Lens Recommendation

[JohnQ]

I have been reading up on new lenses and the affect that a lens can have on image quality. I am fairly new to photography and did not realize how important lenses were to the final product. I always thought the camera was more important. Anyway, I was wondering what lens everyone would suggest me? I use a canon 20d which I just bought because of the recent price drop.

[duderton]

well it all plans on what you plan on shooting pics of. there's all sorts of lens out there for different application. Thats why my camera bag is worth more than my car.

[savona]

I agree, it really depends on what you are shooting. For an all around lens my all time favorite so far was my Tamron 28-75 2.8. Light as a feather, fast, good focal length, sharp and very affordable. If you tell us what you plan on shooting I am sure someone can make some good recommendations.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

On a 20D, I'd suggest a couple of general use lenses without knowing your subject matter, like the Tamron 17-50 2.8 if you're on a budget, or if you're not and don't mind spending a couple hundred extra, the 17-40L is a gem. Sigma makes a 17-70 that has quite the following these days, as well. All are quite sharp and very dependable.

[Mathiau]

yeah, a good midrange lense, should handle most picrtures you want to take, then if you venture into more specific area's you can go from there...


The camera plays a part in image quality, but it is your lenses that you invest all of your money into, not the body as much,.

[akhater]

yes lenses are by FAR more important than camera :) any way if you would tell us what lenses you currently have, this might help us suggest a new one

[JohnQ]

I only have the kit lens right now. I basically just shoot anything that catches my eyes. So I guess I am looking for an all around lens. I don't think I have any need for a telephoto lens, or even a REAL wide lens.

I have a budget of about $500

Thanks

[akhater]

If you don't need a telephoto and on croped sensor cam like the 20D I'd second the 17-40L suggestion.
It cost at amazon $642 and shipping is free, if you buy it during Canon fall rebates (untill Jan 14th 2007) you can get an extra $45 rebate.
More details about that lens here (http://www.amazon.com/Canon-17-40mm-Ultra-Angle-Cameras/dp/B00009R6WO/sr=8-1/qid=1163080032/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-6330427-7905615?ie=UTF8&s=electronics)

[savona]

I love my 17-40L and would not get rid of it for anything, BUT, for an all around lens I like the 28-75 better. 40mm is a little too short in my opinion.

The Tamron 28-75 2.8 is a great lens. When I first bought it, it stayed on my camera for about 2 months straight. I loved everything about it except maybe the focusing. It was a little slow and inaccurate compaired to the high end canon lenses. But hey, you have to take a little crap to save a $1000. The Tamron runs about $350 new and I would say the image quality is REALLY close to a canon L lens, if your a patient person you will be fine with the focusing.

[Hikariphoto]

I've heard great things about that Tamron. My take on lenses seems to be similar to others' -- the lens is FAR more important than the camera. Here's a couple rules I live by:

1. Don't buy an EF-S lens for the 20D. While it will fit the 20D/30D/Digital Rebel series, it will not fit a higher-end body. If you upgrade in the future to a 1D series or a 5D, you won't be able to use that lens. Stick with EF series or aftermarket. Sigma and Tamron both make good lenses.

2. Build quality is VITAL. The higher-end lenses will take a beating and last forever. They can also be repaired by Canon and recalibrated if need be. Low-end lenses aren't worth it. The exception is the Canon 50mm 1.8 and the 85mm 1.8. Those are dynamite lenses and they're cheap and replaceable.

3, I always use a filter and a lens hood. I know there are varying schools of thought on this but my lenses have whacked walls or gone crashing to the floor a number of times and still work, although I've had to replace filters and lens hoods.

I own a variety of lenses and I've found that the Canon lenses are usually better than the aftermarket; however, the only one that I would say is FAR superior to the aftermarket version is the 70-200 2.8L; that's my bread-and-butter lens.