Wellcraft
Well-known member
I don't have any idea how to read this picture or graphic, can someone explain it to me?
thanks.
thanks.
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Better choice for the $$$
- Thread starter Wellcraft
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- canon eos 60d
mtndew
Senior Member
I saw that thread when it first came out. The testing environment left little to be desired. With all that busyness of the scene every shot could have looked a little different, unless, as someone pointed out the focus was set on the sign. I have found plants/bushes and leaves are hard to use as a judge of lens sharpness. It's just too much greenery without very much obvious detail - that is unless the lens is really zoomed in. It's especially difficult if there is any breeze at all. If there is, the test will be very unreliable. I would use a more colorful scene to judge contrast and sharpness. I think you will see your difference come out in color rendition and contrast.
Something to consider, and I know you are looking at a bundle so it may not work for you: once I made my mind up between the T2i and the 60D I committed to only buying the 60D body with the Canon 50mm 1.8. I figured I could get to know the camera better with the single focal length and then I took the time to see which lens I really thought I needed/wanted. It only took two or 3 weeks to make up my mind.
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Rick,
mtndew
Senior Member
Did you get a chance to try this lens test link? If you haven't used it before you can use it to compare 2 lenses. Adjust both to the same focal length and F stop. You then move the mouse curser over the test pattern and that will give you the results of the lens that was selected on the right side - move the cursor to the left - off the pattern - and you will see the test pattern for the lens selected on the left. It is very informative. When you readjust the focal length and aperature setting give the software a few seconds to adjust to the new settings. Towards the top center there is a white arrow that points to the lens results that are displayed.
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=678&Camera=474&Sample=0&FLI=3&API=1&LensComp=675&CameraComp=474&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=3&APIComp=1
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=678&Camera=474&Sample=0&FLI=3&API=1&LensComp=675&CameraComp=474&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=3&APIComp=1
sjwolfhope
Forum Enthusiast
Actually the Tamron 70-300 USD VC is $399 after the $50 rebate - from Amazon. Got mine back in January when it was down to $389 plus getting $50 back. Really compared the Tamron vs the Canon non-L, read reviews and looked at comparisons and the decision to get the Tamron was a no brainer for me. But I wasn't buying the lens with a camera so there were no combo discounts. It is a big and rather heavy lens.
As for going back to the T3i instead of the 60D - I would accept the price difference and get the 60D.
Steve W.
As for going back to the T3i instead of the 60D - I would accept the price difference and get the 60D.
Steve W.
Wellcraft
Well-known member
I finally understand how to use it, and I definitely notice a huge difference between the 2, 15-85 been the better one.
I tried the 55-250 and 70-300 and it seems that 55-250 is noticeably better, have to check that one, what is you opinion in this one?
The reason for the bundle is because this way I'm saving $415 and knowing me I know I won't be replacing lenses any time soon, so I preffer to spend now and use it for a long time. i do the same thing with my cars, boats and all my toys.
Thank you a lot for helping me out to make the best buy.
Hope to hear from you soon regarding the 2 tele on the link you provided.
I tried the 55-250 and 70-300 and it seems that 55-250 is noticeably better, have to check that one, what is you opinion in this one?
The reason for the bundle is because this way I'm saving $415 and knowing me I know I won't be replacing lenses any time soon, so I preffer to spend now and use it for a long time. i do the same thing with my cars, boats and all my toys.
Thank you a lot for helping me out to make the best buy.
Hope to hear from you soon regarding the 2 tele on the link you provided.
Montana500
Veteran Member
Just order the 60D already, with either the 15-85 or the Sigma 17-50 (currently for $590 on Amazon). pLay around with the gear, shoot some pictures. If you don't like it, return it.
The thing is you can get your money back on lenses, maybe losing $100-150 at the most.
The best combo for landscape and wildlife right now, for intermediate is a 60D or 50D with a Canon 15-85 or Sigma 17-50, and a Tamron 70-300 VC. That's it in a nutshell.
There's no complication, no confusion. Then you add a Sigma 10-20 or a canon 10-22 and a 50 1.8 II down the road. If you shoot wildlife, you want 300mm over 250mm, period, so that ends the 55-250 talk.
