I'm looking for a Used Lens

[DiscGo]

I have a Canon XSi SLR camera, and don't really have any good lenses. My wife and I agreed years ago that if I ever get a decent pay raise that we'd get a good lens. I can't afford a "great" lens, but I am hoping to pick up something decent with a glass lens in the $250 range (used).


I found this used lens on KSL for $200 (seen: here (http://www.ksl.com/?nid=218&ad=23363597&cat=659&lpid=&search=canon%20lense)) and I believe it is this (http://www.amazon.com/Canon-28-135mm-3-5-5-6-Standard-Cameras/dp/B00006I53S) same lens on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Canon-28-135mm-3-5-5-6-Standard-Cameras/dp/B00006I53S) for $420. Does this seem like a good deal? If not, can anyone give me some council on what to get, and what I should expect to pay?

[Nordschleife]

What lenses do you got so far,and what kind of focal range are you looking for.
The 28 - 135 has got some decent reviews. Also the Tamron 17-50 2.8 non VC is a great lens that doesn't hurt the wallet too much.

[DiscGo]

We have a 50mm, and a 17-85mm lens which came with the camera. Both of our lenses are plastic and I'd really like a general purpose lens that can take nicer pictures than our current lens.

[Nordschleife]

The 28-135 probably isn't going too justify the $200 dollar over your 17-85 optically.
If you want better glass with the same focal range, you're looking at the canon 15-85mm which is more expensive.
http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/465-canon_1585_3556is

If you're willing to loose a couple of mm in focal range, the Tamron 17-50 2.8 is really good and inside your budget.

http://www.photozone.de/Reviews/290-tamron-af-17-50mm-f28-sp-xr-di-ii-ld-aspherical-if-nikon-test-report--review (http://www.photozone.de/Reviews/290-tamron-af-17-50mm-f28-sp-xr-di-ii-ld-aspherical-if-nikon-test-report--review)

Or start saving up your money and buy the fantastic 24-105.
http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/420-canon_24105_4_5d

[oldno7]

Not sure of the quality of the 28-135

My wifes camera(T2i) has a 18-135, it is a very good lens.

[oldno7]

This is also a VERY good upgrade

http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10051_10051_210115_-1

[Nordschleife]

Made up your mind yet?

[DiscGo]

Yes. I am going to wait until Spring. My wife unexpectedly approved my buying the GoPro 3 for Christmas and that is where my money will now go. I'll let you guys know what I end up buying in the Spring (probably May). Thanks again for the input.

[ratagonia]

We have a 50mm, and a 17-85mm lens which came with the camera. Both of our lenses are plastic and I'd really like a general purpose lens that can take nicer pictures than our current lens.

I don't know what you mean by this... both lenses are plastic?

Generally, Nikon, Canon etc. used to make two levels of lenses, ones made with metal mounts (pro) and ones made with plastic mounts (consumer); with some inbetween that are what we would call pro-sumer.

But, with the explosion of the digital SLR's, the distinction is no longer so important. The place where the light goes through is always glass. The plastic mounts are now essentially just as good as the metal ones... heck, I don't know if they are making full metal lense mounts any more. The current ones are hybrid metal/plastic.

There are different grades of glass - but that is a different discussion.

For your XSi, the lenses that match are called the EFS series, which are made for the sensor size of your camera. There is only a limited selection of EF-S lenses, but they seem to cover the range. If you use the EF lenses, they cover a 24x36mm (ie, full frame) of the next level up of Canon camera. They are more expensive and heavier than the EFS lenses, and you won't get the focal length you expect.

I have four EFS lenses:

EF-S 10-22mm superwide to wide, 16mm to 35mm equivalent - AWESOME!
EF-S 60mm Macro (90mm equiv) - for flower shots - AWESOME!
EF-S 18-35mm kit lens. This is small and light and cheap, and is what I take most of the time hiking. It is OK. Takes good pictures. Just not too exciting.
EF-S 18-135mm Kind Fancy wide range zoom - I don't like it and should really sell it. Too big and heavy for hiking. Seems like it has too many elements and the contrast is lacking a bit. Photos are somewhat lackluster. The zoom is too loose, on the tripod pointed down, it tends to creep, so it does not work for my home-studio where I am often shooting straight down.

I recommend Canon lenses. I would not go used - my experience with eBay is that they usually go for about the same at BandH buying new.

And thanks for asking. Yeah, I ought to sell that big zoom I don't like and get my money out of it.

Tom

[DiscGo]

Thanks Tom.

[Nordschleife]

If you use the EF lenses, they cover a 24x36mm (ie, full frame) of the next level up of Canon camera. They are more expensive and heavier than the EFS lenses, and you won't get the focal length you expect.


It only matters if you're using a full frame cam which mount (EF/EF-S) you choose, on cropcams it doesn't matter.
All focal lengths are based on FF.

[ratagonia]

Just looked on eBay to sell my lense - TOO LATE! Prices there are plenty cheap.

Nord - I said the focal length you expect. However, almost all focal lengths are ALSO stated in "effective", meaning for full frame. But my 10-22 zoom is the true focal lengths, and the full frame effectives are 16-35.

Tom

[DesertDuke]

........ The zoom is too loose, on the tripod pointed down, it tends to creep, so it does not work for my home-studio where I am often shooting straight down.

? Tom, you have a photo studio? Canyon Guide emeritus and now portrait photographer??

[ratagonia]

? Tom, you have a photo studio? Canyon Guide emeritus and now portrait photographer??

What, you think these things shoot themselves???

http://www.canyoneeringusa.com/techtips/petzlpiranause/

T

[DesertDuke]

What, you think these things shoot themselves???

Ahhhh......I see, very nice. I have just been getting into photography, strictly on a hobby basis, and your studio comment piqued my curiosity.

DiscGo: good luck in your lens quest. And BTW, I hope this isn't hijacking the thread but on a related note I have just found Lightroom's ability to correct distortion for nearly every lens on the market. Very nifty and I recommend you give it a try when you finally get your new one this spring.