Upgrading lenses for college student

I would say go for the 50mm it has a lot of problems but I loved it when i first got it. You can find it used for about $80-100 if you don't like it. You can sell it again. I also brought 28-105 for my t2i when i was poor too. I liked it but I think I liked the look on my camera. I would suggest upgrading to a newer stock lens or 18-135. I have seen those cheap local.
 
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I also suggest a hard look at a 18-55 IS or STM these are terrific lenses that you can pick up really cheap used. The fairly new 18-135 STM is a somewhat more expensive option with a nice zoom range. The STM is a big improvement over the IS version - I owned both.

Canon has really upgraded their 18-xx(x) EF-S lenses from previous versions. They are optimized for crop bodies and often outperform much more expensive EF lenses on a crop. Unless you plan to buy a full format body in the near future, I strongly recommend sticking with EF-S lenses. If you are interested in UWA, the 10-18 is awesome.

For a fast prime, you might look at the new Youngno 50 1.8 which is cheaper than the Canon nifty 50 and reportedly better optically.
 
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Hey everyone! Last night I purchased a 50mm 1.8, however it’s the Mark I version NOT the Mark II. I paid about $150 for it, and I bought this lens over the newer model because of the high quality construction of it. It may be from 1980, however I plan on keeping this lens for a very long time and I don't care to put a cheap plastic lens on a 6D or any other FF camera when I get it. In regards to my current 18-55mm (this is the original one they came out with) I plan on selling it and buying a new (used) STM version of it for about $110. After reviewing the testing documents that were on some replies it looked like a good deal for me. For now I will use that lens and it will not cost much because I will sell the old one. I am still not sure what I should do with my 80-200mm lens, I was thinking about still buying the 28-135 IS lens. So I would sell the 8-200 and with the exact amount purchase the other lens, I think the 28-135 is higher quality and it has a more usable range for me as a landscape photographer. So in the end I will end up with an 18-55 STM, 50 1.8 Mark I, and a 28-135 IS. I still have a film a camera so the 28-135 can be used on that as well since it is EF. The 28-135 purchase can still change if there is a better used EF lens for about 200-$300. Once again thank you for all of the replies!
 
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collegetech said:
So I would sell the 80-200 and with the exact amount purchase the other lens, I think the 28-135 is higher quality and it has a more usable range for me as a landscape photographer. So in the end I will end up with an 18-55 STM, 50 1.8 Mark I, and a 28-135 IS. I still have a film a camera so the 28-135 can be used on that as well since it is EF. The 28-135 purchase can still change if there is a better used EF lens for about 200-$300. Once again thank you for all of the replies!
I've had Canon 28-135mm and do not recommend it for APS-C cameras current. Several years ago I used this lens on a camera EOS300 (analog) and digital Rebel XT (8 megapixel) with good results. But in my Rebel T2i, this old lens shows its weaknesses with a 18 megapixel sensor.

I know some undemanding people who like the 28-135mm pictures in an original 5D (12 megapixel), but not in modern cameras.
 
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As a college student with a limited budget myself, who started out with a 550D, kit lens, and some old manual primes, I can certainly relate to your situation. Your plan sounds like a fairly solid one, but I have a few suggestions. I personally owned the 50/1.8 I (bought used for $99, sold for $150 a year later) and certainly preferred it to the junkier Mark II, but to be entirely honest if you sold it and bought the optically superior Youngnuo version, you'd save around $100 and to be honest, I'd probably last longer since the newest 50/1.8 I is around 25 years old. But that's up to you.

What I do strongly recommend though is skipping the 28-135 and getting the 55-250 IS instead; while the build quality might not be as good and you loose a little focusing speed, the IQ should not be and it is smaller, lighter, better IS, and ultimately the focal length range is much more useful and complements your 18-55 IS much better, and you save around another $100 depending on where you buy.

Finally, you might want to consider the 18-55 IS over the STM version. The optics in the former are according to most sources just as good if not slightly better, and STM, while slightly quieter, isn't usually reputed to be that much faster than a typical micromotor, and you loose out on any benefits of it since you are using it with such an old body anyway, and save another $40 or so.

