topic Re: help picking a lens for what i will use it for in EF & RF Lenses

help picking a lens for what i will use it for

Maria — Thu, 19 Sep 2013 19:38:28 GMT

I'm an amature photographer. i have a T1i that needs to be replaced (likely with either the 70D or the 7D)... and with it I want a lens that will fit my needs... i've read and read about various lenses at different price points and all have their purposes but i can't seem to figure out which would be the best fit for my purpose.

Hoping i can get some advice/recommendations for a lens to use when photographing the following:

1) indoor with low light (and limited to only using a 430EX II flash on the camera, no reflectors, or other sources of light other than what ever is overhead - ie typical home lighting)

2) subject 75% of the time is a child that won't stay still :), the other 25% of the time it's friends and family at someones home or at a venue (again low light)

3) subject is usually 10-15 feet away from me and i want to be able to get a full shot (head to toe) and also zoom in to only get a head shot.

4) i love bokeh 😉

I want sharp images with saturated colors (when they exist in the picture 😉 ). The lens can't be too heavy (i tried holding a 17-55mm and was on the high end of what i can carry -probably don't want to go much more than that for weight).

Any and all suggestions welcome!

Re: help picking a lens for what i will use it for

Skirball — Thu, 19 Sep 2013 20:16:48 GMT

There isn’t a single solution given those constraints. Especially with the weight restriction. The weight of the 17-55 is fairly representative of most quality lenses with a decent size aperture (for the low level light you mention). If you want more reach than that (given the distances you mention you do) then it’s going to get even heavier.

Here’s how I look at your requirements, not in order:

3) based on these distances, and assuming you’re taking pics of children, you’re roughly in the 50 – 250 mm range.

2) Generally speaking, you’re talking two different lenses. For the child you probably want a zoom somewhere around the focal lengths mentioned above. That could be used for friends, but low light adds complication:

1) Indoor with low light is tough. It’s something just about everyone would like their cameras to do better, and people spend a lot of money to do so. Fast primes are the best way to go for that, fast primes on full frame is even better. Getting a reasonably fast zoom is going to be expensive and heavy. I would consider getting a decent zoom for the kid, and a cheap 50mm 1.8 for low light with friends.

4) Bokeh in general means wide apertures. Though a zoom with a decent aperture like 2.8 can produce very nice bokeh. Again, expensive and heavy.

And for the camera, that’s complicated. The 70D does offer slightly improved low light performance, but not remarkably so. Any of the others from that series (e.g. 60D) or Rebel line are going to give you pretty similar results to your current camera. The 7D is a great camera, but it’s geared towards sports enthusiasts. Don’t let people on the internet convince you that it’s necessary to capture a fast moving child. Yes the AF is great, the low light performance is ok for a crop sensor, and I would almost recommend it given the recent low pricing… but it is a much heavier camera than what you have now. If you have a weight limit then stick to the Rebels and use your weight allowance for good glass.

So as to which lens, it’s really complicated to just pick one. What kind of budget? Maybe just a 55-250 and a decent prime for low light? Or step up to a 70-200 f/4 (no IS) and a nifty fifty? Or maybe you’d be happy with one of those superzooms like the 18-200?

Re: help picking a lens for what i will use it for

cicopo — Fri, 20 Sep 2013 01:18:40 GMT

Skirball has really covered most of it but you did say you have a 430 EX flash so there could be a single lens compromise in any of the better 18-200 to 18-270 versions of superzoom without getting too heavy. Fast lenses (large aperture lenses) are big & heavy by design, and if it's a zoom it's heavier yet. My daughter has my original 20D & Sigma 18-200 & has been able to get loads of great indoor photos of my grandson since birth 5 years ago & he's very busy.

Re: help picking a lens for what i will use it for

ebiggs1 — Sun, 22 Sep 2013 14:24:28 GMT

The standard Canon T5i with the kit lens, 18-55mm STM will do all you want.

It is fast to start-up and shoot. Has an articulated touch-screen. Compact and light. Great and very silent video with autofocus when used with that STM lenses. 4fps shooting. Good image detail at high ISO. Pretty fast autofocus.

