is it worth upgrading kit lens?

[alexharrison101]

i have the 18-55mm IS kit lens for my canon 1100D. is it worth upgrading this? i'm pretty happy with it tbh, but a friend of mine has recommended the 17-55 2.8...at the moment this is well out of my price range, but i should be getting some compromise agreement money from work at the end of may and am wondering if this would be a good investment? the Tamron AP AF 17-50 is a cheaper alternative...(just under £300 as opposed to £750 upwards).

i currently have a cheap 70-300 and a nifty fifty alongside the kit lens, and my other upgrade decision is dumping the 70-300 (it's the tamron Di LD Macro which i was talked into when i bought the camera - turns out it is quite limited :/ ) for the much better Tamron 70-300 SP AF Di VC USD. i can pick that up for just under £300.

advice? help!

[Jediboy]

I use Nikon, so can't advise about Canon lenses.

What I would say though, is to buy the best glass you can. Unfortunately good glass isn't cheap but you should see a reward for having good lenses. My opinion only, as this isn't right for everyone.

[wave01]

hi look at the sigma 17-70os this is pretty good all round lens

[Apollo11]

To be honest NO ONE can advise you with any honesty as you have not stated WHAT you want to photograph.

Its like asking what car to buy for £20k, without saying what you want it for, how many people will use it etc, sports cars with 2 seats are useless for a family.

Get the idea

[wave01]

one thing i would add is go and try the lens before you buy.

[alexharrison101]

Originally Posted by wave01

one thing i would add is go and try the lens before you buy.

I would do, if there was anywhere I could still try before I buy :/

[alexharrison101]

Originally Posted by Apollo11

To be honest NO ONE can advise you with any honesty as you have not stated WHAT you want to photograph.

Its like asking what car to buy for £20k, without saying what you want it for, how many people will use it etc, sports cars with 2 seats are useless for a family.

Get the idea

Ok, it would be my general walk about lens. I like to shoot a variety of things, from urban scenes to landscapes, to close ups. I have the big zoom for any wildlife and the 50nm prime for any portraits/still lifes...i'm still a beginner so haven't specialised yet. It's an all-purpose type thing I'm looking for.

[Jediboy]

The reason I said buy the best you can, as there will be some longevity in the lens. The danger is that if you buy cheaper lenses, you'll want/need to upgrade them sooner.

I know how difficult the decision can be, justifying the expense when there is always something more important to do with your money. I've just bought a new lens that I've been after for about two years!!

Good luck.

[alexharrison101]

well....


43/365 upgrade by alexharrison101, on Flickr

got a good deal on a mint condition second hand one. now i just need to build up my arm muscles to be able to use the darn thing - not used to the extra weight! this is an investment...

[jet_kit]

Hi Alex,
Looks like a nice piece of glass. Like other posters, I'm a Nikon user so I don't know much about this particular lens, but at f2.8 it's nice and fast and I'm sure you'll be happy with it as long as you stop worrying about how much it cost you (LOL).
For the record, if you really want to spend serious money, you have to look at Canon's 'L' series lenses. But perhaps that's for another day!