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Grizzly bears of Glacier National Park
http://www.parkcamper.com/Glacier-National-Park/Glacier-grizzly-bears.htm
The thing is you can get your money back on lenses, maybe losing $100-150 at the most.
The best combo for landscape and wildlife right now, for intermediate is a 60D or 50D with a Canon 15-85 or Sigma 17-50, and a Tamron 70-300 VC. That's it in a nutshell.
There's no complication, no confusion. Then you add a Sigma 10-20 or a canon 10-22 and a 50 1.8 II down the road. If you shoot wildlife, you want 300mm over 250mm, period, so that ends the 55-250 talk.
--
Grizzly bears of Glacier National Park
http://www.parkcamper.com/Glacier-National-Park/Glacier-grizzly-bears.htm
mtndew
Senior Member
I had the 55-250mm and sold it on ebay to purchase the Tamron 70-300mm. The Tamron tests out better on the attached link than the Canon 70-300mm non L. That's one of the reasons I went with the Tamron. The Tamron is built very well, much better than the Canon 55-250mm. You can always start with the 55-250mm and trade up. I only lost $50 from what I bought the 55-250 for and what it sold at on ebay. You may find that you don't use the longer lens very much and the 55-250 will serve you well if not used very often. It is definitely a lighter lens. I believe it's 16 ounces vs 27 ounces for the Tamron. Even the Canon 70-300mm is lighter than the Tamron by I believe 4 or 5 ounces.
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Rick,
Wellcraft
Well-known member
Well gays, I want to thank you all for helping me spend MY money 
, for been pacient with me and for answering so MaNy MaNy question here and on my other threads, CaN ThANK YoU guys enough.
I belong to other forums and I can say that you guys are VERY FRIENDLY, with so many questions I had and there wasn't even one nasty member here and got all the answers I needed.
I just committed suicide and placed an order for a 60d + 15-85 + and also ordered 2 canon lenses to try them out, 55-250 and a 70-300. Will be returning one of them, maybe both to get a tampon, if I'm not satisfied with neither of them.
It took me more than a month for what I consider a large purchase for me and I know I'll be very happy with the 60d+15-85 at least. Will see about the telephotos.
ThAnK YoU GuYs.
, for been pacient with me and for answering so MaNy MaNy question here and on my other threads, CaN ThANK YoU guys enough.I belong to other forums and I can say that you guys are VERY FRIENDLY, with so many questions I had and there wasn't even one nasty member here and got all the answers I needed.
I just committed suicide and placed an order for a 60d + 15-85 + and also ordered 2 canon lenses to try them out, 55-250 and a 70-300. Will be returning one of them, maybe both to get a tampon, if I'm not satisfied with neither of them.
It took me more than a month for what I consider a large purchase for me and I know I'll be very happy with the 60d+15-85 at least. Will see about the telephotos.
ThAnK YoU GuYs.
Montana500
Veteran Member
hehe no problem. I've been exactly where you are so I consider it fun.Well gays, I want to thank you all for helping me spend MY money
I belong to other forums and I can say that you guys are VERY FRIENDLY, with so many questions I had and there wasn't even one nasty member here and got all the answers I needed.
Cool. That's the only real way to find out. But I think anyone would be happy, if their goals were landscape and wildlife, to start with a 60D, 15-85, and 70-300 (Canon or Tamron). That's a great setup. If you can't get great photos with that, forget it. Often times we get caught up in having "the best", when what really matters is location, timing, and "eye", and having an emotional compomnent to a photo. Gear really doesn't matter. Where it does matter is in lenses. For example, lets say you don't find your 15-85 wide enough and you miss shots. That, is when gear purchases are necessary (IE adding a UWA 10-20 to your kit).
Anyone would be happy with your kit. I know I would be.
I've owned both the 55-250 and the 70-300 (still own the 55-250, which I use for landscapes in a range I don't use all that often) I like the 55-250 better for landscapes, and the 70-300 better for wildlife. 55mm is a more useful starting point on a crop body for landscapes and portraits. Either lens is fine for sports. But in the end, to me, the Tamron 70-300 VC is superior to both of those lenses in build and sharpness at the long end.
