Camera Labs

Advice Needed Please:

I have a Canon EOS 400D which I purchased some time ago (with Standard EFS 18-55mm lens). I want to upgrade the lens. I would not like to spend more than +- $1500 and am looking at a more all-purpose lens. Have been looking at the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM? Any thoughts.

Have also looked at the latest 'BUNDLE' specials available and notice you can purchase the 650D with 3 Lenses (EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II;EF-S 55-250mm IS II;EF 50mm F/1.for about the same price as the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM. Should I not just to buy this bundle instead of keeping the old camera and upgrading the lens?

Thanks

First of all, are you going to use your old lens together with the new one or will the old lens disappear? Also, would you be comfortable using 2 lenses?

And for the 650D bundle, in my opinion, unless you really need the new camera, that would mean your 400D no longer satisfies your needs, I'd recommend keeping the 400D and spending the money on a lens/lenses.

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Gear: Canon SX20 IS, Canon Rebel T3i, Canon EF-S 18-55mm
Wishlist: Canon 50mm f/1.8 II, Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II
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First, I'd like to note that one "all around" lens kinda defeats the purpose of an interchangeable lens camera.

Second, what does your current lens not do that you would like to? An answer to that will help a lot in determining what other lens(es) you might find most useful.

Mark

Some people want the image quality of a DSLR, but do not want to change lenses.
The 18-2XXmm lenses are meant for this type of use.

However, they are a compromise as they trade quality of image for lower price and a long range.

The question becomes what type of photography is the original poster interested in:
Landscapes
Portraits
Wildlife
Sports/Action
Macro (shooting pictures of the smallest objects)

What is more important of the following:
Image Quality
Focusing Speed
Least amount of changing lenses

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Canon 5DIII, Rebel XTi/400D
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II, 24-105mm f/4L, 50mm f/1.4, 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DO, 85mm f/1.8
Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX Macro
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX, Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II
Canon 430EX II
Opteka 13mm, 21mm, and 31mm extension tubes
Vivitar 50mm f/1.8 for OM System

In answer to your original questions:

1. The 24-105 is a very nice lens, but on an APS-C camera like your 400D (or the 650D) will probably not be wide enough for you. Essentially, your 18mm wide end on your current lens is equivalent to a field of view of about 29mm on a full frame, while the 24mm of the 24-105 is equivalent to about 38mm on a full frame. In other words, you will most likely miss the lost 6mm at the wide end if you replace your 18-55 with the 24-105.

IMO, the Canon 15-85mm is a very good walkaround lens for an APS-C camera - good image quality, fast focus, decent build quality, wider than your current lens (and cheaper than the 24-105).

2. The 650D is a significant improvement over your 400D. However, if you intend to upgrade your body, then the 600D is also a significant improvement over your 400D, and (relatively) cheap, since the 650D was released.

3. Those 3 lenses available with the 650D are an okay set of lenses to use on a 650D body (or on your 400D). However, if you are thinking about moving to "L" lenses, then none of those lenses are an upgrade from your existing lens - they just do different things. You may be better off spending your money on better quality lenses.