looking for new lens

Hey, I'm new to here and I need a bit of help...

My camera is a SLR Canon Rebel that I have had for a couple years after I decided to advance my skills past the point-and-shoot. Shorty after I got the camera, I bought two Sigma lenses. The 28-80mm Mini Zoom Macro, and 70-300mm II Macro Super. During my recent avid use of the two lenses I have found that the quality of the pictures it produces is not all that great.

I am now in the process of looking for a new lens in the 28-105 area (give or take). I have found that the Canon EF 28-135mm f3.5-5.6 and Canon EF 28-105mm Lens seem to be relativaly good.

Since I am now taking two classes in photography I am looking for a good all around lens to use with my camera.

What would you recomend? And why?

Hi and welcome. I'm not a Canon guy so I can't really get into specifics but I'm sure others will be able to help. A couple of questions though, do you have a budget? How do you shoot - is having IS very important or not, and do you need a fast (i.e. f2.8) lens? Are cost and weight more or less important than possibly having the best lens for the job?

Basically, if you shoot low-light handheld then it makes sense to get a fast lens with IS. If you shoot mainly in a studio and/or on a tripod then it's probably not that important. A friend recently bought the new Tamron 28-75 f2.8 - it's pretty inexpensive and very impressive optically. Very small and light too, but no IS, of course. Be sure to check the reviews on this site as well.

Hey, I would prefer the best lens for the job, over lightness of the lens. I would like to keep it $500 and below... actually $500 is too high, but you never know when you will be able to find a good deal on one.

IS is not a must have. Although it sounds like a good feature considering I don't like to tote a tripod with me everywhere I go. But does that cut back on the image quality vs. if I used a tripod?

A fast-ish lens would be nice.

Also it does not have to be a Canon lens, just aslong as it will fit my EF Film Canon Rebel.

Thanks!

Hmm... It really sounds like the Tamron is a strong contender. Only downside I see to it (maybe it's not for you) is the 67mm filter size. I've kind of standardized on 77mm for the few filters I still use, so it's an inconvenience.

An f2.8 lens is really the fastest aperture you'll find in a lens like this, but sometimes that's not fast enough in low-light shooting. In a case like this, a 50 f1.8 or 50 f1.4 is really nice to have as well (or another focal length, but lenses this fast get expensive with anything other than 50mm).

I'd have to say that using a tripod will always technically help your shooting, but there are a lot of times when you really can't use one. For example, photographing sports or concerts. I guess the best way to put it is to use one whenever you don't have a reason not to. Same goes with film speed, it's generally best to use slower speed films unless you have a need for something fast. Talking in general terms, of course...

My friend bought this (for Nikon) and is really happy with it. I bought his Tokina 28-80 f2.8 ATX PRO for a bargain price and it's really great too. This lens is a lot bigger and heavier, but that's not a problem for me. I've heard too many issues with spotty QC on Tokina's part with user reviews here (although I've never owned or used a bad one, and that would be of several lenses) so I'm a little reluctant to recommend it. Apparently I have a good one, and it's really good!