Lens suggestions

[AcinonyxJG]

Hi, I am going to go on a trip to Iceland in April next year, I am also going to soon be getting my first DSLR (EOS 60D), I would like to know what kind of lenses I could take to Iceland, so far I have thought of getting a kit lens, although not sure which one, and also try and buy the 50mm f/1.4 lens, and the 70-200mm f/4 IS USM lens, I would like to take landscape photos e.t.c. but also portraits, so I would like a good range of focal lengths, also, I cannot go too expensive.

Thanks, James

[PeterJ]

The 50mm f/1.4 is a great lens for the price, I'm sure you'd love it for portraits and as a general walkaround.  I've got a 70-200 f/2.8 but on a crop that focal length is quite a long telephoto, I've never been to Iceland but imagine it would be great for wildlife if you're close enough but probably not so much your typical landscape shots. I don't own one myself but from what I've heard maybe the EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS is worth considering.

[AcinonyxJG]

Thanks PeterJ, I will have a look a the 17-55mm lens, but is it worth getting it if the kit lens I get with the camera is an 18-55mm?

[Freshprince08]

Thanks PeterJ, I will have a look a the 17-55mm lens, but is it worth getting it if the kit lens I get with the camera is an 18-55mm?

Hi, the 17-55mm is an all round "better" lens - much better IQ, build quality, constant f2.8 - hence the big price gap between it and the kit lens, even though they cover the same focal lengths, give or take 1mm! In saying that the kit lens isn't a "bad" lens, especially stopped down for outdoor landscapes etc. The 15-85mm is also great for outdoor use - very sharp and a useful focal length, however upto 2 stops slower at the long end.

As this is your first DSLR and you've got until April for your trip, I would suggest you spend a couple of months getting to know your camera, playing with the kit lens and working out which focal lengths you think you are lacking. A 50mm prime is always a great option for portraits on a crop, however if you find that most of what you shoot will be landscapes, you may prefer something wider like the EF-S 10-22mm or Tokina 11-16. The 70-200 f4L is a great choice for outdoor use from what I've heard, but as mentioned already it can be too long on a crop body.

You should also set aside some budget for memory cards, a decent bag, flash, tripod, batteries...!

I'd stay stick with the kit lens and possible 50mm prime right now, and then add to your kit prior to the trip - you'll have a much better idea of what you need!

[handsomerob]

For starters, get a decent tripod!! I can't stress enough how important this is for landscapes. This will really improve the quality of your photos and you'll get the most out of your camera & lenses.

+1 for the 17-55 f/2.8 IS if you are not planning on getting a FF camera any time soon. It's a great lens!

Other options :
17-40L : not a fast lens but great for landscapes.
24-105L : ideal if you wanna have a single decent walk around lens. It has IS and a very useful focal range, especially on FF. On the 60D, its 24mm (38mm equivalent) isn't really wide tho...
24-70L : fast lens but again not so wide on crop, has no IS and rather heavy. Also the most expensive of the three.

A decent tripod and any of these lenses will set you back significantly more than just a basic kit lens. So I don't know if your budget still permits adding a 70-200 f/4 IS to all this. If not, the non-IS version is also pretty decent and a great bargain at half the price!!

50mm f/1.4 is pretty nice for portraits on crop and low light shots without tripod. It's also pretty small and light, easy to always have it with you.

Whatever you choose, buy your 60D "body only" or sell the kit lens immediately (if this makes more sense economically) and invest in some good glass, cause that is what matters for IQ.

Enjoy your new gear and don't forget to have some fun. Looking forward to see your favorite shots when you're back

[PeterJ]

Thanks PeterJ, I will have a look a the 17-55mm lens, but is it worth getting it if the kit lens I get with the camera is an 18-55mm?

The 2.8 would be worlds apart, but not owning one had never looked at the price in the past and didn't realise it was a $1000 lens. I thought they were a bit cheaper, it wouldn't be worth getting both but I guess comes down to image quality and aperture versus the big price difference.

The kit lenses are generally not bad with decent lighting if you're not too concerned with DOF, which should be OK for landscapes.

[niccyboy]

Try Tokina 11-16 or Sigma 10-20

[Maui5150]

I disagree on selling the Kit Lens.  Probably better to not use it if you don't need it, but selling a lower-end camera will a lens when it comes times is easier than without. 

