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GayWolf420
July, 2025

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Lens help!

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-WZ-
Posts: 3600 - Karma: 6,582
Recently picked up a T4i with standard 18-55mm IS STM kit lens for a steal. Now I'm looking to expand my lenses to include a wide angle and zoom lens. I'll probably be using this camera for 70% photos 30% video. I've also just gotten into photography, so I really don't know what to look for. I do a lot of backcountry skiing so big landscape photos/sick pow shots are what I'm hoping to be taking on the photo side, while for video I'll probably be shooting some urban/park footage plus the odd line out in the BC. In the summer Ive gotten pretty big into climbing so I figured a zoom lens would be best suited for that. For a wide-angle lens I've done some research and narrowed it down between the Canon 10-18 4.5-5.6 IS STM or the Tokina 11-16 2.8. Now from what I understand, the canon will be better for video because of the STM, but the tokina will be much better for night and action shots because of its f2.8. The tokina also seems pretty popular here on NS. I currently found some local ads for the Tokina for $400cad with a filter or the canon for $350cad with a filter and hood. As for zoom lens I really have no idea what I'm looking at and everything with small f/stops seem to be pretty pricey. I saw the canon 55-250 IS STM is pretty cheap but I also feel like its a cheap lens. My girlfriend's sister has an old 75-300 IS that I could maybe pick up for cheap as well. Would you guys recommend it anyways for someone just getting into photography? Finally, is there any other recommendations you guys have! Thanks

tl;dr
-have a 18-55 kit lens already
-looking to get a wide angel and zoom lens to expand kit
-shooting landscape photos
-skiing photos
-climbing photos
-filming urban/park
9 years ago
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CheddarJack
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 7,380
Tokina 11-16 + canon 55-250 STM.

You don't really need a silent motor on a super wide lens cuz most of the time everything is in focus and the 55-250 STM is a damn good lens for the price. Super quick focusing and pretty crisp shot.

Those 2 lenses plus a 50mm is literally all that I use and love all three of them
9 years ago
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ChoomaChad
Posts: 194 - Karma: 669
If you're willing to spend quite a bit more (for a new) Tokina 11-20, it will be a sharper, better, brand new lens. You've researched the 11-16 so I won't speak too much about that.

Now lenses that are that wide (>20mm) on crop bodies still pick up A LOT in the frame. It might not necessarily be what you want beginning to shoot photo/video as it's easy to get too much in the frame, and thus not get the best images.

Another option for a high quality wide angle lens is the Sigma 18-35 f/1.8. I have both the 11-20 and the Sigma, and I usually use the Sigma for my professional shoots as it's one of the sharpest lenses I've ever used. Of course it's not as wide, so it won't as dramatic warped shots like the Tokina will.

TL;DR For Wide-Angle:
- 11-20 is $200 more, will be brand new with a little more zoom range.
- You can get a used 11-20 for $575 CAD
- 18-35 is less wide, more $$$, but also incredibly sharp with beautiful images.

As per the zoom lens, it totally depends on your budget. From what you've said, it seems like it tends to be generally lower than higher. The 75-300 is a $200 option but lacks in build quality, has variable aperture, and probably not the sharpest. Another option would be the Canon 70-200 f/4L. You can get it used for ~$300 USD on Ebay. I have the Canon 70-200 f/2.8L and wouldn't trade it for anything, but it is more than $1000. Options really just depend on how much you're willing to spend.

TL;DR for Zoom:
- More $ is going to get you significantly better build quality, fixed aperture, and sharper images.
- You can go very, very cheap with the 75-300 but not have the best gear.
- You can get the 70-200 f/4L cheap used, have an L lens, and have fixed aperture.

Check my website or Instagram (in sig) to see photos taken with all three lenses I mentioned. If you have any more questions or specific questions on photos just shoot me a message. Hope that helps!
9 years ago
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jblaski
Posts: 5569 - Karma: 1,133
For what it's worth, here's what I'm using.

Tamron 10-24 3.5-4.5
Tamron 17-50 2.8
Canon 50 1.8
Canon 75-300

The 17-50 is my go to lens and stays on my camera the most. There's a little overlap in focal lengths, but each lens serves a purpose for me.

My next move is replacing the 75-300 with a 70-200. Haven't decided on the f4 or the 2.8. I've actually had decent luck with the 75, and have gotten some photos I'm more than happy with, but just looking for something a little quicker and sharper.
9 years ago
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ChoomaChad
Posts: 194 - Karma: 669
jblaskiFor what it's worth, here's what I'm using.

Tamron 10-24 3.5-4.5
Tamron 17-50 2.8
Canon 50 1.8
Canon 75-300

The 17-50 is my go to lens and stays on my camera the most. There's a little overlap in focal lengths, but each lens serves a purpose for me.

My next move is replacing the 75-300 with a 70-200. Haven't decided on the f4 or the 2.8. I've actually had decent luck with the 75, and have gotten some photos I'm more than happy with, but just looking for something a little quicker and sharper.


Go with the 2.8. You will never look back.
9 years ago
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gabew34
Posts: 500 - Karma: 497
get the tokina 11-16 f/2.8, the constant aperture is totally worth it, if you scope out some deals on ebay and wait for a good one you can get one for reasonably cheap. i picked up my 11-16mm f/2.8 II fro 300$ on ebay
9 years ago
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