I need help! I am buying a new Canon EOS 20D camera. What lens should I buy? I am very much an amateur but would like to get better.

I am thinking of buying 2 lenses and these are the two suggestions:

Group 1
Canon 28-135 USM IS
Canon 75-300 USM IS
(both have the built-in image stabilizer)

Group 2
Sigma 24-135mm Aspherical IF Pro lens
Sigma 70-300mm APO Zoom Macro Super II Pro Lens

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Lori, Lori, Lori. A woman after my own heart. I just bought the 10D but will probably wait for the price to come down a bit on the 20D before I make another upgrade.

Something to think about with the 20D. It has a 1.6x crop factor, which is wonderful on the telephoto end, but kills you for wide angle. The 28-135 is really a 44-168. Are you planning on using a tripod often? IS doesn't work well on tripods and is better for handholding.

Your two choices you have posted are difficult. They each have their pros and cons.

I'm to the point now that I want nothing but Canon glass on digital. Sigma is a bit lower priced. The Sigma 24-135 is what a lot of my images were taken with that I have posted here in the last 12 months and is a bit wider range at 24mm than the Canon 28-135. Optical quality is excellent, but the build quality (pardon my language) SUCKS. The lens housing is plastic and very cheap plastic at that. My camera got dropped twice and both times it busted right off the lens mount in the exact same spot, and took over two months to get it repaired. For that reason alone I will never buy another Sigma lens.

Optical quality for the Canon 28-135 is excellent - a lens you will definitely not be disappointed with. But if you really want to shoot wide angle for landscapes, and lighthouses especially, I would highly recommend the Canon pro lens 17-40/F4 L, which is about $250 more, and then pick up a Canon 50mm/1.8 for $70 to cover your focal range between 40mm and 70mm on the two zooms. Also, with 28-135 and 70-300 you have a pretty large overlap in zoom that you don't necessarily need.

The 70-300 image quality is ok, but nothing stellar. For the same price, I would tell you to get the 70-200 2.8L non-IS lens - it's two stops faster and the quality is unreal. One of Canon's best lenses and the two stop difference will make up for non-IS. They do make the 70-200 in IS, but it's $500 more. Both of these lenses are heavy and can be tiring to handhold for long periods. You can also look at the 70-200/F4.0L, which is the lens I own, same quality, but much lighter and half the cost. Also, if it's that 300mm range that you really want, remember that the 200mm range is really 280mm on digital and you can also get a 1.4x Canon teleconverter (around $200) that will extend you out to 280mm (448mm on digital!!).

When I bought the 10D, I purchased the 17-40, 50mm, and the 70-200/4.0 L, along with the 1.4x teleconverter. Absolutely the best decision I ever made and the quality of these lenses is nothing short of stellar. Once you buy a Canon L lens, you won't ever want anything else.

Here is a link to a website that has actual performance reviews on lens performances:

Photozone

The three telephoto lenses I suggested are the top three performers in that category (ranking a 4.5+ on a scale of 1-5) and the 70-300 IS ranked a 2.02 on a scale of 1-5).

Hi Lorie,

I'm been planing to buy the 20D, too, but only the body. Jen is the expert. So, I'll let her advise you on which group. I had a Sigma lens once. However, I mostly use Canon lenses. Image Stabilizers are nice for shooting without a tripod.

You made a wise choice to stay away from the kit with the Canon 18-55 mm lens.

Just keep in mind the 1.6 lens factor. I have a 28-105 mm that I've used with my Canon Digital Rebel, and I don't always get a wide enough angle when shooting lighthouses. Canon has a new lens (EF-S 17-85 mm) that is equivalent to a 28-135mm. It only works with the Digital Rebel and 20D. I haven't read any reviews on this new lens...

Good luck. I'll be looking forward to seeing you post photos you take with your new camera.

Tammy

I must type slower than Jen because she hadn't responded when I typed my message but beat me to it. I can't afford any new lenses at this time, but I'm always interested in Jen's opinion. Glad she has a Canon!

It's funny, because I was so anti-Canon for such a long time (shot Nikon for four years, and Minolta for 10 before that!) and when the DRebel came out, I became a convert...

Thanks Jen...I knew I could count on you to help me out. I hope the learning curve isn't too long on my using the new camera.

I'll let you know when I get it and tell you what I think. Thanks again!

Sorry Jen...just one more question. Do you need filters? Do they help the lens by keeping them continually on?

You definitely need a clear lens(filter) to protect your Cannon lenses for being scratched, Lorie. The filters are a matter of taste for effects. I'd play with your new camera and lenses for awhile before getting a filter.
Enjoy your early Christmas present!
Bob

Lori, I keep Tiffen or Hoya UV filters on my lenses for protection while in transit or in the bag; but once I physically have them out to shoot, unless the weather is bad, I take them off. Why buy an expensive lens and throw a $20 filter on it? It's one more element to add flare (sunspots), especially when shooting into the sun. Always shoot with lens hoods on, too. They help against flare and increase color saturation.

One more thing: Invest in a GOOD bag, such as Lowepro or Tamrac. You may like a backpack for ease of use. When you have good equipment, make sure you have good protection.

Jen,

I was going to make a comment, but thought better of it.

bobo

Thanks to both Lorie for asking the questions and to Jen for answering.
Be advised that if you go to the Canon web site you can print off rebate coupons for most of their lenses. www.canon.com
I too have been debating on which long lense to go to, but with this great discussion and information, it made it a lot easier.
This is really what I like about this Forums. Great people giving great information based on experience.

Thanks for sharing.

Jake Toering

P.S. Sure beats arguing about conventions and locations.

Hey Jake! Long time no hear from! Welcome back! Glad to help anytime. Feel free to email me or post if I can help further!