Also, do yourself a favor and save money on buying the stupid canon lens hoods. Get the knock-off hoods on Amazon for like $5. It's such a waste of money to get the Canon hoods, and it's really cheap and shows poor customer respect that they don't include them.
There's also the battery grip for the 60D to consider.
Get the Zeikos version, as it's just as good as the Canon and $100 cheaper. Also, don't buy the rip-off canon batteries.Oh yeah, that's a great combo. Let us know what you think. Make sure you have a lens hood for it before testing. Ignore the scam canon lens hod for $40 and get the $5 fotodiox hood on Amazon.
--
Grizzly bears of Glacier National Park
http://www.parkcamper.com/Glacier-National-Park/Glacier-grizzly-bears.htm
Wellcraft
Well-known member
Thanks Montana, you know you are one of the members that's been helping me since my forts post and I really appreciate that.
Regarding the hoods, I forgot to mentioned that on my post, I ended up ordering the hoods for every lens, the vello brand for around $14 each. So you think I should cancel them from my order ands buy the ones you mentioned?
I wasn't willing to pay like $30 for them.
the battery grip is in my list and also an OEM battery, I'm getting them very soon.
I still need to find a backpack and a small, good, steady tripod that can handle my camera, hopefully I don't have to spend an arm an leg on one.
Ill be checking the classifieds and Craigslist since I'm not in a hurry, now I need to start studding the backpacks.
Best regards Montana, nice to be talking with you.
Regarding the hoods, I forgot to mentioned that on my post, I ended up ordering the hoods for every lens, the vello brand for around $14 each. So you think I should cancel them from my order ands buy the ones you mentioned?
I wasn't willing to pay like $30 for them.
the battery grip is in my list and also an OEM battery, I'm getting them very soon.
I still need to find a backpack and a small, good, steady tripod that can handle my camera, hopefully I don't have to spend an arm an leg on one.
Ill be checking the classifieds and Craigslist since I'm not in a hurry, now I need to start studding the backpacks.
Best regards Montana, nice to be talking with you.
Montana500
Veteran Member
No, that's fine. I wouldn't cancel that. Still way better than the Canon prices.
Cool. The canon backpack is pretty nice for the money, IMHO. You can get it for $38 on Amazon. As far as tripods, it's always better to get a decent one first. Don't mess with the plastic ones.
--
Grizzly bears of Glacier National Park
http://www.parkcamper.com/Glacier-National-Park/Glacier-grizzly-bears.htm
Wellcraft
Well-known member
Wow, I didn't know those hoods were so cheap, I just checked on ebay and they have some less than $3 including shipping. I wonder how fragile they are.
I'm calling tomorrow to cancel the ones I ordered.
I remember there was a battery grip brand that its made supposedly in the same factory as Canon and they alleged they even use the same mold, and its about $60.
Need to find that link, I have it on my computer.
I'm calling tomorrow to cancel the ones I ordered.
I remember there was a battery grip brand that its made supposedly in the same factory as Canon and they alleged they even use the same mold, and its about $60.
Need to find that link, I have it on my computer.
Wellcraft
Well-known member
Do you have any suggestions, a good tripod not too expensive, I guess no more than $100 and something I can put on the backpack, I don't know if $100 is too low?
Do you have a link for the Canon backpack?
Do you have a link for the Canon backpack?
Wellcraft
Well-known member
Nevermind, I found the backpack.
Montana500
Veteran Member
It's the Zeikos Canon 60D battery grip on Amazon. Search Amazon with those keywords and you'll find it.
I actually find the Zeikos grip superior on my 7D. It has a nice little finger wedge the canon grip doesn't.
--
Grizzly bears of Glacier National Park
http://www.parkcamper.com/Glacier-National-Park/Glacier-grizzly-bears.htm
I actually find the Zeikos grip superior on my 7D. It has a nice little finger wedge the canon grip doesn't.
