Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Hi guys,

I have been combing through the forum but didn't see too much in terms of the information I wanted to ask.

I am currently upgrading the glass on my camera- I shoot a canon XT; it still does the job.

I have used the 24-70 canon f 2.8 and that was amazing but the main problem is that it is way out of my budget currently. Same goes for the 70-200 2.8 canon.

I was wondering what are some good budget lens' that would cover the 24-70 range with an f 2.8. Sigma, tamron?? Anyone have any good experience with some of these or suggestions of some I should check out. I do wish i can get the 24-70 but that is what too out of my budget.

I was eyeing the sigma 70-200 f2.8 non IS version. What are your thoughts about this one?

Thanks

what is your budget?

Sorry i forgot to put that in. Ideally Sub 700 (each).

Depending on what you want to do.
What do you like to photograph? Do you need a fast aperture?

If you are starting out, to cover the range, get the 18-200mm.
I had the nikon version of this, and it let me took all the pics I wanted without changing lens.

Tamron 17-50 2.8 non vc is excellent!

Probably looking at 400ish

I just bought this today and this is a fantastic lens so far. Much better than what I had previously.

what is your next camera gonna be? crop or full frame?

If you are staying with crop then 17-50 is much better range.

Also I would ask which lens is mainly to be used, if your longer zoom is just going to be used occassionaly than canon 70-200 f4 non IS can be had for $500-600 range used. Very good lens if you don't need IS or 2.8, also much smaller to carry around.

For now the mid range zoom is of greater priority. I was just wondering about the reviews on the sigma 70-200. I have read mixed things about it.

I guess you have to ask yourself what is more important. When someone says "mid/long zoom lens" I think 70-200mm, not 24-70mm. So do you want a wide to mid or a mid to long? eg, what is more important?

Landscapes
Group Shots
3/4 Portraits
Headshot Portraits
Gym Sports
Field Sports
Nature
Birding

If you want more of the top part of the list, you're looking at a Tamron 17-50 f2.8 or Sigma's 17-70mm f2.8-4.0. If you're at the bottom end, then you want something like a Sigma 70-200 f2.8 EX. Tamron also makes a 70-200 f2.8 and Sigma has a 50-150mm for crop sensors too.

The Sigma 70-200mm f2.8EX is excellent, especially given a used price. Check out the Henry's Clearance Outlet, they usually have one or two in there.

That's assuming less than $1K (being roughly the cost of a used Canon 24-70mm or 70-200mm f2.8L )

i would recommend tamron 17-50 f2.8 non-vc as well, it is going new for 380+tax

if you want something longer, tamron 28-75 f2.8 is another good choice (works on FF too) - i used this lens when i was shooting with a xt, not sure what the price is nowadays but i paid around 400 years ago

Tamaron 17 - 50 f2.8 is good and light. I have one in my bag.