If weight is an issue, you don't want a 7D with its magnesium body.

Re: help picking a lens for what i will use it for

TCampbell — Sun, 22 Sep 2013 16:31:56 GMT

As far as color saturation... color is something that's always best adjusted on your computer where you can see and control it. The camera just needs to distinguish between the different color values (which it can) and the computer can manipulate the balance and saturation of it. Many software apps even have presets or let you make your own presets for color.

As for your last comment that you love "bokeh". Bokeh refers to the quality of the out-of-focus blur. Ignoring the word bokeh for the moment, the factors that contribute to out of focus blur intensity are:

a) focal ratio (lower is better)

b) focal length (longer is better)

c) focused distance to subject (nearer is better)

By "better" I mean these will provide stronger out of focus blur.

I'll pick on two of my lenses... I have a 135mm f/2L. With it's low focal ratio and long focal length, the ability to generate out of focus blur is enormous. The amount of 'cream' in those images will give you diabetes for just looking at them. On the opposite end of the spectrum, I have a 14mm f/2.8L. Even wide-open, I can manually set the focus on that camera to about 3' and the whole world appears to be roughly in focus (it's not really in perfect focus, but the amount of background blur for those out-of-focus areas is extremely small.)

Bokeh adds one last element to the mix... which is the QUALITY of the blur. Some lenses can create a lot of "blur" - but it doesn't loook very good. The 50mm f/1.8 has a "nervous" or "jittery" quality to it's "bokeh" (poor quality) even though the in-focus areas actually resolve very nice levels of detail (it's actually sharp glass). The blame, in the case of this lens, goes mostly to it's 5-blade aperture which makes obvious pentagonal out-of-focus spots. As those pentagons overlap points in your background, you get a combination of intense and weak areas giving a somewhat "blotchy" look rather than nice smooth blur that a circular aperture would have created.

Lenses that will do a great job with bokeh might include the 50mm f/1.4 or the 85mm f/1.8 -- but before you race out and buy one, keep reading.

In point #3 you said you want to be able to get a full head-to-toe shot for a subject 10-15 feet away. So let's just use the 10' distance as an example and we'll use the 50mm lens because it's wider than 85mm.

By calculating the measured field of view using a 50mm at a distance of 10', the field measures 3' x 4'6". That's ok for a small child, but not for an adult. If you were to use a wider lens... say 35mm focal length at 10', now the field of view measures nearly 6-1/2' x 4-1/3'. That seems like it would be enough for most people, but keep in mind that on a full length shot you do want some margin of space between the limits of your subjects' body and the edge of the image so that it'll look nice when framed.

As you get to shorter focal lengths (wider angles of view), the ability to generate strong out-of-focus blur diminishes and to retain it, your focused distance to the subject needs to become nearer and nearer. If your subject is very near with a wide-angle lens you'll start to notice a distorted look.

The super-zooms (e.g. 18-200, 18-270, etc.) have mostly ONE thing going for them: convenience

The image quality of less ambitious zooms (and certainly of primes) will beat the image quality of a super-zoom. Also, these long lenses don't have particularly attractive focal ratios for someone who likes 'bokeh' and as the lenses don't typically collect a great deal of light, you're now needing to either crank up the ISO or use longer shutter exposures to compensate and there goes your #1 and #2 needs on your list.

I never recommend super-zooms and whenever someone expresses an interest in them, I am quick to point out of the trade-offs. There is a _reason_ why it's possible to change lenses on your camera. If it were possible to just stick on one lens and do everything, then Canon wouldn't make 75+ lenses for it.

Super zooms sacrifice virtually every quality of optics there is in exchange for just one advantage... the convenience of not having to swap lenses. The esssence of your needs (the list of 4 items) is all about having a lens (or lenses) with very specific qualities. A super-zoom would be a very poor choice given your list -- they are one of the last lenses in the world you want to use for items #1 and #2 and #4. But they'd do #3 -- absolutely no better than the lens you already own today, but they'd do it.

