Lens dilemma...

cleanbluesky · 18 Jan 2008 at 13:18

Okay, I've finally got in touch with the charming people from whom I ordered my camera and it seems that it will arrive in days. Therefore I have the lens choice to deal with.

Do you think this is wise...

70-300mm IS USM
50mm f1.8

then get a

17-85mm IS USM

once I get bored with the kit lens. Unless I'm mistaken that should allow me to do almost every kind of photography...

My only concern is whether I will be able to do ultra-wide. I've been reading up on the Sigma 10-20mm which seems like an ACE lens, but it also appears that it is designed for cameras with a smaller sensor and unless I'm mistaken I could get similar results if I were to use the 17-85mm and switch up to a larger sensor.

Given the option between an ultra-wide lens and a camera upgrade in 6months or so, would it not be wiser to upgrade the camera?

V-Spec · 18 Jan 2008 at 13:30

What camera have you ordered?

cokebottles · 18 Jan 2008 at 13:30

A switch to larger sensor would mean buying a Canon 5D body, or one of the EOS1 full-frame bodies. I dont see that as being practical/economical. I think the Sigma 10-20mm is one of the most practical wide-angle lenses for Canon cameras with an APS-C sized sensor (or the Canon equivalent, 10-22 or something similar).

cleanbluesky · 18 Jan 2008 at 13:36

V-Spec said:
What camera have you ordered?

Good point, a 350D

V-Spec · 18 Jan 2008 at 13:42

cleanbluesky said:
Good point, a 350D

Any of the Canon EF-S lenses would be good for the 350D, as they're designed for wide angle on crop bodies, the canon 10-22mm is highly regarded and used by a lot of the members on here, my friend has the 17-85 EF-S and it is a pretty reasonable lens.

For a good list of reviews check http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/

robertgilbert86 · 18 Jan 2008 at 14:33

The 17-85 IS is a bit crap IMO.
Build quality and IQ isn't great.
If you point it down the lens extends :/

The 50mm and tele sound like a good plan though

divine` · 18 Jan 2008 at 15:03

cleanbluesky said:
17-85mm IS USM

it also appears that it is designed for cameras with a smaller sensor and unless I'm mistaken I could get similar results if I were to use the 17-85mm and switch up to a larger sensor.

the 17-85 is EF-S (ie, designed for small sensor and physically could damage the mirror of some EF cameras) too by the way.

So the 17-85 won't give you shots just as wide on full frame as a 10-20 on aps-c frame because it won't work properly

a 17-40 would though.

wez130 · 18 Jan 2008 at 15:27

i'd recommend a sigma 10-20 or canon 17-40 depending on your shooting styke, my 10-20 is never off my 30D