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Lens for 20D

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fotik

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Hello,

I just bought the 20D and am looking for a lens. I am new to photography, but am eager to learn and to get into the field.

I am looking for advice on what Lens to start with. I realize that the choice of a lens depends on what is beeing photographed - a landscape, a tall building, a flower, a portrait etc.

Despite that realization, can some one recomend a starting lens that would be (1) Good for most situations, (2) Economical (I am open to 3rd party lenses) 3. Not too large.

I would like to be able to use the starting lens by itself for at least a year before buying additional lenses.

Thanks
 
My walk around lens is a Sigma 18-50mm/f2.8 (equivalent to 28.8 to 80 mm on 35 mm format). This lens has good report, is inexpensive and is ideal for general purpose photography.

Dietmar
fotik said:
Hello,

I just bought the 20D and am looking for a lens. I am new to
photography, but am eager to learn and to get into the field.

I am looking for advice on what Lens to start with. I realize that
the choice of a lens depends on what is beeing photographed - a
landscape, a tall building, a flower, a portrait etc.

Despite that realization, can some one recomend a starting lens
that would be (1) Good for most situations, (2) Economical (I am
open to 3rd party lenses) 3. Not too large.

I would like to be able to use the starting lens by itself for at
least a year before buying additional lenses.

Thanks
Click to expand...
 
Thank you for the reply.
  • Is the 18-55 available outside of a kit?
  • Can you please comment on the 17-85IS - I have read a lot of good feedback on it.
  • Is IS worth the money?
Thanks again.

-eugene
Wild-Mike said:
18-55 kit lens is usually a good start. It is cheap, works fairly
well and is easy to sell on ebay when you determine what lenses you
really will use with your shooting conditions.

Regards,
Mike

--
Gallery:
http://tkis.com/mike/
Click to expand...
 
fotik said:
Thank you for the reply.
  • Is the 18-55 available outside of a kit?
Click to expand...
I am not sure, you can probably pick it up on ebay if it isn't. I had the lens on my 300D and it worked pretty good for my first lens. Once I determined what I needed I would purchase.
fotik said:
  • Can you please comment on the 17-85IS - I have read a lot of good
feedback on it.
  • Is IS worth the money?
Click to expand...
Wish I could help, but I have no experience with that lens. Try doing a search, you should come up with some comments.

Regards,
Mike

--
Gallery:
http://tkis.com/mike/

 
Saw it for 500$. Am I talking of the same lens?
Dietmar Fichter said:
Dietmar
fotik said:
Hello,

I just bought the 20D and am looking for a lens. I am new to
photography, but am eager to learn and to get into the field.

I am looking for advice on what Lens to start with. I realize that
the choice of a lens depends on what is beeing photographed - a
landscape, a tall building, a flower, a portrait etc.

Despite that realization, can some one recomend a starting lens
that would be (1) Good for most situations, (2) Economical (I am
open to 3rd party lenses) 3. Not too large.

I would like to be able to use the starting lens by itself for at
least a year before buying additional lenses.

Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Deepak
 
deepak rao said:
Saw it for 500$. Am I talking of the same lens?
Click to expand...
You think $500 is expensive? $500 is nothing theese days. I payd $800 for little crown at dentist.
deepak rao said:
Dietmar Fichter said:
Dietmar
fotik said:
Hello,

I just bought the 20D and am looking for a lens. I am new to
photography, but am eager to learn and to get into the field.

I am looking for advice on what Lens to start with. I realize that
the choice of a lens depends on what is beeing photographed - a
landscape, a tall building, a flower, a portrait etc.

Despite that realization, can some one recomend a starting lens
that would be (1) Good for most situations, (2) Economical (I am
open to 3rd party lenses) 3. Not too large.

I would like to be able to use the starting lens by itself for at
least a year before buying additional lenses.

Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Deepak
Click to expand...
 
fotik said:
Hello,

I just bought the 20D and am looking for a lens. I am new to
photography, but am eager to learn and to get into the field.

I am looking for advice on what Lens to start with. I realize that
the choice of a lens depends on what is beeing photographed - a
landscape, a tall building, a flower, a portrait etc.

Despite that realization, can some one recomend a starting lens
that would be (1) Good for most situations, (2) Economical (I am
open to 3rd party lenses) 3. Not too large.

I would like to be able to use the starting lens by itself for at
least a year before buying additional lenses.

