I'm thinking of upgrading my Rebel XT to a 60D. B&H has one with a 18-135 lens. Currently my "work horse" lens is the 35-80 that came with my Rebel body when I purchased it. I like the idea of more range with the 18-135, but in reading reviews of the lens, they aren't stellar. I've read it's "decent," but not outstanding.
Unfortunately I can't spend more than $300-400 for a lens, so I know I'm pretty limited. Does anyone have recommendations for a good quality zoom lens that can be my work horse, that won't break my bank?
i don't think i will shed light, as it were, on your conundrum but i will answer your question - what is your favorite 'work horse' lens:
i expose most film using either the 50mm or 150mm on my hasselblad. the 150mm might just win if one was to count exposures. the 43mm on my mamiya 7ii is the fave for 6x7 exposures and is a magnificent lens. that answer is of little use to you, i know. sorry.
Posted by Keith Bauer on April 25, 2012 at 8:53 AM
The kit with the 18-200 is $120 more than the 18-135 kit. The 18-200 seems to be a much better lens based on reviews. I don't own either. My personal workhorse lenses are my 500 mm f/4 , 70-200 f/4, and 24-105
Posted by Bill Chambers on April 25, 2012 at 11:39 AM
Angela, what do you want to shoot with this lens?
I shoot 90-95% landscapes, and my work horse is definitely the Tokina 12-24 f/4. Superb build quality and very close to Nikon in IQ at about half the price of the Nikon. I assume to same could probably be said about Canon.
Posted by Peter Cross on April 25, 2012 at 12:05 PM
I have a 60D and my workhorse for most wildlife photography is a 70-200. For general use I put on a EF-S 17-85. This is a nice lens and based on reviews I read, is a good mid-line Canon lens. I've had good luck with it. Regardless of which lens you choose, if budget is an issue, consider buying a used lens. All of my lenses, except the 70-200, are used and I've been qjuite pleased with them. I bought several locally and was able to inspect them before purchasing. I've used a Canon forum site and Craigslist to purchase my lenses.. Good luck and I think you'll really like the 60D. The swiveling LCD is great for macro work.
Posted by Wayne Jones on April 25, 2012 at 12:29 PM
Angela,
I have two Canon bodies (both full frame and APS-C) plus 8 lenses, including Canon L lenses. But my favorite, most versatile, sharpest lens is one of the least expensive. It's the Sigma 17-70mm. It's a "digital only" lens, so my only complaint is that it won't fit the 5D Mark II, because it's actually more versatile on my 50D than the Canon 24-105L on the full frame body. It's just as sharp as the more expensive lenses, it's a very handy focal length range, fast (f/2.8 - f/4.5) AND it focuses so close that I use it for macro shots when I don't need magnification greater than 1:2.7. I LOVE this lens, and I bought it new for about $400. Unfortunately, it is discontinued (maybe a used one is around?) -- replaced by Sigma's "OS" version, which means it has an image stabilizer, but still costs only $469. I don't know if the new OS version is as sharp as mine, so you should google lens tests for it. A couple of sample images from that lens are this Luna moth and this lady's slipper. Most of the landscape shots in my gallery from 2010 and 2011 were shot with this lens, too. Attached is a 100% (actual pixels) crop of the moth shot, NOT sharpened for the Web.
Posted by Bruce King on April 25, 2012 at 12:30 PM
Angela I checked your gallery and it looks like you shoot a lot of landscapes so I definitely second
Bill's recommendation of the Tokina 12-24 f4. Nice and sharp, great color rendition, built like a Mack
Truck and all for around $500. It's had great reviews and it's very compact too. One negative though, it focuses very slowly which is common for this type of lens but more slowly than usual I think.
There are 2 Tokina 12-24's out there so make sure you look at the f4.
Dear Angela
as your "workhorse lens" has up to now been the 35-80, I think you should consider the canon EF-S 15-85 lens.
It's sold for around 650$ on e-bay, but you should find a used one for around the price you had considered.
That would be a great improvement on the wide-angle side, and it would provide you the image stabilization.
The tests I have read, consider this lens to be the best of the Canon zoom lenses in that range of focal lengths.
I have been using that lens for more than a year now and I'm pretty happy with it.
Best Regards
Riccardo
This probably isn't helpful to you, but my workhorse lens - my 99% of the time lens - is my Zuiko 300mm f2.8. It's the best glass I have ever owned. I usually shoot with a 2.0X teleconverter.
