I Need a new lens and can't decide!

ScottMcLeod

Oy guys, I need your help.

I called canon about my 300D, and it's a dead pixel, but under warranty because it's in the center of the CCD. (w00t!). I'm gonna deliver it myself to canon at some point and have them replace the sensor and if possible, replace the silver plastic body with a black one (at my expense).

BUT. I'd been planning on buying a lens last week, and it's sold out everywhere. (even at the distributor.)

Tamron Di XR 28-75mm f/2.8 (407$CAD + tax)

Thoughts?

I shoot mostly low-light theatre & dance & live bands, as well as portrait work (hence the fast lens requirement.)

On the other hand, I've just been told that i've got the chance to shoot the Molson Indy here in toronto, and thus will be within reasonable range of many nice cars, and could perhaps justify a longer zoom lens...

Thinking the 28-135 IS USM... (530$CAD + tax)

Are there any lenses that I *should* be considering that I haven't passed over yet?

L-series canon lenses are out due to price...

Does anyone have a good lens kicking around that they want to sell to me for a good deal? (andy? i'm looking at you here!)

Please post all thoughts or suggestions. Thanks in advance!

luckyrwe

28mm is not wide enough to me, I'd look for something starting at 24mm, but that is just me. You can always crop to get closer but you can't do anything to a 28mm to make it 24mm.

gus

I know you said its out because of price but man alive am i in love with my L glass 135 f/2 prime. As andy called it.. a 'light vacuum'

Its my favorite lens & worth every penny i dropped on it. After shooting those live bands the other night i now know what this lens is about...reach & speed.

Sorry for stating the obvious....as you were.

Gus

ScottMcLeod

luckyrwe wrote:

28mm is not wide enough to me, I'd look for something starting at 24mm, but that is just me. You can always crop to get closer but you can't do anything to a 28mm to make it 24mm.

I tried the sigma, and I just didn't like it at all... :uhoh

It was too heavy, awkward to zoom, and the focus wasn't all that I wanted, (and filters were gonna cost an arm & leg because of the extra size...)

I can get one used for about 470$CAD, or new for 500$CAD.

---

On another topic, is Image Stabilisation worth it? I think i'd personally rather shoot at a faster shutter speed than have a more "stable" image (if the guy's blurred, even if the rest of the photo is stable, who cares?

David_S85

ScottMcLeod wrote:

Oy guys, I need your help.

.
.
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BUT. I'd been planning on buying a lens last week, and it's sold out everywhere. (even at the distributor.)

Tamron Di XR 28-75mm f/2.8 (407$CAD + tax)

Picking mine up tomorrow. I should have a report on it sometime next week if this 20 days x 100º F. heat everyday doesn't kill me and melt all my camera gear first.

Many good reviews of that lens. Check out their review vs. the Canon L at http://www.photo.net

ScottMcLeod

Just came across the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 HSM

Tempting indeed. I'll get a price on it tomorrow fer sure!

*grin* Maybe I'll just buy the Tamron *and* the Sigma. What's a paycheck worth these days anyways, who needs food... as long as the rent's paid, I can just live off of ramen noodles!

ScottMcLeod

Alright, quick update.

I'm willing to sacrifice the f/2.8 on the 70-200 zoom, as long as the alternative(s) are cheaper by a significant amount.

Has anyone else had experience with 70-200 or 70-300 zooms that are as sharp or sharper than the Sigma?