The 17-55mm f/2.8 isn't heavy because Canon was bad at reducing weight... it's heavy because it's a low-focal ratio zoom. ALL low-focal ratio zooms are "heavy" relative to other zooms with similar ranges. Thats because in order to collect more light (the point of that low focal ratio), the lens needs to be physically larger (it needs a bigger opening). That necessitates that all of the elements inside the lens have a larger physical diameter and they also they get thicker and that means heavier. And if that isn't already enough... the larger elements usually create a strong dispersion effect (dispersion is bad... it creates chromatic aberration or "color fringing" where the different wavelengths of light do not actually focus at the same distance and that causes soft, fuzzy, low-contrast images) and to counter this, they have to insert even more elements making the lens even heavier still. Basically you buy an f/2.8 zoom because you do not want to compromise on the quality of the zoom and you're willing to lug a little more weight around in exchange for that advantage. You will never find a "light" f/2.8 zoom that produces a decent image quality. The very qualities necessary to make it good also make it heavy.

So this leaves you with a choice:

a) Change your requirements and declare that you're willing to accept the weight of an f/2.8 zoom.

b) Get a moderate normal focal length prime lens with a low-ish focal ratio and be willing to "zoom with your feet".

I probably wouldn't want full length shots *and* bokeh. If you want a strong out of focus blur then you achieve that by taking a half-length shot of your subject (so they can be closer and thus the background is even blurrier).

I'd look at a 50mm f/1.4 (again... you're going to have to modifiy how you think about framing your subjects) -or- look at a 35mm f/2 (out of focus blur wont be quite as strong but it will have more of a "normal" angle of view rather than a mildly tight angle of view that the 50 provides.)

Go visit pixel-peeper.com. They index photos (I think from Flickr) based on the camera body and lens used to create the image. E.g. you can tell it that you want to see samples of photos taken with a Canon 35mm f/2 lens and it'll give you pages and pages of them. It's a way to get an idea for what a lens can do.

Re: help picking a lens for what i will use it for

Maria — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 17:21:28 GMT

Thank you everyone for the information! Greatly appreciate it!

I should have mentioned the lenses i have in my original post - thought i had but didn't ;(

I have a nifty fifty - a 50mm f/1.8 and really like it - wish it were a f1/4 but when i bought it a few yrs back I didn't know enough about lenses to justify the extra cost. I plan to replace it in the future to get a nicer, softer blur - but it's a decent lens so i can hold off 😉

I also have a:

Sigma 70-300 f/4-5.6 - a bit soft all around and struggles in low light

Canon 18-55mm IS f/3.5-5.6 kit lens

Canon 28-90f/4-5.6 non IS kit lens from an older film camera (Elan II) - haven't used in years...

430EX II flash

Elan II Camera body - upgraded from an A1 yrs ago (wish i had kept the A1 for nostalgia)

My weight limit is due to neck and shoulder problems i have - i can't have a lot of weight hanging around my neck for very long with out causing pain. I use the strap that came with the camera but have recently seen side straps that my help so going to look into them further. Or find a way to hold the camera that doesn't put pressure on my neck...

And yes i'm primarily taking pictures of children (my 5 yr old and want both head shots and in the frame from head to toe) and then of family friends while sitting (so really only from elbows and up).... and yes i can always use my feet to help 'zoom' 😉 i'm learning that 😉 Learning a lot lately from reading posts and articles online as well as watching various videos.

As far as equipment goes I think my T1i has treated me well over the last 3 yrs 😉 but it doesn't do well in low light (max ISO of 3200 but has noise at 800+) thus the reason i'm looking at a new body. Thanks for mentioning that the 7D is heavier - i knew it was not plastic like this one but completely missed the obvious fact that metal=more weight! 🙂 And thank you for explaining why f/2.8s are heavy 😉

Before reading the last few replies i was considering a 24-70mm f2.8L or a 70-200mm f/2.8 or f/4 (IS or non IS - not sure which- but both the IS or NON IS is HEAVY) - i was told that most lenses are not great (tack sharp) at their largest aperture thus why i was looking at the f/2.8s... but that is going to add weight... so need to rethink and consider all that you have shared... all Canon lenses and cameras are on sale until end of month at Henry's (one of the few camera stores locally) so i hope to make a decision by end of week.... I don't really have $2K to spend on a lens but worried that if i get a thrid party lens (a Sigma equivalent that is half the price) i will regret it...i was also looking at the 17-55mm Sigma or 17-55mm Canon - to use as a replacement to the kit lens but that brings me back to the suggestions of using primes vs zooms.... also a good point but carrying a bag around with muliple lenses is also creating a weight issue for me so thus why i was looking for one lens that does all i want - but that's not reasable based on what you have all shared...