Why am I suggesting you save all this money? If you make at least one or two of these swaps, that will more than take care of the costs of a used 550D (Rebel T2i) body, which will likely be worth far more to you then any minor things you loose out on, and you gain a number of benefits with the above substitutions as well. Your 350D will go for up to $100 or perhaps a little less, and the 550D costs $250 right now at Adorama, leaving you with about $150 or so to make up in price difference. And if you really want to keep the Mark I and STM, if you say your budget is $200-300 and you bought the 55-250 instead, you'd still have $200 left over which would more than make up the difference to pay for the 550D body.

Trust me, it will really not disappoint; you get so, so much in exchange. That camera is close to the best you can get in terms of IQ in a crop-format Canon, and it will last you well into your photographic journey whereas the 28-135 will, as others have said, almost certainly not. Plus, if you save by way of my other suggestions, you can start saving up for that sweet 10-18 STM, and once you have that you'll be pretty much set for any sort of photography outside of highly specialized areas.

Whatever you choose, best of luck!
 
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A lot of good ideas here! I was actually thinking today that replacing my body may not be a bad idea. If I can sell my body for $150-$200 then I'd have some money. I was thinking the XSi, t1i or the 40d. I do a lot of backpacking so I ddon't think the better build quality of the 40d would hurt. I am also really wanting a live view! I think the t1i may have slightly better specs though. I think I'll skip on the 23-135.
 
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Thanks! Unfortunately, considering I bought my sister a 450D for $150 in like E- from Adorama and that was about a year ago now, I highly doubt you'll get more than $100 for your 350D. But I highly recommend getting the 550D like I did if you are serious about photography and really want to take advantage of your lenses, while getting good low-ISO performance too. You do get a build quality and external control advantage with the larger body, but that also equates to being larger and heavier too--a real disadvantage for backpacking. And while I have dual 7Ds now I was never disappointed with the durability of my 550Ds; I wasn't putting them through hell and back after all though I did do plenty of hiking and running around with them. I kinda miss the weight off my shoulders now, with 2x gripped 7D and 17-5/2.8 IS + 70-200/2.8L IS as my usual kit!

On the other hand, you get a good deal better image quality, both resolution and high-ISO performance. You are only going to end up paying about $50 more than the 500D (or the 40D) for the pinnacle of Canon crop-frame IQ, at least until the 70D/7D2, so you'll only need to step up from there once you want to go full-frame, or are shooting lots of action. Plus, you get video and Magic Lateran full support with the 550D which besides its well known video features improves still shooting considerably--I consider Live View virtually useless without it. ML is especially invaluable for landscapes with its ETTR, RAW Histo/Zebras/Spotmeter, and particularly its Dual-ISO module which can give you something close to D8xx-level dynamic range, with some post-processing and a few small caveats.

So the 550D would be my recommendation. But the 500D isn't so bad either considering you still get some limited ML support, which can even enable video on there and some of the features I described. But ideally, go for the 550D and you certainly won't regret it for a while. I sure didn't!
 
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just an update for everyone in this thread. I have found my solution to my lens problem: more hours. I picked up more hours from my campus job. So far I have saved $450, this is with out selling any gear yet. I am going to purchasing that sweet 16-35 f4. Its the lens I wanted and it will be my first L glass... it will be sweet! I want to avoid the whole buy sell thing if I can. I will buy a 6d this summer. The 135 will be next for portraits And I'll keep my 50 for in between.
 
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collegetech said:
just an update for everyone in this thread. I have found my solution to my lens problem: more hours. I picked up more hours from my campus job. So far I have saved $450, this is with out selling any gear yet. I am going to purchasing that sweet 16-35 f4. Its the lens I wanted and it will be my first L glass... it will be sweet! I want to avoid the whole buy sell thing if I can. I will buy a 6d this summer. The 135 will be next for portraits And I'll keep my 50 for in between.

Sounds like a great plan! The 16-35/4 IS is an excellent lens.
 
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FTb-n said:
There are lots of options to consider. The XT was my first DSLR and you may want to consider a body upgrade. The T2i and up have 18 MP sensors based on the 7D. It's huge improvement over the XT, especially at higher ISO's. It's not a bad idea to consider lenses first, but keep you eye out for a good deal on one of these bodies.

