What is a good all around lens???

[thirty5]

I just got my Canon XT with the kit lens. The kit lens is fine for me when shooting basic pics in my house of kids and stuff.
I am going to order the Tokina 100mm Macro lens for my tank shots. But do have to say that he kit lens took some nice pics.
Anyway i want an additional lens, an all around, decent zoom and such for taking pics say outside of kids in yard and such. Can anyone recommend which to get. I am not looking brand specific, more looking for range of lens. But if you have a favorite let me know.
THANKS AGAIN!

 

[05xrunner]

some good ones are Sigma 17-70, Canon 70-200 f4L, Canon 28-105 f3.5-4.5, Sigma 18-200 OS

 

[geckopsu]

I use the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM for general picture taking. It takes incredibly sharp pictures but it's a little heavy if you plan on walking around with it a lot. The wide open 2.8 aperture is great for taking crisp photos of fish and corals while blurring the backgrounds.
I also use the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM for the extreme close-ups.
Those are my favorite lenses for aquarium photography.
Have fun shopping!

 

[thirty5]

Originally Posted by GeckoPSU
I use the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM for general picture taking. It takes incredibly sharp pictures but it's a little heavy if you plan on walking around with it a lot. The wide open 2.8 aperture is great for taking crisp photos of fish and corals while blurring the backgrounds.
I also use the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM for the extreme close-ups.
Those are my favorite lenses for aquarium photography.
Have fun shopping!

The Tokina is a somewhat comparable lens to the canon macro.
I will take a look at the other lense that you GUYS recommended. Thanks again!

 

[05xrunner]

well the 24-70L is a bit pricey..I dont think the OP wants to spend $1100 on 1 lens.
ALL the macros lens are SUPERB..No matter what one you chose you wont be let down. Its just the cost between them and what you want to spend.

 

[thirty5]

Originally Posted by 05xrunner
well the 24-70L is a bit pricey..I dont think the OP wants to spend $1100 on 1 lens.
ALL the macros lens are SUPERB..No matter what one you chose you wont be let down. Its just the cost between them and what you want to spend.
I am going with your recommendation on the Tokina 100mm lens for my Macro. But what would youget for the all around lens for daily use? Something with a good range. Your information has been great so far. Thanks!

 

[05xrunner]

well sigma 17-70 has shown to be very good from all I read about it and the people that have it.
the new Sigma 18-200 OS seems to be a pretty good new lens as well and it has optical stabilization.
the Canon 28-105 f3.5-4.5 has said to be a gem
I use the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 to take all my tank pics as i sold my Sigma 150mm macro a few months ago. I am going to buy another very soon.
soo anything listed here would serve you well.
if it was me and i was starting out and wanted a good all round..I would def get the 17-70

 

[thirty5]

I was leaning towards the Sigma 18-200. I found the new one with the OS and the older one. Is the OS really worth an extra almost $200?? Other than the OS it looks like the lens is basically the same exact thing.

 

[05xrunner]

i believe the optics are much better in the new OS version. I think the old 18-200 was kinda sub parhttp://www.pbase.com/lightrules/sigma18200os

 

[perfectdark]

I use the Quantaray 70-200 for all my outdoor shots and I have a 18-70 lens with macro for my wide angle indoor shots.

 

[05xrunner]

there is no such thing as a Quantaray 70-200, there is a 70-300 which is a TOTALLY different thing
70-200 lens are all pro grade lens.
Stay away from those Ritz Q lens..they are very very low grade. IQ will be soft

 

[thirty5]

Dammit
Now i am getting all confused. I will have to do more research. The kit lens is 18-55. I need something with more zoom than that. Not sure that i only want to goto 70 or so. So i think i will have to go to the 200 but dont want to spend the extra cash for the new version of the Sigma lens. I know you get what you pay for, so i guess little more research is necessary.

 

[perfectdark]

Originally Posted by 05xrunner
there is no such thing as a Quantaray 70-200, there is a 70-300 which is a TOTALLY different thing
70-200 lens are all pro grade lens.
Stay away from those Ritz Q lens..they are very very low grade. IQ will be soft

Oops you are correct typo actually my lens is a Quantary 28-200 sorry. Dont know much about them I got it when I just started taking pictures. For my application it suits me just fine.