discussion Camera len suggestions

[p3t3rsn]

So I inherited a Canon camera that accepts Canon lens. So before I spend the extra money to upgrade to a new DSLR I want to buy the some lens first to experiment with. So my question is, what lens should I start with?

 

[Nodscene]

A lot depends on what you plan on shooting and how much you are willing to spend. Half decent lenses usually start around $500 and go up quickly from there. For my first lense I went with a Sigma 18-200 F3.5-6.3 DC as it covers quite a few bases right off the bat. It really is a good all purpose lense for everyday shooting IMO. While it may not take as good of a picture as my wife's Canon EFS 17-55 (if I remember correctly) I have a lot more flexibility. The price was good as well at $499. Now I just need a good Macro and I'll probably also go with a better telephoto lense as I like wildlife photography.

 

[tzetsin]

This really is a loaded question. I have to ask what you want to do with it, but how do you know as your still just new and dont know what you "can" do with it... So the better question is;

How serious are you.....

If your taking up photography I have to warn you that if your SERIOUS about it, its @#$%@#$ EXPENSIVE. So... If your SERIOUS and willing to spend some buckeroos your best bet will be Canons 18-200mm 3.5-5.6 lens. its upwards of around 800 bucks though, but gives you a TREMENDOUS zoom range. Its not that great of a lens however so the price is a bit high IMO.

If your not quite sure your serious, or just dont have that much money to spend I'd suggest getting Canon's 50mm F1.8 prime. It has ZERO zoom funtionality (thats what "Prime" means) but it has incredable depth of field and you'll make some amazing shots with it. Its also alot sharper than most zooms (almost all primes are sharper than zooms) and its able to take good sharp pictures in very low light. Its also the only "cheap" lens you'll be able to buy that you'll still use if you end up a professional photographer. Best of all, I think you can pick it up used for like 20 bucks.

What camera do you currently have? The size of the image sensor of your camera will affect the effective focal length of any lens you buy. For example a Canon 60D has a 1.6X image sensor, so a 100mm lens will effectively be a 160mm, but a Canon 5d has a 1x, so a 100mm is a 100mm.

 

[tzetsin]

... For my first lense I went with a Sigma 18-200 F3.5-6.3 DC as it covers quite a few bases right off the bat. It really is a good all purpose lense for everyday shooting IMO...

Sorry I missed that part of your post. I'll second that, if Sigma has an 18 200 for 500 bucks, definatly go with that one.

 

[3.0charlie]

For a prime, I second the Nifty Fifty. I also own the Sigma 18-200 (albeit for the Nikon mount) and it is too my go-to lens.

I'll also go one step further: once you have a general idea what you want to shoot, and did some research in regards to which lens would fit your bill, find a place that rents lenses (Henry's does, as Lozeau and others in Montreal). Instead of spending a lot on a lens you may not like, spend a few bucks renting them first. Get a feel for it, and then decide if the purchase is worthwhile.

Because as tzetsin so blalantly put it:

its @#$%@#$ EXPENSIVE

 

[tzetsin]

3.0 Charlie makes a good point. There are even camera shops that have a good return/exchange policy. dont be afraid to swap out or return a lens that just isnt doing it for you. I was looking for a zoom in the 0 - 100mm category and returned 2 models before i was happy with the one I got and the clerk didnt even bat an eye.

 

[JD]

I bought a Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM for my Rebel XS (18-55mm non-IS) last winter for $530. I didn't feel I really needed a long zoom but wanted something with a relatively short focusing distance and this fit the bill nicely. Although not a true macro lens, it does focus even when the lens is nearly touching the subject. Pretty high quality lens too without any major IQ defects like 18-200mm lens suffer from and even Canon's own 17-85mm lens. Has a profile in Adobe Lightroom too which helps correct the minor flaws.

However the lens itself is rather large and heavy compared to the kit lens and IMO doesn't "fit" on the tiny Rebel XS body, not that the ergonomics were the greatest to begin with. I'll likely buy an EOS body later this year though.

But it really depends on what you intend to use the lens for. Most would say 18-200mm lenses are the most versatile but you lose some image quality by cramming so much into a single lens.

Last but not least, tread VERY carefully with reviews. :blarg: Makes you second guess yourself so much about all these little IQ issues that you might never even know were there.

 

[lcdguy]

First it would helpful if you could post what gear you currently have. Also post what your buget is and what you want. Here are ones i would recommend.

1. Get a nifty fifty. It's cheap, but the optics are top notch.
2. If your looking at getting a zoom lens i would seriously consider saving up a bit more and getting the 70-200mm F4 L NON-IS. It a fantastic lens at a great price point for an L series lens.

But as it's been said here before camera lens' can get very pricey. I also love the 18-85mm IS lens that came with my 50D.

 

[nige]

+1 for the 50mm. I have an older EF 50mm 1.8 that I use on my 60D They really let you be creative with the D.O.F. in your pictures. They also work great with low amounts of light.

I got an 18-135mm with the camera, but I haven't used it as much as the 50mm.

If you have and APS-C sensor like my 60D, you might like to try a 30mm prime too, although they may cost you a lot more than the EF 50mm F1.8. I see a lot of camera stuff come up for sale in the Red Flag Deal forum and there is also the Fred Miranda forums, although most of the sales are from Americans. Don't forget kijiji too, just test whatever you buy from there first.

 

[nige]

you may be interested in this site too:

Lens Rentals Canada

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