Lens selection for 350D digital SLR newcomers

[Phil King]

I've been a big fan of the Canon G-series and have kept hold of my G3 for now, waiting for this day when the successor to the 300D is announced.

My question is, which lenses would you go for if like me you have none to start with?

My preference would be to get a 16-55 and 55-200mm or something similar.

Any advice ?
--
Phil

 

[James_W]

not surprisingly, you'll get the same recommendations as someone with a 300D. it all depends on what you'll shoot and what your budget is. you can't go wrong with a canon 50mm 1.8 and a sigma 70-300mm apo though as good bargain lenses go

-----------------------------------------------
http://www.pbase.com/jiiimmyw

'One should really use the camera as though tomorrow you'd be stricken blind' - Dorothea Lange

 

[Sarkis]

It is depend of your budget.

17-40 f4L + 70-200 f4L + 50mm f1.8 is the best choice but you have to pay around $1300 but if you have money you will not regret.

I've been a big fan of the Canon G-series and have kept hold of my
G3 for now, waiting for this day when the successor to the 300D is
announced.

My question is, which lenses would you go for if like me you have
none to start with?

My preference would be to get a 16-55 and 55-200mm or something
similar.

Any advice ?
--
Phil

--
Sarkis
http://www.pbase.com/sbagdasa

 

[MarcosV]

If you got the bucks, I would go for a 17-85 IS. Covers the popular focal lengths, has IS, and makes a good single walk-around lens option.

Here's one review on it's utility:
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/20d-location.shtml

If you rather not spend that kind of money, Consider a combo of:

• Sigma 18-125 (start with this one)
• 50/1.8
• Sigma 75-300 APO

Two of the biggest questions you need to answer for yourself with DSLR are:

• how willing are you to lug a camera bag around with your lens? Or put another way: how many different camera bags do you need to buy to suite all situations where you are bringing your DSLR?

• for the kind of shooting you do, will changing out lens be an issue? Changing lens takes time and you may have to be concerned about accidentally letting stuff get in the camera (e.g., I wouldn't change lens outside in a breeze with stuff flying around)

I've gone through a bunch of consumer lens and personally found the 17-85 IS to be on my camera 80 to 90% of the time. For focal lengths that Sigma 18-125 is also handy. The kit lens is the cheapest starting lens at $100, but, you might want a bit more reach.

I've been a big fan of the Canon G-series and have kept hold of my
G3 for now, waiting for this day when the successor to the 300D is
announced.

My question is, which lenses would you go for if like me you have
none to start with?

My preference would be to get a 16-55 and 55-200mm or something
similar.

Any advice ?
--
Phil

 

[JAL]

or anything comparable from canon

I've been a big fan of the Canon G-series and have kept hold of my
G3 for now, waiting for this day when the successor to the 300D is
announced.

My question is, which lenses would you go for if like me you have
none to start with?

My preference would be to get a 16-55 and 55-200mm or something
similar.

Any advice ?
--
Phil

 

[bullet1]

I've been a big fan of the Canon G-series and have kept hold of my
G3 for now, waiting for this day when the successor to the 300D is
announced.

My question is, which lenses would you go for if like me you have
none to start with?

My preference would be to get a 16-55 and 55-200mm or something
similar.

Any advice ?
--
Phil

would be my recommendation to see what is like shooting with a DSLR.

It will be a steep learning curve for anyone who came from the fixed lens (P&S) world. It would even post challenges for ex manual focus film SLR users as the AF has changed so much.

After 3 months with the kit lens, you will know what to get next. Don't jump in and spend $1000-$3000 just to have the L glass right at the beginning unless you have a lot of experience with latest Canon EOS film cameras. But in the end, I can honestly say, the L glass makes big difference. You can see my equipment list by clicking on my profile.
--
Nelson

 

[Phil King]

I like the idea of a "walk-around" lens! The 17-85mm is a similar range to my G3 as well.

When I had my old EOS 600 series film camera I had Canon 28-70mm and 70-210mm which was a pretty good combination. With the digital SLR 1.6x multiplier I guess the longer lengths are easier to come by.

I'm interested that people have mentioned a 50mm lens. Why, if you have at 28-70mm?

I walk a lot, so I was thinking of getting one of those Lowepro rucksacks. Swapping lenses doesn't bother me that much, but I suspect the 17-85mm would be on the camera most of the time.

I'm also into macro, so the new lens announced today looks a possibility, but probably after my bank account has had chance to recover from the 350D and main lens(es).

Thanks!

