Thinking about updating the kit lens...

[Ariel484]

Obviously I have new lenses on the brain lately.

I'm thinking about updating my kit lens for my T3i. Any experiences with these lenses?

Canon 17-55 f/2.8
Sigma 17-50 f/2.8
Tamron 17-50 f/2.8

I'd LOVE to grab the Canon version but it costs twice as much as the other two...!!! I don't have any 3rd party lenses so I have no experience with Sigma or Tamron (yet). I'd really appreciate any input. Thanks!

 

[Grumpy-Fan]

I went with the Tamron and couldn`t be happier. It really is a nice lens and it is much better than the kit lens.

 

[NowInc]

I always tell people to replace the kit lens ASAP! They are "ok" to get started, but as soon as you use something better, you'll never turn back. I've heard great things about many 3rd party lenses. You will have the most luck going on amazon and reading the reviews (as many as you can)..as the critiques on there are typically a lot more honest than you usually see elsewhere.

 

[CP_alum08]

I don't have any experience with those specific lenses, but I have a Tamron 17-35 2.8 and the build quality is very nice. I also have a Sigma 70-300 which is not as nice but obviously it's not on the same "level" as a 2.8 lens. From what I have read the higher end range on the 3rd party lenses is all pretty good, the further down you go (like my Sigma) the higher the chance of problems.

 

[Ariel484]

I went with the Tamron and couldn`t be happier. It really is a nice lens and it is much better than the kit lens.

Great, thanks for your response. I have read that the lens can be loud when it focuses, have you experienced that at all?

I always tell people to replace the kit lens ASAP! They are "ok" to get started, but as soon as you use something better, you'll never turn back. I've heard great things about many 3rd party lenses. You will have the most luck going on amazon and reading the reviews (as many as you can)..as the critiques on there are typically a lot more honest than you usually see elsewhere.

Thanks for your insight...upgrading the kit lens never occured to me until last week. Now i am on a mission! I have been reading Amazon reviews, B&H reviews, looking at pictures on Fickr...still can't decide!

I don't have any experience with those specific lenses, but I have a Tamron 17-35 2.8 and the build quality is very nice. I also have a Sigma 70-300 which is not as nice but obviously it's not on the same "level" as a 2.8 lens. From what I have read the higher end range on the 3rd party lenses is all pretty good, the further down you go (like my Sigma) the higher the chance of problems.

Thanks for your response. I am starting to get the impression that I really would be happy with either lens as long as I get a good copy, just need to pick one!

 

[RonAnnArbor]

There is a difference though -- I have them both and use them both for different reasons --- the Sigma is tack-sharp and you get good, saturated photos. Its bokeh is a bit rougher though when you do depth of field shots. The Tamron is actually a dream lens -- it has natural color representation and it has a lovely creamy bokeh. You can't go wrong with either one -- I might lean toward the Tamron as the overall better of the two.

 

[CP_alum08]

Thanks for your insight...upgrading the kit lens never occured to me until last week. Now i am on a mission! I have been reading Amazon reviews, B&H reviews, looking at pictures on Fickr...still can't decide!

That's a good thing to do. Most lenses have their own dedicated groups that way you can see what the lens can do in the real world.