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Walkabout lens for 10D ?


ian riches

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What "walkabout" lens do you 10D owners use.<p>

I've had my 10D for almost a year now, and used it mainly with my

ancient-but-good EF 28-70 f/3.5-4.5. I've done an analysis of all the

shots I've bothered to print (i.e. the good ones!) over the last year,

and for the 28-70 lens it breaks down at about:<p>

<ul>

<li>40% at the 28mm setting</li>

<li>60% at focal length <= 35mm</li>

<li>20% at 70mm</li>

<li>..and therefore 20% at between 35mm and 69mm

</ul>

 

I'm feeling the need for something a bit wider than the 28-70, to use

as a general walkabout lens, as so many of my shots are right up

against the bottom end of my current zoom. My constraints are:<p>

<ul>

<li>Spend max UKP 500</li>

<li>Optical quality >= my 28-70</li>

<li>Possible to use a polariser with...my 28-70 makes this almost

impossible!</li>

</ul>

 

I also have a 35-135 f/4-5.6 USM for when I need something a bit

longer and a 50mm f/1.8 for low-light.<p>

 

What would you get, and why?<p>

 

<ul>

<li>17-40? Blows all the budget and may be a bit short for a

walkabout...</li>

<li>Tamrom 17-35? Cheaper than the "L", but even shorter at the long

end...</li>

<li>Get a 17-85 IS and hack it to EF mount? Well...if I was less

clumsy maybe.....</li>

<li>24-85 USM? Not a whole lot wider...would I notice the difference?

</ul>

 

Thanks!

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My favourite lens on the 10D was an old manual focus 21mm f/2 lens (which is similar to a 30mm field-of-view on film cameras). I can see why you favour getting a zoom, but there is something refreshing about taking just one prime out with you - but you won't believe me if you've never tried it...
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I've owned the 10D for a while now and my biggest gripe is that my 20-35 lens is now equivalent to a 32mm on the wide front. Harrumph!<br><br>

 

Having said that, it really depends on what you shoot most of the time. More often than not, I have a 28-105 on it -- ideal for street work. Though, something with an equivalent focal length of 20mm or thereabouts would be ideal for some scenarios. One of the reasons why I'd probably look for a 5D in the (hopefully) not-too-distant future. Not to forget the additional pixel count.<br><br>

 

Would suggest you look at one of those wide lenses with a focal length of 10 or thereabouts. That will give you an effective focal length of 16... a wide view will really change the way you look at the world. Photographically at least.<br><br>

 

<a href="http://www.nevillebulsara.com">Neville Bulsara</a><br>

Travel and documentary photography

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The 24-85 is noticably wider than the 28-70. For an even wider option I'd go for a 20-35, which covers 60% of the focal lengths you use. Combined with your 50/1.8 it's a nice two-lens option.

 

Or you may simply want to consider a Sigma 18-50.

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Thanks for all the responses. I'm leaning towards 20-35 USM at the moment...here's why:<p>

<ul>

<li>A <b>lot</b> cheaper than the 17-40. I don't need L build quality - and there's far more used 20-35's around. I like buying used kit - has always worked well for me.</li>

<li>A fast wide prime is on the shopping list for the future - but for walkabout (on vacation, with the family etc.), a zoom does it for me.</li>

<li>The Sigma alternatives are interesting....but I have had a bad experience with Sigma in the past. I'll need strong pursuasion to go that route again.</li>

</ul>

 

Thanks again for all your help.

 

Ian

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