illininitt

Canon T3I
Sigma 18-250
Sigma 17-50
How about a Canon 10-18 as my third? Shoot mostly landscapes/zoos. (Don't want to break the bank)

Plieku69 Loc: The Gopher State, south end

I use a T3i along with the Sigma 17-50. Great combination, I got the 17-50 because the Sigma 10-20 was such a super clear lens. Cheaper than Canon and of equal quality, even better than the 17-50 if you can believe that.

Ken

markjay

If 3 would be great - a 4th would be even better !
Go for it !

illininitt

Thanks for the advice on the Sigma 10-20. The Canon version seems to be much better for a budget!? $239 refurb from Canon itself!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Try some comparison sites. Don't rule out used.

https://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
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
http://www.lenscore.org/

illininitt

I noticed neither Sigma has IS!?

cthahn

What do you want a third lens to do?

TJ28012 Loc: Belmont, NC

I would get a fast prime first.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

I have and like the Canon 10-18, also the 24mm 2.8 and the 40mm 2.8, I mention the 24 and 40 because of the lens speed, and on the same note the 50mm 1.8. The 10 to 18 gets a lot of use lately on my T4i, no noticeable wide angle distortion to correct, let me get a link to some of my 10-118 shots...
https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/robert-mcculloch.html?tab=artworkgalleries&artworkgalleryid=716369
those 7 images were all hand held with the 10-18 one afternoon and early evening, Bob.

lowkick Loc: Connecticut

I have the Sigma 10-20 and find it to be an excellent lens at the price.

illininitt

Canon has a refurb. for $239. Sigma has a refurb. for $359. I Sigma worth $120 more?

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Definitely!

Especially for landscapes, a wider lens such as that would be great to have in your kit.

And the EF-S 10-18mm is one heck of a good deal... Under $300 for the lightest, most compact ultrawide available would be a really good deal. But when that lens also has excellent image quality like the 10-18mm offers and it's the only ultrawide with stabilization (for now), it's a screamingly good deal! The only drawbacks... it's a bit plasticky and relatively slow (f/4.5-5.6, if memory serves). STM focus is quieter, but usually isn't as fast as USM (though on an ultrawide you're unlikely to notice much difference in AF speed). However, the usual purposes for a lens like this really don't require particularly large apertures or the fastest focus. You'll save money on a quality, multi-coated Circular Polarizer, too... because it uses smaller 67mm filter (needs to be a "slim" type), while all other ultrawides call for at least a 77mm filter... some even need a 82mm.

If you get the 10-18mm, the lens hood is sold separately. Buy it and use it. On this lens it's a lot smaller than the hood for Canon's other ultrawide... It's a lot easier to pack away in your camera bag!

The EF-S 10-18mm isn't as well built as the Sigma 10-20mm or the Canon EF-S 10-22mm USM. But it pretty much matches the Canon 10-22mm for image quality at half the price. Both Canon ultrawides have better IQ than the Sigma ultrawide. Better IQ than the Tokina and Tamron ultrawides, too. (Search for reviews online... there are quite a few, but http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-S-10-18mm-f-4.5-5.6-IS-STM-Lens.aspx is a good starting point.)

Your next lens upgrade should be to replace that 18-250mm "do-it-all, though-some-of-it-not-particularly-well" zoom with a compact, affordable EF-S 55-250mm IS STM (better telephoto image quality)... Or, if your budget allows, an EF 70-300mm "L" IS USM or EF 100-400mm "L" IS USM II (much better telephoto image quality, plus a little to a lot more "reach"). The latter two are considerably bigger and heavier, though. Even so, I think you'd enjoy any of these at the zoo.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

I have the 10-18mm. It is a must own and very sharp lens. it will round out your lens kit with a true WA. The real plus is it does not break the bank.
Make sure you buy the Canon hood matched to it. This is an absolute must.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

It should be suitable for some landscape shots, I think not so much for taking pics at a zoo!

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

I have a T3i, and well a menagerie of lenses, but my stock three are Canon EF-S 18 -135, EF 70 -300, and the EF-S 10-22 (drum roll!). Sure I have primes and even adapted old Canon FD lenses, but for you I would say that a refurbished EF-S 10-18 would be very hard to beat.

Good luck and have fun.

Just be aware that using ultra wides involves a different way of thinking and technique, sometimes getting very close to subjects and you don't want to have a cassowary kick the living 'Bejeezus' out of you, not that a zoo would let you get that close!