Lens recommendations?

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Hayley

Lens recommendations?

Postby Hayley » Wed Dec 26, 2007 10:00 pm

I am heading up to the big smoke tomorrow to buy myself a Canon eos 400D. I got me a holiday job and this is my first splashout! This will be my first DSLR camera as before this I was using a Canon S3 IS which is currently at Canon having a new lens/zoom fitted after it went keplunk on me.
Anyway, I have done lots of research about the lenses that you can buy with the camera and all say to skip the lens kits and buy some decent glass. How do I tell the difference between a good quality lens and a cheapie? Is it all in the price? I have been looking at the Tamron AF 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 Di 2 LD Aspherical [IF] Macro. It has a wide angle as well as telephoto capabilities all in the one lens. This lens costs about the same price as the camera body. Does anyone out there in proshow land use one of these lenses or have any other recommendations?
BTW...the Canon eos 400D is also known as the Canon Kiss or Rebel xti.
Does anyone else on the forum use this camera?

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Postby rkligman » Wed Dec 26, 2007 10:56 pm

I can't help but chuckle at your words. In live in the States and I have no idea what a "big smoke" is and you're going on a splashout. Cool.

Here's the line that interests me: This will be my first DSLR camera...

Unless you really know what your doing, you probably want to get something good and versatile. Good glass can be very important BUT there are so many choices, you really need to know what you need otherwise you go broke very quickly. By need I mean, are you shooting "in the bush" where you'll need a telephoto? Is it mostly people pictures up close? Shooting landscapes? You could buy a great piece of glass for each one of them. Starting to get the point?

I am a Nikon guy so I can't recommend any from my own use. I know members in my group use the 100-400L and they have really awesome clarity. I'm guessing that lens will set you back at least $1k. That being said, I have 3-4 Tamron lenses and I'm reasonably to very happy with them all and wouldn't hesitate to say sure, check em out. I have the 18-50mm, 90mm, 70-300mm and 200-500mm. Hmm, guess that makes 4. The 18-250 will cover all your bases and if it isn't too expensive, it sounds like an ideal lens to cut your teeth on. I find 18mm just super for landscapes and with the 250mm on the other side, you'll be able to get the far away stuff too.

I got my DSLR last March. I'm up to about a dozen lenses. It's addicting. So again, you want to know what you are going to shoot most often and where you want to buy that ideal piece of glass. For me I have a few lenses that would considered good/pro glass. A 50mm, a 90mm Macro and an 80-200. Those 3 cover all my bases except for far away action. Total cost of those 3? 50mm = $100, 90mm = $450, 80-200mm = $1,000.

Be careful and try and keep the plastic in your handbag! Good luck.
Rick Insane Diego...

XaiLo

Postby XaiLo » Thu Dec 27, 2007 4:48 am

Or you could choose door number 2! I also own Canon S3 but I chose to relace it's usage with a Nikon D40 which has an excellent kit lens and when coupled with the 55-200mm VR makes for a formidable general purpose solution. and that combination can be had for $750 US. Add the Raynox 250 macro lens for another $50 and your set.

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Postby cbrown » Thu Dec 27, 2007 6:58 am

I just got my 30D and I love it. I my using a Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS I did a lot of research and found a lot of good info here http://photography-on-the.net/forum/index.php Ask the question here they can help you a lot. Hope this helps.

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Postby Davesconnect » Thu Dec 27, 2007 1:44 pm

Hey Hayley

I originaly bought entry level lenses when I bought my Nikon D70 and they were good for a time, but soon found them not up to it in low light. I kept my D70 and invested in pro lenses. The difference in quality of the images was stark especialy in low light. A quality lens will most always be 2.8 or better aperture. But be aware these are expensive.

I don't think it matters which brand you go for, but I personally would stick to lenses of the same brand as your camera.

Just my 10 cents worth ( inflation )

Blessings
Dave

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Postby Hemo2 » Fri Dec 28, 2007 10:54 am

Hayley, I know I'm a bit late for your trip today, but buying lenses is something you'll be considering for quite some time after getting the camera body.