Phil

Here's one review on it's utility:
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/20d-location.shtml

If you rather not spend that kind of money, Consider a combo of:

• Sigma 18-125 (start with this one)
• 50/1.8
• Sigma 75-300 APO

Two of the biggest questions you need to answer for yourself with
DSLR are:

• how willing are you to lug a camera bag around with your lens? Or

put another way: how many different camera bags do you need to buy
to suite all situations where you are bringing your DSLR?

• for the kind of shooting you do, will changing out lens be an

issue? Changing lens takes time and you may have to be concerned
about accidentally letting stuff get in the camera (e.g., I
wouldn't change lens outside in a breeze with stuff flying around)

I've gone through a bunch of consumer lens and personally found the
17-85 IS to be on my camera 80 to 90% of the time. For focal
lengths that Sigma 18-125 is also handy. The kit lens is the
cheapest starting lens at $100, but, you might want a bit more
reach.

I've been a big fan of the Canon G-series and have kept hold of my
G3 for now, waiting for this day when the successor to the 300D is
announced.

My question is, which lenses would you go for if like me you have
none to start with?

My preference would be to get a 16-55 and 55-200mm or something
similar.

Any advice ?
--
Phil

--
Phil

 

[Rick_Francis]

I'm interested that people have mentioned a 50mm lens. Why, if you
have at 28-70mm?

The 50mm does low light very well because it has a larger maximum aperture. There are two versions, a 1.8 for ~$70 and 1.4 for around $300. I have the 1.8 and it is a very nice lens. It is also very sharp, especially 2.5. 1.8 also gives a really shallow depth of field- which can be a great effect for portraits.

The down side is that it does not zoom- so it is not as flexible for framing, unless you can move thus the phrase "zooming with your feet". Also a narrow DOF can be difficult to work with. As an example you have to be careful focusing on a face because if you focus on the nose the eyes are far enough away to not be sharp at 1.8! I find 2.8 is a lot more forgiving.

Note that if you get an IS lens it will help with low light for camera shake but not for subject motion!

-Rick Francis

 

[MarcosV]

When I bought my Elan IIe, the 28-105 was my walk around lens. It was really close to perfection without resorting to those uber zooms that go 28-300 with worse optical issues. It also wasn't that expensive.

I like the 35mm film equivalent of 28mm to 105/135mm focal range in my walk around lens. With the DRebel, the kit lens has the short end covered, but, it was a bit too short for me at the long end.

The Sigma 18-125 has the range and is nicely price. However, it doesn't have IS which I also learned to love when I bought a 28-135 IS. Some people have brought up focusing and build issues with a few copies of this lens. If it was my only lens, I would personally consider buying it locally so that I can easily troubleshoot problems and swap it if I get unlucky. With Canon glass, at least I have the option of shipping everything to Canon to troubleshoot.

I think the time to consider a 17-85 IS is when you are just starting out.

Consider the 20D price points:

• 20D body only $1500
• 20D w/ kit lens $1600
• 20D w/ 17-85 IS $2000 (saves $100 on the 17-85 IS usual price)

• Sigma 18-125 $270

Let's assume that Canon offers a DRebel XT w/ 17-85 IS at a similar price point (e.g., $1500). Then the 17-85 IS is "only" $230 more than the Sigma (i.e., a bit less than doubling the price for the IS technology). I'm personally not too concerned about the shorter reach of the 17-85 given my previous experience.

Buying the 17-85 IS afterwards makes less financial sense. You pay an extra $100 for it ($600) and "waste" the value of the lens you bought iniitally (e.g., $100 for kit lens; $270 for Sigma 18-125). Physhologically that's harder to do, especially with L glass starting at $600 for a 70-200/4L and $680 for a 17-40/4L. (I don't recommend starting with L glass because you may not know if it'll make a good walk around lens for you).

The 50/1.8 at $70 is the lens you buy later when you happen to have $80 lying around and you want to buy some inexpensive bling! It's a real gem and helps you appreciate the joy of fast glass and shallow depth of field.

• Marcos

I like the idea of a "walk-around" lens! The 17-85mm is a similar
range to my G3 as well.

When I had my old EOS 600 series film camera I had Canon 28-70mm
and 70-210mm which was a pretty good combination. With the digital
SLR 1.6x multiplier I guess the longer lengths are easier to come
by.

I'm interested that people have mentioned a 50mm lens. Why, if you
have at 28-70mm?

I walk a lot, so I was thinking of getting one of those Lowepro
rucksacks. Swapping lenses doesn't bother me that much, but I
suspect the 17-85mm would be on the camera most of the time.

