

An expensive 24-70 f/2.8 zoom won't give you much more subject-to-background isolation as your 50mm f/1.8.  Comparing 70@f/2.8 vs 50@f1.8, I take 50f/1.8 for portrait any day.

You're better off invest in a real portrait prime like 85mm f/1.8, 100mm f/2, or 135mm f2L

I would strongly advice you to keep 18-135mm STM + 50mm f/1.8 combo.

STM is very useful for smooth video transition in focus pulling. While Canon USM are faster, that quick AF makes for jerky video transition, that is why smooth manual focusing is prefer over traditional AF with usm lens.

50mm f/1.8 is actually sharper than 50mm f/1.4 wide open. 50/1.4 also need to be step down to f/2.2 to avoid halation and softness wide open. The trouble is that bokeh highlight has an obvious octagon shape @f/2.2.

An expensive 24-70 f/2.8 zoom won't give you much more subject-to-background isolation as your 50mm f/1.8. Comparing 70@f/2.8 vs 50@f1.8, I take 50f/1.8 for portrait any day.

You're better off invest in a real portrait prime like 85mm f/1.8, 100mm f/2, or 135mm f2L

isn't octa better than penta?

also what about this?

http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/widget/Fullscreen.ashx?reviews=24,26&fullscreen=true&av=1,1.667&fl=50,50&vis=VisualiserSharpnessMTF,VisualiserSharpnessMTF&stack=horizontal&&config=/lensreviews/widget/LensReviewConfiguration.xml%3F4

I'm new to the Canon lensoverse but as a general rool I'd say that you've got a good starting combo there.  I'd shoot that combo until you feel that the lenses you have limit your photography.

MAC wrote:

Hi everyone,

I recently purchased the 650D (t4i) and got the kit with 18-135 IS STM lens. I have been shooting with it for a while and I am pretty satisfied with it. However, as anyone else I would like to be able able to get those sharper and more brilliant pictures with the smooth blurry background.

Will upgrading my kit lens to a mid-to-high range zoom such as the TAMRON 24-70 f\2.8 or Canon 24-105 f\4L really create a noticeable difference in the parameters I expressed above? Alternately, is the APS-C format or the 650D itself such a limiting factor that only a f\1.x prime would really bring something new to my pics (I have the Canon 50mm f\1.8 II but I sharpness s really not improved over the kit lens... background blurring is pretty good though).

I am confident I read all the reviews on the Tamron published to this date, but I couldn't really figure out the answer to my problem.

Oh and I would love to just be able to go out and rent the Tamron to try it out... but there is nothing available around here

Matt

wrong move to get FF lenses like that.

keep your eyes on the new sigma 30 f1.4 art

I have the 100L which is really great on the T4i

A 50 F1.4 is good choice.

I agree.

A combo I use is Canon 15-85 with Canon 70-200 f4 L.

And for blurryness and bokeh the new Sigma 30 f1.4 A appears to be great, not used myself though.