"Good" Versatile 10D Lens For A Learning Amateur?

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Hi All,

I currently own a P&S 3.4 MP Sony camera, however I'm becoming frustrated with the lack of flexibility that a P&S provides. I've been doing some rather extensive research on the 10D, and for the price, it looks like it would allow me to do everything that I want.

As my subject suggests, I know very little about the technical aspects of photography (I'm reading up on it now!), and so I am unsure what a "good" versatile lens would be for a 10D. It should also be noted that I've never owned an SLR camera before.

Would you please help me out?

I'm most interested in shooting landscapes, animals, and some candids.

Since I'm still learning, I wasn't sure if I "need" to spend $1500 on a new lens, or if I can get nice pics with something in the $500-$750 range.

Any help that you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks a lot!

-Keith

suggestions, but mine is the 28-135mm IS :

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh4/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=149629&is=USA

Jim Dawson

Keith said:

--
Hi All,

I currently own a P&S 3.4 MP Sony camera, however I'm becoming
frustrated with the lack of flexibility that a P&S provides. I've
been doing some rather extensive research on the 10D, and for the
price, it looks like it would allow me to do everything that I want.

As my subject suggests, I know very little about the technical
aspects of photography (I'm reading up on it now!), and so I am
unsure what a "good" versatile lens would be for a 10D. It should
also be noted that I've never owned an SLR camera before.

Would you please help me out?

I'm most interested in shooting landscapes, animals, and some candids.

Since I'm still learning, I wasn't sure if I "need" to spend $1500
on a new lens, or if I can get nice pics with something in the
$500-$750 range.

Any help that you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks a lot!

-Keith

Click to expand...

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Canon 1D & Optio S

It's a wonderful all-around lens in my opinion. It's light, takes great pics, nice contrast, sharp, has the almost-miraculous image-stabilization feature.

This lens is on my 10d probably 90% of the time.

The only downsides are it isn't really wide-angle (28 turns into about 45mm equivalent), and the reach can be limiting (135 turns into about 210mm) for some animal shots (birds for example).

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http://www.pbase.com/stevegrillo , Equipment on profile page

I reccomend the following:
get the 28-135 IS a very good lens for the price and also get the 50/1.8.

These two lenses will give you the best flexability versus quality for the price.

You will eventually want to either go long or short based on the photography you like and can then get an appropriate lens for your style. Mine being eccletic, I went in both directions originally with the 75-300 IS, but lately using the 100-400L IS and in the wide angle I had to get the 16-35, since the 17-40 did not exist at the time. I actually prefer the 16-35 since I mainly use it indoors and the f2.8 gives me just that touch more flexability in room light.

I currently plan on getting the 24-70/2.8 and 70-200/2.8 IS mainly for better low light capabilities, but have held off since I don't really need them with the 16-35 and 50/1.4 available to me.

Primes are also a way to go and you could just go up or down as needed one lens at a time as you can afford them.

Just my opinion,

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Quality is in the setup, Quantity ensures one good shot.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh2/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=129189&is=GREY

$280 from BH, a reputable dealer. This lens has USM, is compact, and will serve you well, as it is decently wide on the short end, and decently long on the tele end. Furthermore, it is pretty inexpensive yet not of shoddy build.