My want for a large aperture is for 2 reasons, 1) more light, and 2) the bokeh - yes i can create more bokeh by getting closer but with a moving child that doesn't like to be photographed that is very difficult to do... and i don't really want kiddy poses that most kids do when the realize they are being photographed....(trying to unteach that now) - thus i need to be 10-15 feet away to take the shots i want.... and since most shots are taken indoors in a causal setting i really can't set up lights or use reflectors ;( thus the desire to have a lens that allows more light it.... but yes that means a heavier lens ;(

Lots for me to think about this week!! Thanks again for all your input! I really appreciate it! and if you have anything else to share or feel i'm missing something in my considerations please let me know 😉

Re: help picking a lens for what i will use it for

ebiggs1 — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 13:18:52 GMT

With the limitations you have stated there isn't much that will do a great deal better than the equipment you have already. Large aperture and low cost and low weight don't happen together!

A single camera and lens combo will rarely do everything a photographer wants.

Still the Canon EOS Rebel SL1 DSLR, or T51 (a little heavier), will make a pretty big difference using the lenses you already have. Plus meets both requirement of low weight and low cost.

Sometimes folks get the impression that f2.8 is a lot faster than f3.5, or f4, since the numbers are far apart. But actually f3.5 is less than a full stop and f4 is just one stop faster!

So my suggestion remains a Canon SL-1 or T5i.

You existing Canon 18-55mm IS f/3.5-5.6 kit lens and 50mm f1.8

430 EX II flash

A Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II Lens, again meeting the low cost and low weight requirements, might be a nice addition. It will be an improvement over your Sigma 70-300 f/4-5.6.

Good luck

Re: help picking a lens for what i will use it for

Maria — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 16:44:54 GMT

Thanks ebiggs1 - I'll check out that lens and also the T5i... The T5i is about $750 and the 7D is $1200 and based on what i've read is pretty comparible.

The only thing i'm not clear on is that i believe the T5i only has an EF mount (ie not an EF + EF-S) and if EF-S allows for backwards compatibility then i can't use any EF-S lenses - i have one - the kit lens (18-55mm) .... am i understanding that correctly? I'm assuming the Sigma (70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG) i have will work with the T5i but not sure now?? And the lens you are recommeding is an EF-S lens : Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II).... maybe the specs i'm reading aren't acurate... maybe the T5i does have an EF + EF-S mount????

I'm willing to pay more to get something that is worth it - ie i don't want to cheap out now and then in a year wish i had spent the extra money - dont' get me wrong, i'm not saying that money is not an issue - it is but i'd rather spend more on the right thing. so if that means a $2K lens then i'm willing to save up and get it vs regret a $500 purchase this year that i want to replace next year. But at the same time i don't want to waste money - that is why i'm posting here vs just taking the word of a salesperson who wants a bigger sale 😉

I've looked up the lens you recommend - i think - the closest i can find is the CANON EF-S 55-250MM 4-5.6 IS (no II??) and 55 vs 50? is this the right lense? http://www.henrys.com/23938-CANON-EF-S-55-250MM-4-5-6-IS-LENS.aspx

Re: help picking a lens for what i will use it for

Skirball — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 19:43:24 GMT

Both the T5i and 7D are EF-S mounts. They will accept EF-S and EF lenses.

The 7D has fantastic auto-focus capabilities; that’s the primary difference between that and the Rebel line. Image quality is a little better, but not markedly. It's a great camera, but the internet makes it sound like you can't get clean pictures of anything that moves with a Rebel. That’s nonsense. For professionals where the keeper rate has financial consequences, I understand the need. For casual shooters, missing a shot here or there really isn’t that big a deal.

