I have to begin the "getting the wife ready" process to gain approval for my next lens purchase. I need SOMETHING AF for indoor parties with external flash, but can't 100% decide yet. My MF Tak primes just aren't cutting it in low light conditions.
1) Both of the above lenses are close in price, but is the 16-45 such a giant leap in IQ over the 18-135 to make this all a non-issue?
2) I would love to have the extra 2mm on the wide end, but I think I would much rather have farther reach than 45 for close-up candids. This is why the 18-135 range so appeals to me. (I would jump on a Tammy 28-75, but 28 ain't wide enough.)
3) Since whatever I get will be used mostly with non TTL external flash in M mode (since the flash will calculate the exposure), can anyone recommend anything older/used/cheaper that will get me close to fast AF in this 18-135 range? I'm also NOT a huge fan of changing aperture via dial, so if it's just a good old aperture ring, that's just fine with me.
4) Finally, I don't know if I HAVE to go as long as 135, but I'm leaning toward and quoting this FL because the 18-135 is fresh out there right now with that new lens smell.
This is a tough one for me, because although I need it badly for this single purpose (parties/events), it will be only the second auto lens I own--so 15% of my decision is getting weighed upon by using it for other purposes.
Last edited by Ira; 03-25-2011 at 03:45 AM.