Thanks
Click to expand...
It looks like you are getting a lot of good advices. I would say the cheapest solution is the 18-55 kit lens which can be bought separately. B&H has the USM (better) version of that lens for $140.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=351554&is=USA

The 17-85 IS lens is a lot of more expensive ($600) if you did not get it with the 20D. The strength of this lens is USM, FTM and IS. It is a reasonable consumer level lens with a price tag of an 'L'. Do a search on this and Canon SLR lens forum for reviews.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=351548&is=USA

The third party solutions are Sigma 18-125 ($269) or the higher end 18-50 f/2.8 EX($500). Neither one has USM, FTM or IS. I have the 18-125 which is pretty good for its money. It can produce comparable pictures as the 17-85 IS lens but has a very noisy focus motor. The 18-50 is an higher end (EX line) lens with a constant f/2.8 which can come in handy.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=324385&is=REG

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=340169&is=REG
--
Nelson
 
bullet1 said:
fotik said:
Hello,

I just bought the 20D and am looking for a lens. I am new to
photography, but am eager to learn and to get into the field.

I am looking for advice on what Lens to start with. I realize that
the choice of a lens depends on what is beeing photographed - a
landscape, a tall building, a flower, a portrait etc.

Despite that realization, can some one recomend a starting lens
that would be (1) Good for most situations, (2) Economical (I am
open to 3rd party lenses) 3. Not too large.

I would like to be able to use the starting lens by itself for at
least a year before buying additional lenses.

Thanks
Click to expand...
It looks like you are getting a lot of good advices. I would say
the cheapest solution is the 18-55 kit lens which can be bought
separately. B&H has the USM (better) version of that lens for $140.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=351554&is=USA

The 17-85 IS lens is a lot of more expensive ($600) if you did not
get it with the 20D. The strength of this lens is USM, FTM and IS.
It is a reasonable consumer level lens with a price tag of an 'L'.
Do a search on this and Canon SLR lens forum for reviews.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=351548&is=USA

The third party solutions are Sigma 18-125 ($269) or the higher end
18-50 f/2.8 EX($500). Neither one has USM, FTM or IS. I have the
18-125 which is pretty good for its money. It can produce
comparable pictures as the 17-85 IS lens but has a very noisy focus
motor. The 18-50 is an higher end (EX line) lens with a constant
f/2.8 which can come in handy.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=324385&is=REG

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=340169&is=REG
--
Nelson
Click to expand...
 
fotik said:
Hello,

I just bought the 20D and am looking for a lens. I am new to
photography, but am eager to learn and to get into the field.

I am looking for advice on what Lens to start with. I realize that
the choice of a lens depends on what is beeing photographed - a
landscape, a tall building, a flower, a portrait etc.

Despite that realization, can some one recomend a starting lens
that would be (1) Good for most situations, (2) Economical (I am
open to 3rd party lenses) 3. Not too large.

I would like to be able to use the starting lens by itself for at
least a year before buying additional lenses.

Thanks
Click to expand...
 
fotik said:
Hello,

I just bought the 20D and am looking for a lens. I am new to
photography, but am eager to learn and to get into the field.

I am looking for advice on what Lens to start with. I realize that
the choice of a lens depends on what is beeing photographed - a
landscape, a tall building, a flower, a portrait etc.

Despite that realization, can some one recomend a starting lens
that would be (1) Good for most situations, (2) Economical (I am
open to 3rd party lenses) 3. Not too large.

I would like to be able to use the starting lens by itself for at
least a year before buying additional lenses.

Thanks
Click to expand...
 
It all depends on where you live. India which is where I am 500$ buys you a major surgery, 25 fancy meals out, is only a little less than the 700$ which you would pay PER YEAR for a full time chef at home etc. So in perspective and compared to Indian earnings 500$ is a small fortune.
Pompeus said:
deepak rao said:
Saw it for 500$. Am I talking of the same lens?
Click to expand...
You think $500 is expensive? $500 is nothing theese days. I payd
$800 for little crown at dentist.
Pompeus said:
Dietmar Fichter said:
Dietmar
fotik said:
Hello,

I just bought the 20D and am looking for a lens. I am new to
photography, but am eager to learn and to get into the field.

I am looking for advice on what Lens to start with. I realize that
the choice of a lens depends on what is beeing photographed - a
landscape, a tall building, a flower, a portrait etc.

Despite that realization, can some one recomend a starting lens
that would be (1) Good for most situations, (2) Economical (I am
open to 3rd party lenses) 3. Not too large.

I would like to be able to use the starting lens by itself for at
least a year before buying additional lenses.

Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Deepak
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Deepak
 
And for example someone who did plumbing work would not be able to afford even a bike, phone and other such things which are considered very basic in the west, leave alone a 300d and L lenses

This is not a dig but just to show what the disparity between people in the 2 countries is.
deepak rao said:
Pompeus said:
deepak rao said:
Saw it for 500$. Am I talking of the same lens?
Click to expand...
You think $500 is expensive? $500 is nothing theese days. I payd
$800 for little crown at dentist.
deepak rao said:
Dietmar Fichter said:
Dietmar
fotik said:
Hello,

I just bought the 20D and am looking for a lens. I am new to
photography, but am eager to learn and to get into the field.