I'm also into macro, so the new lens announced today looks a
possibility, but probably after my bank account has had chance to
recover from the 350D and main lens(es).

Thanks!

Phil

 

[BazzaTron]

I sold my G3 in December and bought a 300d. Don't accept any less than £240 for your G3 - they're great cameras!

Start with the kit 18-55 lens - get a 55-200 or 70-300 for a bit of fun - you can always sell it on later (keep the box!) for very little loss.

Canon 55-200 has some admirers.
Sigma 70-300 APO II has its fans too.

I would say it doesn't matter what camera you get (300d, 20d, 350d) as long as you get it for a good price. This kind of camera, if well looked after and you keep the box + manuals etc will hold its resale value very well.

The 18-55 is really as wide as you're going to get without getting a fisheye lens. Most people seem keen on zooms anyway.

As others have advised, I would really wait before spending huge amounts on lenses. I recently bought a cheap Canon 75-300 and initially was not happy with it, however I think I've now learned to use it properly and I'm much happier.

I've been a big fan of the Canon G-series and have kept hold of my
G3 for now, waiting for this day when the successor to the 300D is
announced.

My question is, which lenses would you go for if like me you have
none to start with?

My preference would be to get a 16-55 and 55-200mm or something
similar.

Any advice ?
--
Phil

==========================
Barry, http://www.jarnell.com/home.htm

 

[Phil King]

That's a great start to what I think will be a nice research project which will take me up to the time the 350D is available. Thanks a lot!

Time to search out some UK pricing.

Phil

 

[deecy//]

--A comment and a question:

Comment: Why scare new SLR users with nonsense about "a very steep learning curve" on switching from P&S to an SLR? Some make it sound like a young surgeon going into the O.R. for the first time! It's just another camera; you look thru the finder, compose the shot, rotate the focus ring and shoot. All the rest you can learn by reading the manual, and a little trial and error. With digital cams there isn't even any film wasted.
Question:

Do most/all very long SLR lenses have image stabilization? Otherwise, how are they of any real use off the tripod?

Thanks and God bless,
deecy//

 

[Jc.graas]

I also enjoy a G3 and I started recently my selection process for a digital SLR like the Canon 350D or a future (?) Olympus E-3.
In the Canon offering, I was considering a set of 3 zooms :
11-22 + 24-70 + 70-200
What do you think about this combination?

--A comment and a question:
Comment: Why scare new SLR users with nonsense about "a very steep
learning curve" on switching from P&S to an SLR? Some make it sound
like a young surgeon going into the O.R. for the first time! It's
just another camera; you look thru the finder, compose the shot,
rotate the focus ring and shoot. All the rest you can learn by
reading the manual, and a little trial and error. With digital cams
there isn't even any film wasted.
Question:
Do most/all very long SLR lenses have image stabilization?
Otherwise, how are they of any real use off the tripod?

Thanks and God bless,
deecy//

--
JC.Graas

 

[Lani Kai]

Question:
Do most/all very long SLR lenses have image stabilization?
Otherwise, how are they of any real use off the tripod?

Thanks and God bless,
deecy//

Well, for one thing, if you have a "very long" lens you'll probably want a tripod anyway; even with IS things can get blurry, and obviously, big lenses can get heavy (I don't know exactly how long is "very long").

If you consider all brands, then most SLR lenses do not have image stabilization. As for Canon, for all zoom and prime lenses that are capable of at least 300mm, maybe half or so have IS.

 

[Tomas Cermak180060]

Both have 18-200 mm. It seems like good idea. You don't need to change lenses so often = no dust in sensor. Of course, the lens quality will be a little down but not bad at all.

I've been a big fan of the Canon G-series and have kept hold of my
G3 for now, waiting for this day when the successor to the 300D is
announced.

My question is, which lenses would you go for if like me you have
none to start with?

My preference would be to get a 16-55 and 55-200mm or something
similar.

Any advice ?
--
Phil

--
Pictures from Japan: http://www.pbase.com/tomas_cermak

 

[pixelbender]

The following is my recommendation, a variation of what I did:

1) Read the camera manual.

2) Read the camera manual again.

