Lens Advice

I am thinking of getting a 400D but have no idea about lenses to go along with it.

I a newcomer to photography and have been playing with my S3 IS for the past
year. Now I have managed to damage the camera may be irrecoverably.

Need some suggestions as to some good basic lenses. I would like a reasonable wide angle, a good high zoom and may be a macro.

As this will be my first dslr I would appreciate suggestions on any other accessories which may be handy ( like a lens cleaner or dust blower).

thanks.

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Regards,

Debi

Hello,
the 18-55 3.5-5.6 IS is a very good lens (not the kit lens).
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http://ricoh-grd.blogspot.com/
http://ricoh-grd-ii.blogspot.com/

thanks
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Regards,

Debi

I was in the same boat you're in about a month ago except I couldn't get a straight answer about which lens to buy. Now I understand why though. What you want to do is if you get the 400D kit, use the kit lens for 1000ish shots and try to bang them off quick and then once you've done that, you'll have a really good idea of what lens you want next. That's what I'm doing right now. I'm at about 600 shots, and I'm very sure that my next lens is going to be the 85mm f1.8 because I want to do more portrait photography. Don't underestimate the kit lens though. It takes some great shots. I'm far from being as good as most the people on this forum, but here's some shots that I've taken with the kit lens so far.

http://www.pbase.com/calskin/posters

http://www.pbase.com/calskin/messing_around

My point to all of this is the kit lens is a good starting point to lead you in the right direction. Do not be in a hurry and go and buy 3 lenses and end up maybe selling two, it's a waist of your time.
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-caleb

Hi Deb,

Sorry to hear about your S3 loss, but the 400D might be the way to go as I too made the plunge. The advice to get the 18-55IS (non-kit) is valid.

I'd wait before you buy any more lenses until you get used to the camera and then you'll have more knowledge with which to base your decision. Then you may want to look into the 70-300 USM IS for the long end. The cost is minimal for the performance unless you want to go high end to the L series.
Here's a good sight to check on lens reviews.........
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/index.html
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Regards,
Hank



cross-train and have your resume updated...the writing's on the wall

Right now, I'd probably buy the XTi + the 18-55mm IS which just recently came out. Sharper than the kit lens and it has a "4 stop" IS that's good for a true 2 stops of image stabilization (vs. 1 to 1.5 for cameras with in-body IS, according to testing).

If you have a couple of extra bucks to spend, the Tamron 17-50mm F2.8 (F2.8 through whole zoom range) is nice... But, you can still shoot better in some situations w/ the IS. Just depends. I was a total novice to SLR photography before my XTi and I really did not understand the significance of the f-stop and how much difference a "fast" lens can make. Now, I'd give "fast" f-stop the #1 priority in lens selection. A "sharp" lens that you have to "stop down" for good results is utterly worthless to me, as is a lens that cannot be used in normal lighting situations (e.g. incandescent home lighting).

I immediately bought a 50mm F1.8 and I'm getting an 85mm F1.8 for Christmas. If I had the money, I'd have the 50mm F1.4 and 85mm F1.2.
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Canon Rebel XTi
http://duran.smugmug.com

There are many philosphies on how to approach this decision. The advice given above is probably good for most people. Its always better to get familiar with your equipment before making any big purchases on accessories. I had used SLR's for many years and then used superzooms for several years when I went digital. I didn't want to go back to the hassle of constantly carrying three lenses around when I bought my first DSLR so I chose to get the Sigma 18-200 DC OS. Its a good all around lens for most situations- A jack of all trades, master of none, but a surprisingly good lens just the same. It was about $450 so it gave me the range I wanted without breaking the bank.

I have since added a macro lens ( The Sigma 105mm - just got it for Christmas), and I may get a longer telephoto lens (for kids sports) at some point, but so far this has worked well for me.

Your lens solution will really depend on what your individual needs are.

Just one other recommendation. A 50mm 1.8 is a great lens for the price. Its usually less than $80. Its fast and gives you some terrific shots. Its also relatively small so it doesn't take up a lot of room in your camera bag.
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Mike

http://www.liquidartgallery.com

'For every complex problem there is a solution that is obvious, simple..and wrong'

thanks for your feedback and sharing your gallery. I think I am fairly certain that I want couple of lenses only (all I can afford right now).

So I am looking around a bit.
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Regards,

Debi

Always enjoyed your pics at the CTF gallery. I will look up the suggestions made by you. I think IS is essential for me ( I tend to avoid tripods ) so I am looking for something in that direction.

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Regards,

Debi

I appreicate your feedback. But if the lens has a low f-stop wont the DOF be affected?

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Regards,

Debi

Sounds practical. I tend to take a lot of long shots so a zoom lens would be good as I wont like to carry around too many lenses.

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Regards,

Debi

One thing that seems to cause a lot of problems when going from a P&S to a digital SLR is the loss of depth of field. You will find a lot of posts that asks the question, "why aren't my pictures from my new drebel as good as those from my [fill in the blank for your favorite P&S]. Some of this has to do with post-processing in the camera, but the other major factor IMO is the lack of depth of field. Because of their small sensors, the focal lengths of lenses used by P&S cameras have enormous DOF. Lenses used by the dRebel have a much narrower DOF.

Now to your question. First the DOF will depend on the aperture at which you expose your picture. f11 is f11at 50 mm regardless of the maximum aperture of your lens. I recently bought an 85 mm f1.8 because I wanted to take portraits where I could have a very narrow DOF by shooting at f2.8. Works like a charm. With luck, the subject is tack sharp and the background nicely blurred. I say luck because by the time you focus on the eyes, recompose and eacivate the shutter, the subject may have moved just enough to throw off the focus a bit. Whe I shoot landscapes, almost always use f16, but use a good tripod so I don't have to worry about shutter speed.

Back to your original question, I used to suggest, as did others, that you start with the kit lens. However, with the excellent comments I have seen on the IS version, I would now suggest you go with that lens. As others have said, shoot a lot of pictures, and then you needs will become clear.

hope this helps

Jim
http://www.pbase.com/jcassatt

deseng said:

Always enjoyed your pics at the CTF gallery. I will look up the
suggestions made by you. I think IS is essential for me ( I tend to
avoid tripods ) so I am looking for something in that direction.

Click to expand...

Thanks Deb,

The 18-55IS version is such a better lens that the retail price difference ($35) is negligible but it's not available in the kit so you may be better off buying the body only and shopping for the lens.

BryanP suggested to me that 2 lenses he'd highly recommend for me are the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 and 70-200 f4 L IS which are excellent options but carry a total cost of around $1300.

Others rate the 70-300 USM IS very highly and it is at a decent price...kind of the poor man's L version.
I opted for the body and 18-55IS for starters which helped my budget for now.

Good luck and we'll see you around.....hopefully here, the SLR Lens forum and CTF.
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Regards,
Hank



cross-train and have your resume updated...the writing's on the wall

thanks Jim

Went thru your xt gallery ,loved the Blackwater Refuge.
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Regards,

Debi

That is the lens that came with my kit??

EF-S18-55mm f/3.5 -5.6 II

I'm confused?

Rob Ainscough said:

That is the lens that came with my kit??

EF-S18-55mm f/3.5 -5.6 II

I'm confused?

Click to expand...

No,....the IS version didn't come with the kit. These are two separate lenses although they are both 18-55 f3.5-5.6. One has IS, upgraded internal design and is much better overall for only $35 more....

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Regards,
Hank



cross-train and have your resume updated...the writing's on the wall