As for lenses, I'd be more inclined to consider the 40 f2.8 pancake and the 85 f1.8. You have some great shots on your site and I think these two lenses will give you more creative control over your images than another slow zoom. The creative advantage lies with the opportunity for thinner DOF and sharper lenses. These two lenses are likely to be a better long term investment.

I suspect that the 28-105 and the 28-135 will be short-term lenses. My bet is that you'll want to replace these in the not too distant future with something like the 17-55 f2.8 (IMHO the best "normal" zoom for crop) or the 15-85 f3.5-5.6. The latter is very sharp, but too slow for my tastes.

Anyway, back to the 40 and the 85. The 40 is a stop slower than the 50 1.8, but it's much sharper corner-to-corner. It focuses quicker and quieter than the 50 and is similarly priced. I think it's a more useful focal length for crop.

On a full frame body, the 40 and 50 compare to 64 and 80 mm lenses. The 50 would be a better focal length for portraits on a crop body, but the 40 is a much better lens and more useful for other subject -- including group portraits.

For individual portraits, I prefer the longer lenses. I use the 70-200 on FF for portraits and often work within longer half of its range. The 85 f1.8 will give a FF equivalent of 136 mm which many consider to be the ideal portrait focal length. Plus, it will offer more pop with thinner DOF than the 50 mm lens. Of course, your taste and style may differ from mine, so consider this accordingly.

The-Digital-Picture.com is a great resource for lens reviews and image quality comparison tools.

Look at Canon's online refurbish store for good deals with factory warranty. Also look at CanonPriceWatch.com to find the best price for new or refurbished lenses and bodies.

Good luck with your search for your next lens.

+1

I too like the idea of passing on the slow normal zooms and picking up a prime or two instead. The 85 f/1.8 is a very excellent choice. The 40mm is not a bad one either, although f/2.8 I find a bit too slow for a prime. It's real advantage in my mind has always been that it is a pancake lens is obviously small, light, etc. But I agree the pure IQ on that lens is superb!
 
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Jim Saunders said:
The Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 (non-VC) was good to me, even if the zoom ring goes the wrong way and it hums a little when it focuses. Also I saw an article here about a Samyang (?) 50 f/1.8 which sounded competitive with the Canon one. I tried a 28-135 briefly, I didn't see any reason to complain.

If you're near a camera store, try a few different lengths and see if there are any different focal lengths you like that you don't have.

Jim

The Tamron 17-50 is another good choice. I think the price of this lens has significantly fallen (since I purchased it) and I'm sure could be had for very cheap on the used market. This was my first "real" lens I bought and it served me well. I moved to primes very quickly but this lens was used on my first trip to NYC, the first time I brought a DSLR into the BWCA, my daughters first trip to my alma mater, and served me well when I used it. I've now handed it down, along with my T2i to my wife.
 
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bholliman said:
collegetech said:
just an update for everyone in this thread. I have found my solution to my lens problem: more hours. I picked up more hours from my campus job. So far I have saved $450, this is with out selling any gear yet. I am going to purchasing that sweet 16-35 f4. Its the lens I wanted and it will be my first L glass... it will be sweet! I want to avoid the whole buy sell thing if I can. I will buy a 6d this summer. The 135 will be next for portraits And I'll keep my 50 for in between.

Sounds like a great plan! The 16-35/4 IS is an excellent lens.

That is an excellent lens! With glass like that I will echo others that you may want to upgrade your body as well.
 
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collegetech said:
just an update for everyone in this thread. I have found my solution to my lens problem: more hours. I picked up more hours from my campus job. So far I have saved $450, this is with out selling any gear yet. I am going to purchasing that sweet 16-35 f4. Its the lens I wanted and it will be my first L glass... it will be sweet! I want to avoid the whole buy sell thing if I can. I will buy a 6d this summer. The 135 will be next for portraits And I'll keep my 50 for in between.

Indeed... when the budget constrain seems too harsh on the options, finding a way to change the budget is the way to go. And at the rate the prices of the 6D are moving, Canon FF is getting much more accessible all the time. Keep us posted on your photo exploits!
 
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