Would going to 135mm get me a better quality lens than going all the way to 300? Also, would the 135mm zoom serve as an almost replacement/improvement to the 18-55 kit lens? Sorry if these questions are naive.
I am also open to any other suggestions. I am looking at this relative price range at this time.
I hope this is an appropriate use of this forum. I did a search, but a lot of the discussions on this seemed a little old.
I've got the 70-300, haven't had any problems with it and would recommend it as a good telephoto for the price.
I can't comment on the quality of the 28-135 as I've never used it. As for whether it would 'replace' the kit lens, that depends on how often you use the wider end of the focal length, because there is obviously a significant difference between 18mm and 28mm. Have you considered the EF-S 18-135? http://www.amazon.com/Canon-18-135mm-3-5-5-6-Standard-Digital/dp/B002NEGTT2/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1361297189&sr=1-1&keywords=canon+lens+18-135 Again, I can't comment on the quality, but it does extend as wide as the kit lens, and I don't think it's that much more expensive. (Although I do realise that every penny matters, and once you convince yourself you can afford just a little bit more, you then convince yourself you can afford a little bit more again, and.... yeah. )
I think @jase_h has the right idea. Be sure to pick up a sturdy monopod if not a tripod as well. That could get quite tiresome to try and steady.
I don't know anything of the 2 lenses but also consider the closest focal distance. The 28-135 will focus at a min. distance of 20 inches (.51 meters), the 70-300 requires 5.9 feet (1.8M) between you and the subject to focus (of course it "zooms" further which allows you to be further away). Consider those when choosing based on where/what you generally shoot.
The question is - What do you want it for ? I love my 70-300 for macro and yet the 100-400 canon for wildlife is way better !! as far as zoom lenses go it has really good ratings but is heavy and I have often wished I had another body ( well who doesn't really :-) to shoot closer subjects instead of having to quickly change lenses !
I have both of these lenses. I like them both the 28-135 to me is more of an everyday walk around lens. The 70-300 is also a great lens love that it has IS and it also produces some great crisp images.
I do alot of wildlife photography (not here -- 365 is my attempt to do something different!), have the 70-300 nikon and desperately want the 80-400, wishing I could do a trade in..... rented an 80-400 once and was surprised at what a difference the extra 100 made
There was a discussion a few days ago about lenses for a Nikon d3100 and someone linked to an online lens simulator, so it might help you to look at that to see what the lenses you are considering would do.
I had the 18 to 55mm and now have the 18 to 135. I don't think I would want to sacrifice the 18mm for 28mm. However this would give you more general range without changing lens.
I already had a 90 to 300 lens when I got the 135 and if you want to take wildlife or really get close up then go for the 70 to 300mm. I agree the 400mm does make a difference.
I think you have lots of good advice from everybody here. I am no expert on lenses but I get on ok with these. Budget also is a thought.
I found myself going in circles with all my browsing and you all definitely provided some much needed direction.
I love that I could post this question a few hours ago and get so much information so quickly. Seeing examples of shots taken with the lenses is super helpful @hollandcrew
I'm definitely going to look at the 18-135mm too as I do hate to give up the 18-28 as an everyday lens if I go that route. I totally want both but I guess I will need to decide which to buy first. I continue to welcome all your advice as I continue to mull this over. This is such a great community!
I have the Tamron 18-270 mm and have been using just that and my nifty 50 since June, if you are considering non-Canon lenses. Definitely covers all your range needs and has Tamron's version of image stabilization.
Just a note that the 18-135 is an ef-s lens and will only work on a crop frame camera. The 28-135 is an ef lens so if you ever upgrade to a full frame camera you can still use this lens.
@archaeofrog Just like Katie, I would look into the Tamron 18/270. I have it on my Nikon, and it works wonderfully. You would buy it with a Canon mount, of course. It is for an APS-C cropped sensor camera. You didn't say what model of Canon you had. Make sure you look at the Second Edition with the Piezo Motor. For $600, I don't think Canon can come close to matching the price and the function. The optical stabilization is superior, giving you a full four stops of safety for hand held. The construction is sturdy and rugged. I fell with my camera and this lens in December. My camera was not salvageable, so I invested in a refurbished body. However, the lens, with the exception of a shattered protection filter on the front still continues to function perfectly. Moral of the story, always have a filter on the lens, if only a clear one for protection.
The other one I looked at was the Tamron 18 to 270 mentioned above, can't remember why I chose the sigma in the end. But I did look at a LOT of reviews (online and in mags)
I have neither lens so I'm not of any help in feedback but it looks like you got some great samples from @hollandcrew !
My only tip: consider buying used lenses. I've been very lucky in that all my lenses are from Calumet used lens department and they've all been great. As others sell and trade up, the buyer/seller calls me and lets me know when something I'm looking for becomes available. I'm not so sure about ebay, as I've never bought a lens that way before, but someone told me that's a good way to sell a lens you no longer need. But I like trying a lens on my camera, testing it out, and then buying it in the store. For now.
Good luck!
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I can't comment on the quality of the 28-135 as I've never used it. As for whether it would 'replace' the kit lens, that depends on how often you use the wider end of the focal length, because there is obviously a significant difference between 18mm and 28mm. Have you considered the EF-S 18-135? http://www.amazon.com/Canon-18-135mm-3-5-5-6-Standard-Digital/dp/B002NEGTT2/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1361297189&sr=1-1&keywords=canon+lens+18-135 Again, I can't comment on the quality, but it does extend as wide as the kit lens, and I don't think it's that much more expensive. (Although I do realise that every penny matters, and once you convince yourself you can afford just a little bit more, you then convince yourself you can afford a little bit more again, and.... yeah. )
I don't know anything of the 2 lenses but also consider the closest focal distance. The 28-135 will focus at a min. distance of 20 inches (.51 meters), the 70-300 requires 5.9 feet (1.8M) between you and the subject to focus (of course it "zooms" further which allows you to be further away). Consider those when choosing based on where/what you generally shoot.
@rstrum I do agree though. Go as long as you can and have fun shooting. :)
but don't listen to me, I have a 55-250 that is still in bubble wrap. I mean to take it hiking but it's not been hiking weather lately.
Shot with 28-135 IS USM
Shot with 70-300 IS USM
I already had a 90 to 300 lens when I got the 135 and if you want to take wildlife or really get close up then go for the 70 to 300mm. I agree the 400mm does make a difference.
I think you have lots of good advice from everybody here. I am no expert on lenses but I get on ok with these. Budget also is a thought.
@suebarni
I found myself going in circles with all my browsing and you all definitely provided some much needed direction.
I love that I could post this question a few hours ago and get so much information so quickly. Seeing examples of shots taken with the lenses is super helpful @hollandcrew
I'm definitely going to look at the 18-135mm too as I do hate to give up the 18-28 as an everyday lens if I go that route. I totally want both but I guess I will need to decide which to buy first. I continue to welcome all your advice as I continue to mull this over. This is such a great community!
My only tip: consider buying used lenses. I've been very lucky in that all my lenses are from Calumet used lens department and they've all been great. As others sell and trade up, the buyer/seller calls me and lets me know when something I'm looking for becomes available. I'm not so sure about ebay, as I've never bought a lens that way before, but someone told me that's a good way to sell a lens you no longer need. But I like trying a lens on my camera, testing it out, and then buying it in the store. For now.
Good luck!