my second lens?

[scoobert]

i have 1000 to spend.
i have the 7D good kit lense now.
i dont shoot anything special, many landscapes, and photos of my dogs.
i cannot stand the slow focus and having to switch off autofocus on the current lens.
i may sell my current lens for $500 if 1500 would get my the best lens.
thanks for any input.

[briansquibb]

i have 1000 to spend.
i have the 7D good kit lense now.
i dont shoot anything special, many landscapes, and photos of my dogs.
i cannot stand the slow focus and having to switch off autofocus on the current lens.
i may sell my current lens for $500 if 1500 would get my the best lens.
thanks for any input.

perhaps the 24-105 might suit?

[Mt Spokane Photography]

 
What kit lens do you have for the 7D that mighgt sell used for $500?  The 28-135mm IS might go for $200-$225, and thats the only kit lens I can think of.
I'd recommend the 17-55mm ef-s as a first lens.  If you like only standard to mild telephoto, the 24-105mm L is within your budget.  The 15-85mm EF-S is also good for the price.  Is that what you have??

[neuroanatomist]

What kit lens do you have for the 7D that mighgt sell used for $500?  The 28-135mm IS might go for $200-$225, and thats the only kit lens I can think of.
I'd recommend the 17-55mm ef-s as a first lens.  If you like only standard to mild telephoto, the 24-105mm L is within your budget.  The 15-85mm EF-S is also good for the price.  Is that what you have??

+1. But...I'm guessing not the 28-135mm since that's a USM lens with FTM.  The 7D also sells with the EF-S 18-135mm IS, also not worth anywhere near $500 on the used market.  Some retailers bundle other lenses (I think there was an EF-S 18-200 kit at one point), but even that would likely not go for $500.

The 15-85mm has also been bundled, may sell for over $500, but has FTM which doesn't match the OP's statement.

I second the recommendation of the 17-55mm, with enough for landscapes, fast f/2.8. The 15-85 would also be good, f/5.6 at the long end isn't great for fast-moving dogs but would do fine in decent light.

[robbymack]

as others have mentioned I second the EF-S 17-55 f2.8IS USM, that is right about your target budget new, maybe a little over, although you can probably find one used for around $900.  the 24-105 f4L is also a good option, but maybe not wide enough on crop for your landscape needs.  Sounds like you may have the 18-? IS zoom kit lens, either variations aren't worth much more than $250 used (and that may be even stretching it a bit), so just keep it and use it when you need the extra reach or want to take something on vacation that you don't care if it gets lost/stolen/takes a swim...

[scoobert]

the kit lense is the 18-135. it comes in the nice kit that our local inde shop gets from canon.
has the hood too. i thought it was 500, but i think it was 300 i was offered for it.
the 24-105 L is the right price, but i doubt it would be wide enough for indoor shots with my 1.6 crop.

for a throw away lens i had considered a 50mm prime $99 lens.

i have to admit i am still tempted to get the mk3 5D but now that they just made the 7D perfect for video i dont think i could part with it.

[Random Orbits]

Depends on which focal range you prefer, but some suggestions are a UWA and a longer telephoto zoom.  Possibilities range from the Canon 10-22, Tokina 11-16 and Sigma 8-16 for the UWAs, which are all in your budget and the 70-200 f/4 IS would be a couple hundred above your budget.

If you're happy with the focal length range of your kit lens, then I'd suggest looking at a fast prime (sigma 30 f/1.4 or canon/sigma 50 f/1.4s depending on your preferred focal length).  The fast primes give you the flexibility of not using a flash when the lighting is not as good indoors and gives you the option for a much thinner DOF.

The 17-55 f/2.8 is a great lens but I'd expand the focal length range and/or get low light capability first before upgrading the mid-range zoom.  It'll take two lenses to improve the IQ of your current lens without losing focal length range (either 17-55/70-200 or 15-85/70-200), which is currently beyond your budget.

[Axilrod]

+1 for 17-55 f/2.8 IS, thing is the king of crop sensors, IQ is just as good as L lenses.  That's the only lens you'll need for a while.  It's the perfect range for one of your first lenses, not too long, not too wide, very versatile.

[crasher8]

Well do you see yourself suited for a particular camp such as 3 zooms, wide standard and tele? or A set of Primes? or a mix of Prime(s) and zooms?

Most folks want a range of 16-200 for focal lengths.
I'd go for a 10-22 EF-S, a 17-55 or a 24-70 and some incarnation of a 70-200.
Primes are tougher to buy into because the cheaper variants while possibly having great IQ have other issues such as the noisy and hunting 35 f/2 or the build quality of the 50 1.4.

Myself I like the idea of covering all my FL bases with 3 quality zooms and having a couple fast Primes for particular shoots such as a 29/30 or 35 for a wide and an 85 for indoor sports.

Ah but what do I know, I just got a CR Warning!

[katwil]

The EF-S 17-55 is a great lens, but its range is so narrow that it really limits your options.  If you do decide to go to a longer zoom for your third lens, the most logical choice will be one of the 70-200 L lenses, leaving you a gap between 55-70 mm.  The EF-S 15-85 f/3.5-5.6 might be a good solution.  It would work well in conjunction with a 70-200 and would be within your budget without having to sell your current lens.  I have both, and while I would prefer to use the 17-55, the 15-85 gets a lot more use.

[rpt]

The wise folks on this forum advised me well. Take a look at my thread http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=4594.msg92666#msg92666

Bottom line: I eventually went in for a 5D3 with a 24-105. Hence did not get the 15-85...

Hope this helps... Have fun!

Ps: Think about a prime once you "know" your favourite focal length (or focal lengths - then it is primes...  ). I used to zoom with my feet but now these zoom lenses have made me lazy. You need to watch out that you don't end up getting the "footstep zoom laziness syndrome"...

On the primes, I am still debating - is it the 50 1.4 or the 40 2.8... I think I'll procrastinate. It has helped me before...

[IIIHobbs]

I agree with the comments for the 18-55 f2.8; good speed and image quality indoors or out.

Keep your kit lens for those longer shots outdoors where the f3.5-5.6 won't slow you down as much.

[Daniel Flather]

i have 1000 to spend.
i dont shoot anything special, many landscapes, and photos of my dogs.

35L is in your $1500 number you mentioned.