All that said, I think it’s foolish to upgrade from a T1i to another Rebel model. Put your money into lenses if you really feel the need to buy something.

To see if you can get a refurbished T4i from Canon. Comes with a year warranty.

Re: help picking a lens for what i will use it for

Skirball — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 17:05:20 GMT

@Maria wrote:
I've looked up the lens you recommend - i think - the closest i can find is the CANON EF-S 55-250MM 4-5.6 IS (no II??) and 55 vs 50? is this the right lense? http://www.henrys.com/23938-CANON-EF-S-55-250MM-4-5-6-IS-LENS.aspx

The new 55-250 was just released. Sure it may be better, but people around here were recommending it long before it was even released or real-world reviewed, so take it with a grain of salt. People get excited about new stuff.

That link above is the old one, and I wouldn't buy it at that price since the new one is just a bit more:

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-EF-S-55-250mm-F4-5-6-Cameras/dp/B00EFILVQU

Personally though, I'd buy the old one since the prices are plummeting now that a new version is out. I don't shoot video, so STM doesn't mean much to me. Here's $180 with some add-on kit:

http://www.amazon.com/55-250mm-4-0-5-6-Telephoto-Digital-Accessory/dp/B00DLD0BKW/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1380214994&sr=1-3&keywords=canon+55-250

Give it another few weeks it'll probably cost under $150.

Re: help picking a lens for what i will use it for

cicopo — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 17:14:27 GMT

I think Maria might live here in Canada based on her mentioning Henry's (one of our major chains ) . Refurbs aren't that available in Canada either so that may not be worth investigating. As for the 7D it's getting a little old & maybe the 70D might be a better fit based on early reviews / user comments. I shot a 7D for 3 years & the AF is very good and so were photos up to & including ISO 3200 as long as you weren't looking for a big print. As for the 55-250 they are available used almost daily on Kijiji.

Re: help picking a lens for what i will use it for

ebiggs1 — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 18:35:48 GMT

I am getting a little confused. You are sending mixed requirements. If weight is an issue, the 7D is out. It's really big improvement over a T5i or SL-1 is it's robust build and it is a larger camera. It is a pro level body.

The SL-1 is the lightest, low cost, body Canon has right now and it will better your T1i in low light ability. Personally I would prefer the T5i to the SL-1 because it is so light and small.

Again if weight is a factor the big very heavy "L" lenses are out. Not to mention cost but the 70-200mm f4 non IS would be a choice and compromise.

You really need to go somewhere and try these out in your own hands and see.

Re: help picking a lens for what i will use it for

ebiggs1 — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 18:45:39 GMT

“Sigma 70-300 f/4-5.6 - a bit soft all around and struggles in low light “

“Canon 28-90f/4-5.6 non IS kit lens from an older film camera (Elan II) - haven't used in years...”

Almost any current Canon lens will best either of these and certainly the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II Lens does. Adding validity to the suggestion of buying lenses instead of upgrading the camera for another consideration.

I am still going to go with the SL-1 or T5i for you, however, and just use what lenses you have.

Re: help picking a lens for what i will use it for

Maria — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 19:39:28 GMT

You've all given me a lot to think about and options - thank you!! i was hoping to find something within my original requirements list but it seems like that is not really possible thus the need to revisit needs, wants and limitations along the way in this thread.

Yes i am in Canada and i haven't found much used from a retailer and only the odd thing on Kijiji and I'm not sure i'm comfortable with buying via kijiji as i have no idea how good or bad the lens has been treated in the past and if i have an issue with it i can't 'return' - not that i'd be able to judge use if buying second hand from a retailer but it may be a better option IF they offer some type of warranty or return policy.

I think the next step is (as suggested) to go back to the store and hold these cameras and lenses - feel them and see what feels right. My only options for local retailers are Henry's, Future Shop, BestBuy, or Costco (which has a few limited options as kits).

Thanks Again!!

