Lens suggestions please.

[Sumak]

I have a Canon 550D, with the kit lens EFS 18-55mm IS, an EF 100 mm Macro, and an EF 70-200mm IS f4.0 zoom. I also have access to an older 17-85 mm IS lens which I quite like, but it suffers from lens creep - if that is the right term....the lens extends when the camera is being carried but not in use.

I am wanting to purchase a good quality general purpose walk around lens, that will stay on the camera most of the time. It would be used mainly for everyday shots, landscapes, and holiday pictures. As a relative newcomer to the the world of DSLRs there is a huge and rather confusing number of lenses from which to choose. I would prefer Canon or Sigma brands, and would be really interested to hear what you folk might suggest, and why.

Many thanks in anticipation.

[Dave Johnston]

If money is no object, the 17-55 f2.8 IS is unquestionably the best image quality, build, reliability you will get in a standard zoom that is wide enough for an APS-C sensor camera.

If price is a problem, you can consider the 17-40 f4L, a little slower but fantastic image quality and no lens creep!!!

I have not shot with a sigma of this range, so I can't give you any advice there. I have shot a Tamron 17-50 f2.8, and what it lacked in autofocus speed and silence(loud in comparision to USM lenses) it made up in image quality. It is a pretty sharp lens for the price and has many happy owners.

Hope this helps.

Dave.

[ahab1372]

Another walk-around lens that is often recommended for crop cameras like yours (and mine) is the EF-S 15-85mm f3.5-5.6(click here for Brian's review). It is like an updated version of the 17-85 with better image quality.
The 17-55 that Dave mentioned has the advantage of the wider aperture (nicer background blur great for low light shots), and even superior image quality, the 15-85 has more reach. The additional 2 mm on the wide end should be helpful for landscape pictures.
You can read Brian's recommendations here, in case you haven't seen it yet: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/C...pose-Lens.aspx

Arnt

[Sumak]

Thank you both for your suggestions, they all sound like what I need and find most useful. I shall read the detailed reviews and make a decision soon. I'm going on a driving holiday to Tasmania in a couple of months time, and would like to have the best kit to take with me. I will try and let you know what I purchase.

Thanks again, and happy shooting to you both,

Sumak

[Sumak]

I have just received my 17 -55 lens.....it looks fabulous, bigger than I thought but I can manage it easily. Now for a weekend of testing what it can do!!

[ahab1372]

Enjoy, and let us know how it went
Arnt

[Dr Croubie]

Enjoy Tassie! Last time I was there I had only a 35mm film Nikon P&S, before I'd bought my first digital and my missus' digital P&S had just died.

I so have to go back there one day (after i've bought either a 8-16 or 11-16, or a FF body).

We want pics when you get back!