Recommendation for an Canon ALL PURPOSE Lens!

[BensonTT]

Hey guys, I want to upgrade my cheap 18-55mm lens to something a little bit better.. Can you guys recommend a good ALL PURPOSE lens for the Canon T2I? Did a google search and am just overwhelmed by how many diff lenses are out there. My budget is under $500 .. Thanks so much...

[pizdets17]

Under $500 doesn't give you much choice except for maybe the 17-85mm. If you want a huge upgrade, get the ef-s 15-85. Almost as good as L glass but for hald the price (around $699+).

[BensonTT]

Would you guys recommend the Canon EF-S 18-135mm?

[Mitsu3000gt]

How about a Sigma 17-70 2.8-4.0 OS?

The Canon 18-135 is OK but it's very much an entry level lens. Not much better than your 18-55, just with more range. The main problem you're going to find on most of the zoom lenses in the under $500 bracket is that they are very slow on the long end (f5.6). Also, 18MP is pretty hard on entry level glass.

In that price range you basically have to choose speed & quality, or lots of "zoom" - you can't have both.

A Sigma 17-50 or Tamron 17-50 would be nice choices as well, and you get stabilized f2.8, but they are slightly over budget.

You might try looking used as well.

[kvg]

Do you have a kit lens? I shoot primes and on an apsc maybe consider a 35/2 or a 50/1.4.

[clem24]

Sigma 30 f/1.4 or Tamron 17-50 f/2.8.

[bighead2267]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt
How about a Sigma 17-70 2.8-4.0 OS?

The Canon 18-135 is OK but it's very much an entry level lens. Not much better than your 18-55, just with more range. The main problem you're going to find on most of the zoom lenses in the under $500 bracket is that they are very slow on the long end (f5.6). Also, 18MP is pretty hard on entry level glass.

In that price range you basically have to choose speed & quality, or lots of "zoom" - you can't have both.

A Sigma 17-50 or Tamron 17-50 would be nice choices as well, and you get stabilized f2.8, but they are slightly over budget.

You might try looking used as well.

not the Sigma but Tamron non-VC should fit the budget.

[Projek01]

lots of people love the sigma 30mm 1.4 hsm if you want a a standard prime lens. I just recently picked up the 28mm 1.8 but havent really used it much

[BensonTT]

I just bough the 15-85 lens and that son of a bitch is heavy!! LoL

[dragonone]

hella sharp tho

[pizdets17]

you obviously dont have a 70-200 lol. 15-85 is a feather

Originally posted by BensonTT
I just bough the 15-85 lens and that son of a bitch is heavy!! LoL

[clem24]

Originally posted by Projek01
lots of people love the sigma 30mm 1.4 hsm if you want a a standard prime lens.

Because it's freakin' awesome and sharp as a pin at f/1.4.. Assuming you have a good copy. Even if you don't, it's a one time adjustment at Sigma. Well worth it in my books.

[dragonone]

Originally posted by pizdets17
you obviously dont have a 70-200 lol. 15-85 is a feather

it's the sharpest suitable walkaround available for a canon crop. i can say the same about much other glass regarding sharpness. the 15-85 is sharper than the 17-55, tamron/sigma 17-50, sigma 17-70, 18-55 etc. i mean if a macro or zeiss prime was sharper than the 70-200 it doesn't seems like a useful comparison.

in case you're interested:
comparison
short 15-85 review

[BensonTT]

Originally posted by pizdets17
you obviously dont have a 70-200 lol. 15-85 is a feather

I just google the lens you are talking about and I would be embarrass to whip that out in public! LoL