Re: help picking a lens for what i will use it for

Maria — Wed, 02 Oct 2013 14:33:33 GMT

Well after reading and reading i have to accept that i can't get a better camera AND a better lens and not increase weight and so something has to give and i need to find a way to deal with it. Based on the input provided i think most would say to use the weight on the lens vs the camera. I went to the store and looked at the T5i, the 70D and the 7D and there is a noticable difference. When i used all three for a bit i didn't like the T5i as much - although similar to my current camera i like the feel of the others better. And since the 70D is lighter it is probably the better choice for me. i won't be buying the camera for a couple months so have time to retest them and hold them.

I wanted to see the 55-250 IS but they didn't have any. The sales person (a different one than i've talked to before) suggested the 17-135mm f/1.8 instead. But he couldn't find one so couldn't show it to me. When i searched online i couldn't find this lens? Does it even exist? Mabye he referenced it incorrectly? He was sure it a zoom f/1.8...

So i then went back to the lens i've read and heard so many great things about. The 24-70mm f/2.8L II. I took the plunge and got it. Although very excited the day of and the day after today is day 3 and i think i went overboard. I have 14 days to return so it's now time to be sure this is the right decision. I took several shots in the evening (outdoors). The biggest benefit i see to this lens in the shots i took was the f2/8 - but it cost me a little over $2k. It is heavy and i found i had to walk around holding in it in my hand vs letting my neck hold the weight ;( do i like that, no, but i stopped to think about it and i don't often walk around with it on my neck. it's usually in my bag and only take it out when i want to use it. Especially since most of my photos are of my daughter ... i'm not necessarily walking around the city with it for shots.. that would be a rare case for me. Even when out and about it is in my bag and only comes out when i get to a location like and want to capture a shot of. I can hold a backpack so that is what i do when traveling/sight seeing etc. So i'm willing to hold it in my hand to get a f/2.8. I also saw a hand strap on line that may be good as an extra safety measure when holding.

Now to add the IS piece to this - i originally asked the question of IS in another thread with the Canon 70-200 in mind but while at the store and looking at the 24-70 another person in the store suggested the 28-70 f2.8 Tamron that has Image Stabilization... definatley a lower price point and will an amature like me really notice a big difference between the Tamron and the Canon?? Not sure... the Tamron is also lighter. But they didn't have one so would have to get online somewhere... I like how sharp the Canon 24-70 is, i don't know if the Tamron would compare... but now that i know it exists i wonder how good it is.

The reason i like the idea of the 24-70 was that i could almost use it as an all in one - ie put it on my camera and use it for pretty much everything when photographing my daughter.... since i'm using it on a crop sensor camera (now and later) it really gives me more like a 36-105... so i might need to take a step back once in while but would give me the zoom... but that would also be the case of the 55-250... i'd get IS with the later but not f/2.8.

So after all that babbling, here is what i'd like to get your input on,

1) if choosing between the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L II and the Tamron SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD which do you recommend? When/where would you notice a difference in these?

2) would either of the above be a better choice over the Canon 55-250 f/4-5.6)?? not sure if this is made for a crop or full sensor?

3) and what about that unknown 17-135mm f/1.8??

I know i'm going all over the place and I applogize but this isn't easy ;( I hope i'm not frustrating anyone ;( just confused... and the more i look at this the more options i consider... which i know isnt' making it any easier but rather more confusing... sigh...

Re: help picking a lens for what i will use it for

cicopo — Wed, 02 Oct 2013 15:48:45 GMT

I don't think Canon makes ANY zoom with an f1.8 aperture. so that's not on the table. The Tamron gets good reviews & is worth investigating but so does the 15-85 which although not an f2.8 lens has IS & isn't as heavy as the Canon 24-70 and the 15-85 hes excellent reviews. I don't have any of these but do have the 24-105f4.0 L IS and it's excellent too .

Re: help picking a lens for what i will use it for

TCampbell — Wed, 02 Oct 2013 17:18:42 GMT

@Maria wrote:

So after all that babbling, here is what i'd like to get your input on,

1) if choosing between the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L II and the Tamron SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD which do you recommend? When/where would you notice a difference in these?
2) would either of the above be a better choice over the Canon 55-250 f/4-5.6)?? not sure if this is made for a crop or full sensor?
3) and what about that unknown 17-135mm f/1.8??

