Should I trade my lenses for one better one?

Capt Doufos · 24 Apr 2012 at 14:44

Over the last couple of years I have aquired various lenses and not sold any on. Do you think it would be worth while trading some in for somthing like the Canon 15-85 IS?

Most of my photography is biased towards landscapes with some portraits (Baby, pets etc) mostly shooting at the wide end.

I have a 400D
Canon 18-55mm
Canon 18-55mm IS
Canon 55-250mm IS
Canon 28-135mm IS
Canon 50mm 1.8
Canon 24mm 2.8

I would be interested to hear your opinions. I have had a lot of success with the 24mm so I would be keen to keep that or replace it with somthing as sharp. I don't have a huge amount of spare cash so most of the cost would need to be covered from selling some of the others.

Thanks

Lord-Jaffa · 24 Apr 2012 at 15:05

10-22 or maybe 17-40? All depends on budget. If you like the 24 why not go for a wider prime?

An Exception · 24 Apr 2012 at 16:00

I'd definately sell those lenses to get a better lens, however variable apertures don't do it for me personally so I personally wouldn't be interested in the 15-85.
If you get something like that you might want to keep the 50 for portraits...

theheyes · 24 Apr 2012 at 16:45

Tamron 17-50 2.8 could be a good replacement for all those kit zooms and wouldn't break the bank.

gary996 · 25 Apr 2012 at 12:05

10-22 and 24-105 would be my lenses of choice. Oh and keep the nifty fifty

=XDC=FluphyBunny · 25 Apr 2012 at 14:51

That's a grands worth of lenses :eek:

, the OP would need to sell a lot more than his current lenses to get close.

a1ex2001 · 25 Apr 2012 at 14:56

I'd sell the two 18-55mm's and the 28-235mm and put the money towards a good quality large aperture walk about lens ideally the Canon 17-55mm f2.8 but more realistically one of the Tamron or Sigma equivalents the Tamron 17-50mm F2.8 (Non-VR) would be a good bet.

I'd keep the 55-200mm IS as I hate being without a midrange telezoom and that is a pretty decent lens and I'd also keep the 50mm and the 28mm they are both lenses I have and I'd only consider selling them to upgrade to better primes.

Vertigo · 25 Apr 2012 at 22:09

I'd ditch both 18-55s, the 28-135 and the 24 and get a 17-55.

Next step after that would either be to swap the 55-250 out for a 70-200 F4 or else get an ultra-wide like the 10-22, perhaps both depending on your needs.

Once you have all that glass in place, then look to upgrade the body.

Capt Doufos · 25 Apr 2012 at 22:10

Thank you for the input, it gives me a few options to consider.

a1ex2001 · 26 Apr 2012 at 10:10

don't ditch the 24mm i's a fantastic lens and makes such a great lightweight kit on a crop body.

martynpd · 26 Apr 2012 at 10:57

sell 5 . get a 24-105L

keep the 50mm 1.8

later get a 70-200 f4 as others suggested.

=XDC=FluphyBunny · 26 Apr 2012 at 11:24

martynpd said:
sell 5 . get a 24-105L

keep the 50mm 1.8

later get a 70-200 f4 as others suggested.

Nice but no wide angle?

martynpd · 26 Apr 2012 at 12:29

24mm is wide angle. 17-20mm is really wide.

mind you 24mm isn't wide on a crop frame. about 36mm

=XDC=FluphyBunny · 26 Apr 2012 at 13:03

Sorry that's what I meant, on the OP's 400D he will often find 24mm quite restrictive when he has said he prefers wide angle photo's.

To be honest the 2 kit lenses are very sharp and other than faster aperture you are looking at a lot of money for any meaningful upgrade.

Personally for portraits I love my 50mm 1.8 or my 85mm 1.8.

For landscape any focal length can be used though I tend to favour the wider ranges of the kit lens although again the primes do get used and I find they tend to make me think out my shots more.

Just a thought for the OP but have you though about hiring a lens and deciding for yourself first hand if the more expensive ones offer what you need?

An Exception · 26 Apr 2012 at 13:15

Op should maybe also consider upgrading to a 5dmk1 for wide angle + better IQ for portraits, then just keep the 24 & the 50.

gary996 · 26 Apr 2012 at 17:16

stuartw_b said:
That's a grands worth of lenses , the OP would need to sell a lot more than his current lenses to get close.

Might be a grands worth. But 2 very nice lenses

=XDC=FluphyBunny · 26 Apr 2012 at 20:48

No doubt but I don't think it quite falls into the OP's remit

Dunks · 27 Apr 2012 at 13:42

gary996 said:
Might be a grands worth. But 2 very nice lenses

That's true, but it's like recommending a Ferrari to someone in the market for a Ford

Capt Doufos · 28 Apr 2012 at 11:59

Thank you for your suggestions, quite a few things to look into. The 24mm is probably might current favourite so it's unlikely I would get rid of it.

17-55 would be a good shout, but £700 is a lot of money, although it doesn't really loose value but you obviously still need to fork out for it in the first instance.

I guess the 2 18-55's, and 28-135 won't be worth more than £200ish?

a1ex2001 · 30 Apr 2012 at 10:39

Capt Doufos said:
Thank you for your suggestions, quite a few things to look into. The 24mm is probably might current favourite so it's unlikely I would get rid of it.

Phew that would be a decision you would have regretted!

Capt Doufos said:
17-55 would be a good shout, but £700 is a lot of money, although it doesn't really loose value but you obviously still need to fork out for it in the first instance.

Second hand can be had around £600 then someone else has already taken the depreciation hit for you as even with a second owener and a few more years on it they don't seem to loose much more value if in good nick.

Capt Doufos said:
I guess the 2 18-55's, and 28-135 won't be worth more than £200ish?

Which is very close to the amount you'd need for a Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 which is a great lens not quite on a par with the canon lens but still a very good piece of kit.