EOS400D what lens

[Dan0647]

OK I've just purchased the Canon 400D with the EF-S 18-55 kit lens, and I would like a more versatile/general purpose lens. I was thinking along the lines of the Canon EF-S 17-85mm f4-5.6 IS USM and considering that it is subject to a £100.00 cashback from Canon it seems to be good value but how does it stand against say the Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro which will still be £50 or so cheaper than the Canon after the cashback. Does anybody have experience of these two lens? or maybe a suggestion for other lens.

Just looked over page and found a very similar question from beachball who wanted a good walkabout lens - seems that the Canon is the way to go!

 

[allymac123]

I think the main reason to get the Canon would be for the IS. In terms of IQ the Sigma you mentioned tends to fair much better. Even better than the Sigma is the Tamron 17-50 F2.8 (note the constant F2.8 aperture) and this is said to be pretty much as sharp as a lens will get...or the 'Daddy' the Canon 17-55 F2.8 IS which takes the tamron's superb sharpness and constant F2.8 and adds IS and Canon's ring USM focus system. This comes in at quite alot more than the other lens tho (£565)

 

[jonnypb]

I have the Sigma 17-70 on my 400D and am very happy with it, great value for money. It was between that and the canon 17-85IS and picked the Sigma as optically it seems to be slightly better and was a lot cheaper at the time.

However, the IS on the Canon would be great and if I was buying now when you get £100 cash back on the Canon it would be a hard choice between the 2

 

[senu]

...I think the main reason to get the Canon would be for the IS. In terms of IQ the Sigma you mentioned tends to fair much better.... (£565)

Im not sure how much sharper that would be I use it as a walkabout on the 30D ( and 350) and find it very usable
I think the Canons vs Sigma comparison is more about the fact that it cost more .
If they were nearer in cost, The differences in "sharpness" would be a little more academic
At £250, (with a £100 cashback from Canon), they are close in price and the IQ difference becomes more blurred ( very unintended pun)
I havent used the Sigma for a direct comparison but the build of the Canon is great, Ring type USM with FTM focus work fine ( fast quiet and accurate AF) and IS positively rocks
its barrel distorion at 17mm is (TBH ) pants ( correctable in PS though ) and wide open there is edge softness
But from 24mm-85mm, it has good to excellent centre sharpness.
Ive used the 17-55 , 17-40L , 20-105, and Have the 50mm 1.4 , amongst a few other lenses and dont find it badly lets the side down

I have no doubt that the Sigma lens is a fine one , but with Canons cashback offer I don't think any perceived lack of ability of the 17-85 IS USM beside the Sigma is as marked as it may have been

A review
http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/reviews/ef-s_17-85_review.html

 

[bowenjones]

A review
http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/reviews/ef-s_17-85_review.html

[/COLOR][/COLOR]

Good link there senu.
Having owned this lens for about 10 months now, that review is one of the most accurate i've seen.