Which lens to replace my kit lens: I have a Canon T3 which came with the standard 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II lens. It's not surprisingly not the best lens, could be sharper, and has its...

Shoeless_Photographer Loc: Lexington

I have a Canon T3 which came with the standard 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II lens. It's not surprisingly not the best lens, could be sharper, and has its share of chromatic aberration.

I have a Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 SP VC USD, too. The 18-55mm would cover the wider end of my spectrum.

Which of these (or another) would you get to replace it? I'm still debating / shopping / researching, but thought I'd see what folks in here have done.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM UD
Tamron Auto Focus 17-50mm F/2.8 SP XR Di II VC

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Shoeless_Photographer wrote:

I have a Canon T3 which came with the standard 18-... (show quote)

Although I know nothing about the lenses, the 15-85mm has the best spread. Taking it from there, the only logical thing to do is read reviews and comparisons.

http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/lenses
http://lenshero.com/lens-comparison
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx
http://www.lenstip.com/lenses.html
http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Compare

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Do you do much hand held photography in low light?

tinplater Loc: Scottsdale, AZ

Shoeless_Photographer wrote:

I have a Canon T3 which came with the standard 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II lens. It's not surprisingly not the best lens, could be sharper, and has its share of chromatic aberration.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM UD
Tamron Auto Focus 17-50mm F/2.8 SP XR Di II VC

I have the 15-85 and find it an excellent all around lens. However for the best quality, all around general purpose lens when image quality is paramount, I would highly recommend the 24-70 2.8. It is amazingly sharp as a zoom, close to prime performance.

haroldross Loc: Walthill, Nebraska

Shoeless_Photographer wrote:

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM UD
Tamron Auto Focus 17-50mm F/2.8 SP XR Di II VC

From my experience, the EF-S 15-85mm is the best bang for the buck. This is a great EF-S lens. The EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 is also an excellent lens, especially if you want a little faster lens. You can't go wrong with either lens.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Shoeless_Photographer wrote:

I have a Canon T3 which came with the standard 18-... (show quote)

That Tamron is a very sharp, fast lens and a great upgrade to your kit lens. PLUS it comes with a SIX year warranty compared to the Canon ONE year warranty. Oh, and it costs less as well.

haroldross Loc: Walthill, Nebraska

MT Shooter wrote:

That Tamron is a very sharp, fast lens and a great upgrade to your kit lens. PLUS it comes with a SIX year warranty compared to the Canon ONE year warranty. Oh, and it costs less as well.

From my experiece, I find the Tamron sharp in the center and softer on the edges far more than on the Canon model expecially on the larger f/stops. The AF on the Tamron is slower and noiser than the Canon. Chromatic aberration is considerably worse on the Tamron. The extra money for the Canon model is well worth it for me.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

haroldross wrote:

From my experiece, I find the Tamron sharp in the center and softer on the edges far more than on the Canon model expecially on the larger f/stops. The AF on the Tamron is slower and noiser than the Canon. Chromatic aberration is considerably worse on the Tamron. The extra money for the Canon model is well worth it for me.

Please post some examples with this lens so show just how bad you think it is. The AF drive is MUCH quieter than the Canon USM lenses. Maybe my hearing aids are just more sensitive than others.

Shoeless_Photographer Loc: Lexington

RichardTaylor wrote:

Do you do much hand held photography in low light?

I wouldn't say "much", but maybe the occasional band gig.

Shoeless_Photographer Loc: Lexington

MT Shooter wrote:

Please post some examples with this lens so show just how bad you think it is. The AF drive is MUCH quieter than the Canon USM lenses. Maybe my hearing aids are just more sensitive than others.

Here's a site I use as a sample of what kind of sharpness I can expect.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=398&Camera=736&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=400&CameraComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Shoeless_Photographer wrote:

Here's a site I use as a sample of what kind of sharpness I can expect.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=398&Camera=736&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=400&CameraComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

A good comparison, but notice you compared the lenses on different cameras with different sensors. When comparing lenses always use the same camera sensor for a good comparison. In your example the Tamron is clearly sharper at center, mid-frame AND corner than the 17-55mm Canon. The only common camera sensor they have tested with both lenses is the 50D. Toggling between the two lenses the difference is clearly evident, and MOST evident at center sharpness. The Canon falls way behind the Tamron at center, they are closest at the corner with the Tamron still showing clearer results.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=398&Camera=474&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=400&CameraComp=474&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Shoeless_Photographer wrote:

I wouldn't say "much", but maybe the occasional band gig.

In that case I would go for the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM. (unless you have a fast prime etc available)

Otherwise the The Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens.

I have not used either lens.
I have used an older version of the Tamaron lens (non VC) and while optically it was just OK (not great) it was very slow, and lots of hunting, when focussing in low light.
(I shoot classical music concerts, indoors).

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The 18-55 is a useful length and is why included in the typical Rebel kit. If the 17-55 f/2.8 is in your price range, I'd look also at the following:

EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM - idea: go wider
EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM - not as wide on a Rebel, but longer and a nice general purpose lens

I'd keep the 18-55 and look to a fast prime for your occasional low light opportunities such as:

EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM - a very nice, sharp, fast EFS lens (great general purpose, not just macro)
any of the EF 50mm f/1.8 lenses, new STM or the II or I versions, so cheap you can get one and not really impact a budget for another zoom or prime
EF 85mm f/1.8 USM - will shoot like a 135mm on your crop - an amazing sharp lens with great colors
EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM - again both wide and fast

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

Which of these (or another) would you get to replace it? I'm still debating / shopping / researching, but thought I'd see what folks in here have done.

I would go to the Canon Refurbished site and look for a 24-105 L lens. It is an outstanding lens. I bought mine on Ebay for less than $600. Good luck.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

Shoeless_Photographer wrote:

I have a Canon T3 which came with the standard 18-... (show quote)

First things first - beg or borrow one of the lenses you might use as a replacement. Compare it with your 18-55 in a reasonably controlled environment. This will make sure that your lack of sharpness is down to your kit lens. It might not be! :-)