3) Buy the book "Understanding Exposure" and read it ASAP - look on Amazon - $17

4) Order a 1GB CF card - $70 Order a flash card reader (USB 2 or firewire if your comp supports it) - $20-40 depending which one Get on eBay and order 1 or 2 batteries (off brand, higher capacity) - $15-20 (I got 2 for $20 shipped)

5) Read Understanding Exposure, then shoot A LOT with manual mode and the creative modes with the kit lens. Do ALL that you can. It may not be the best quality persay, but in reality printing anything 16x20 or smaller you won't know that much, and you really just need the practice.
6a) If you want to buy a lens - buy the Canon 50mm 1.8 - $75

6b) If you want to buy a lens - buy the Sigma 18-125 - $250 6a and 6b may be interchangeable depending on your needs
7) Sell the kit lens - $70 approx IN YOUR POCKET

8) Buy the Sigma 70-300 APO Super II for telephoto and good macro shots - $180

9) Buy the Sigma Super DG 500 flash (if you ever use flash, even a little, this is vital) - $200

Buy a good camera bag somewhere in there. I bought a Lowepro bag for about $70. Also, you'll probably need/want a tripod. You'll have to ask others on this. I've sufficed witha POS - but will spend $250 on one soon. These can range $125-$500 depending on what you want.

PLEASE NOTE: At any time substiute a better lens if you can afford it. This was what I've purchased to have decent glass for as little as possible, which covers 18-300mm, macro, and low light shooting.

My .02 (WOW I've spent $800 in addition to my camera, and I don't even have a tripod to show for it! This sure gets expensive fast!)
--
pixelbender
http://www.brianmueller.com

 

[EJN]

I like the idea of a "walk-around" lens! The 17-85mm is a similar
range to my G3 as well.

I used a Pentax *ist last year and bought it as I had chance to get it with , not a kit-lens, but a genuine Pentax 24-90. The nitty-gritty ....that range (or the near enough 17-85) is VERY nice for general starters and I think you can put off other lenses for quite awhile

I'm interested that people have mentioned a 50mm lens. Why, if you
have at 28-70mm?

Simple reason I suppose is the 50mm 1.8 is absolutely dirt cheap ...but is one of the best you can buy , by a vast number of people's statements

Thanks!

Phil

To put it just a little in perpespective .. maybe you don't recall .. apologies if I'm wrongly assuming...but in the "good old days" of 35mm film, we bought SLRs for years and just used a 50mm lens and thought nothing of it. 'Zoom with your feet' was one popular expression, but it does apply...you CAN do a lot more than you think with a fairly limited but still comprehensive AND good fixed lens - maybe these days even moreso as lenses have improved. So outlay on a bagful is not immediately required. My own opinion but in your apparent case I think you would find that 17-85 to be excellent choice, and stay with that awhile.

--
ericN

 

[MaxinAus]

Read and understand your post thank you. My questions are about lenses. I see this advertised.
...........

The EOS 300D Enthusiast Kit includes the EOS 300D with Canon 18-55mm zoom, and additional EF 55-200mm lens Plus a Sandisk Ultra 256Mb Memory Card.
Canon 55-200mm USM ZOOM
Compact and lightweight telephoto zoom lens.
Fast AF performance, particularly when attached to EOS 300D.

Optimized lens coating minimising flare and ghosting prone occurring with digital cameras
.............

So that 18 - 55 lens compares to 28 - 90 (35mm film) from what I can work out. What does that make the 55 - 200 ?
I've used SLR's in film for 25 years and now about to go digital SLR .
I find the new digital focal lengths most confusing.
BTW it says the telephoto is USM and I wonder what that means ?
Hope you can help,
Regards,
Max ...

The following is my recommendation, a variation of what I did:

1) Read the camera manual.

2) Read the camera manual again.

3) Buy the book "Understanding Exposure" and read it ASAP - look on
Amazon - $17

4) Order a 1GB CF card - $70 Order a flash card reader (USB 2
or firewire if your comp supports it) - $20-40 depending which one Get on eBay and order 1 or 2 batteries (off brand, higher
capacity) - $15-20 (I got 2 for $20 shipped)

5) Read Understanding Exposure, then shoot A LOT with manual mode
and the creative modes with the kit lens. Do ALL that you can. It
may not be the best quality persay, but in reality printing
anything 16x20 or smaller you won't know that much, and you really
just need the practice.
6a) If you want to buy a lens - buy the Canon 50mm 1.8 - $75

6b) If you want to buy a lens - buy the Sigma 18-125 - $250 6a
and 6b may be interchangeable depending on your needs
7) Sell the kit lens - $70 approx IN YOUR POCKET

8) Buy the Sigma 70-300 APO Super II for telephoto and good macro
shots - $180

9) Buy the Sigma Super DG 500 flash (if you ever use flash, even a
little, this is vital) - $200

Buy a good camera bag somewhere in there. I bought a Lowepro bag
for about $70. Also, you'll probably need/want a tripod. You'll
have to ask others on this. I've sufficed witha POS - but will
spend $250 on one soon. These can range $125-$500 depending on what
you want.

