Need help replacing my kit lens 18-135mm

ygil707 · Mar 29, 2012

Hi . I need some help replacing my kit lens. I am new to photography and need a lens that will be a good travel lens.. Not too heavy but good quality. Would like one that can shoot flowers as well as something at a distance.. Was considering the tamron 18-270mm but I'm just not sure.. I have a canon 60d. Please help!! Lol

TheBiles · Mar 29, 2012

What's your budget? Personally, I recommend the 24-105L.

ygil707 · Mar 29, 2012

No more than $650..

Big Mike · Mar 30, 2012

You will probably have a hard choice to make.

When they design a lens for convenience (a wide zoom range like 18-270mm), without making it really large or really expensive, they end up compromising the quality...especially at the ends of the range.
So compared to your 18-135mm lens (a decent, but not great lens) you would probably be disappointed by something like the 18-270mm, or any of the 18-200mm options.
Of course, if will depend on your expectation of quality. I personally don't much like any lens that goes over 3x zoom. (the above mentioned 24-105mm being an exception). So I prefer lenses like 17-40mm, 24-70mm, 70-200mm. Those are the typical ranges where you will see really high quality zooms. But of course, that's not all that convenient for travel.

So your choice will likely have to be between getting an 'all-in-one' lens that is nice for traveling, but compromised on quality...or a better quality lens (or two) that won't be as easy to travel with.

ygil707 · Mar 30, 2012

I like the reviews about the 28-105mm ... But is it my best choice? I need an all around one that I can travel with ... I'm new to photography so I don't need a super good lens right now that will cost me a fortune. Is the 28-105 a good substitute for my kit lens since I will be selling it to pay for the new one?

ygil707 · Mar 30, 2012

Sorry24-105mm lol . I blame it on my hunger at the moment lol....

Big Mike · Mar 30, 2012

The 24-105mm F4 L IS, is one of Canon's 'L' lenses...meaning that it's top of the line. It's well above your budget though.

Let's take a step back and ask why you want to upgrade. What do you want that your current 18-135mm can't do now? That is probably a good choice for an 'all-around' lens.