--
Grizzly bears of Glacier National Park
http://www.parkcamper.com/Glacier-National-Park/Glacier-grizzly-bears.htm
Montana500
Veteran Member
The problem with a tripod is you need a good head, too. Don't be suckered into one of the tripod combos with a plastic head like I was a long time ago. You'll just end up frustrated and spending more money. You want the 055xProb manfrotto or 190xprob (depending on how tall you are) and at least the 496rc2 head. That's about $250. But you'l end up buying it anyway. It's heavy, but it's quality, works smoothly, and will last forever. Better to spend $250 now, then $320 to get to the same conclusion.
--
Grizzly bears of Glacier National Park
http://www.parkcamper.com/Glacier-National-Park/Glacier-grizzly-bears.htm
With the current sale on in Sigma, you can get the 17-50mm f2.8 for $594. Definitely a worthy buy. Lacks that zoom & wide focal lengths yet its faster & very good. It also has the HSM like Canon's USM. Canon's EF-S 15-85mm which sells at $699 now.
I own the EF-S 15-85mm. Its a decent walk around lens. But ensure u get a sharp copy. This lens is known for having bad variants. Check for decentering & do the sharpness tests to ensure u end up with a good sharp copy.
I hope u don't end up with an unsharp lens leading to a lot of regret for choosing Canon in retrospection.
I own the EF-S 15-85mm. Its a decent walk around lens. But ensure u get a sharp copy. This lens is known for having bad variants. Check for decentering & do the sharpness tests to ensure u end up with a good sharp copy.
I hope u don't end up with an unsharp lens leading to a lot of regret for choosing Canon in retrospection.
R2D2
Forum Pro
Congrats! Those lenses serve many people very well. As another poster mentioned, be sure to test them thoroughly for any issues.
Yeah, equipment decisions can be really tough even for seasoned Photogs! The problem is that different folks have different requirements and shooting preferences, so you'll get suggestions that run the entire gamut (as you've seen here already!).
So what I usually recommend to those just starting out is to buy a pretty basic lens at first (such as one of the kit lenses), and then use it for a while before committing to other lenses (which are generally more expensive ones). Sometimes a Sale bundle just doesn't save you anything in the long run!
Because the fact of the matter is that after spending a while shooting with your new camera, it becomes MUCH clearer (and easier) to decide where you want to go from here. Do you want a really good indoor candid lens? A cracker lens for birds and wildlife? A lens more suited to indoor sports? Outdoor large-field sports? Or zoos/parks? Is carrying around a second lens a problem (along with mid-shoot changes)? Will a good flash serve you better? Or a tripod or vertical grip? Maybe a Macro lens? Really, the whole decision process goes a whole lot deeper than just having your focal lengths covered (IMHO).
So this may or may not be the ideal fit for you really. Only time will tell. Keep that 50mm f1.8 (or better) on your short list for sure (personally I love the very capable 85mm f1.8 for most of my low light shooting). But you might have other needs/preferences... like perhaps the Sig 30 f1.4, or a fast zoom. You just won't know until you get out shooting.
And as others have said, don't be afraid to sell any of your lenses (there's always a big market for used, and they hold their value extremely well). And if for nothing else, I always keep a cheap kit lens on hand to slap on a body if I'm going to sell it!
Good luck there. Test them thoroughly. You may not get a good read on a lens until after you've shot it for a few months though (it's good that spring is arriving!). I can't wait to get back out to the riverways myself!
I've got samples from various lenses in my galleries if that might help. I note what equipment was used, and EXIF is intact. Just holler back (post a thread) if you have any questions. This is a great bunch of folks here (and heck, we were ALL beginners at one time!).
My galleries...
http://www.pbase.com/jekyll_and_hyde
Best of luck. And enjoy your new camera!
R2
ps. Here a couple of great online resources to get you going. Have fun...
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=414088
http://www.shortcourses.com/use/
http://luminous-landscape.com/essays/learning-to-see.shtml
http://luminous-landscape.com/essays/
http://luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/
http://www.cs.duke.edu/~parr/photography/faq.html
--
Good judgment comes from experience.
Experience comes from bad judgment.
http://www.pbase.com/jekyll_and_hyde/galleries
Wellcraft
Well-known member
What is the best way to ensure I get a sharp or good copy, how do I test it out?
well, there was also a second set of pictures in that thread, with more colors, no bushes in front: see the church pictures.
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