Is EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 a good "general purpose" len?

[fxsg123]

Hi guys,

My apologies if my questions seem too common. I would greatly appreciate any advice.
I'm researching on replacement camera after my A6k (and kits len) suffer a serious drop. However, the more i research camera,
the more it become on lens, don't know why.

I mainly take casual photos of family members, family events and once or twice vacation per year. Nothing serious or
professional. After using A6k for 3yrs, I'm familiar with my kit len shortfall. I start looking at A6300 but conclude
it doesn't have affordable "general purpose", so I'm looking beyond Sony. I don't mind weight never a problem to me, but
prefer APS-c sensor. FF is beyond my budget.

While researching, I found following article that state EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 is a recommended len. Check price is around $1.3k.
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Canon-Lenses/Canon-General-Purpose-Lens.aspx
I cannot find equivalent zoom len @f/2.8 for Sony 6000 series.

Further google show equivalent Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 to be less than $500!!
Is the 17-55mm enough to cover most scenario- outdoor family events, vacation or indoor day to day family shoot?
If not, what's the recommended? Should I pair it with 77d, 80d or even 7dm2 (budget 2k)

Which would you guys recommend ?

Thanks!

 

[Ah Keong]

Actually the kit lens are good enough...
Canon 18-135mm is quite good.

Another Sigma general purpose I like is 17-70mm

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sigma-17-70mm-f2-8-4-os-hsm

 

[Edwin Francis]

Agree with Ah Keong.

Your needs seem very basic -- "mainly take casual photos of family members, family events and once or twice vacation per year. Nothing serious or professional"

Canon 17-55/2.8 IS a good lens, but you don't need anything MORE than a kit lens, or even a XXXD body. If you like more controls on the body, get a XXD (80D or even 70D). 7D2 puts you in FF territory for weight and price!

The Canon kit lenses USED TO BE so-so. They are really good now. 18-55 is small, light and good. 18-135 gives you most of the range you would ever need, and is light and good.

Do you want large aperture for low-light? To throw the background out of focus? Then go ahead (or maybe a 50/1.8)

 

[ziggy]

Fast f2.8 lenses will not be cheap nor compact. Since you are familiar with a Sony, and a budget of $2000, an alternative to the Canon is the A6000+Sony Zeiss E 16-70f4.

 

[pwnies5600]

I'd say the 17-55 is a good choice, but it is most definitely not a lens I would carry with me all day for casual photos or holiday. To me, the 17-55 is too big and heavy and although the 17-50 offerings by tamron and sigma are more affordable and slightly lighter, size is still an issue.

If you are planning to switch to canon, I'd go for the new 200D because of its (relatively) petite size. Pair it with the new 18-55, and perhaps spend a little more to get a 50 f1.8 STM and a 24 f2.8 STM. You've pretty much got a lightweight and (relatively) compact DSLR kit for travel and causal photography, well within the 2k budget. Get the 77D or 80D only if you need the additional AF points, a larger grip, more physical controls (buttons etc.) or the 18-135 USM kit. I wouldn't get the 7DII for casual due to the lack of an articulating touchscreen.

Have you considered the Fuji system? They have an 18-55 f2.8-4, which to be honest, I personally have not tried but sounds fantastic on paper. Olympus also has a 12-40 f2.8 if you want to consider the m4/3 system.

 

[fxsg123]

Agree with Ah Keong.

Your needs seem very basic -- "mainly take casual photos of family members, family events and once or twice vacation per year. Nothing serious or professional"

Canon 17-55/2.8 IS a good lens, but you don't need anything MORE than a kit lens, or even a XXXD body. If you like more controls on the body, get a XXD (80D or even 70D). 7D2 puts you in FF territory for weight and price!

The Canon kit lenses USED TO BE so-so. They are really good now. 18-55 is small, light and good. 18-135 gives you most of the range you would ever need, and is light and good.

Do you want large aperture for low-light? To throw the background out of focus? Then go ahead (or maybe a 50/1.8)

Hi thanks Edwin Francis and Ah Keong!!
Yup, I like the larger aperture for low-light (properly becos indoor) and out-of-focus background for my kids, so that the focus is my children only! I also like a standard zoom for vacation purpose so 18-55 or 17-55 range fit my purpose.

 

[fxsg123]

Fast f2.8 lenses will not be cheap nor compact. Since you are familiar with a Sony, and a budget of $2000, an alternative to the Canon is the A6000+Sony Zeiss E 16-70f4.

Hi, thanks Ziggy.
Yup, I own A6000 before and would not prefer to buy back the same model. An alternative is A6300 as A6500 is out of my budget.
Although Zeiss E 16-70f4 is a very good len, it's very expensive at 1.3k and not a fast lens. A6300+Sony Zeiss E 16-70f4 would be outside my budget.

 

[fxsg123]

I'd say the 17-55 is a good choice, but it is most definitely not a lens I would carry with me all day for casual photos or holiday. To me, the 17-55 is too big and heavy and although the 17-50 offerings by tamron and sigma are more affordable and slightly lighter, size is still an issue.

If you are planning to switch to canon, I'd go for the new 200D because of its (relatively) petite size. Pair it with the new 18-55, and perhaps spend a little more to get a 50 f1.8 STM and a 24 f2.8 STM. You've pretty much got a lightweight and (relatively) compact DSLR kit for travel and causal photography, well within the 2k budget. Get the 77D or 80D only if you need the additional AF points, a larger grip, more physical controls (buttons etc.) or the 18-135 USM kit. I wouldn't get the 7DII for casual due to the lack of an articulating touchscreen.

Have you considered the Fuji system? They have an 18-55 f2.8-4, which to be honest, I personally have not tried but sounds fantastic on paper. Olympus also has a 12-40 f2.8 if you want to consider the m4/3 system.

Thanks pwnies5600 for the very good advice
Hmm... seem 200D good enough for my needs, let me go research.

 

[Ah Keong]

for low light general purpose on aps-c / crop sensor body. I use this lens.



for out-of-focus background for your kids, I recommend this lens.

 

[fxsg123]

for low light general purpose on aps-c / crop sensor body. I use this lens.

for out-of-focus background for your kids, I recommend this lens.

sigma 18-35f1.8 and 50-100f1.8?

 

[Ah Keong]

sigma 18-35f1.8 and 50-100f1.8?

Yup....

Of course there are better lens out there....
more money more quality