Lens Comparable to "L" Series

[NMarti]

I am looking for a lens in the 24-70'ish zoom range that is comparable to the canon lenses in the "L" series. I love those lenses but they are so expensive. Are there brands that have the quality but not the price? I want it primarily for taking indoor photos, portraits, etc. I have a 70-200 L series but it I just don't have the "back-up" room to get shots inside because my rooms are not huge.

[Chuck S.]

Nancy, two lenses for you to consider:

Canon 17-40 mm f/4L: Relatively inexpensive for an "L" series lens ($630 right now at B&H); very nice range, about equivalent to 27-64 in film terms.

Canon 10-22 mm S series ($640): For that extra-wide view.

I have both. I use the 17-40 a lot; the 10-22 is more specialized for interiors where I can't step back any further. If I had to choose only one....it would be the 17-40.

I haven't purchased a third party lens in 20 years, so I don't know what's good. Lots of reviews out there, and I'm sure you'll get some other feedback here as well.

[kImages]

Nancy - Popular Photography has an article in the Feb 2008 issue - "Behind the Glass" Lens Special. It addresses 10 commonly asked lens questions. The one you've posed about third party glass is their #3. Their response is that lenses by independent makers are often as good as those by the camera makers. They note that Sigma's 18-200 f/3.5 - 6.3 DC OS AF zoom performed on par with Canon's 28 - 300 f/3.5 - 5.6l IS USM. Sigma streets for $549, Canon's $2,200. Not exactly the same lens but ...
Their recommendation - consult the lens test reviews. They didn't address the wider zooms, so I guess we'll have to find those ourselves. I've recently read that the Tokina 50 - 135mm f/2.8 had Excellent results. But like you I'm looking for a 24 - 70mm. I had a Tamron that just bit the dust and am considering the Sigma which I've seen reviewed as very good optically, but noisier (audible not digital) than Nikkor zooms.

[Diana]

Hi Nancy,

I was surprised when you mentioned the 24-70 lens because I got the Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8 L for Christmas. I really can't help you with an off-brand equivalent, I don't know that much about lenses, being a newbie with the Rebel XTi. But, we must have the same interests in lenses. I bought the 70-200 F/4 earlier on your recommendation. They both are wonderful lenses.

Diana

[GaryK]

Nancy

I was using the Tamron in that range.(28-75??) I'll have to get the exact model. But it is the same one that Sherry was/is using for her Jazz shots, and I do believe Norm picked it up as well.
Seemed very nice until I dropped it. Still working but the filter ring is cracked so I have tucked it away. with plans to have it repaired.
Up here it ran in the $550 range.
I do not have any "L" glass or for that matter any really good Canon lenses so I can't compare the USM feel.

[NMarti]

Thanks for the input Chuck and Gary.

Diana - what do you think of the lens? I really like the 70-200 but need something that I can shoot indoors at a closer range and that lens seems to fit the bill.

Kim I'll check that out. Sounds interesting. I think mine came yesterday but haven't had a chance to read it yet.

Chuck - that f4L sounds tempting at that price.

[Diana]

I haven't had the lens very long but love it so far. It is heavy, about 2 lbs. It's not a lens you want to walk around with around your neck for very long. I've used it with and without tripod successfully. It's great for portraits, lets a lot of light in. Canon has it on sale into February sometime, saving $80.

There are 93 customer reviews of this lens on Amazon here that helped me decide:

http://www.amazon.com/review/product...DateDescending

Hope this helps.

Diana

[Michel B]

I have the Sigma 17-70. I love it: wide and sharp. This range covers all my needs and the macro capability is great. Have a look at lens test comparisons, the optical quality is great. Fast focusing even at wide angle (f2.8). Mechanically, you feel a step in zooming in the middle range. Sturdy construction.

[Chuck S.]

Originally Posted by Michel B

I have the Sigma 17-70. I love it: wide and sharp. This range covers all my needs and the macro capability is great. Have a look at lens test comparisons, the optical quality is great. Fast focusing even at wide angle (f2.8). Mechanically, you feel a step in zooming in the middle range. Sturdy construction.

Nancy, it looks like Michel may have found the ideal choice! Here's the listing at B&H:

Sigma 17-70 for Canon

Note that it's an S-class lens, meaning you won't be able to use it with that Canon 5D or 1DS-III that you're going to get someday......

Michel, it looks like a winner!

p.s. I googled "sigma 17-70 review" and found a lot of enthusiastic comments, particularly about optical quality. The one that struck me said that the lens was comparable if not better than my beloved Canon 17-40! Good to read the reviews, of course.....

[NickLewis]

Nancy,

Another lens you might consider is the Canon EF-S 17-85IS. Again, no use for your 1DsIII, but a lens upgrade will be small change when you buy that. (Although I have seen it said that it can be simply modded to fit a straight EF mount, but have no intention of trying personally.)

I bought one for a trip last summer, and it's now displaced my 17-40L (sorry Chuck), mainly because of the greater reach at the long end. It's an excellent general purpose lens. And the IS is nice to have when light levels are low and you can't use flash for whatever reason.

There's some barrel distortion at 17mm, so fully zoomed out photos of brick walls are a bit risky, but otherwise it's fine. And that's trivial to remove in PSE if you must use it, anyway.

Nick