[Andrew@ET]

EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Autofocus Lens


Its for an cannon xsi I want to upgrade from my kit lens 18-55 3.5-6.5.

I want to shoot mostly night time scenery, car photoshoots, and the occasional macro.

I want to keep it under 500 im not a pro just yet

[BMW F22]

I don't see the point in upgrading the 18-55 to a 17-85. Yes the 1mm difference would actually give you quite a bit more in the picture but it's not that much of a difference. The 85mm (30mm difference) is a few feet difference (just walk closer). If you're shooting fixed objects then you don't really need a faster lens (unless you want the bokeh or speed when shooting people).

I can't exactly wrap my finger around what it is but IMO there really is no point in upgrading to a 17-85mm from an 18-55mm...

[Andrew@ET]

besides the mm differences you don't think its an overall better lens (sharper better color)?

What would you suggest or should my kit lens be fine for that focal length.

[bosstones]

You might be able to find a decent, used 10-22mm for $500.

Is your 18-55mm the version with IS? If so, I'd just stick with that.

[BMW F22]

Honestly I've never used the 17-85mm lens so I don't know how good it is. I would imagine that it's probably in the same quality range as the 70-300mm (similar price). If that's true then yes it is an upgrade because it's a better quality lens, gives you better IQ, etc. However, you already have the 18-55mm IS which is pretty good for a kit lens. The 17-85mm is probably sharper but I'm just not sure if it's worth the money. To me an upgrade would be like to a 17-40mm or 17-55mm.

I mean the 17-85mm going to give you about the same f-stop, a bit more wide angle coverage and more zoom. But I really don't think it's worth it. DON'T BUY NEW LENSES FOR THE SAKE OF UPGRADING. Of course that is up to you. It's just my 2 cents.

[Andrew@ET]

yes mine is the Is version i just wish it had a little more zoom and a tad bit wider. I didnt realize 55-85 was only a couple feet.

I really dont see my self carrying more than 1 lens unless it a prime.

maybe ill just pick up one of those 50mm for 90 bucks

[Dr_Jones]

i have 17-85 is. i would not buy it again.

[Andrew@ET]

It has pretty good reviews on b&h

[ichiban]

go and look for a used tokina 11-16. or find a used 10-22.

[PNF]

+1. I dont really see a huge difference in "upgrades" if you go to 17-85.

but if you really want decent upgrades, I'd recommend this one.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/R...ns-Review.aspx

this is a 15-85 f3.5 - 5.6 IS USM.

I usually read the reviews here as they are fairly detailed with comparisons and good info. it is quite a bit more money actually, but if the quality is as good as he says it is, and that this lens does share many components of an L lens, then i think it is definitely worth it.


but I also do realize that this is close to the 17-40 f4L price range, so, have you considered 17-40 f4L?

if you use bing.com, you get 10% off $800 brand new shipped.

Pretty good deal if you ask me.

If not, I'd say, wait for a good deal / save a couple hundreds more. Lens is something you dont want to cheap out.

What happened to me was that, when I buy a little sub-par lens, i have found myself wanting to sell and buy another one, and hence paying more money to get what i ended up with over a longer period of time....

[radiantm3]

This might be just me, but I stay away from glass slower than F2.8, especially if you shoot in low light.

[PNF]

Originally Posted by radiantm3

This might be just me, but I stay away from glass slower than F2.8, especially if you shoot in low light.

but not everyone wants to carry a heavy gear as a general lens or afford a $1500 lens as a walkaround.

some lens are good compromise for weight and sharpness. If low light is an issue, no matter what lens you have, you'd still want a real flash.

Flash takes care of most lighting issues.

invest in a 580EX II.

[Derek Zoolander]

I would get a Sigma 10-20mm. I know people that just carry it alone around for car shows, etc.
You can't go wrong picking up a nifty fifty for $90 either. I have one.
I have 18-55mm kit, 55-250mm, and 50mm f/1.8. The only other lens I will eventually get is a Sigma 10-20mm or Canon 10-22mm.

[BMW F22]

I don't know if the OP necessarily need a fast lens. Hence in my previous posts I said that IF he shoots moving subjects in low light conditions then he should get a faster lens and/or flash. If he's just shooting night scenes, a faster lens isn't necessary because landscapes typically use smaller aperture so a 2.8, 1.8, even 4.0 would be pointless.

With that said, I think the perfect walk around lens would be 17-40mm, 17-55mm (pretty damn expensive), or 24-70/24-105mm if you have a full frame.

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by PNF

but not everyone wants to carry a heavy gear as a general lens or afford a $1500 lens as a walkaround.

some lens are good compromise for weight and sharpness. If low light is an issue, no matter what lens you have, you'd still want a real flash.

Flash takes care of most lighting issues.

invest in a 580EX II.

I never mentioned getting an L lens. There are a lot of F2.8 options that are under $500. Prime lenses will give you much better IQ anyways.

[oneintheory]

fixed maximum aperture lenses are something you should steer toward as often as possible.

[Andrew@ET]

I do not really know about cameras to well just yet its only been about a week. im not really sure what a fast lens is or why i would need one.


Here are some examples of what i consider night time shots that I took. Photobucket really kills the quality but you get the idea

[BMW F22]

^ Yeah just as I thought- for those kind of shots you don't need a fast lens (2.8, 1.8, etc.). I'd say to stick with your current lens for a while and then get a 2.8 or 1.8 lens. Or you can just go ahead and get a 2.8 or faster lens now. Reasoning is that you will have a 2.8 in case you need it but at the same time, you can use smaller aperture (higher number) for landscapes.

[Labrada_Exoticz]

Originally Posted by Andrew@EMS

yes mine is the Is version i just wish it had a little more zoom and a tad bit wider. I didnt realize 55-85 was only a couple feet.

I really dont see my self carrying more than 1 lens unless it a prime.

maybe ill just pick up one of those 50mm for 90 bucks

You got a link to one so I can check it out?

[BMW F22]

For those looking for the 50mm 1.8, be sure to look on slickdeals.net. I think there was a link saying it was on sale for about $80 or less.

[Andrew@ET]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search...tialSearch=yes