Posted by Paul DeCesare on April 26, 2012 at 2:23 AM
Oh c'mon, everybody is way off the mark with al the suggestions posted. You KNOW that this lens is the obvious choice for Angela to use as her workhorse lens. No brainer.
You had to figure that was coming soon...
Angela, you need an effective 24-70mm lens to get nice landscapes, walkabout shots and some closer comps. That's a workhorse lens. With 18mp you can also crop in later so that gets you even further reach. The 16-35mm/2.8 is superb for that but out of teh range you need to be in price-wise, so that Sigma 17-70mm that Wayne Jones posted looks like the winner that fits all of your criteria. Just my $.02!
The lens that I carry on my camera and use all the time for many applications is the Sigma 17-70 2.8 to 4. It has great sharpness and bokah. It also has a decent macro function at 70mm. Also it has decent speed. It is in that $400 range.
Hi Angela, I have 5 Canon lenses. My workhorse lens is 17-55mm f/2-8. I love it.
Posted by David Taylor on May 19, 2012 at 11:42 AM
I'm going to put this out there. I know you are set on getting a new camera body (aren't we all? ), but if your funds are limited, I would recommend considering putting the bulk of your money into the lens, rather than a new camera body and a 'kit lens'. Either keep your current camera and step up the lens quality quite a bit, or go middle-of-the road and buy a used 50D and put a bit more money than the $400 you quoted into a lens. Camera bodies come and go every few years, but if you INVEST in a good lens, it can last much much longer.
Discussion
13 repliesUnfortunately I can't spend more than $300-400 for a lens, so I know I'm pretty limited. Does anyone have recommendations for a good quality zoom lens that can be my work horse, that won't break my bank?
98% of the rest with my macro zoom, 70-180mm.
Sandy
i expose most film using either the 50mm or 150mm on my hasselblad. the 150mm might just win if one was to count exposures. the 43mm on my mamiya 7ii is the fave for 6x7 exposures and is a magnificent lens. that answer is of little use to you, i know. sorry.
I shoot 90-95% landscapes, and my work horse is definitely the Tokina 12-24 f/4. Superb build quality and very close to Nikon in IQ at about half the price of the Nikon. I assume to same could probably be said about Canon.
I have two Canon bodies (both full frame and APS-C) plus 8 lenses, including Canon L lenses. But my favorite, most versatile, sharpest lens is one of the least expensive. It's the Sigma 17-70mm. It's a "digital only" lens, so my only complaint is that it won't fit the 5D Mark II, because it's actually more versatile on my 50D than the Canon 24-105L on the full frame body. It's just as sharp as the more expensive lenses, it's a very handy focal length range, fast (f/2.8 - f/4.5) AND it focuses so close that I use it for macro shots when I don't need magnification greater than 1:2.7. I LOVE this lens, and I bought it new for about $400. Unfortunately, it is discontinued (maybe a used one is around?) -- replaced by Sigma's "OS" version, which means it has an image stabilizer, but still costs only $469. I don't know if the new OS version is as sharp as mine, so you should google lens tests for it. A couple of sample images from that lens are this Luna moth and this lady's slipper. Most of the landscape shots in my gallery from 2010 and 2011 were shot with this lens, too. Attached is a 100% (actual pixels) crop of the moth shot, NOT sharpened for the Web.
Bill's recommendation of the Tokina 12-24 f4. Nice and sharp, great color rendition, built like a Mack
Truck and all for around $500. It's had great reviews and it's very compact too. One negative though, it focuses very slowly which is common for this type of lens but more slowly than usual I think.
There are 2 Tokina 12-24's out there so make sure you look at the f4.
as your "workhorse lens" has up to now been the 35-80, I think you should consider the canon EF-S 15-85 lens.
It's sold for around 650$ on e-bay, but you should find a used one for around the price you had considered.
That would be a great improvement on the wide-angle side, and it would provide you the image stabilization.
The tests I have read, consider this lens to be the best of the Canon zoom lenses in that range of focal lengths.
I have been using that lens for more than a year now and I'm pretty happy with it.
Best Regards
Riccardo
You had to figure that was coming soon...
Angela, you need an effective 24-70mm lens to get nice landscapes, walkabout shots and some closer comps. That's a workhorse lens. With 18mp you can also crop in later so that gets you even further reach. The 16-35mm/2.8 is superb for that but out of teh range you need to be in price-wise, so that Sigma 17-70mm that Wayne Jones posted looks like the winner that fits all of your criteria. Just my $.02!