Lens Recommendations

t-rev

I purchased a 50D about a month ago with the 28-135 and the Canon 10-22 for my trip to Italy. I am now considering new lens or 2. I am going to be a new dad in a few months so I imagine there will be a lot of pics of her. Also some basic landscape photography and family pics. I don't know if I really need the wide 10-22 at this point. Here is what I am looking at:

Option 1:
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0 L
Canon EF 28-135 f/3.5-5.6

Option 2:
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4
Canon EF 24-105 mm f/4.0 L

Option 3:
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4
Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8

Those are some of the options I am considering. What are your opinions?

Moogle Pepper

Do I see 17 - 55 in your list??

OPTION 3!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well you might need some extra reach though...

Cameron

If you're happy with your 28-135 and 10-22mm lenses, I think you'd be better off adding one lens at a time, subsequently reevaluating your needs at each step. I'd add the 50mm f/1.4 lens first to give you some low-light capabilities - as a fairly new dad with Twins, I love the available light stuff!

While the 17-40mm is of higher quality than your current lenses (at least the 28-135), you don't gain a whole lot by adding that to the mix. Likewise, the 24-105 lens is better than your kit zoom, but you don't add much functionality over what you already have.

If you're unhappy with your 28-135, I'd recommend looking at the 17-55 f/2.8, 24-105 f/4, or something like a Tamron 17-50 f/2.8. The f/2.8 lenses would give you better low-light capabilities as well. Personally, I owned the 50mm f/1.8 lens but only rarely use it now that I have the 17-55 f/2.8 lens - it's sharp at f/2.8 and a very versatile lens! I use it for 80+% of my shots.

I also own the 10-22mm lens and while I don't use it much for baby pics, it is great for landscapes and such. IF you don't keep it, you'll probably find that 28mm on the wide end isn't enough you may find yourself wanting to upgrade the 28-135 as I mentioned above.

t-rev

It's not that I'm not happy with them, I just want something a little better and that has better low light performance.

I am going to return the 10-22, I have another few days to get my money back at Wolf Camera and I'll probably sell the 28-135.

Scott_Quier

Option 1 - This has a lot of overlap and the 17-40 is quite slow for indoor photography.

Option 2 - The 50mm may be too long for indoor work but it will be sweet otherwise. The 24-105 is a very, very nice lens, but like I indicated above, I fear it will be too slow indoors.

Option 3 - This is the one I would go with. The 17-55 is a stellar performer, nice and sharp. It has the flexibility of the two lenses, you have very low light covered (with the 50mm f/1.4) and the 17-55 gives you a lot to work with indoors, both in terms of focal length range and maximum aperture.

If you can afford to do so, I would keep the 10-22. You may not use it often, but when you need it nothing else will do. Then, I would save my pennies for the 24-105

CSwinton has a point about getting one lens at a time. If you go that route, I would definitely get the 17-55 first. It is sooooo flexible and will serve you so well in capturing all the indoor (and many outdoor) baby moments. Especially in the first year. Then, if you find that you need a faster lens, consider the 50 f/1.4 or even a shorter lens (Siggy 30 f/1.4 for example).

Shima

Moogle Pepper wrote:

Do I see 17 - 55 in your list??

OPTION 3!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well you might need some extra reach though...

As an owner of both lenses in option 3, go for it, you won't be disappointed. They're both fabulous pieces of glass.

ivar

I say #2 (this is what I shoot with now, too)

the 10-22 that you already have is an awesome ultra wide angle and although the 17-55 is great too, I love the image quality of the 24-105 better. And, you're covered from 10 to 105mm (except for 23mm).

Tee Why

If it was me, I'd probably keep the 10-22 unless you really don't like the ultrawide field of view. I'd sell the 28-135mm lens.
I'd get either the Tamron 17-50 or the Canon 17-55. Unless you really want a faster 50mm lens, I'd skip the 50mm f1.4. A canon 85mm f1.8 or a 100mm f2 for portraits/head shots/telephoto work, maybe.

donmarkphoto

Consider the 24-70 2.8. It's a phenomenal portrait length lens, especially with the 1.6x crop factor.

lowbone

Italy has lots of narrow streets and you will definitely need something wider then your 28-135 for your 50D The 10-22 will work but a better choice would be the 17-55 f 2.8 and a 24-105 to cover the long end

iamprof40

I have several Canon L lenses but the 24-105L is the one that stays on the XTi nearly all the time.
Superb glass (not light, and I find the hood a pain, so I seldom use it) and very versatile.
I highly recommend it as part of your system.