Standard lens replacement.

[menthel]

I find the lens that came with my 300d slightly poop. What is a good replacement?

Is this any good?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-Canon-EF-S...QQcmdZViewItem

[BlueMagician]

I presume you want to replace the kit 18-55mm zoom? The 17-85mm is one I've not used, but I have heard it's marginally better on the wide end than the kit glass.

What length do you find you need the most? How do you find the 18-55 'poop'?

S.

[menthel]

I just don't think the image quality is too great. I get nicer shots from my 75-300 at the 75mm end than from the standard lens. I think a lens with a wider range would be nice and that the better glass would benefit me.

[BlueMagician]

The kit 18-55 is well known for being soft wide open, as well as exhibiting a fair amount of CA.

What do you use the 18-55 for now? Wide action? Landscapes? I'm currently in the process of looking for a replacement for my 18-55, and I was leaning towards something like a 20 or 24mm fixed prime lens to cover the wide end, but this might not be your style.

S.

[menthel]

Its my general lens, and i then use the 75-300 for long zoom, wildlife and other such things. I don't really want to carry round loads of lenses and therefore 2 covering a wide range would be best.

[BlueMagician]

Check out reviews of the 17-85 here... it doesn't fair too badly, and from what you've said, may prove the best partner to what you've already got at the moment.

Not sure I'd trust 'Hong Kong' Ebay importers though.. See if you can beat a decent price out of Jessops, or try AJ Purdy ...

HTH,
S.

[menthel]

I quite often use 7 day shop. They have been good so far.

[BlueMagician]

Kewl kewl - I've looked there, but never parted cash with them... I'll take a closer look if you've had good experience with them..

S.

[menthel]

Or perhaps this one:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/s...&cat=27&page=3

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/prod...ducts_id=98406

[BlueMagician]

I'm afraid I'm not of great knowledge on zoom lenses.. Most of my experience and ownership is in fixed primes.

You've said you want to keep zooms and minimal number of lenses for convenience, so I'm not gonna give you some half assed advice in an area I know little about. I would certainly trust the reviews over on FM - the community is huge, and has a largely professional following.

I'd say you're looking in the right area though, and do understand your frustrations with the kit zoom - it's a usefull lens to have in the bag, but you soon learn its limitations..


S.

[menthel]

Thanks for all the help, mate! Will continue to research.