Canon 60D Lens suggestions

[MikeI]

I recently purchased the Canon 60D with 18-135mm kit lens.  It's been 20+ years since I last had a true SLR, before going the digial p&s route, and was hoping for some lens suggestions as I am quite rusty.  Usage will be a mix of family, travel, landscape photos, and some creative fun stuff.  I am no where near or am seeking to be a pro at this, so L type lenses are not a consideration.  It's a hobby, so i want to keep the cost manageable.  I currently only have the kit 18-135MM lens.  I have looked at 50MM f1.8, the 15-85MM USM, the 17-85MM USM, or even just the basic 18-55mm for an around the house light weight lens.  I am not hooked on the 18-135, but the reach would seem good for travel, but can easily be sold.  I really don't want to change lenses often as most of my usage tends to be on the go.  I could just keep the 18-135 and buy either the 50mm f1.8 (I love sharp photos), or 18-55 for basic easy carry usage.  Or I could sell the 18-135 and just get the 15-85 or 17-85 with the 50mm 1.8 to compliment, but not sure if the 135mm is too necessary to give up.  I will build a collection of lenses over time, but driving myself nuts trying to figure out what is the best to start with.  Thanks for any suggestions.  I know this is an inexact science, but many of you have been doing this for years and have had first hand experience in what are good basic lenses to have on hand. 

[Bob Atkins]

It depends on what you want to shoot. The 50/1.8 II is a very good lens for the price, if that's a focal length that you think you will use. On a 60d it does make an excellent portrait lens.

In your position I might just get the Canon EF 50/1.8 II and use the 18-135 for a while untill you figure out what you don't like about it! If you need to go wider than you could look at one of the wideangle zooms starting at 10mm. If you need something longer then you'd need to take a look at one of the 70-300 zooms.

[klindup]

Like you I was a long time user of a film SLR and have to operate on a budget.  For what it is worth I have the following lenses for my 40D: the Canon 17-85 mm (the kit lens), a Sigma 12-24mm, a Canon 70-200 (F4 without image stabilisation) and a Sigma 30mm f1.4.  I was thinking about the 70-300 but decided that for a bit more I could get an L series lens.  I have not missed image stabilisation on the 70-200.  I bought the 30mm because I wanted something that equated to the 50mm I used in my film days, I also wanted something that allowed me to shoot in low light situations.  The other thing I added very early on before I bought a second lens was a decent flash, I am not a fan of the on-board flash.  This kit has served me well and I think it will be some time before I outgrow it.

ken

[Johnf]

To me the EF-S 18-200mm seems like the perfect walkaround lens for the family, travel, landscape stuff.  It is about $600 (Adorama has about 3 used/refurbished for $499 - 539), it has IS and it has a good range.  I've not used it myself but maybe somone who has could comment. 

John

[Bob Atkins]

I'm currently looking at the Tamron 18-270.3.5-6.3 VC PZD. So far I'm quite impressed with it considering the compromises that have to be made to squeeze such a large zoom range into such a small lens. If you wanted one lens to do everything it would be high on my list. Of course it's not as good as a set of prime lenses or a pair of fast zooms, each with a more modest zoom range. but if you want one lens to do everything fairly well and you're not making 16 x 20 prints of everything, it does make a very lightweight and reasonably compact package with a DSLR like the 60D or a Canon Rebel body.

[MikeI]

Thanks for all the responses, much appreciated.  I like the idea of the 50/1.8 II, it would have limited uses, but would be a great speciality lens, with low light capability to experiment with for the cost (will get, thanks for suggestion).  Most of my use will be travel, landscape, architectural, artistic fun stuff, and general family photos.  My current 18-135 is a good functional fit, but I wonder if there are better choices in relation to sharpness and image quality.  The Tamron AF 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD sounds interesting, I would like to hear more of your impressions on that one, or if you have any insight as how it would stack up against my current lens.  Thanks again for the input.