Bettering Canon kit lens

Toby · 24-08-2007, 11:31

Looking at getting back into photography after a long long time and to this end looking at getting a 400D. I am aware that the standard Canon kit lens isn't regarded as that good but I have two questions:

1. Just how bad is it in reality?
2. How much would I have to spend to significantly better it?

The EF-S 17-85 IS is lovely but at over 300 quid is rather steep. Is there anything in between which is worth the premium over the kit lens, either a Canon one or other make?

leowyatt · 24-08-2007, 13:52

Well we have the 400D lens and it isn't that bad I don't think. I suppose lens suggestions boils down to what you want to do. One piece of advice would be to buy second hand as you'll save oodles of cash.

Toby · 24-08-2007, 14:18

Well looking at getting a factory refurbed 400D with kit lens as these are going for around £320-330 which is a worthwhile saving over new. If I could find a used one cheaper I'd certainly consider it, or even a 350D if the savings were worthwhile.

Regards lenses, the other thing I'm thinking is that I'll need/want a reasonable telephoto too so perhaps I'd be better off sticking with the standard kit lens for the moment and getting the telephoto first to go with, replacing the kit lens at a later date when funds permit. Thinking about the 70-200 F4L if I can get it at a good price. Can't afford to get two lenses straight away so basically thinking kit lens + 70-200 F4L would be better than just the 17-85 IS, make sense?

leowyatt · 24-08-2007, 14:23

I'd agree with the 70-200. That is Kitten's next purchase I think. She actually had a 28-90 lens already but I think the kit was is ok to start with but you'll find the limits shortly after you get it. (the 28mm lens was off eBay and has been great, I think we got it for something like £40 including delivery.

Mondo · 24-08-2007, 14:55

The 17-85 isn't actually that much of an improvement over the kit lens except for the IS and the extra reach. The F numbers are the same and the quality of glass isn't great for £300, you are literally paying for the IS and the range.

The Tamron 17-50 2.8 is a MUCH MUCH better glass, so much so some people say it's the same (or at least close to) the Canon 17-55 IS 2.8. You can get the Tamron for £215 online.

Check out this page for lens review before buying any lens thou.

http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/index.html

Toby · 24-08-2007, 15:49

Thanks for the input. What would you say to my theory on living with the kit lens to start with and getting the 70-200 first, then replacing the kit lens later?

leowyatt · 24-08-2007, 15:57

I'd say that probably your best bet yes. You can use the kit lens some wider-ish angle stuff and portrait and then get the zoom for your other stuff.

petemc · 24-08-2007, 17:09

The kit lens is good enough to give you a taste really. Its not hugely sharp and it has distortion. But then my 10-20 also has distortion and I'm not selling it

Raymond's suggestion is a good one. I think Lostkat has the same lens and the samples I've seen look great. You can't go wrong with anything L based either.

Dr. Z · 24-08-2007, 18:20

The Tamron 17-50 is a cracker of a lens if you are looking to replace the kit lens just covering the same range.

The 70-200 F4L is an absolute no-brainer. Absolutely superb lens indeed.

Toby · 15-09-2007, 00:54

Been looking a bit more into this, I reckon I can stretch my budget to both the 70-200 F4L and a kit-lens replacement walk-about.

Whilst the Tamron is definitely a possibility, I've also been looking at the Sigma 17-70 which seems to get very good reviews. Anyone have experience of this one?

24-08-2007, 11:31	#1
Toby Absinthe Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,023	Bettering Canon kit lens Looking at getting back into photography after a long long time and to this end looking at getting a 400D. I am aware that the standard Canon kit lens isn't regarded as that good but I have two questions: 1. Just how bad is it in reality? 2. How much would I have to spend to significantly better it? The EF-S 17-85 IS is lovely but at over 300 quid is rather steep. Is there anything in between which is worth the premium over the kit lens, either a Canon one or other make? __________________

24-08-2007, 13:52	#2
leowyatt Chef extraordinaire Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Infinite Loop Posts: 11,143	Well we have the 400D lens and it isn't that bad I don't think. I suppose lens suggestions boils down to what you want to do. One piece of advice would be to buy second hand as you'll save oodles of cash. __________________ "Dr Sheldon Cooper FTW!"

24-08-2007, 14:18	#3
Toby Absinthe Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,023	Well looking at getting a factory refurbed 400D with kit lens as these are going for around £320-330 which is a worthwhile saving over new. If I could find a used one cheaper I'd certainly consider it, or even a 350D if the savings were worthwhile. Regards lenses, the other thing I'm thinking is that I'll need/want a reasonable telephoto too so perhaps I'd be better off sticking with the standard kit lens for the moment and getting the telephoto first to go with, replacing the kit lens at a later date when funds permit. Thinking about the 70-200 F4L if I can get it at a good price. Can't afford to get two lenses straight away so basically thinking kit lens + 70-200 F4L would be better than just the 17-85 IS, make sense? __________________

24-08-2007, 14:23	#4
leowyatt Chef extraordinaire Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Infinite Loop Posts: 11,143	I'd agree with the 70-200. That is Kitten's next purchase I think. She actually had a 28-90 lens already but I think the kit was is ok to start with but you'll find the limits shortly after you get it. (the 28mm lens was off eBay and has been great, I think we got it for something like £40 including delivery. __________________ "Dr Sheldon Cooper FTW!"

24-08-2007, 14:55	#5
Mondo Absinthe Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,174	The 17-85 isn't actually that much of an improvement over the kit lens except for the IS and the extra reach. The F numbers are the same and the quality of glass isn't great for £300, you are literally paying for the IS and the range. The Tamron 17-50 2.8 is a MUCH MUCH better glass, so much so some people say it's the same (or at least close to) the Canon 17-55 IS 2.8. You can get the Tamron for £215 online. Check out this page for lens review before buying any lens thou. http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/index.html __________________ My Website / MSN / Email / Flickr / Blog

24-08-2007, 15:49	#6
Toby Absinthe Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,023	Thanks for the input. What would you say to my theory on living with the kit lens to start with and getting the 70-200 first, then replacing the kit lens later? __________________

24-08-2007, 15:57	#7
leowyatt Chef extraordinaire Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Infinite Loop Posts: 11,143	I'd say that probably your best bet yes. You can use the kit lens some wider-ish angle stuff and portrait and then get the zoom for your other stuff. __________________ "Dr Sheldon Cooper FTW!"

24-08-2007, 17:09	#8
petemc Moonshine Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Nr Liverpewl Posts: 4,371	The kit lens is good enough to give you a taste really. Its not hugely sharp and it has distortion. But then my 10-20 also has distortion and I'm not selling it Raymond's suggestion is a good one. I think Lostkat has the same lens and the samples I've seen look great. You can't go wrong with anything L based either. __________________ Thats no hamster, its a space station!

24-08-2007, 18:20	#9
Dr. Z I'm going for a scuttle... Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,021	The Tamron 17-50 is a cracker of a lens if you are looking to replace the kit lens just covering the same range. The 70-200 F4L is an absolute no-brainer. Absolutely superb lens indeed. __________________

15-09-2007, 00:54	#10
Toby Absinthe Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,023	Been looking a bit more into this, I reckon I can stretch my budget to both the 70-200 F4L and a kit-lens replacement walk-about. Whilst the Tamron is definitely a possibility, I've also been looking at the Sigma 17-70 which seems to get very good reviews. Anyone have experience of this one? __________________