Best Zoom lens

[DDirector]

I currently use prime lenses, which is fine for planned shoots, but a lot of times I take pics or videos of events that are not planned.

I want to get a zoom lens for my T2i.
I am looking for something that can cover a lot of focal lengths; from wide to zoom, have a wide aperture 3.5 or so, and be under the $800ish price range.

Can anyone help me out?
*its for photography & filming.

[TooTallTim]

Fast lens.
Image Stabilised.
Cheap.

Pick two.

[Slice]

I have a couple of Tamron lenses and they rock; built solid and very sharp. They are the main lenses I shoot with at weddings. They are 2.8 constant aperture. You can't beat these for the money.

Tamron 28-75 2.8

Tamron 17-50 2.8

[DDirector]

what if I get something with a wider focal length range?
Something like 28mm - 200mm?

[Slice]

It's hard to find a quality lens that covers that distance. Most of them are soft in the extreme wide and tele of the lens.

[J Davis]

for aps-c I think the list goes something like this for film making
11-16/2.8 tokina
17-55/2.8 canon
24-105/4 canon
24-70/2.8 canon
70-200/2.8 canon

and then a little like this if you need a lens for stills, vacation, nature
28-105 / 3.5-4.5
28-200 / 3.5-5.6
70-300 / 4-5.6
100-400 / 4.5-5.6

and if you are on a budget there is nothing wrong with the kit lens
18-55 and 55-250

[DDirector]

Thanks.

I was thinking before about one of the wide lenses like the Tokina one, but I see myself using long lenses also. plus, I have wide prime lenses, so no point.

What I am thinking is getting the Canon 24-105 f/4. A bit more, but HOPEFULLY I will find one used for a good price.

[Lenilenapi]

24-105 is actually 1 stop slower than the f4 indicates. Its more like 5.6 , Beware.

[ROCKMORE]

I have a couple of Tamron lenses and they rock; built solid and very sharp.



Tamron 17-50 2.8

I read some good reviews on the 17-50mm. One from Photozone which is pretty tough to get a good review from.

I have the 18-55mm that came with the 550D, and just got the 50mm f 1.8.

They are both pretty sharp for a hundred bucks, but I need a constant 2.8 to replace the 18-55mm.

How does the Tamron 17-50 sharpness compare to the Canon 18-55mm 3.5/4.5, the 50mm 1.8?

Is the Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 sharper or about the same?

[Jordan_S]

24-105 is actually 1 stop slower than the f4 indicates. Its more like 5.6 , Beware.

Hmm...never heard this. Could you elaborate?