PLEASE NOTE: At any time substiute a better lens if you can
afford it. This was what I've purchased to have decent glass for as
little as possible, which covers 18-300mm, macro, and low light
shooting.

My .02 (WOW I've spent $800 in addition to my camera, and I don't
even have a tripod to show for it! This sure gets expensive fast!)
--
pixelbender
http://www.brianmueller.com

 

[Paul De Bra]

I don't know through which holes it comes, but when I just had the kit lens and never took it off I repeatedly got dust on the sensor. Then I got the Sigma 18-125 and never took it off, and again dust got on the sensor (so I had to take the lens of to clean the sensor). Now I am using several lenses and although I change lenses frequently my frequency of finding dust on the sensor has not increased at all.

I too was hoping to avoid dust by using only one lens. It's a myth. It doesn't work. The camera leaks in several places and most lenses have front and back elements that move and act like a dust pump.

I've been a big fan of the Canon G-series and have kept hold of my
G3 for now, waiting for this day when the successor to the 300D is
announced.

My question is, which lenses would you go for if like me you have
none to start with?

My preference would be to get a 16-55 and 55-200mm or something
similar.

Any advice ?
--
Phil

--
Pictures from Japan: http://www.pbase.com/tomas_cermak

--
Still learning to use the DRebel (only around 10.500 shots)
Public pictures at http://wwwis.win.tue.nl/~debra/photos/

 

[EJN]

I've got another (ortwo) posts floating around here .. not the one in this thread but also elsewere) and as you seem to know a bit about the matter may I ask if you can enlighten me on one important issue ...

I was 'talking' to a good old email friend of mine just a day or two ago about the new 350 (he's had the 300D since nearly day 1 and can't wait for the 350XT)...but I had mentioned to him about the very recent sell by our biggest national chain store here in UK - selling off the old 300 IN BLACK ...but also with the kit-lens in black AND in USM . Now I believe this has not happened in US...kit-lens, in black AND also in USM form...and even Phil in his review seems unable to say whether the USM variety is going to made available as the kit-lens.

But said friend made another interesting comment , from his own knowledge....the Canon EF-S lenses are apparently (is this so) ONLY usable on the 300 (and I suppose 350) - is it the case then, as I see even pre-ads over here are saying the "350 with kit-lens EF-S type".....does that then mean that the lens with the 350D will be no good to anything else ..so you cannot sell it off as I know many have done with the old 300 lens after buying the full kit.
Is this an interesting and subtle change ?

--
ericN



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following is my recommendation, a variation of what I did:

1) Read the camera manual.

2) Read the camera manual again.

3) Buy the book "Understanding Exposure" and read it ASAP - look on
Amazon - $17

4) Order a 1GB CF card - $70 Order a flash card reader (USB 2
or firewire if your comp supports it) - $20-40 depending which one Get on eBay and order 1 or 2 batteries (off brand, higher
capacity) - $15-20 (I got 2 for $20 shipped)

5) Read Understanding Exposure, then shoot A LOT with manual mode
and the creative modes with the kit lens. Do ALL that you can. It
may not be the best quality persay, but in reality printing
anything 16x20 or smaller you won't know that much, and you really
just need the practice.
6a) If you want to buy a lens - buy the Canon 50mm 1.8 - $75

6b) If you want to buy a lens - buy the Sigma 18-125 - $250 6a
and 6b may be interchangeable depending on your needs
7) Sell the kit lens - $70 approx IN YOUR POCKET

8) Buy the Sigma 70-300 APO Super II for telephoto and good macro
shots - $180

9) Buy the Sigma Super DG 500 flash (if you ever use flash, even a
little, this is vital) - $200

Buy a good camera bag somewhere in there. I bought a Lowepro bag
for about $70. Also, you'll probably need/want a tripod. You'll
have to ask others on this. I've sufficed witha POS - but will
spend $250 on one soon. These can range $125-$500 depending on what
you want.

PLEASE NOTE: At any time substiute a better lens if you can
afford it. This was what I've purchased to have decent glass for as
little as possible, which covers 18-300mm, macro, and low light
shooting.

My .02 (WOW I've spent $800 in addition to my camera, and I don't
even have a tripod to show for it! This sure gets expensive fast!)
--
pixelbender
http://www.brianmueller.com