ballsafire Loc: Lafayette, Louisiana

Try this!! https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nice-Canon-Zoom-Lens-EF-28-80mm-f-3-5-5-6-II-USM-for-EOS-SLR-and-DSLR/254307822341?hash=item3b35ed6b05:g:E00AAOSwC61dN3LT#viTabs_0

ggab Loc: ?

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

I started with a 50mm lens on an Argus C3 back in 1950 because it was all I could afford. I longed for other longer and shorter focal lengths for the years before I could afford a camera that could accept them (Argus had 100mm tele in their system but I couldn't afford it). In 1958, I graduated from college, got a professional job and bought an Exakta VXIIa that came with a 58mm lens. Again, I was limited by finances. Since then I have moved up through wide angle and tele on the Exakta to Minolta and tele lenses and finally into Nikon and the plethora of lenses that are available. Budget as a problem has pretty much disappeared and my Nikon arsenal runs from 18mm to 500mm. Looking back, I was forced to limit options by finances but.... you know what???? I now realize that made me a much better photographer. Having to make my images with a single optic made me think, made me experiment. I recommend as others have here....get a 50mm or thereabouts and force yourself to get the images you want with it. Digital makes one of the limitations I had go away, the cost of film, but I say force yourself to think and conceptualize each shot, make several variants and see why they give different results. Use your feet instead of a long lens, use your imagination instead of a short focal length and you will be a better photographer because of the limitations and because of the difficulties you will endure.

ballsafire Loc: Lafayette, Louisiana

Sorry wrong lense! Try this one!

https://www.ebay.com/p/Canon-EF-28-105mm-f-3-5-4-5-II-EF-USM-Lens/101742930?iid=113865561893&_trkparms=aid=555018&algo=PL.SIM&ao=1&asc=40719&meid=d7b26f5b5a7c4607be59036a652862d0&pid=100854&rk=1&rkt=1&itm=113865561893&pmt=1&noa=0&pg=2349526&_trksid=p2349526.c100854.m4779

revhen Loc: By the beautiful Hudson

Ditto on the 18-135mm.

ballsafire Loc: Lafayette, Louisiana

I would consider this prime lens too, in case you have't made up your mind yet.

Photocraig

That's a good walk around lens! And you're getting it cheap. The world is about expectations--yours and theirs. At $262 that's less than 1/2 price.

Go forth and make good photos,
C

hj Loc: Florida

When the OP has a budget of $175 why would you recommend he pay between $500 and $700 for a lens. Not everyone has deep pockets.

hj Loc: Florida

I have to agree with the Canon 18-135mm lens. I purchased a used one and it was the lastest USM model for only $185. Great lens.

hj Loc: Florida

The 18-135 is a good walk-a-round lens. I got the latest USM model used in excellent condition for $185.00.

ecurb1105

A 35mm f1.8 lens.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Good lens for general walk-around purposes, yes. But not really "in his price range"...

The EF-S 18-135mm IS STM lens sells for $400. The EF-S 18-135mm IS USM costs $600. I did find the STM lens available used for $180- $200 and the USM for $290-$300.

The primary difference between the STM and USM lenses is the faster "Nano USM" focus drive of the second lens. They're optically the same.

I found the older EF-S 18-135mm IS for under the original poster's $175 price limit... However, that lens uses the slower/noisier micro motor focus drive and it's older optical formula isn't as good as the STM or USM version.

Note: If interested in video, there's a Canon PZ-E1 Power Zoom module available that might be a useful accessory. The ONLY lens it fits is the EF-S 18-135mm IS USM. That lens' "Nano USM" also is ideal for video because it's quiet and smooth operating, like STM lenses. But it's also very fast to acquire focus and good tracking movement, like USM lenses. Canon claims the Nano USM version of the 18-135mm is 2X to 4X faster focusing than the STM lens, which in turn is faster/quieter than the "micro motor" version. (AFAIK, this lens is the only one Canon has produced that's had all three types of focus drive: micro motor, STM or "stepper motor" and USM or "ultrasonic motor"... In fact, the latter was the very first lens to feature the new "Nano USM". That Nano USM is now also found in the EF 24-105L IS USM "II" and the EF 70-300mm IS USM "II", both of which were introduced after the 18-135mm USM.)

Another response recommended the older EF 28-135mm IS USM lens and I have to agree. It can often be found used for under $200 and is a very good lens, even though it dates to the days of film. It's not the most robust lens and tends to have "zoom creep", but it's image quality and overall performance won't disappoint. The image quality and focusing speed/tracking ability of the old EF 28-135mm rivals that of some of the Canon L-series. It's got fast USM and helpful IS, too. Canon discontinued it a year or two ago, so it's now only available used. But there are tons of them around because it was sold for so long and often provided as a kit lens on various film SLRs and DSLRs, over the years. I've used four or five of them over the years (still have two).

Note: The 28-135mm is one of five Canon lenses with IS where it needs to be turned off if using the lens locked down on a tripod, or in any situation where there's no movement for IS to correct. It uses an earlier or more "primitive" version of IS that doesn't turn off on it's own and can go into sort of a feedback loop, actually causing movement blur problems when there's no movement occurring. I've never had any problem using the lens simply because it's size and functionality make it a very convenient hand-held lens... In fact, I can't recall ever locking one down on a tripod!



You got an unusually good deal!

EDIT: Be CAREFUL buying on Amazon. There's no problem buying from Amazon Direct. But there are many sellers on there who are offering gray market items, not covered by warranty in the U.S. They disguise the gray market status by describing it as an "international warranty" or a "store warranty". Gray market items are "unofficial imports" that don't qualify for a Canon "factory warranty". As a result, if anything goes wrong with the gray market item, you'll either have to pay to have it repaired or send it overseas for warranty repair or hope the store is still in business to effect a store warranty repair or replacement. Amazon also features sellers offering used items, which may or may not offer a warranty and may or may not have expertise in camera gear. (It's the same buying gear on eBay.) I've bought lots of stuff of Amazon over the years, but I'm always a bit cautious. For used items, I'm a lot more comfortable buying from Adorama, B&H, KEH, Roberts Camera, Henry's in Canada and a few other well-established, reliable retailers. Most of them offer at least a 60 or 90 day warranty on used items... and they honor it if necessary!

hj Loc: Florida

Yes, I did get a wonderful deal on my Canon 18-135mm nano USM lens for just $185 and it is nearly mint condition. Your caution about not buying on Amazon or eBay because it might be a gray market item is immaterial on used items since there would be no warranty anyway. A number of folks have indicated the only difference between Gray market items and USA is the warranty. I actually bought mine from an individual right here on the UHH forum.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I admitted to the OP that it was more than they had budgeted for but that in my opinion that's what I'd buy if I were them. Just an opinion and if they look I'm sure they can find a used on for just a little more than they have in their budget. Some people budget too low and if they buy something within their budget they get what they pay for. Also, a lot of people were suggesting the Canon EF-s 18-135 f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens and that lens also costs WAY more than the OP has in their budget. Like $599.00

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=canon%2018-135&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

The STM lens is still $399.00 which is $125 higher than the OP has budgeted. You can't get much for $175

I was suggesting a pre-owned lens or refurb like others were suggesting too...