The Tamron lens you reference is generally regarded as 'pretty good'. Not awesome, but certainly not poor. Overall it seems to be a good buy if you're looking for that "all in one" vacation lens. However, if all you want for your DSLR is a single "all in one" lens, you probably should have considered getting a Canon PowerShot S5 or something similar instead of a DSLR.

Buying lenses isn't something you want to do spur of the moment. You want to do a little research. With Canon lenses, there are good and bad, expensive and cheap. Generally speaking the price is an indication of quality for the Canon lenses, but there are exceptions to that rule. There are some hidden gems at lower prices in the Canon lineup.

A good place to get info is the "Canon SLR Lens talk" forum on the www.dpreview.com site. But I highly recommend you "search & read" a lot before considering posting there. The territory there can be much less friendly than here.

Also, a good place to get technical reviews of lenses is at http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/index.html. Also, you can find info at http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/ and http://www.fredmiranda.com/

This website has a variety of links to reviews of Canon lenses too: http://www.massimocristaldi.com/wordpress/?p=65

Basically you need to first identify what you want to do with your camera before buying a lens. Most folks have more than one lens with their DSLR. Once you identify what you'd like to be doing, such as macro photography, portraits, everyday snapshots, nature/birding, walkaround lens, etc., then I think we can better help you with some recommendations.

Keith

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Re: Lens recommendations?

Postby Yanis » Fri Dec 28, 2007 9:51 pm

Hayley wrote:I am heading up to the big smoke tomorrow to buy myself a Canon eos 400D. I got me a holiday job and this is my first splashout! This will be my first DSLR camera as before this I was using a Canon S3 IS which is currently at Canon having a new lens/zoom fitted after it went keplunk on me.
Anyway, I have done lots of research about the lenses that you can buy with the camera and all say to skip the lens kits and buy some decent glass. How do I tell the difference between a good quality lens and a cheapie? Is it all in the price? I have been looking at the Tamron AF 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 Di 2 LD Aspherical [IF] Macro. It has a wide angle as well as telephoto capabilities all in the one lens. This lens costs about the same price as the camera body. Does anyone out there in proshow land use one of these lenses or have any other recommendations?
BTW...the Canon eos 400D is also known as the Canon Kiss or Rebel xti.
Does anyone else on the forum use this camera?


Greetings Hayley,

I know it's a little late for this but if you are just starting with an DSLR camera, you may want to try either or both of the sites below. Both are very good resources of information so you might want to check them out if you're really serious about learning.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/

By the way, Canon L lenses are known to be the best and are used by professional photographers. Don't get me wrong. There are non-L lenses that can be as good as an L glass.

Good luck!

Peace,
Yanis :D

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Postby gpsmikey » Sat Dec 29, 2007 7:16 am

Didn't the "L" lenses get their name from the response of people
when they found out the price ?? .... "What the ell ? -- how much?!?!?" :D
I do have to admit - everyone I know who uses them has been very
happy with them (a bit poorer, but happy).

mikey
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Postby JC » Sat Dec 29, 2007 10:27 am

Try this for some good feedback on various lens alternatives...with user ratings.

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/

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Postby Tarafrost » Tue Jan 01, 2008 10:25 am

Buy the best lenses that you can afford.

DLSR bodies become obsolete in a few short years, while good glass should have a lifespan of over 10 years or more, so consider the glass as a long term investment and the bodies as disposable, and you won't go too far wrong.
....Andrzej (aka: the curmudgeon)

Tarafrost Photography: Specializing in Wild-Life
http://www.tarafrost.com

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Postby nannybear » Wed Jan 02, 2008 7:51 am

I am heading up to the big smoke tomorrow to buy myself a Canon eos 400D. I got me a holiday job and this is my first splashout!


I had to chuckle, we say big smoke when we are going to Vancouver. Basically meaning we are going to the big city! As for "splashout", if we are going to spend big my hubby and I say we are going to "pull the boat out". When you pull your boat out of the water for it's yearly clean up it's expensive. LOL :lol:

Good luck and let us know what you end up buying. Cheers Jan
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