So my favorite walkabout lens is the 24-105, but the one I have has issues. I've already repaired it once (to the tune of two hundred and some odd dollars - it's a fixed rate they charge for any repair) so I'm thinking maybe I should get a new lens. I probably should get another 24-105 (and if anyone has one they got with their 5D kit they don't want....) but since I don't sell anything, or make any money off this hobby in any way, and don't even rock DPC with this hobby, is there another lens I should be considering? The 24-105 doesn't come cheap, and the 24-70 f/2.8. which looks delicious, is way more.
Check for the sales on the refurbished site..... Especially if you can wait for the 20% ones they are a good price and since the 24-105 is common it's not normally sold out in 3.2seconds like most other lenses on that site.
I know you know about the Tammy 28-75 which is a decent option if your after f2.8 - especially on that crop.
I listed this one for sale, and could still sell it to you despite all the wonderful people donating to the fundraiser as I still have a long way to go to get caught up. The glass is in excellent condition. The only thing I ever wondered about was that if you walk with your camera pointing down, the lens zoom creeps longer. I sent it to Canon for a repair but they said this was normal for the lens. I still asked them to tighten everything up and clean it which they did. It takes great pics.
Linda, I'm trying to avoid the f/5.6 limitation, and I DO walk around with the camera pointing down, a lot. I think I'd ruled that one out earlier when I started my quest.
Been reading a few reviews and some say flare is a problem with the Tamron - I have a bad habit of shooting into the sun - a lot! That's where the problem with my current 24-105 is, in fact. It has not flare, but a glaring bar of light streaking across the image when I shoot into the sun now.
So can anyone who has the Tamron offer info about shooting into the sun? (And yeah, I know it's not good for your eyes... ha!!)
all i can recommend is keh.com. keep a watch out for what you're looking for and sooner or later it will be there. i have saved, literally, thousands of dollars, just by knowing what i wanted and being patient.
fwiw, i love what canon lenses do, shooting into the sun with a really high av...(see some here)
By the way, this is the streak I'm getting with the 24-105. Makes me sad, as I really do like the lens a lot (other than the weight - it's a heavy sucker!)
I like renting before buying a new lens - it has saved me some headaches. There were lenses that looked so impressive in specs, but in practicality, were wrong for the way I shoot. I use lensrentals.com and if you do more than 1-2 rentals - the pay one price shipping program is the way to go. it's like xmas over and over again, new toys ;-) Good luck with your search and I'm very curious to see what you settle on. I haven't found the perfect walkaround zoom and often just use the 50mm 1.8 instead because it's wonderful and light.
Ha, Timothy! I did once think about having a show, in my garage. But I need to clean it out a bit more first, and figure how to hang a photo or two. Then maybe I'll have a show! In my garage! :-)
Bear, that is the lens I'm looking at. That, and the Canon that costs 4 times that. Or another 24-105. But the lightness of the Tamron is very appealing to me, especially when I get tempted to throw a camera in a very small backpack to take on bike rides.
Thanks all for the advice!! Very much appreciated!
JulietNN also has it, and she owns that lens. It's the Piezo Drive that makes it better than the previous version. I have the previous non-PZD version and the lens was horribly slow to focus, especially in low light. Supposedly the PZD version is decent in focusing and pretty compact. DPC link for that lens.
The Tamron 18 - 270 mm is a lucky dip. My friend had one; slow, slow slow and definitely a focus problem. I tried it and will probably regret taking it out on the boat with me. I could not capture even one decent shot on what was actually a great day for shark photography. Hennie listened to me on the Canon 24 - 105 mm f/4, your current lens, and let me assure you, he is not missing the sharks any more. I love my 24-105; heavy but heaven. Reliable and fast. At least you may get what you pay for.
I use the Tamron 18-270 as my everyday lens. It's versatility is it's strong point. It's not as tack sharp as some of my other lenses, but in good light you can get some nice shots with it.
This was taken just before the Sun went down and about 100 feet away. I was pleased with the image.
My walkabout (bikeabout?) lens is a cheap Canon 18-135. It's the kit lens that comes on a couple of models and since you have a 7D, you may already have one. You are probably looking for something higher end.
