(Untitled)

[leathellin]

So we have a lens problem - luckily it doesn't yet seem to be a total lens addiction :-)

Anyway, we're after a kit lens replacement. We have been looking at:

The new Canon kit lens - EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS - cheap, now has IS (but not USM) but possibly a but too much of a replacing like with like.

The shiny Canon - Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.

Comments

[bateleur]

What do people think about the above lenses?

They both cost more than my camera. The expensive one costs more than all three of the digital cameras I have so far owned combined. ;-)

but not USM

Would you actually get much use out of USM? Your photos in practice seem to be a mix of scenery, flora and macro work... none of which is famous for moving too fast to get an autofocus lock!

[metame]

I do a fair amount of animal/bird stuff. Doesn't all make it to the flikr account as a certain amount is always blurred or turns out to be badly posed. Hard to tell how much use USM is since I think all our lenses have it...

[davefish]

What other lenses do you have? If you don't have one specifically for macro work then that might be useful?

I've got a Tamron 28-75 f2.8, which I'm really pleased with. I think that they also have a 18-50 f2.8 (Or similar) version which also has a good reputation.

For the more expensive one, you could always give it a go for a little time before buying it...
http://www.lensesforhire.co.uk/canon-standard-2-c.asp

If you want to borrow a macro to try it out let me know.

[metame]

We have a pretty decent macro lens (the EF 100 f2.8) and an OK telephoto (EF 55-200 f4.5-5.6).

The Tamron 18-50 is quite tempting (nice reviews and crucially is a bit faster than the Canon), and "fits" quite well with the range of the telephoto we have.

But there is the general truth that while wandering round somewhere with other people, or for unexpected natural world moments, the time to change lenses is not always possible. So maybe a wider range of angles would just be more practical...