EOS450D Lens Choice

Hi

I'm a complete novice, but am thinking about buying a Canon 450D as a first DSLR. My question is, I've noticed that the standard lens supplied with this camera (EFS 18-55) doesn't get the best reviews. I've noticed that I could buy a Sigma 18-50mm f/3.5-5.6 DC for not much more than the standard lens. Can the experts among you comment on whether this would be a good idea?!

Thanks for your help!

Tim

If you're a complete novice then I say just get the kit lens because spending a load extra on a fancy lens won't automatically get you better pictures - you've got to learn how to use it. The newer kit lens, the one with IS (image stabilisation) is a much better lens than the old kit lens that came with the 400D which was widely slated.

People are quick to blame their lenses and their cameras for average looking pictures when in truth it's not knowing how to use the camera and knowing nothing about composition that are the main handicaps. Spending hundreds of pounds/dollars on a fancy lens will not necessarily get you stunning pictures. Sure there's better lenses than the kit lens, but why not make your mistakes with it and then when you know what you are doing, get a good lens. IMO the Canon kit lens (the one with IS) is good value for money when bought as a kit. You can frequently get deals where it's hardly any more than buying the camera body alone.

Thanks for your help Matt. I've realised since I posted, that the lens I was talking about, doesn't have IS . . so your advice sounds good!

Tim

The EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM is an excellent upgrade from the kit lens. Better optics, better image stabilization and better reach.

--
Jeff Lynch
Serious Amateur Photography
http://jefflynchdev.wordpress.com

Timbonbd said:

Hi

I'm a complete novice, but am thinking about buying a Canon 450D as a
first DSLR. My question is, I've noticed that the standard lens
supplied with this camera (EFS 18-55) doesn't get the best reviews.
I've noticed that I could buy a Sigma 18-50mm f/3.5-5.6 DC for not
much more than the standard lens. Can the experts among you comment
on whether this would be a good idea?!

Thanks for your help!

Tim

Click to expand...

from what I've read the two kit lens with the XSi 18-55 and 55-250 get good comments and reviews

--
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I like 17-40 f/4 USM L
--
Feel free to visit my photo sites:
http://tom.st , http://www.foto.tom.st ,
http://pixel-peeping-tom.deviantart.com

Just to reinforce that, the 18-55mm IS is a quite good kit lens. Just don't shoot it wide open. I use mine a lot and I have several lenses.

Timbonbd said:

Thanks for your help Matt. I've realised since I posted, that the
lens I was talking about, doesn't have IS . . so your advice sounds
good!

Tim

Click to expand...

I have both and like an use both. I have other lenses, but I started with those two and would suggest anyone do the same if $ mean anything to them.

bw100 said:

from what I've read the two kit lens with the XSi 18-55 and 55-250
get good comments and reviews

Click to expand...

I upgraded from my old kit lens to the 17-85 IS and was quite disappointed. it did not appear to be that much of an improvement given the significant increase in price. The 10-22 mm and the 70-200 f4 L which I have also purchased are wonderful lenses, well worth their prices. I rely on others to tell you what choice to make in terms of standard zoom. You should also check out the Canon SLR lens forum.

As another newbie 450D user I think this is great advice. I feel right now as I did when I bought my G7 compact - that was itself a huge step up from a basic point and shoot and it took a few weeks of experimentation to achieve the better captures. I'll be using the kit lens (and possibly the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS after my impending birthday) for a while yet.

I did notice yesterday, when comparing my new dSLR with my more experienced brother-in-law's, just how much larger and heavier his lens was to mine (different camera but same range) and how it allowed more light into the camera - faster lens. Hugely more expensive too of course.

--
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A Druid is for Life, not just for Solstice...

seri_art said:

Just to reinforce that, the 18-55mm IS is a quite good kit lens. Just
don't shoot it wide open. I use mine a lot and I have several lenses.

Click to expand...

I have checked four different copies of the 18-55IS. All four of them have very good sharpness wide open (when considering the price I would say excellent sharpness). Problem is you will only get optimum sharpness full open with the 450D when you use manual focus with Liveview (or contrast-AF, depending on situation).

Probably there is variation in kit zoom optical quality because of its lowcost mechanical construction, but I think most complaints regarding image quality full open are the result of faulty AF.

the 17-85 has better zoom range and better mechanical quality, but certainly not better image quality than the 18-55IS. The 17-85 is only better when you compare with the old non-IS version of the 18-55.

Of course it depends on what you are shooting but I cannot recommend the 50mm 1.4 USM highly enough.

Excellent image quality if you can live with the restriction that comes with shooting with a prime lens.

I'm glad for you that you've had good results using the kit lens wide open. I don't know what it was that caused my tests to be soft wide open, but it sure happened.

technic said:

seri_art said:

Just to reinforce that, the 18-55mm IS is a quite good kit lens. Just
don't shoot it wide open. I use mine a lot and I have several lenses.

Click to expand...

I have checked four different copies of the 18-55IS. All four of them
have very good sharpness wide open (when considering the price I
would say excellent sharpness). Problem is you will only get optimum
sharpness full open with the 450D when you use manual focus with
Liveview (or contrast-AF, depending on situation).
Probably there is variation in kit zoom optical quality because of
its lowcost mechanical construction, but I think most complaints
regarding image quality full open are the result of faulty AF.

Click to expand...