Lenses for Canon EOS 550D

[AndreGonzalez]

A very good morning to all you fellow AV Forum users.

I need some help/advice please.

I've just purchased and EOS 550d (body only). Research told me that the standard 18-55 IS kit lens was not very good so I stuck with the body only which I managed to get at a very good price.

I now need to buy some lenses so was hoping that you lovely people may be able to give me some advice on this front. So far, my research tells me the "nifty fifty" lens is a must have. I do a lot of travelling and am looking to take photos of portraits, landscapes, buildings etc. whilst getting used to the camera. I am also hoping to do a photography course at the London School of Photography or similar at some point in the near future.

I am new to the world of DSLR Photography and plan to keep the 550D for a couple of years at least whilst getting experience. I hope eventually to get good enough to take up wedding photography but realise and appreciate that lenses and body will most probably have to be upgraded at that stage.

I am open to buy other makes such as Tamron and Sigma and am not stuck to Canon. I am ok to look at quality used equipment if it is of the right quality. I would like some good quality lenses so that I don't have to upgrade for a while. Price/value is important, although I prefer a little higher quality. Budget is probably around £600.

I have done some research and this tells me that a lot of people have gone for the following combination:

1. Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8
2. Canon 50mm f/1.8
3. Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

As I said, I am open to all suggestions as I find that the best advice comes from experts like yourselves

I would really appreciate it if you could give me some suggestions in order of opinion.

Thank you in advance for any help/advice/suggestions that you may be able to offer me.

 

[eduk]

I have the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 and it is a great lens. Also consider the Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4.

 

[AndreGonzalez]

Anyone else with some suggestions please?

 

[twist]

No choice there. No.1 & 2, no.3 is waaaaay to slow for weddings.

 

[AndreGonzalez]

So am I correct in saying that you are suggesting that the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 Non VC and the Canon 50mm f/1.8 are good choices?

The third of the lenses was more for my travels (landscapes/buildings etc.)

 

[SevloW]

As you have a budget of £600 I would recommend the Canon 17-40mm f4 L lens. A quality lens

Check out Canon EF 17-40mm f4L USM Lens from £567.26, UK Specialist Price Comparison Site, Camera Price Buster

 

[eduk]

As you have a budget of £600 I would recommend the Canon 17-40mm f4 L lens. A quality lens

Check out Canon EF 17-40mm f4L USM Lens from £567.26, UK Specialist Price Comparison Site, Camera Price Buster

The OP states that the TOTAL budget is £600.

 

[Seanoog]

As you have a budget of £600 I would recommend the Canon 17-40mm f4 L lens. A quality lens

Check out Canon EF 17-40mm f4L USM Lens from £567.26, UK Specialist Price Comparison Site, Camera Price Buster

A nice lens, not going to make my decision any easier, for my next lens.

As for the OP, congratulations!
I love my 550D also an my 50mm 1.8!
A 50mm is a must buy, for portraits in low light.

I'd suggest a canon 18-200mm £400+ jack of all trades lens, good pictures but not very fast, also will be great for family holidays.
an 50mm 1.8 £90 to get started with.
Then in years to come invest in Canons L (Luxury) equipment.

 

[sleekyG]

So is it really true that the 18-55 IS kit lens of the 550D is not really good? I am thinking of switching to Canon from Nikon.

 

[senu]

So is it really true that the 18-55 IS kit lens of the 550D is not really good? I am thinking of switching to Canon from Nikon.

No that is patently untrue, Where on earth did you hear that? Switch to Nikon if you must
but the Lens is good.
With Nikon and Canon (or indeed any brand) you can get own brand or better 3rd party lenses. for a more money

 

[senu]

As you have a budget of £600 I would recommend the Canon 17-40mm f4 L lens. A quality lens

Check out Canon EF 17-40mm f4L USM Lens from £567.26, UK Specialist Price Comparison Site, Camera Price Buster

The non VC Tamron is better VFM insofar as its not L glass and build is not L standards.
Leaves some change for a 50mm and one more lens
The 17-40 on a crop sensor has too limited a focal range and although L glass it is f4 max, but is it on its own well thought of but too expensive on the OPs budget for what you get

 

[senu]

I've just purchased and EOS 550d (body only). Research told me that the standard 18-55 IS kit lens was not very good so I stuck with the body only which I managed to get at a very good price.

The Kit lens with IS is actually good. You may have been confusing it withe the non IS lens
In fact this kit lens is better than the older 17-85 IS USM

I have done some research and this tells me that a lot of people have gone for the following combination:

1. Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8
2. Canon 50mm f/1.8
3. Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

All good choices