What camera lens to buy?

[Sputnik]

So I'm finally starting to take some decent pic in manual mode on my dslr. I've noticed that I'm not happy with my 18-55 kit indoors and in low ligh conditions. Also a little more range would be nice.

Im using a canon t3i...

I've narrowed it down to a few lenses. Which should I get?
Canon 24-70 f2.8 $1400
Canon 24-105 f/4 $960
Tamron SP 24-70mm Di VC USD $1300

I'm leaning towards the canon 24-70 because of the f2.8, but not sure if the no IS will hurt my photos. Plus it would be sweet to get an L lens..

Onthe other hand, the tamron 24-70 has image stabilizer and f2.8, but it's not a canon, worries me

The 3rd, farthest down on my list 24-105 prolly won't do much better in low light then my kit lens, or will it?

I know there are some photography Lovers on here that can steer me in the right direction

Any other suggestions for similar lenses are welcome!

 

[Mark86]

I use a Canon 30D and the only brands of lenses I use are Sigma and Canon. Not sure of your budget, but Canon L lenses are the best you can buy. I have a telephoto 70-200 f4L which takes amazing pictures. Out of the lenses you listed, I like the 24-70 f2.8. Not sure of what you want to photograph, but the 2.8 makes a huge difference if you are shooting indoor shots and not able to use a flash. I have taken a Sigma lens with similar specs to Disney and taken some amazing pics of indoor attractions without a flash. Of course you lose some sharpness and quality, but you only use the 2.8 when you have to. Hope that helped.

 

[Rudy97]

I'm a Combat Photographer in Afghanistan, we shoot with Canon 5d MkII and have a wide array of lenses. I personally would recommend the Canon 24-70. It has great response in low light and produces insanely crisp photo and video. I would stay away from Tamron, we have a Tamron lens here and it is a piece of ****. Mostly plastic, very bad feel, not very smooth focus. Canon optics on the other hand are durable and precise even in the harshest of conditions. Hands down winner in my book.

 

[Sputnik]

Thanks, everyone seems to recommend the canon 24-70 lens. I'll start saving my pennies. I heard v2 is coming out soon, maybe this one will get signify ally cheaper?

Mark, I know the 70-200 is an amazing lens, but right now I'm looking for something to replace my 18-55 kit, not a hardcore zoom lens. Maybe later in the future.

 

[Hepar]

I'd also get the 24-70mm. We shoot our work on that lens quite a bit and it's an awesome piece of glass. Just keep in mind that on your DX body it will be more like 38-112mm

 

[Sputnik]

I'd also get the 24-70mm. We shoot our work on that lens quite a bit and it's an awesome piece of glass. Just keep in mind that on your DX body it will be more like 38-112mm

I understand, I'll hopefully buy a wide angle prime in the future as well. But right now I want the best lens I can find to help me get better shots after sundown and indoor shots without using external flash or other light options.

I'm really leaning towards a 24-70 canon

Any other suggestions?

 

[Hepar]

I understand, I'll hopefully buy a wide angle prime in the future as well. But right now I want the best lens I can find to help me get better shots after sundown and indoor shots without using external flash or other light options.

I'm really leaning towards a 24-70 canon

Any other suggestions?

If you want to get some good low light shots, maybe look into a prime f1.8 or f1.4. f2.8 is nice, but if you have a lens that can open up to 1.8, that's a BIG difference in light. The 50mm f1.8 should be pretty cheap. Not sure if Canon has an equivalent, but Nikon has a great 35mm DX f1.8 (crop frame) lens that is super sharp, super fast and is also one of the cheapest. It's around $200.

 

[theizzardking]

If you want to get some good low light shots, maybe look into a prime f1.8 or f1.4. f2.8 is nice, but if you have a lens that can open up to 1.8, that's a BIG difference in light. The 50mm f1.8 should be pretty cheap. Not sure if Canon has an equivalent, but Nikon has a great 35mm DX f1.8 (crop frame) lens that is super sharp, super fast and is also one of the cheapest. It's around $200.

The 50mm f1.8 <----this my second fav lens only $120-$140 it's right behind my $1200 wide angle.

 

[Bigrupp]

^^^^ What he said

 

[zstampe]

Love my 50mm lens for indoor stuff.