24mm f/2.8 STM a good candidate to replace 18-55 kit lens?

[AndyMilnePhotog]

I was wondering if the 24mm f/2.8 STM is a good replacement for my 18-55 kit lens for landscape/nature type of photography.

I was considering the 17-55 f2.8 IS USM lens, but it is very bulky and pricey for what it is even used around $500.

Factors about why I might buy the 24mm STM lens:

1. Sharper than the kit lens unsurprisingly

2. Fast f/2.8 aperture

3. Fixed FL lenses force me to be more creative composition-wise. I don't mind moving forwards and backwards to get the same framing. 

3. Compact/Lightweight

4. Metal Mount 

Question I have about the 24mm STM:

1. Is losing the 18-23mm range a big deal for landscape work? I am not concerned about losing the 25-55mm range because my 50mm f/1.8 STM pretty much covers the range well enough for most things (soon to be replaced by the 60mm f/2.8 USM macro).

Feel free to leave your opinions down below. 

[ebiggs1 · Accepted solution]

First Andrew, I can't say enough good about the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens.  If you can't have the best in the world Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Lens, you want the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens. . The EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens is an outstanding lens that gets you that constant fast f2.8 aperture.  Great IQ maybe not quite as good as a prime but certainly very good.

If money is tight is it a good idea to settle on a lesser lens?  You know it isn't don't you?  You are doing fine with what you have so save a bit longer for the real prize,  the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens. Then sell your lens, you will never use it again.

24mm on a cropper is nearly a normal AOV. Set you current lens to 24mm and use it for a day. Don't change or zoom it at all. Is it working for you?  That will tell you a lot.

[kvbarkley]

This is really a personal decision and you will get as many answers as there are photographers. I personally think that 38mm (35mm FOV equiv for 24mm APS-C)) is a bit narrow for landscape.

[ebiggs1 · Accepted solution]

First Andrew, I can't say enough good about the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens.  If you can't have the best in the world Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Lens, you want the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens. . The EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens is an outstanding lens that gets you that constant fast f2.8 aperture.  Great IQ maybe not quite as good as a prime but certainly very good.

If money is tight is it a good idea to settle on a lesser lens?  You know it isn't don't you?  You are doing fine with what you have so save a bit longer for the real prize,  the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens. Then sell your lens, you will never use it again.

24mm on a cropper is nearly a normal AOV. Set you current lens to 24mm and use it for a day. Don't change or zoom it at all. Is it working for you?  That will tell you a lot.

[AndyMilnePhotog]

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@ebiggs1 wrote:

First Andrew, I can't say enough good about the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens.  If you can't have the best in the world Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Lens, you want the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens. . The EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens is an outstanding lens that gets you that constant fast f2.8 aperture.  Great IQ maybe not quite as good as a prime but certainly very good.

If money is tight is it a good idea to settle on a lesser lens?  You know it isn't don't you?  You are doing fine with what you have so save a bit longer for the real prize,  the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens. Then sell your lens, you will never use it again.

24mm on a cropper is nearly a normal AOV. Set you current lens to 24mm and use it for a day. Don't change or zoom it at all. Is it working for you?  That will tell you a lot.

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I was considering to get the 10-18mm IS STM     

with the pancake lens. However, I was thinking later on: Is it more convenient to change one of the two lenses to get the shot I want or would I want the same range as the kit lens only with a wider f/2.8 aperture w/ IS? I would get the latter.

I also realised that the cost of the 10-18mm IS STM & the pancake lens combined would only be $100-150 less than a used 17-55mm f2.8 IS lens. 

For now, I'll still use my 18-55 kit lens until then.

Thanks again Ernie for helping me out. 🙂

[AndyMilnePhotog]

Wait a minute, screw the 24mm f/2.8 STM. 

I found possibly a better lens that may be in my future, the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8.

How does it compare with the Canon 17-55 f/2.8 performance-wise? 

I heard it is sharper than the Canon 17-55 f/2.8. They're similarly priced, I think used ($500-$600) or new ($800). 

[ebiggs1 · Accepted solution]

"I found possibly a better lens that may be in my future, the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8."

I love this lens. Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art Lens for Canon It may be the best lens there is in the range category.  I almost bought a T7i just so I could use the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art Lens for Canon.

[AndyMilnePhotog]

 "I found possibly a better lens that may be in my future, the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8."

Update: While it is a great & well built lens, some people said that the Sigma 18-35 f1.8 backfocuses or frontfocuses & that the autofocus is more inconsistent than a first- party Canon 17-55 f/2.8 IS. I know there is a USB dock for Sigma that may fix these issues but idk about their reliabilty. 

One more question, Ernie. Since you said I am fine with what I have (18-55mm kit lens), should I get the 10-18mm for the ultrawide fov & keep my kit lens or do I still go for your original recommendations

selling my kit lens and buy the 17-55 f2.8 IS/18-35 f1.8? It doesn't matter really. I shoot landscapes more than portraits.

[ebiggs1]

Well you know you have to make that decision I can't make it for you.  If it were me I suppose getting the EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens would add a new dimension to what you already have. I think I would go that route.  I think maybe waiting to upgrade a lens you already have might be more interesting to you.  After all it is working for you.

You decide!  

[AndyMilnePhotog]

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@ebiggs1 wrote:

Well you know you have to make that decision I can't make it for you.  If it were me I suppose getting the EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens would add a new dimension to what you already have. I think I would go that route.  I think maybe waiting to upgrade a lens you already have might be more interesting to you.  After all it is working for you.

You decide!  

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As Mario would say, "okey dokey!"