If you're looking to Canon brand lenses, there are four that come to mind, but two that you may be able to get for something near your price range.
The EF 24-70mm f/2.8L is well out of the $500 range -- so that's probably out.
There's also the new EF 24-70mm f/4L version -- but even the f/4 version is well out of the price range.
The EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM will be within the $500 price range even when purchased as "new". I have not personally used this lens so you should check reviews.
However... the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM is a lens whose "new" retail price is well outside your range, but you can often find good deals on this lens ... frequently just around $600 for a lens which is technically "used" but you can think of it as "new".
The 24-105mm is the "kit" lens included when someone wants, say, a 5D III body + lens kit. But when I bought my 5D III, I was unable to find a retailer who had the "body only" version of the packaging. The retailer sold me the camera as a "body only" and removed the lens from the "kit" (so my packaging is for a body + lens kit) and then "white boxed" the lens to be sold separately. If you look at the price of a 5D III "body only" versus a "body + lens" kit, the price difference (last time I checked... I don't happen to be looking right now) was only about $550.
So there's a lot of people who will sell this lens for about $600.
Tim Campbell
5D III, 5D IV, 60Da
