> -----Original Message-----
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Jerome Davin
> Sent: Monday, June 02, 2003 9:07 PM
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: EOS Another Lens Debate: cheaper lenses
>
>
> I have been reading this mailing list for a while now and I read mostly
> about those expensive L lenses. Is it appropriate to ask for
> recommendation
> for "beginner" lenses (ie under $400) on this list?
>
> Thanks
>
> Jerome
Hi Jerome,
Yeah, we frequently get wrapped up in the "L's" because they are such
intoxicating lenses to shoot with! But there are plenty of non-"L" lenses
that are really, really good. The best values in lenses from Canon IMO are
some of the older Canon primes that Canon has sort of ignored and offers
updated faster versions for but also caused them to loose value. If you can
get buy with slower AF speeds, and no Full Time Manual focusing capability
they are the lenses to buy.
Which one to pick will as others will mention depends on what you plan to
shoot. I like to get the most bang for the buck and usually and frequently
buy used lenses when they are found at good prices. So without regard for
subject matter here is my list of good new and used Canon lenses under $400.
EF 15 2.8 full frame fisheye, this is a great creative lens, old
style slow noisy AF, no FTM, better build w/distance scale
and metal EF lens mount, can be hard to find, BUT I paid
$365 NIB so I know they're out there!
EF 20 2.8USM, widest affordable Canon prime, sharp, fast AF, very low
distortion, has FTM, better build with distance scale window,
used $275-$350, new $400-$450
EF 24 2.8, A near ultra-wide angle for a very fair price IMO, older slow
noisy AF, no FTM, sharp optics, okay build, often better than
EF 24 1.4L!, used $170-$225, new $270-$280?
EF 28 2.8, older slower noisy AF, no FTM, very good optics, much
better than new twice as expensive EF 28 1.8USM version, $100-
$150, new $160-$170, ok build, this lens even new is a bargain!
EF 35 2.0, older slower noisy AF, no FTM, very good sharp optics,
okay build, not quite as good as the EF 35 1.4L USM but 1/5 @
the price! Used $100-$175, new $215-$230, this is another
amazing Canon bargain!
EF 50 1.8, old style slow noisy AF, no FTM, a VERY sharp lens, okay
build W/METAL lens mount, a sharp lens!, cheapest Canon lens
with the highest quality images! Possibly the best value Canon
has in a prime lens! Used $65-$100.
EF 50 1.8 II, very slow noisy AF, no FTM, a VERY sharp lens, poor
build, no distance scale! w/plastic lens mount, maybe sharper
than original EF 50 1.8, cheapest Canon lens that can produce
highest quality images! Possibly the best value Canon has in
a prime lens! Used $35-$65, new $65-$75.
EF 50 1.4USM, the standard for the Canon normal lenses, very fast AF
with FTM, micro USM better build w/ distance scale window and
metal EF lens mount like EF 20 2.8USM, very fast lens speed and
very high image quality that edges out the 50 1.8's. Used
$240-275, new $290-$310
EF 50 2.5 Macro, very slow AF, no FTM better build w/distance scale
and metal lens mount. Surprisingly very detailed, high image
quality with very good contrast and image snap, possibly the
sharpest of the Canon 50's! Hard to find used $ 165-$200,
new $240-$260.
EF 85 1.8USM, flattering head/shoulders & small group portrait lens.
Better build quality w/very fast AF, has FTM and distance scale,
metal EF lens mount. Great backgrounds, a bit soft WFO but very
sharp by f/2. Still one of my favorite lenses even for a digital
body user, used $275-$300, new $320-$340
EF 100 2USM, very flattering head/shoulders portrait lens though can
be too long for portraits in small spaces, too short for sports
use. Better build quality w/very fast AF, has FTM and distance
scale, metal EF lens mount. Great backgrounds, a bit soft WFO
but very sharp by f/2.8 much like the EF 85 1.8USM but by most
reports ultimately not quite as sharp. Used $275-335, new $370-$390.
EF 20-35 3.5-4.5USM, A very good affordable ultra-wide zoom lens! Fast
AF with FTM, better build with metal mount, distance scale window
and well compact, sealed fixed length barrel design. Very sharp
with lower distortion and EF 17-35 2.8L, the only Canon WA that
comes close optical/bang for the buck is the old EF 20-35 2.8L!
Used $275-325, new $340-$370
EF 28-105 3.5-4.5USM, A very good affordable "standard" zoom lens! Fast
AF with FTM, better build with metal mount, distance scale window,
compact lens barrel design. A sharp lens if stopped down 1-2 stops
with one of the most useful focal length ranges on a consumer
zoom. Used price about $100-$125, new from B&H $150! This is
a great deal on a classic EOS consumer zoom!
EF 28-105 3.5-4.5USM II, This is the SAME lens as the oringal with
"improved" lens barrel cosmetics and a new moniker. Used price
about $175-200, new $200-$230.
EF 28-135 3.5-5.6USM IS, Has sluggish AF speed for a USM lens, this may
be due to slow basic lens speed, better build with distance
window and metal lens mount, large, bulky lens due to IS feature.
Second consumer lens to get Canon's "IS" technology so has first
generation IS with only "mode 1" and no "mode 2" IS (cannot pan
with IS on), capability Canon only claims 2 stops vs. 3 stops
for newer generation of IS lenses. The IS feature can be handy on
this somewhat slower speed zoom, still this is a reasonably sharp
lens covering a practical zoom range. Used cost about $325-$375,
new $390-$410
This list is made up of only SOME of the obvious, easy to find and buy
lenses that I have used, own/owned or sampled. Some of them I still own and
use on a regular basis because they work so well! All of the primes are
very good to excellent optically though some are slower focusing. The zooms
are somewhat less than perfect but at this price point are as good as it
gets. None of the Canon zooms in this price range are going to get near the
optical performance of the Canon primes listed or even near to the Canon "L"
zooms but hey what to you want for $400?
Cheers/Chip
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