I am looking for advice on what Lens to start with. I realize that
the choice of a lens depends on what is beeing photographed - a
landscape, a tall building, a flower, a portrait etc.

Despite that realization, can some one recomend a starting lens
that would be (1) Good for most situations, (2) Economical (I am
open to 3rd party lenses) 3. Not too large.

I would like to be able to use the starting lens by itself for at
least a year before buying additional lenses.

Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Deepak
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Deepak
Click to expand...
--
Deepak
 
I paid $379.00 for the Sigma from Datavision but they have increased the price to $430.00.

Dietmar
deepak rao said:
Dietmar Fichter said:
Dietmar
fotik said:
Hello,

I just bought the 20D and am looking for a lens. I am new to
photography, but am eager to learn and to get into the field.

I am looking for advice on what Lens to start with. I realize that
the choice of a lens depends on what is beeing photographed - a
landscape, a tall building, a flower, a portrait etc.

Despite that realization, can some one recomend a starting lens
that would be (1) Good for most situations, (2) Economical (I am
open to 3rd party lenses) 3. Not too large.

I would like to be able to use the starting lens by itself for at
least a year before buying additional lenses.

Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Deepak
Click to expand...
 
If one can affort a 20D iin India then one can affort a lens, it's all relevant.

Dietmar
deepak rao said:
Pompeus said:
deepak rao said:
Saw it for 500$. Am I talking of the same lens?
Click to expand...
You think $500 is expensive? $500 is nothing theese days. I payd
$800 for little crown at dentist.
deepak rao said:
Dietmar Fichter said:
Dietmar
fotik said:
Hello,

I just bought the 20D and am looking for a lens. I am new to
photography, but am eager to learn and to get into the field.

I am looking for advice on what Lens to start with. I realize that
the choice of a lens depends on what is beeing photographed - a
landscape, a tall building, a flower, a portrait etc.

Despite that realization, can some one recomend a starting lens
that would be (1) Good for most situations, (2) Economical (I am
open to 3rd party lenses) 3. Not too large.

I would like to be able to use the starting lens by itself for at
least a year before buying additional lenses.

Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Deepak
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Deepak
Click to expand...
 
I've just come back from Mumbai and I'm very aware of what $500 can buy out there compared to the UK/US. However, we're talking on a forum where most people will own a 10D or 20D, and have some lenses for it. The cheapest lenses start at $100+ for the 50mm/f1.8, and the 18-50 is a much more flexible lens as a walkaround. For the money it sounds good value to me.
deepak rao said:
Pompeus said:
deepak rao said:
Saw it for 500$. Am I talking of the same lens?
Click to expand...
You think $500 is expensive? $500 is nothing theese days. I payd
$800 for little crown at dentist.
deepak rao said:
Dietmar Fichter said:
Dietmar
fotik said:
Hello,

I just bought the 20D and am looking for a lens. I am new to
photography, but am eager to learn and to get into the field.

I am looking for advice on what Lens to start with. I realize that
the choice of a lens depends on what is beeing photographed - a
landscape, a tall building, a flower, a portrait etc.

Despite that realization, can some one recomend a starting lens
that would be (1) Good for most situations, (2) Economical (I am
open to 3rd party lenses) 3. Not too large.

I would like to be able to use the starting lens by itself for at
least a year before buying additional lenses.

Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Deepak
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Deepak
Click to expand...
 
fotik said:
Despite that realization...
Click to expand...
Siggghhh....
fotik said:
, can some one recomend a starting lens
that would be (1) Good for most situations,
Click to expand...
That doesn't exist.
fotik said:
(2) Economical
Click to expand...
Could you express this in $?
fotik said:
3. Not too large.
Click to expand...
This exists.
fotik said:
I would like to be able to use the starting lens by itself for at
least a year before buying additional lenses.
Click to expand...
I see. Read this piece here...
http://www.photo.net/equipment/35mm/building-an-slr-system

I fully support the recommendation there that a good starting point is a body and a "normal" lens like the 50mm/f1.8 lens. Since the 20D has a "format multiplier" of 1.6x, you actually need 50mm/1.6 = 31.5mm. The lens that comes closest to this value are the 28mm/f2.8 and 28mm/f1.8. The f2.8 version is a very rudimentary lens and you can find it second hand for very little money. The 28mm/f1.8 is a bit more pricy, but much better in terms of many characteristics. I would recommend you going for the 28mm/f1.8 as your first lens and then slowly building up your camera system based on your specific needs.
 
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