Camera Labs

They are arguably above average but there are still sharper lenses of similar focal range albeit at a considerably higher price point.

With the 15-85mm, the Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 is arguably sharper plus you have the 24-70mm L and 24-105mm L lenses if you don't require the wide angle or the 17-40mm f/4 L if you don't need the long reach.

With the Tamron lens, there's the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L to which you can add a tele extender to increase the apparent focal length to a maximum of 280 or 400mm. There are also the Canon 70-300mm L and the Canon 100-400mm L lenses.

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Bodies: Canon EOS 550D w/ Magic Lantern
Lenses: Tokina AT-X 116 Pro DX f/2.8, Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II, Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Accessories: YongNuo Speedlite YN-468 Flash, Neewer Macro LED Ring Light, Meike Battery Grip, YongNuo RF-602 Wireless Flash Trigger & Receiver YongNuo WR-128 Wireless Remote Control

And there are some nice primes that are not too expensive and pretty sharp and may be nice additions. For example my 100.. 2.8 Macro is sharp like hell - and I can do macro shots!

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Canon EOS 500D + Canon EOS 5D Mark III + Canon EOS 33v
Canon EF 24-105mm 4L IS USM + EF 100-400mm 4.5-5.6L IS USM + EF 100mm 2.8L Macro IS USM + Sigma 12-24mm 4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM + Canon Speedlite 580 EX II + Nissin Speedlite Di 466

Which version is that?

I have the L version but the other version is just as sharp - just missing IS and weather sealing.

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Canon EOS 500D + Canon EOS 5D Mark III + Canon EOS 33v
Canon EF 24-105mm 4L IS USM + EF 100-400mm 4.5-5.6L IS USM + EF 100mm 2.8L Macro IS USM + Sigma 12-24mm 4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM + Canon Speedlite 580 EX II + Nissin Speedlite Di 466

cheers that the one I'd originally planned for (not the L) would the IS be a miss on this

Personally I'm a bit disappointed by the IS. After that advertising of the hybrid IS I'd imagined something that's working. I have the feeling that the IS on my much older 100-400mm is stronger.

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Canon EOS 500D + Canon EOS 5D Mark III + Canon EOS 33v
Canon EF 24-105mm 4L IS USM + EF 100-400mm 4.5-5.6L IS USM + EF 100mm 2.8L Macro IS USM + Sigma 12-24mm 4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM + Canon Speedlite 580 EX II + Nissin Speedlite Di 466

I think Lens Rentals' Roger Cicala said it best with this lens' IS system.
Basically, non-macro works great at around 4 stops, 1:1 macro work only has around 2 stops.
This makes sense considering how close you are working. Any minor vibration can completely change your shot.

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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

Well I'm now the proud owner of a 7d 15-85 and the Tammy 70-300 cant wait for the weekend and a chance to get out with - after getting a chance to get familiar with the controls etc.
Anything I need to know, key settings etc.
Still not got a bag sorted I saw a incase sling which look pretty good anyone know much about them ?? though not sure it will be big enough the body with the Tamron is a bit of a beast - well after my compact at least
I've got hoods, UVs and polarisors for both lenses at least when they arrive I will have
Just need to get familiar with it now - guess what I'm doing at the weekend -
oh and a replacement strap its quite heavy round the neck with the tammy on

Much of that will depend on how and what you're shooting - there isn't really a "one size fits all" setting.


It would be worth checking the internal dimensions - because I use a battery grip on my camera, it rules out a lot of the sling-style bags for me.

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Bodies: Canon EOS 550D w/ Magic Lantern
Lenses: Tokina AT-X 116 Pro DX f/2.8, Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II, Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Accessories: YongNuo Speedlite YN-468 Flash, Neewer Macro LED Ring Light, Meike Battery Grip, YongNuo RF-602 Wireless Flash Trigger & Receiver YongNuo WR-128 Wireless Remote Control

Sorry 'key' settings a bad choice of words guess I meant setting where factory defaults aren't the best

ie photo effect is set to standard whilst faithful a better option and another the lighting optimiser

Going to see if I can get to try the incase with some gear in today

Cheers

Sorry double post

Managed to try the incase bag - comfy over shoulder and all my gear goes in though its not that configurable and the worst thing was that once the camera was out if was really difficult to zip up again with one hand. The pockets not that usable once the bag was packed as the where at the point where the flap bends so no good for filters etcc

I've now bought a crumpler quick escape sling very flexible space and comfy too loads of pockets and totally configurable more space than the incase and usable pockets - nicer looking in my opinion than the lowepro 302. All that and a 30 year warrant what more can you ask - oh a removable raincoat for the British weather - yes it has one of those too

Hi,

I'm not sure if this will help you with your choice but I have been looking (for over a year!!) at which SLR to get; like you, my first SLR after using compact cameras for many years and having a film SLR previously. I literally spent HOURS in camera shops deciding!

I was looking at getting a 60D for the majority of this time and thought it was definitely the one for me. However, in the last few days I finally had a crazy moment and bought the 650D. Within minutes of using it knew I had made the right choice.

I have found:

-The touch screen is totally amazing (I can't imagine not having one now as it make accessing the menu / settings so much quicker AND zooming in to check photos)
-The difference in frame rate to the 60D is negligible (and after using 5fps I realise any more is excessive for me)
-I thought I wanted the top LCD / controls (of the 60D) but the touch screen on the 650D makes accessing settings so easy (so not needed).
-The sized of the 650D may be a little small in the hand but the 60D may have been too big / heavy to carry around (as a step up from compact).
-650D is a lot cheaper than 60D (and is a better camera in my opinion)

The only thing that isn't great on the 650D is the viewfinder, I find it quite annoying taking a photo and then finding that something is at the edge of the shot that I didn't want in the photo (someone's arm, a gutter, a road sign, etc, etc.) - After using a screen on a compact to take photos and 'seeing what you will get' it is a hard transition. Although anything less than 100% viewfinder will have this problem.

I have NO regrets not getting a 60D...in fact, I'm glad I didn't!

Hope this helps...?

EDIT: I just read through and realised you have already bought a 7D, I will leave this incase anyone else has trouble deciding between 60D and 650D and this may help them.

Yes did get the 7d but read a great 650d review today