Need help deciding on my next lens

I own the 70D and have both the 15-85 and 10-22mm EFS lenses. Both lenses are excellent. :D
To be perfectly honest, the 10-22 doesn't get much use now that I own the 15-85mm and I would suggest that you either have one or the other.
The 15-85mm is a very good lens and feels well balanced on a 70D. You will like it.
 
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One lens solution, for walk-around use: EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS. This lens has very good image quality through the range. Yes, it is rather dim, and can't make a narrow depth of field shot, but still, it is my go-to lens for light travel, landscape shooting during hiking (when I don't know what to expect and don't want to take heavy multilens kit), and indoors with adults. Now, I don't do video and don't have a 70D, so there is no value for me in having an STM lens as opposed to an ordinary AF lens. I have made 2 ft by 3 ft laser prints from this lens and a 60D, and the fact that it isn't a high-pixel camera doesn't matter at the intended viewing distance of two to three feet.

Lightweight two lens solution, for walk-around and travel use: the 15-85 and either the 70-300L f/variable IS, 70-200 f/4 L IS or non-IS (IS is preferable but if you can only afford $400.00 for a tele zoom, the f/4 non-IS give fantastic quality). I chose the 70-200 f/4 L IS.
 
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fragilesi said:
Yet oddly there are millions of people taking pictures they are perfectly happy with using Rebels every day. I know I did.

I admit I really do find this odd esp. if you've used at least a xxd camera type before - the Rebels are so crippled in the fw (well, Magic Lantern somewhat compensates) and body usability (small grip, no back wheel, no nothing) that I wouldn't want to use this handheld all day long. Probably doesn't matter on a tripod for landscape though.
 
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megmo said:
I very recently bought a Canon 70d (which I am loving so far), and am now on the hunt for my next lens. Currently I have the following lenses in my bag:

Canon 50mm f/1.8
Canon 60mm f/2.8 macro
Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8
I also have the kit lens that came with my Rebel XTi years ago but I never use it.

The Sigma 28-70 stays on my camera most of the time when I'm out and about, but I've found that it's a bit soft and some of the pictures I take with it tend to have a yellow tint to them.

I'd really, really love to get the 24-70 L, and I see that since the second version has come out the previous is down to about $1,500. That's my max budget, though, so I wanted to get some opinions on whether there's another lens out there that might be cheaper and work for me just as well for a lens I can use while out and about.

Here are the lenses I'm considering plus their current pricing (approximately):
Canon 24-70 f/4 L ($1500)
Canon 24-105 f/4 L ($1150)
Canon 17-40 f/4 L ($839)
Canon 10-22 f/3.5-4.5 ($649)
Sigma 15mm f/2.8 fisheye (I rented this years ago and found it neat and unbelievably sharp. Plus it's only $609)

I'd love to get some feedback on any of these lenses, or possibly others that I've left out of my consideration. Thanks in advance!

How about a 35mm f/2 IS?
 
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Marsu42 said:
fragilesi said:
Yet oddly there are millions of people taking pictures they are perfectly happy with using Rebels every day. I know I did.

I admit I really do find this odd esp. if you've used at least a xxd camera type before - the Rebels are so crippled in the fw (well, Magic Lantern somewhat compensates) and body usability (small grip, no back wheel, no nothing) that I wouldn't want to use this handheld all day long. Probably doesn't matter on a tripod for landscape though.

I don't think I'm getting what you are saying. Are you really suggesting that there aren't hordes of Rebel users who are very happy with their cameras just because there are more advanced models further up the range? I took tens of thousands of pictures with one and loved every minute before I upgraded to the 70d.
 
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If you are looking for an all in one, then it's hard to go wrong with either the 15-85 or 17-55 for a crop camera. There also is the 10-22 which is a fun lens to own. I own both the 10-22 and 17-55 and can vouch for both being great lenses. I do not have the 15-85, but many members of this forum do have them and all say it's a great lens for a crop camera. For your budget listed, you could do both 10-22 and 15-85, but you may find that 15mm will be wide enough for you and you will not use the 10-22.

I'm not trying to spend all of your money, but you may be able to swing the 15-85 and a prime lenses, such as the 100 F2, or even a refurbished 135L. Heck, even a refurbished non-IS 70-200F4 L may be a possibility for you. Canon's refurbished lines usually go on sale once a quarter and refurb products come with a year warranty. It's a good way to make the most of your money.
 
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Here is my take:

Canon 24-70 f/4 L I own this lens and love it, very sharp corner to corner and contrasty, never thought I would use the built in macro feature until I found myself a couple of hundred yards into the woods from my bag (left it in the car) and happened upon a great macro shot, now I love the built in macro feature. A great outdoor / landscape lens but a bit pricey, never leaves my 5D.

Canon 24-105 f/4 L A good option if you are wanting to save money, a bit soft at the edges


Canon 17-40 f/4 L I own this lens and use it alot when the 24-70 isn't wide enough. A decent lens for indoor group shots (with strobes only) a touch soft at the edges, nothing noticeable. Waiting on Canon's newest superwides to decide whether to trade it or not. Remember your crop factor, this is not as wide as the numbers would lead you to believe, makes a good walking around lens on the 70D.

Canon 10-22 f/3.5-4.5 Owned it a few years back, outstanding glass, super sharp and ablot of fun for landscapes, Canon has a new 10-18 out that is ablot cheaper and is supposedly a good performer, should force the price of used versions of these down. Great for landscapes on a APS-C camera.

Never used the Sigma, so I can't comment.

It appears as if you are shopping for wide angle lenses, the 10-22 is a real superstar on the crop body cameras and acts like a 16 mm lens at the wide end, which is very wide with very little distortion, I would look for it used on e-bay for around $500.00.

On the other end, you may want to take a look at the 70-200 f4.0 L IS, (usually around $1200.00) $1000 cheaper than the f2.8 version with the best IQ of any of Canon's zooms, it always amazes me.

Happy shooting
 
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brad-man said:
The 15-85 and the 10-22 are excellent choices. Combined with the lenses you already own (sell the Sigma ;)), you will have wide to moderate telephoto very well covered. If you're not in a hurry, wait for canon to have a sale on their refurbished lenses. Very recently the 10-22 was going for $400 which is a silly good price. The 15-85 can be had for around $550. A great site to keep track of all prices Canon is http://www.canonpricewatch.com/.

Oh nice, thank you! I'll definitely start keeping an eye on that site.

colvinatch said:
Canon 10-22 f/3.5-4.5 Owned it a few years back, outstanding glass, super sharp and ablot of fun for landscapes, Canon has a new 10-18 out that is ablot cheaper and is supposedly a good performer, should force the price of used versions of these down. Great for landscapes on a APS-C camera.

I actually just heard about the 10-18 today but I haven't seen many reviews on it comparing it to the 10-22 yet. Is it supposed to be a newer, more superior version of the 10-22?
 
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