buying a lens

alcantara1

i currently have the canon 350D and my only lens is a 50mm 1:8

Im buying a new one and i am choosing between the
17-55mm f2.8 is usm
24-105mm f4 is usm L

Which would be better?:D

divamum

What kind of shooting do you do? If you need low light capability or the wider field of view, then the 17-55. If you need extra reach, don't shoot that wide, and are mostly shooting in good light, then the 24-105.

Ziggy will probably recommend a 2-lens solution such as the Tamron 17-50 (a terrific lens, and you can now get it with VC - IS - if that's important to you) and the Canon 70-200 F4. Together, they cost around the same as each of the lenses you've mentioned.

(How'd I do, Ziggy? )

ziggy53

divamum wrote: »

... (How'd I do, Ziggy? )

You are right on every count.

alcantara1

i could get one of those 70-200 since their not that expensive... But for the optical and build quality which is better?

ziggy53

alcantara1 wrote: »

i could get one of those 70-200 since their not that expensive... But for the optical and build quality which is better?

The Canon 70-200mm lenses are not necessarily what "I" would call "not that expensive", but they are certainly worth it IMO.

Between the Canon:

EF 24-105mm, f4L IS USM

and

EF-S 17-55mm, f2.8 IS USM

... there is no doubt as to construction quality. The 24-105mm is an "L" construction quality and the 17-55mm is a structural plastic body. The 17-55mm is also an EF-S lens and only fits Canon crop 1.6x camera bodies. The 24-105mm will fit any Canon SLR body.

Regardless, they are similar optical quality but the 17-55mm, f2.8 lets in twice as much light and activates the high-precision AF sensor on most recent Canon dSLRs. I greatly prefer the 17-55mm lens for social situations and events and interior work in general. Combined with a 70-200mm zoom they make a very complete 2 - lens kit that can cover a tremendous number of circumstances.

alcantara1

ok.. I guess I'll get the 17-55 and 70-200 then..
btw... what's a flash i could buy with e-ttl 2 and an AF assist beam for about $200?

thanks ziggy

ziggy53

alcantara1 wrote: »

... what's a flash i could buy with e-ttl 2 and an AF assist beam for about $200? ...

Either the Canon Speedlite 430EX II or Sigma EF-530 DG Super for Canon E-TTL II would be good choices. The Canon has better build and a more logical user interface. The Sigma has a more advanced feature set and the user interface is quite a bit different, but still very usable.

I have 4 of the Sigma 5xx DG Super series flashes versus 1 Canon flash. I am very happy with both types of flashes and they are all capable of similar light quality and exposure accuracy.

alcantara1

I've also read that Metz and Cactus make good cheap flashes. Ever tried using one of those?

From the two, I think I'll take the Sigma or will it be better to spend a little more for the canon 430ex II?

alcantara1

http://www.adorama.com/Als/ProductPage/MZ48AF1C.html

dantambok

you could take a look at this http://www.adorama.com/Als/ProductPage/SUPZ42XCAKA.html

Brett1000

alcantara1 wrote: »

ok.. I guess I'll get the 17-55 and 70-200 then..
btw... what's a flash i could buy with e-ttl 2 and an AF assist beam for about $200?

thanks ziggy

Do a search on Yongnuo YN465 - ETTL, assist beam, full manual controls, etc. - less than $70 !