Upgrade Advice

BlackCoat2k10 · 17 Nov 2011 at 11:07

Hey all, I currently have a Canon 350D, 18-55 IS Kit lens, nifty fifty and a 50 - 250 IS lens, now I use all of them a lot as I am still into a lot of varied photography. I have some money saved up to upgrade my kit, I am looking at a few options but I can not for the life of me make up a decision. All of which boil down to upgrading the Kit lens only, or getting a new Camera body + nice lens to go with for a walk around/ general purpose lens.

[Option 1]
Sell the 350D and kit lens, get a 60D body only and the tamron 17-55 f2.8 lens.

[Option 2]
Sell the 350D and kit lens, get a 60D body only and a usm lens for the speedier auto focus?

[Option 3]
Keep the 350D and just get a tamrom / usm lens.

Any of these options a good idea? if not could you please leave some ideas / advice to help me out.

33L · 17 Nov 2011 at 12:57

option 1, whilst the lens is not USM its not slow in reality to focus. Obviously it might struggle with birds in flight and other fast dynamic moving objects. but for mostly anythnig else it should be fine. If you can still get the older non VC version they are meant to be sharper looking for one 2nd hand might save you a few bob too.

Guitarman0 · 17 Nov 2011 at 16:34

Option 1 but if I were you I would save a little longer and get the sigma 17-50 f2.8

SMed · 17 Nov 2011 at 16:49

I thought the Tamron was supposed to be better than the Sigma? At least that was the consensus about 3-4 yeas ago I think. The Tamron has a loud motor though, but it's supposed to sound like that.

I'd sell the 350D and the kit lens, get a secondhand 60D, or even 40D if you don't need the lens:body matching thing. Even the 40D will be a massive jump in features and functionality from the 350D, I know because that was my jump.

I'd definitely be getting everything secondhand, save monies and there's rarely anything wrong with them. If you do go secondhand, go in person and handle/inspect yourself.

SMed · 17 Nov 2011 at 16:51

Oh, also keep an eye out on Canon Outlet. http://stores.ebay.co.uk/canon-outl...?_fsub=3&_sid=114950978&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

I hope that link doesn't break the rules, but I don't think Overclockers even sells these things.

BlackCoat2k10 · 17 Nov 2011 at 17:06

I too have read that the Tamron is better than the sigma, but then I have also read that the Tamron picture quality is rather hit or miss and generally pants. What do you guys think of the Canon EF-S 17-85 mm f/4-5.6 IS USM ?

I have found some where where I can get a 60D and that lens for £700 like new condition. It'll save me pennies to get the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 IS USM Lens - Which I've had my eye on for some time.

theheyes · 18 Nov 2011 at 21:26

If we're talking about the Tamron 17-50 non-VC version then the picture quality being bad/hit and miss must be in reference to a bad copy because mine had no image quality issues. Wide open it was (more than) usable and by f/4 it was pretty damn sharp all things considered.

The Canon 17-85 is supposed to be a pretty decent zoom, although f/5.6 at the 85mm end would be a problem for me. Looking at your current set of lenses though I'm not sure whether it would be really the best use of your money because it's too similar to what you already have just a more convenient range. The trouble is you can end up spreading your money too thinly and just end up with lots of mediocre kit.

In regards to the 70-300 - do you really need the 200-300mm range and IS? Because for not much more you could get the 70-200 f/4 L which will blow your socks off.