Canon Lens Opinions Please: I picked up a Canon SL3 camera the other day . Wow . Small & light . So now Iam thinking of switching from Nikon to Canon . Thing is I really know nothing...

hoola

I picked up a Canon SL3 camera the other day . Wow . Small & light . So now Iam thinking of switching from Nikon to Canon . Thing is I really know nothing about Canon Lenses . There are I think 3x different 18 -55 Canon lenses. Which is best ? Then there is the 15 - 85 Canon lens which seems to me would be a great walk around single lens . Finally think there are 2x 55-200(250 ?) lenses . Which is best ? Thanks .

Boris77

hoola wrote:

I picked up a Canon SL3 camera the other day . Wow . Small & light . So now Iam thinking of switching from Nikon to Canon . Thing is I really know nothing about Canon Lenses . There are I think 3x different 18 -55 Canon lenses. Which is best ? Then there is the 15 - 85 Canon lens which seems to me would be a great walk around single lens . Finally think there are 2x 55-200(250 ?) lenses . Which is best ? Thanks .

What about the Nikon 5600 if you want a smaller camera? I acquired the Nikon 5500 for a casual carry camera and have been very happy with it.
I use both Canon and Nikon and much prefer the Nikon menu system. For Nikon I concentrated on the mid-range zooms with back up prime lenses. For canon I bought the basic wide angle and telephoto zoom lenses, plus a 50mm for dim light. Canon got the nod for pocket cameras. I am happy with the diverse mix, but I would definitely chose Nikon for the menus AND lens choices for APS format cameras.
Boris

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You'll probably be most happy walkaround with the EFS 18-135. Canon doesn't make as many 18mm - XXXmm lenses as Nikon does. But, they make up for it by having multiple versions of the 18-135. There's a current EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM and EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, where the 'IS STM' version has a quieter motor for video and the 'IS USM' is the newest release. You can't go wrong with either for general photography.

ELNikkor

Stick with Nikon! The D5500 or D5600 each weigh about the same as the SL3. If you want an excellent walk-around, of course Nikon has the 18-55, which is very sharp and close-focusing, or, you could get the 18-140, which covers just about everything.

jdub82 Loc: Northern California

I second the recommendation for the Canon 18-135mm as a great walk around lens. Mine is the USM version and it stays on the camera about 75% of the time.

bleirer

hoola wrote:

I picked up a Canon SL3 camera the other day . Wow . Small & light . So now Iam thinking of switching from Nikon to Canon . Thing is I really know nothing about Canon Lenses . There are I think 3x different 18 -55 Canon lenses. Which is best ? Then there is the 15 - 85 Canon lens which seems to me would be a great walk around single lens . Finally think there are 2x 55-200(250 ?) lenses . Which is best ? Thanks .

Here is a nice site with in depth reviews and recommendations https://www.the-digital-picture.com/

miked46 Loc: Winter Springs, Florida

I have the 15-85, older but excellent, another is the great 18-135mm STM which is also a great all arounder.

AntonioReyna Loc: Los Angeles, California

I would recommend the 15-85 EFS lens. It has very good image quality. I think its IQ is better than the 18-135. I have had both and actually am thinking about getting another for my backup crop sensor, a 7D. But having said that, the 18-55s all take good images.

EdU239 Loc: The Northeast

The 18-135 USM is a good choice; the 15-85 is a good alternative if you need the wider FoV, but it is an older design and the autofocus often has trouble locking on. I would also suggest the EF-S 24mm f2.8 pancake lens. It’s very cheap (currently $119 on Amazon), has decent optics and is effectively weightless at around 4 oz. In my view a great walk around lens if you’re in an urban setting. And since I mentioned a prime, you might also consider the 50mm f1.8 for around $150.

I use both the 18-135 and 15-85 on my Canon 80D (I usually set the 15-85 on manual focus). A while back I rented an SL2 and T7i looking for a first DSLR for my wife. I tried both lenses on the SL2 and thought they were too big (heavy) for the camera body. The kit 18-55 f4-5.6 was a much better physical/ergonomic match and seemed like an okay lens. As the saying goes, your mileage may vary, but I thought I should mention it since you were attracted by the SL3’s size and weight.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

At one time, I had the 15-85 and 18-135 stm. Both will serve you well. Unfortunately, the 15-85 was stolen, but that’s another story. The 18-135 lives on my 7d Mk ii and leaves when I want more range. If someone walked up and offered another 15-85 to replace the 18-135 stm, I’d probably thank them and stay with what I have,

LarryFitz Loc: Beacon NY

Check out Canons refurbished site. Save a few dollars. Full canon warranty

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

I ended up using a Tamron 28-300mm lens. I use it on my 5D (full frame) and my 7D (not full frame). I ended up with that lens and a Canon wide angle being my total take in cameras in the last several overseas trips. The all fit in a small "National Geographic" side bag. PS the bag also carries 2 extra batteries an extra cards.

lhardister Loc: Brownsville, TN

[quote=CHG_CANON]You'll probably be most happy walkaround with the EFS 18-135. ...

Tortugi Loc: CRGNSA Oregon

This NanoUSM 18-135 is faster, fatter, shorter, smoother and quieter than the Standard Kit Lens Version (although I like both). I bought it direct from Canon a few years back for around $600. I use it for wildfire recovery photography, and rarely remove from the camera (80D). I had a hard time locating this lens, and back in 2018 it was not widely advertised. It is my lens of choice.

revhen Loc: By the beautiful Hudson

CHG_CANON wrote:

You'll probably be most happy walkaround with the EFS 18-135. Canon doesn't make as many 18mm - XXXmm lenses as Nikon does. But, they make up for it by having multiple versions of the 18-135. There's a current EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM and EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, where the 'IS STM' version has a quieter motor for video and the 'IS USM' is the newest release. You can't go wrong with either for general photography.

Amen! It is the BEST for walk around. I've had all three and a whole bunch of other lenses -- which are rarely on the camera!