When it comes time to sell your 60D, you will be listed up against a lot of 60D body only who sold their lens, so for people moving into their first DSLR, yours will have a slightly higher appeal.  May not net you a ton more, but as a whole, the higher prices I see are kits that have original box, CDs, accessories and even the kit lens. 

Being a lower lens, it is also not like say the 5D MKII where people are looking to move up into the 24-105 F4L

[JR]

+1 on the 17-55mm lenses.

If you dont need wide angle on your 60D and still only want one lenses but would like it a bit longer, then you should have a look at the 24-105L.  If you can carry two lenses, I would then suggest the 17-55mm as your first lenses and then the 70-200F4 as your second lenses...

[PeterJ]

As this is your first DSLR and you've got until April for your trip, I would suggest you spend a couple of months getting to know your camera, playing with the kit lens and working out which focal lengths you think you are lacking.

Great advice, I started with kit lenses to work out what focal lengths I would use. Also the first few shots I took with my 7D were much worse than my 450D, and the first few shots from a 5D I bought recently were worse than the 7D, it does take a while to get used to new gear and get the best from it.

[Steve Campbell]

For a trip like that with a 60D, which I have owned, try the Canon 10-22 or one of the third party wide wide angle lenses. The 15-85 would be the best all around lens. Also consider the Tamron 17-50 2.8. The 70-200 works great on a crop, it's just longer than on a full frame. You won't be disappointed in that lens. One of Canon's best zooms. Very lightweight and small for travel.

[Haydn1971]

If you are buying a 60D, then seriously consider upgrading at the time of purchase and get a 60D with a 15-85mm kit and enjoy the cost saving.  15mm is pretty wide on crop, is f3.5 so works fine even in low(ish) light, the picture quality is very good and is considered to be a "hidden" L lens by many, along with the 17-55mm and 10-22mm.  I played with the 17-55mm, found it a tad heavy for a walk around lens and just a tad too narrow a focal range.

I've got the 70-300mm non L zoom, its great closer in (70-200) but find the quality at the long end a bit poor and AF is very annoyingly bad.  So would strongly suggest a 70-200mm f4 and sensible entry level tripod - perhaps (£100-$150 ish).  That way you can learn what you need from tripod before spending silly money later down the line, you can also add a 1.4x convertor later to get some extra reach on the 70-200mm.   15-85mm & 70-200mm will cover most users photographic needs.

I've more recently started adding primes, a 50mm f1.4 and a second hand 135mm f2.0, both are great, but the 50mm needs to be used with care in certain lighting conditions, but makes a great focal length for use in bars and resturants under low lighting, without having to resort to using a flash.  But thats getting a tad more costly and I wouldn't recommend getting into the prime game until you know what you really need.

[neuroanatomist]

so far I have thought of getting a kit lens, although not sure which one, and also try and buy the 50mm f/1.4 lens, and the 70-200mm f/4 IS USM lens, I would like to take landscape photos e.t.c. but also portraits, so I would like a good range of focal lengths, also, I cannot go too expensive.

Thanks PeterJ, I will have a look a the 17-55mm lens, but is it worth getting it if the kit lens I get with the camera is an 18-55mm?

IMO, the ideal walkaround lens for an APS-C body like the 60D is the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS.  It's much better than the kit lens, which you should either not buy, or buy and then sell.  The 17-55mm delivers optical quality equivalent to an L lens.  You will likely also want the ultrawide 10-22mm or a 3rd party (Sigma 8-16mm, perhaps).

The 15-85mm is a good compromise, also excellent optical quality, with a wider focal range, but the slower aperture makes it less suitable for portraits.  You will need to use a flash when shooting with that lens indoors.

Have a great trip!

[Isaac]

24/105mm f/4 IS and-or 70/200mm f/2.8 IS II

[neuroanatomist]

24/105mm f/4 IS and-or 70/200mm f/2.8 IS II

So, you would not recommend taking a wide angle lens on a trip to Iceland?   

Your suggestion is great for a FF camera (that's my 'light' travel kit with my 5DII), but 24mm on a 60D is equivalent to 38mm on FF, i.e. not wide angle.