Lens Decision made - Please Advise

I owned the 28-135, and I found that it wasn't wide enouh on my 350D/XT. 28 x 1.6 = 44.8. I've used my cousin 18-55 IS and I found that its IQ is really nice, and the IS helps a lot. I have not used the 55-250 IS so I don't know much about it but you can go here for its review www.thedigitalpicture.com

If you're considering spending $500, you are honestly better off waiting a little longer and getting either the 70-300 IS or the 70-200 F4L. Both are around $600-$700, but are much better lenses for the money.

If budget is truly a concern, the 55-250 will probably be a great addition and pair well with your 18-55.

I would say, keep the kit lens as your walkaround lens (as you already said you like it) and buying the 55-250 (which is of similar quality) to extend you range on the long end.

The 28-135 may or may not be the perfect walkaround lens. Just look at the exif-info of your current pics. If you use the 18-28 range often, the 28-135 lens will not suit your well probably...

Especially since you are using a 1.6x crop body, suggest you to look at the new 18-200

any reason why you're sticking with canon? If budget is a concern, try sigma or tamron equivalents...

I don't think you should go L yet... Once u do, your life is over...

I use the 17-85 4 - 5.6 is usm and I like it a lot. I have a crop sensor and it is my walk around lens. No complaints yet

To me, adding a zoom to the kit would be the best choice. The 28-135 is a fine lens I am sure, however why limit your self to such a range when you could have 18 to 250mm? That is assumeing you got the 55-250. The 70-300 (IS version) is a great lens for the money. The 70-200 f4 is very sharp and a pro grade, worth every penny. But I would miss not haveing IS in that range. If you are happy with the 18-55 kit lens, then the 55-250IS or 70-300IS would do you well. You could even find a used (no longer made) 75-300 IS. It should be on par with the 18-55 as well but not as good as the newer 70-300IS.

Anyway, if you want a one lens does all, then you could wait for the new 18-200IS to hit the market in a month or two. I am not a fan of super zooms due to image quality issue that often come with them. The lens above are rather boarder line for my personal use and tast, however Canon has put some rather expesive glass in the 18-200 that may prove to produce better than expected results. Of course it is expected to hit the market at $600.00 USD. It will drop after a while I am sure.

Jason

1. My budget is to keep it under 450 stretch it to 500, and I do not want to go a penny more. So I do not want to go towards and L yet, especially since I am still learning, chances are I would not be able to make the best out of those lenses yet.

2. I would like to consider Lenses by Tamron and Sigma as well, if you guys can make a recommendation for those makers. The only reason I am looking for Canons are for their IS feature, and the OS feature in Sigma makes those lenses much expensive ?

I did look at a few Tamrons like the, Tamron SP AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II XR LD ASL IF Lens

IMO the Tamron 17-50 2.8 or 28-75 2.8 would be a better choice. I owned the Tamron 28-75 and I would say its better then the Canon 28-135. Many of the lenses mentioned will probably do just fine depending on what you enjoy shooting and what your needs are.

Hello

I have a XTi with 18-55 IS kit lens and the 55-250 IS and I am very happy with both. It kind of depends on your budget and intent. I wanted a light, portable kit what I can take anywhere without too much fear of loss or damage. The 18-55 IS is a good-walk around lens on the XTi. Not as good as my 24-105 IS on my 5D, but waaaaay cheaper. The 55-250 IS lens is also well worth the price and a fun walk-around lens. So if you want cheap and good, go for the 18-55 IS plus 55-250 IS and then throw in the 50mm 1.8 ($80.00?) for indoor portrait shots.

There are other more expensive high-quality solutions, but they begin at $900.00.

Another vote for Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 ... optically and also in terms of FOV on a APS-C sensor body this is much better lens compared to the Canon 28-135. The high zoom ratio third party lenses like 18-200/18-250 all suck in terms of image quality at the longer end of the zoom. I own the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8, and its a fantastic lens for about 400 USD. You can pair it with a Canon 70-300 IS USM for longer reach ... if money is a concern I think the new Canon EF-S 18-55mm IS along with the Canon EF-S 55-250 IS would be a better choice.

I think I am going to go with the Canon 28-135 IS. Just because with this lens I am getting the short wide angle as well as a good zoom length too. And as a carry around lens I do not want to wait to switch lenses when I want to get a shot. Although it would be nice to have the 50 - 250 IS along with the 18-55 IS, I have to constantly keep switching the lenses, but wit the 28-135 I do not have to do this constantly.

Also what I am going to do is once I get the 28-135 I will either sell the kit lens and may be get the 70 - 300 IS for the added zoom or get the 18-55 IS for the convenience of carrying around a smaller lens.

You might want to check if you consider 135 to be long enough.

I prefer 200mm (on a crop body) when zooming in.

I used a Sigma 18-200 for a while and was very happy with the flexibility it offered.

In the end I bought an expensive 70-200 because of image quality.

The reason I am considering the Canons is because of IS.

Does any of the Tamron/Sigma lenses provide some sort of IS functionality ?

If you go with the 28-135 look on craigslist or other seller sites. Many people ( including me ) sell off that lens which is part of the 40D kit and you can pick up one new for about $300.

As to not switching lenses, I do agree with you there, I purchased the 24-105 for the same reason but I do find its sometimes not wide enough so I will either get a wider lens or pick up a full frame body sometime this year.

Good luck on the 28-135 I was not really happy with it but many people claim its a good lens.

As to your question about IS on the Tamrons. I believe they do have a hyper zoom ( 28-300 ) with IS but the 17-50 does not have IS.

Yes, Sigma has line of lenses with OS (Optical Stabilization) and so does Tamron with VC (Vibration Compensation) but this feature is not available on their popular 17-50 lineup.

28-133 f/3.5-5.6 IS is a fine lens but I hope you do know that its effective FOV is going to be 45-216 on any cropped sensor digital body ... which IMHO is a little inconvenient for indoor shooting for not being so wide.

Hey Tommy DiGiovanni are you selling your 28-135 IS lens, if so let me know.

Sorry I already sold it but look around I always see them for sale.

I you keep the kit lens and add a 55-200 then you'd have plenty of change for something glamorous and fun like a 50/1.4.

Actually there are some for sale right here in the equipment section of Photo.net

I have decided to get the 28-135, may be invest in the 18-55 IS or the 10-22 for wide angle should I find the 28-135 adequate at that department.

Thanks every one for your inputs.

If any one comes across people selling the 28-135 Lens please refer them to me or if you are selling one let me know.

Thanks