Workhorse Lens (Page 2): First ask your self an important question. How often do you wish you had a longer lens, 10% of the time, 60% of the time? And, do you want to shoot people or...

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

pdsilen wrote:

I'm looking to buy an all around lens to use for impromptu shots when I'm driving or walking around, but not for specified use. In short a "workhorse" lens. Right now for that those purposes I'm using a Canon 18 - 55mm kit lens (which is for the birds) and an old Canon 28 - 80 lens which vinyets excessively when I extend it. I am open to any ideas.

First ask your self an important question. How often do you wish you had a longer lens, 10% of the time, 60% of the time? And, do you want to shoot people or wildlife or landscapes? Landscapes and people do not require much of a reach usually. But if you want wildlife I would strongly suggest the Canon 100-400 II version. I am a Nikon guy but Canon's 100-400 II is one sweet lens I wish was black and had the Nikon name on it.
If you don't want that much reach I would strongly suggest a lens in the 18-200 range, a 18-400 or 18-300 are just too heavy in my opinion. A 18-200 range lens fits almost all your needs and will not leave you with a hurt neck or shoulder after a day of shooting.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

My "walkaround lens is a Nikon 28-300mm. If I want wider, I use a Tokina 16-28mm or a fisheye.

NormanTheGr8 Loc: Racine, Wisconsin

The lens most often on my 7D2 is a Tamron 18-400mm, if I'm specifically out for birds it's the Canon 100_400LII it's a little sharper and a bit more contrast .

tommy2 Loc: Fort Worth, Texas

There are some very good lenses listed above. I use the Canon 17-55mm most of the time; however, in the more than a dozen years I've used it I've taken it apart twice to clean out dust. So my basic suggestion is to get a sealed lens that does not extend physically when zooming.

OlinBost Loc: Marietta, Ga.

I use an 18 - 135 on my Nikon for my walk about lens. It covers the most with one lens.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

pdsilen wrote:

I'm looking to buy an all around lens to use for impromptu shots when I'm driving or walking around, but not for specified use. In short a "workhorse" lens. Right now for that those purposes I'm using a Canon 18 - 55mm kit lens (which is for the birds) and an old Canon 28 - 80 lens which vinyets excessively when I extend it. I am open to any ideas.

My work horse general purpose lens is the 24-105mm. It beats out the 100-400mm by just a bit as it allows a quick "Normal" range of lengths.
If that is over budget then any of the lenses in this range with a bit more reach are very good.
The 24-105mm is rugged and can take more abuse which I do while hiking or crawling around rocks etc..

hj Loc: Florida

speters wrote:

I have two of them and they are pretty much all the time on my cameras, one is the 16-35/2.8, the other one is the 70-200/2.8,. Those are my walk around lenses!

I'm impressed with your arm, shoulder and neck strength if you use a 70-200 f2.8 lens as a walk-a-round!

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

24-70 f/4 would be a good walk around as well as a 24-105 if you want a little more reach. 100-400 II for birding but it is a fairly large lens.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

pdsilen wrote:

I'm looking to buy an all around lens to use for impromptu shots when I'm driving or walking around, but not for specified use. In short a "workhorse" lens. Right now for that those purposes I'm using a Canon 18 - 55mm kit lens (which is for the birds) and an old Canon 28 - 80 lens which vinyets excessively when I extend it. I am open to any ideas.

Assuming APS-c sensor consider Sigma 17-70, a bit shorter and longer than the 18-55 and a bit faster at all focal lengths, also a bit heavier, Bob.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

My favorite workhorse for my Nikon was a 16-85. I’m sure Canon has an equivalent.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

You folks with walk around lenses are really fortunate. I have to carry ever friggin' one of mine.
--Bob

Nikon1201

Nikon 28-200

Low Budget Dave

If more than 10% of your favorite shots are architecture or landscape type shots, then you need a lens about 18mm or wider. (This will give you 30mm or so on a crop sensor, which still a little wide for landscape, in my opinion, but will do.)

If more than 10% of your favorite shots are head-and-shoulders portraits, then you need a lens that goes out past 50mm. (This will give you 85mm on a crop sensor which is the best length for portraits, again, in my opinion.)

If you shoot in mostly daylight, don't be worried about getting a constant f4 lens. The F2.8 zoom lenses are more expensive and heavier, and not always necessary.

My favorite all-around Canon Lens is the EF-S 18-200 F3.5 to 5.6. It is compact and lightweight, has a great zoom range, very good image stabilization, and for the money it is surprisingly sharp.

Then, with the money you save, get the little Canon EF 50mm 1.8, and carry it around in your pocket. This gives you an emergency lens when you really want a thin depth of field for under $150.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

If snapshots are your goal, then a pocket camera with a decent zoom range would work. You could even get some nice prints out of most of the good ones. Telephoto range beyond 200 isn't of much use for quality photos without a tripod, in my opinion.

catchlight.. Loc: Wisconsin USA- Halden Norway

24 to 35mm prime ff... 35 to 50mm prime crop.

Learn to frame and compose. Amaze yourself.