Lens kits... don't make me happy. I think I am considering the EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM or leaning towards the EF-S 17-85MM f4-5.6 IS USM for starters.

I'm also wanting at some point to pick up a medium telephoto in the 50mm size and of course a wide angle at some point. I'm just curious the progression that everyone is going through or the progression they went through with what lenses they upgraded first and how happy they have been with what lens.



This forum is going to be my death I think.

 

I wouldn't go the 17-85 route personally. Too much of a compromise lens. But that's just me.

The 17-55 is expensive ($$$$$$$$$$) but it's worth it if you think you will stay in the 1.6x cameras. If you think you will progress into the 5Ds and the 1Ds' then definitely go with EF lenses, preferably those Ls.

85mm f/1.8 is excellent and quite compact, and for wide angle on 1.6x... definitely go for the 10-22mm.

 

You really have to decide where you are going body wise in the long term.

Peter

 

I've heard a lot of good things about the 17-55IS. I'm actually thinking about picking one up myself.

I wouldn't worry too much about upgrading to 5Ds and the 1Ds just yet. Chances are if you upgrade to those cameras later on you can still sell your lenses for a fair amount. I've purchased many used lenses on the fred miranda site in the past year.

 

i kind of in the same situation. i leaning towards the xti as my first dslr(waiting for canon rebates mid oct) but i'm not sure if i should go with kit or the body only.

i went to a small electronics show that had canon table and pentax table.

canon presenter loved his EF-S 17-85MM f4-5.6 IS. it's the one he uses mostly on trips. that's the one he recommended rather than the kit lense. of course depending on what you are trying to shoot determines which lens is best also.

on a side note, the k10 was big. looked like it should be going against the 30d not the xti.

 

Buy for what you have for today. Yeah, it won't fit on the 1D series and FF bodies but how long, if at all, will it be until you upgrade? It could be 1-2+ years.

Even if you do upgrade, you can sell it and not take a very big hit. Most of the good glass will hold 85-90% of the original value.

IMO, don't bother with the 17-85. It's a versatile lens, which is great for those who don't want to carry a bunch of gear when traveling or they don't like changing out lenses. But, f/4.0 on the wide end and f/5.6 at the long end makes me cringe. My style of shooting, I like to shoot fairly wide open and those apertures don't cut it. Shooting indoors, it's a slow lens so you'll have to bump up the ISO but even then it probably won't be sufficient w/o using a flash. There are times when I'm shooting at 2.8 and I still need 1600 or 3200.

 

I use the Tamron 28-75mm as my walkaround. Price is nice and it has yet to let me down. I've always figured that if I didn't like a lens I can regain most of what I paid for it, and buy something else. I'd love to have some L glass, but I just don't think I'm skilled enough to take advantage (spend the money) on any yet.

 

You get what you pay for when it comes to lenses. I would take the advice from what others have said and stay away from ef-s lenses for better bodies later. The "L-series" lenses are definite keepers.

I suggest the 28-135mm lens from Canon. I have one as my walkaround lens and works quite well. It's no lightweight, but definitely not on the heavy side. My only complaint about this parituclar lens is that pictures after 100mm seem too soft, which I often try to avoid.

Another everyday lens to look into is Canon's 28-105mm f3.5-4.5 II lens, which is lightweight and supposedly a bit sharper than the 28-135mm IS. You should be able to pick one up for a good price as well.

If you're on a budget as well, pick up the 50mm f1.8. These can be had for cheap, and takes pretty good pictures. I know I love mine.

 

Honestly once I get this camera, I'll use it for years. I'm a firm believer in the photographer more than the camera. I'm not opening my on studio or anything, and I feel I can shoot professional enough photos through a 20D or 30D etc. with some good glass. So the move to a different body is not something that I factor in.

So, with that in mind....

 

Also on the L lenses.. is that the L in say... EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM is an L lens correct. I'm fairly new to the technical side of things at times. Although I have a lot of traditional b&w knowledge I never got into the lenses because I never had the $ in college. I always relied on the equipment I had and leaned on the fact I have a good eye for composition to capture the moment, that and the fact I'm a graphic designer and Photoshop is my best friend.