Canon Wide Range EF-S Zooms

[Eric Pascarelli]

I'd like to have a cheap zoom that lives on the camera, mostly to use as a finder until a proper prime or expensive zoom is selected, and for run and gun shooting.

Has anyone worked with any of these EF-S Canons on EPIC or Scarlet? Any thoughts?

15-85mm
18-135mm
18-200mm

I only need 4k coverage, so I think all of these will cover, but please let me know if this is the case in your experience.

Also, no need to comment on the fact that these lenses might not be worthy of EPIC etc. I know this is inferior glass, but I'm just looking for opinions on what is the best, reasonably sharp wide range zoom that will integrate with the smart Canon mount.

I also would consider lenses from other manufacturers - Sigma etc. if anyone is passionate about any of them.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Paul Leeming]

Of your lenses mentioned, I'd pick the 15-85, though bear in mind it all of them have variable f-stops as you zoom, making them a lot more time consuming to shoot.

For ultra-wide, I'd pick the Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 zoom. Outstanding sharpness, f2.8 throughout the short range, and covers 5K on the Epic.

After that I'd go with EF-S 17-55 IS f/2.8 which has a small amount of vignetting at 5K, but is otherwise another outstanding lens.

Or grab the Sigma version which is 18-50 f/2.8 (and possibly shares lens elements with the Red 18-50 T3 zoom of old).

HTH!

Cheers from Tokyo,

Paul

 

[Charlie_Grinnell]

I have the Tokina, I love it. My next step up from that is the Canon 24-70 f/2.8L, that lens is a workhorse, best lens purchase I have ever made.

 

[Louis Maddalena]

I have the Tokina, I love it. My next step up from that is the Canon 24-70 f/2.8L, that lens is a workhorse, best lens purchase I have ever made.

+1 on 24-70. Great lens for Canon mount shooting. Back when I did weddings in college I used this lens a lot.

 

[Eric Pascarelli]

+1 on 24-70. Great lens for Canon mount shooting. Back when I did weddings in college I used this lens a lot.

Thanks, and I agree that that is a great lens. And it will be part of the kit.

But I am interested in a cheaper lens with a much wider zoom range that lives on the camera (instead of the port cap) until a lens such as the 24-70 is chosen and mounted to the camera.

Of all of the lenses on the list my first choice is the 18-200 because of the range and versatility as a "finder" lens and for run and gun. Has anyone tried that on an EPIC and does it function adequately with the canon mount?