Best lens combination for $700?

too many options to decide...

• 70-200 f4 + 24mm stm
• 60mm macro + 10-18mm
• 17-55mm
• 55-250 + 24mm

Any help is appreciated!

• 10-18
• 24
• 55-250

Mark1t wrote:

too many options to decide...

• 70-200 f4 + 24mm stm
• 60mm macro + 10-18mm
• 17-55mm
• 55-250 + 24mm

Any help is appreciated!

Sigma 17-50 OS

550-250 STM

Not quite 800, but over 700...close though

Mark1t wrote:

Keith Z Leonard wrote:

Mark1t wrote:

too many options to decide...

• 70-200 f4 + 24mm stm
• 60mm macro + 10-18mm
• 17-55mm
• 55-250 + 24mm

Any help is appreciated!

Sigma 17-50 OS

550-250 STM

Not quite 800, but over 700...close though

the 70-200 f4 is $350 used like 1 years old, the 55-250 is like 250. How big is the image quality difference?

Well now, I wasn't considering used lenses. The 70-200 f4 is a great lens. Image quality is better, but the STM version of the 55-250 is no slouch. The faster constant max aperture is attractive to some. The build quality difference is pretty significant. The 55-250 has IS, which is important in some situations and can be a determining factor. I did a write up about it a couple of years ago here.

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/52378257

A lot of the differences depend upon your needs and preferences. The 55-250 will win in range, IS, weight, price. The 70-200 will win in image quality (but it's fairly close against the STM 55-250), build, constant aperture.  Here are some 70-200 f4 shots.  I don't know that either is a bad bet.  I suspect the 70-200 would last longer.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/22781076@N03/albums/72157648503602999

I would put the used price difference for the 70-200 and 55-250 at more like $500 vs $200 , based on Canon refurb and B&H used.  It's a little less on Amazon and on EBay closer to $200 and $400.  On a crop body, it will be very hard to see any IQ difference, especially at F5.6.  That said, the constant F4 is nice and the build quality is, as mentioned, quite a bit different.  I picked the 55-250.  The range, IS, and STM focus when used with my 70D made up my mind.  I did borrow and shoot a 70-200 F4 before deciding.  It was a close decision.  Realistically, you can get the 55-250 and 10-18 STM lenses for the same price as a 70-200.  If you like UWA, that's nice.  Add in the 24 and/or 40 F2.8 STMs and off you go.  All for about $700.  OTOH, the 70-200 F4IS is noticeably better IQ, but then you're looking at a lot more money.  Too rich for my amateur and retired camera budget.  Maybe someday, but only if I decide to grab a FF body.

Charlienmr wrote:

I would put the used price difference for the 70-200 and 55-250 at more like $500 vs $200 , based on Canon refurb and B&H used. It's a little less on Amazon and on EBay closer to $200 and $400. On a crop body, it will be very hard to see any IQ difference, especially at F5.6. That said, the constant F4 is nice and the build quality is, as mentioned, quite a bit different. I picked the 55-250. The range, IS, and STM focus when used with my 70D made up my mind. I did borrow and shoot a 70-200 F4 before deciding. It was a close decision. Realistically, you can get the 55-250 and 10-18 STM lenses for the same price as a 70-200. If you like UWA, that's nice. Add in the 24 and/or 40 F2.8 STMs and off you go. All for about $700. OTOH, the 70-200 F4IS is noticeably better IQ, but then you're looking at a lot more money. Too rich for my amateur and retired camera budget. Maybe someday, but only if I decide to grab a FF body.

Yes, the 10-18 is a tough lens to pass over.  Very nice lens for the money.  If and when someone decides to go to a 35mm sensor camera you can always sell your EF-S gear.

Sharpness isn't an issue with the 10-18.  It's excellent in the center and very good even in the extreme corners.  Vignetting is a bigger issue, but is correctable.  Realistically it's amazing for the price in terms of IQ.  However, it's a very slow lens, but the IS helps.  At 10mm hand held at 1/15s should be possible, so slow,is OK unless things are moving around.

Mark1t wrote:

Keith Z Leonard wrote:

Charlienmr wrote:

I would put the used price difference for the 70-200 and 55-250 at more like $500 vs $200 , based on Canon refurb and B&H used. It's a little less on Amazon and on EBay closer to $200 and $400. On a crop body, it will be very hard to see any IQ difference, especially at F5.6. That said, the constant F4 is nice and the build quality is, as mentioned, quite a bit different. I picked the 55-250. The range, IS, and STM focus when used with my 70D made up my mind. I did borrow and shoot a 70-200 F4 before deciding. It was a close decision. Realistically, you can get the 55-250 and 10-18 STM lenses for the same price as a 70-200. If you like UWA, that's nice. Add in the 24 and/or 40 F2.8 STMs and off you go. All for about $700. OTOH, the 70-200 F4IS is noticeably better IQ, but then you're looking at a lot more money. Too rich for my amateur and retired camera budget. Maybe someday, but only if I decide to grab a FF body.

Yes, the 10-18 is a tough lens to pass over. Very nice lens for the money. If and when someone decides to go to a 35mm sensor camera you can always sell your EF-S gear.

Isn't it like crappy at 10mm on the edges?

Scores the same on the edge at 10mm f5.6 as the 10-22, and it's a 300$ ultra wide lens!  Hard to complain about that...well, ok, it's the internet, so people will complain about everything, but it's pretty respectable for the price!

Keith Z Leonard wrote:

Mark1t wrote:

too many options to decide...

• 70-200 f4 + 24mm stm
• 60mm macro + 10-18mm
• 17-55mm
• 55-250 + 24mm

Any help is appreciated!

Sigma 17-50 OS

550-250 STM

Not quite 800, but over 700...close though

the 70-200 f4 is $350 used like 1 years old, the 55-250 is like 250. How big is the image quality difference?

If you find a one year old 70-200 f4L in good condition for $350, consider yourself extremely lucky and buy it immediately

diness wrote:

Keith Z Leonard wrote:

Mark1t wrote:

too many options to decide...

• 70-200 f4 + 24mm stm
• 60mm macro + 10-18mm
• 17-55mm
• 55-250 + 24mm

Any help is appreciated!

Sigma 17-50 OS

550-250 STM

Not quite 800, but over 700...close though

the 70-200 f4 is $350 used like 1 years old, the 55-250 is like 250. How big is the image quality difference?

If you find a one year old 70-200 f4L in good condition for $350, consider yourself extremely lucky and buy it immediately

Yeah, I was surprised it was that cheap too.  A quick look online shows 450-550$ depending upon seller/condition.