Cheaper EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM lens? Kit lens replacement for T2i?

[Liamsford]

I've been debating for awhile which lens would be best to upgrade from my kit lens, and came across:

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di Autofocus Lens for Can AF09C700 B&H

Would this lens be the best replacement instead of getting the $1,000 24-70mm Canon lens? I feel like I should wait until the future for this lens as I've only been shooting for a year and have many more to come. This would be my all-around general use lens and would completely replace my 18-55 Canon kit lens.

PS, other lenses I own: Canon 50mm 1.8(Portrait/low light), Bower 8mm fisheye(Skate/bmx/for fun)

Thanks!

 

[penfolderoldo]

I use the Canon practically every day, and I can tell you it's fantastic, different class. If you can get it for $1000 go for it I say, you won't regret the IQ. Never been a fan of Tamron, briefly used their 300 2.8 a while back and was very soft.

 

[Robin Usagani]

If you want all around lens get 24-105 f/4L. 70mm isn't long enough.

 

[penfolderoldo]

The 24-105 is a fantastic lens, no question. Depends on the kind of stuff you do - if you're into low light, portraits, etc and you're rarely going to need a longer tele then the extra stop on the 24-70 might be important, but if this is the only lens you plan on getting then the 24-105 would give you that extra reach.

 

[dnavarrojr]

I had an opportunity to rent the Tamron 28-75 F/2.8 and it's extremely sharp end-to-end. Unlike the 18-270mm I already own which goes soft around 250mm. However, the variable aperture Canon zooms all have the same problem (I had a Canon 70-300mm IS that also got soft at the far end). I think it's the nature of the beast for any variable aperture zooms that go beyond 200mm.

ps. My Tamron 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 is still very sharp at 270mm when I'm shooting video because I'm using a smaller portion of the sensor. It's only when I'm shooting stills at the far range the the picture goes a "little" soft.

 

[penfolderoldo]

I had an opportunity to rent the Tamron 28-75 F/2.8 and it's extremely sharp end-to-end. Unlike the 18-270mm I already own which goes soft around 250mm. However, the variable aperture Canon zooms all have the same problem (I had a Canon 70-300mm IS that also got soft at the far end). I think it's the nature of the beast for any variable aperture zooms that go beyond 200mm.

ps. My Tamron 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 is still very sharp at 270mm when I'm shooting video because I'm using a smaller portion of the sensor. It's only when I'm shooting stills at the far range the the picture goes a "little" soft.

Strange, cos my Canon 70-200 2.8L is pin sharp all the way, even at 200. I have heard some horror stories about the 70-300 4-5.6L IS.

 

[Liamsford]

Thanks guys. So I am better off getting the Tamron now or waiting for awhile, continue to use the kit lens,a nd get the 24-105 in the future?

 

[tallpez]

I had an opportunity to rent the Tamron 28-75 F/2.8 and it's extremely sharp end-to-end. Unlike the 18-270mm I already own which goes soft around 250mm. However, the variable aperture Canon zooms all have the same problem (I had a Canon 70-300mm IS that also got soft at the far end). I think it's the nature of the beast for any variable aperture zooms that go beyond 200mm.

ps. My Tamron 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 is still very sharp at 270mm when I'm shooting video because I'm using a smaller portion of the sensor. It's only when I'm shooting stills at the far range the the picture goes a "little" soft.

Strange, cos my Canon 70-200 2.8L is pin sharp all the way, even at 200. I have heard some horror stories about the 70-300 4-5.6L IS.

Probably because the 2.8 isn't a variable aperture, but 2.8 all the way through. I think he was primarily referencing the variable aperture lens. I have some lower end canons, and definitely feel that can be a somewhat true statement, certainly well past 250 on my cheapo 75-300.

 

[Tony S]

Buy the best glass you can afford, even if you have to eat Ramen a little more than you like. A quality lens holds it's value well so even if you have to sell it later you don't take a huge hit. But be careful, a good lens may help give you some great images, but it can also make your mistakes and flaws in technique stand out.