Replacement for 18-200mm

davebmck · Mar 1, 2009

I'm going to order my 5Dmk2 this week and I need to replace my two cropped sensor only lenses. For my Sigma 10-20mm I have selected the Canon EF 17-40 f/4 L, but I'm having a little more difficulty finding a good substitute for my Sigma 18-200. This is my walk around lens and I really like the range and versatility it provides. It takes quite good pictures for a low cost lens. [FONT=&quot]

So I'm thinking the equivalent range for the full frame camera is 28-300. The only lens I found with this range is the Canon EF 28-300 f/3.5-5.6 L IS, but it is $2300 and is beyond my budget. I am leaning towards the Canon EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS, but I'm losing the low end of the range that I have with the 18-200.[/FONT]

I'm curious to know if you guys have any suggestions on this, particularly you full frame converts.

JustAnEngineer · Mar 1, 2009

You might try the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM that comes in the kit with the 5D Mk. II. Yes, you're losing the upper zoom range from your super-zoom, but your 100-400 can cover that.

davebmck · Mar 1, 2009

Yes, that seems to be a very popular lens, but I'm looking for a bit more range for a walkaround lens.

Garbz · Mar 1, 2009

Doesn't a crap superzoom on a god-like body defeat the purpose even for walking around? I hated every moment I used the 18-200 on a D200. I can only imagine how horrid the pictures would look if I had all those extra megapixels to work with.

Oh the other issue is that a lens that is required to cover a larger sensor will also have a lot more glass in it. 18-200s are comfortable on cropped bodies, but if they were larger and heavier it would defeat their purpose as a walkabout lens. I say this in a general sense. I haven't actually looked at a full frame superzoom but something will give, either the image quality or the small size. We can't have it all.

davebmck · Mar 1, 2009

Obviously, I'm looking for a better quality lens for my "godlike" camera. I guess I am spoiled by the range of the 18-200 and it doesn't look like I am going to find anything close to it without spending a small fortune. Maybe the 24-105 is the best option after all.

anubis404 · Mar 1, 2009

The 28-300L is a monster of a lens, but it is pretty much your only option in terms of a walkaround lens on your 5dm2. I would drop the whole superzoom mentality and get some quality class, even if it means swapping lens now and then.