The reason people consider the Tamron is based entirely on cost savings. The Canon easily outperforms the Tamron. In fact... reviewers gush over the Canon 24-70 f/2.8L II so much that it's often considered "best in class" (in other words... it outperforms every vendor's 24-70 lens -- not just those intended to go on Canon bodies... even those intended for non-Canon bodies.) So unless you're asking about cost savings, the Canon is the better lens.

This, btw, is often true. In nearly every lens review I study of a Canon vs. 3rd party glass, the Canon is usually more expensive, but it nearly always is the better performer.

The Canon EF-S 55-250 is a designed to work on any Canon APS-C crop frame camera body. This includes all "Rebel" bodies as well as all mid-range bodies (50D, 60D, 70D), and also the 7D. But the 55-250 is for a completely different range than the 24-70. You can use a 24-70 as a general purpose lens. The 55-250 is a telephoto zoom (There is no 'normal' or 'wide angle' range on that lens... it's always zoomed in... the question is whether it's zoom in a little or zoomed in a lot.) I was never particularly thrilled with the 55-250. It's a consumer-grade lens designed to provide an affordable zoom and in that regard it does ok. I use an EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM these days and have been extremely happy with it.

If you go to a traditional "camera" or "photography" store (by which I mean a dedicated store that caters pretty much to photography exclusively and doesn't sell anything else) AND this store is not a "chain" store (e.g. not Ritz Camera, etc.) THEN I generally find the sales people are actually experienced photographers. In a chain store or big box store, they're just sales people... whether they sell cameras, shoes, or french fries doesn't seem to make any difference to them. They generally don't know the products and I would be extremely cautios about taking their advice.

There is no such thing as 17-135mm f/1.8. Canon makes an 18-135mm f/3-5-5.6 zoom... but nothing with a low focal ratio. In fact, I've never seen anybody make a zoom that could provide a focal ratio lower than f/2.8 (and the f/2.8 zooms are very expensive as you have no doubt already noticed.)

As for the weight of the camera & lens... the traditional factory neck-strap isn't particularly comfortable for all-day use. You may want to check out a sling-type camera strap. The Black Rapid brand and Carry Speed brands are extremely good. I use a Black Rapid RS-7 strap and I can carry the camera all day and never get tired of it (and I'm carrying a gripped 5D III so the body is much heavier). The camera hangs at your side (the strap goes around your body like a sash) so it's out of the way when you aren't shooting. Also the camera hangs upside-down from it's tripod bolt (if the lens is heavier than the body then you'd attach it to the lens' tripod collar.)

Re: help picking a lens for what i will use it for

Maria — Wed, 02 Oct 2013 19:44:39 GMT

thanks for the quick responses!

i guess that is what it comes down to - the cost - yes i spent the money on it and it's not going to kill me that is why i did it. But is it the best choice .... By using the 24-70 lens on my camera (as the main one that stays on there for 90+% of the time, only to be taken off to use the 50mm f/1.8 the odd time) i will not have anything under 36mm and nothing over 105mm (the crop persepctive) - not necessarily a bad thing but something to keep in mind.. where maybe a 18-200 would give me more, as would the 55-250 - but i don't think they even compare to the 24-70???

Maybe i need to take deep breath and just enjoy my new glass for a week and see how we do together 😉 thanks for helping me with my mini panic attack 😉

Re: help picking a lens for what i will use it for

cicopo — Wed, 02 Oct 2013 19:54:18 GMT

There is no question that the 24-70 is best in class but the difference in IQ isn't proportional to the price difference. As for an 18-200 or 18-270 etc many dismiss them as too much of a compromise but I've done quite well with the ones I've owned but then again I rarely shoot wide open & I am NOT a shallow DOF person.

Re: help picking a lens for what i will use it for

ebiggs1 — Fri, 04 Oct 2013 21:05:07 GMT

Well you certainly started at the top of mountain. Don't even consider a 50mm f1.8 next to that 24-70mm.

There is really only one other lens in the same class as the one you got. It is the 70-200mm f2.8 Series II and it has a price tag to match.