Lens Question

[Premgenius]

I'm planning to take a dive into a DSLR later this year I'm thinking of getting a Canon EOS 450D body with a Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4.0-5.6 IS USM Lens.

Is that a good lense choice for daily shooting or should I get something else?

If there are any owners with Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4.0-5.6 IS USM Lens can you post 2 photos for me one with no zoom and another with full zoom.

Thank you.

[ironsight2000]

yes that would be a good lens if possible get a faster lens but other then that its good

[crazzy88ss]

The tamron 17-50mm f2.8 http://www.amazon.com/Tamron-AF17-50mm-Asp...6347&sr=8-1 is a great lens.

Giga and I are big on recommending this one.

I have it for nikon mount, and it's awesome.

[giga Veteran]

The tamron 17-50mm f2.8 http://www.amazon.com/Tamron-AF17-50mm-Asp...6347&sr=8-1 is a great lens.

Giga and I are big on recommending this one.

I have it for nikon mount, and it's awesome.

+1

The 17-85 IS is old. Even the new (and cheaper) 18-55 IS kit lens is shaper than it.

[Premgenius]

I see. My major concern is that I shake when I take photos that the reason I was looking at the IS range I don't want to have all photos that a blurry because I always thought that with DSLR you need to be rock stable.

[giga Veteran]

I see. My major concern is that I shake when I take photos that the reason I was looking at the IS range I don't want to have all photos that a blurry because I always thought that with DSLR you need to be rock stable.

What type of shooting? Indoors, outdoors, low light, sports?

18-55 IS will work well for indoors and low light. The 17-50 for sports and dof. Both will be fine for outdoors.

[o0moonman0o]

if u shoot things that don't move in low light, IS will work suprisingly nice, if u shoot things that move in low light, large aperture is the only solution. or a flash ;)

[Robbie Khan Reviews]

Personally I would choose the 17-55 canon as it's 2.8 - it's VERY handy indoors in low light, this week alone I shot a birthday party for family in a restaurant and had to resort to iso800 for most shooting at 1/40-1/60 sec at f/2.8 but thankfully the 17-55 is so sharp at 2.8 you really could not notice any issues at all and the dof was excellent. Well worth the price imo but if you don't need uber low light shooting then the 17-85 is a capable lens if a bit soft wide open.

[Pink Floyd Veteran]

I don't think it's in the same price rage mrk.

[Premgenius]

mrk thanks for the recommendation but thats out my budget it tooke me long enough just collect enough money for the DSLR

[Premgenius]

Why is the Canon 17-55mm twice the cost of the Canon 17-85mm?

I only know of Amazon to buy from any recommendation or sites?

Any shops where I can go and get a feel of the lenses etc?

And what filters should I get?

[giga Veteran]

Why is the Canon 17-55mm twice the cost of the Canon 17-85mm?

I only know of Amazon to buy from any recommendation or sites?

Any shops where I can go and get a feel of the lenses etc?

And what filters should I get?

17-55 is 2.8 across the range and has IS. It's pretty damn sharp too compared to the 17-85.

B&H is good. What type of filters you want?

[Premgenius]

I should have been more specific but shop/sites in the UK?

With filters I'm bit confused because I thought a polarizer but turns about there is a UV filter, water filter etc unless I read something wrong should how do you select a specific filter, I do apologise for the some of the dumb questions.

Edited June 22, 2008 by DJ Prem

[Premgenius]

OK so how do you choose whether to use a polarizer filter or a UV filter when shooting?

[giga Veteran]

UV filters are normally used for protection. Polarizers to block out reflections--but they also help with bringing out colors in skies and such. So sunny outdoors would mainly be polarizer and UV filter the rest for protection. Don't cheap out on them though.

[Premgenius]

UV filters are normally used for protection. Polarizers to block out reflections--but they also help with bringing out colors in skies and such. So sunny outdoors would mainly be polarizer and UV filter the rest for protection. Don't cheap out on them though.

Thanks any recommendations for Polarizers?

[Guest]

No one reccomending a 50mm 1.8?! It's essensial!

[quirkatron]

no its not essential, i'd say the opposite of essential.

[Guest]

Why would you say it's the opposite of essenstial? It's a fast lens thats versitle if used correctly. You can get them cheap, they're very sharp (build quality vs the nikon 50mm isn't the best though) but it's still a quality cheap fast lens. What would be the opposite of essential? Unessential? Useless? Those lenses are far from it and compliment any camera bag!

[giga Veteran]

no its not essential, i'd say the opposite of essential.

I would say it's essential--especially for a beginner to experiment.

[Prince Charming]

I'd say they're essential. Build quality is awful, but they don't exactly fall to piece on you either, and they have brilliant optics. And for the price tag...they're a very good and sensible purchase.