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Beginner looking for some opinions regarding lenses

Started Aug 10, 2017 | Discussions
kontini
kontini New Member • Posts: 5
Beginner looking for some opinions regarding lenses

Hi everyone, I have been looking into buying my first DSLR, a Canon 77D (I have been shooting with the Canon 5GX) and after researching on the forums, i have seen much advices for "first lens kit" regarding some Canon kit lenses 55-250mm, 18-135mm and the 55mm which were the ones I have been looking at and i was thinking about getting the first option bellow:

The 1st option would be Canon 55-250mm IST+ 18-55mm lenses

The 2nd option only the Canon 18-135mm IST.

However, my husband has a Canon 5D Mark II which he bought a while ago (didnt go deep into learning since he was interested in videography) and it has 2 great lenses which I am planning use with the 77D. The lenses are the canon 50mm 1:1.4 (which i know its a portrait lens, not sure if its a prime one) and the canon 16-35mm 1:2.8 L .

Considering that i already have the Canon 50mm 1:1.4 and Canon 16-35mm, which kit lenses (55-250mm, 18-135mm or 18-55mm) would be my best option? Which option would be my best choice? I am interested into taking photography more serious and maybe later in future try to work with it.

Canon EF 16-35mm F2.8L USM Canon EF 50mm F1.4 USM Canon EOS 5D Mark II Canon EOS 77D / EOS 9000D
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Jura S Senior Member • Posts: 1,980
Re: Beginner looking for some opinions regarding lenses

kontini wrote:

Hi everyone, I have been looking into buying my first DSLR, a Canon 77D (I have been shooting with the Canon 5GX) and after researching on the forums, i have seen much advices for "first lens kit" regarding some Canon kit lenses 55-250mm, 18-135mm and the 55mm which were the ones I have been looking at and i was thinking about getting the first option bellow:

The 1st option would be Canon 55-250mm IST+ 18-55mm lenses

The 2nd option only the Canon 18-135mm IST.

However, my husband has a Canon 5D Mark II which he bought a while ago (didnt go deep into learning since he was interested in videography) and it has 2 great lenses which I am planning use with the 77D. The lenses are the canon 50mm 1:1.4 (which i know its a portrait lens, not sure if its a prime one) and the canon 16-35mm 1:2.8 L .

Considering that i already have the Canon 50mm 1:1.4 and Canon 16-35mm, which kit lenses (55-250mm, 18-135mm or 18-55mm) would be my best option? Which option would be my best choice? I am interested into taking photography more serious and maybe later in future try to work with it.

I would go with 18-135 or/and 55-250 for general use.

16-35/2.8 is nothing special on crop camera. 50/1.4 could be nice. Folks have a lot of diverse experiences with it.

100/2.0 USM could be relatively affordable option for more demanding photography.

BAK Forum Pro • Posts: 26,020
Re: Beginner looking for some opinions regarding lenses
1

Buy the Canon 18 - 135 lens that comes in a kit with the 77D.

Use the 50mm lens. "Prime" means it only has one focal length, as distinguished from being a zoom. So, it is a prime.

Do not buy any other lenses until you get used to your new 18 - 135 and your husband's lenses.

BAK

gavin
gavin Veteran Member • Posts: 8,242
Re: Beginner looking for some opinions regarding lenses

Either get the all in one or get the tele zoom. The 16-35 is OK for normal zoom range on APS-C camera like 77D. Take a lot of photos and you will start to say I wish I can take that shot which will point to a real lens need.

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rxb dc Senior Member • Posts: 2,104
Re: Beginner looking for some opinions regarding lenses
1

BAK wrote:

Buy the Canon 18 - 135 lens that comes in a kit with the 77D.

Use the 50mm lens. "Prime" means it only has one focal length, as distinguished from being a zoom. So, it is a prime.

Do not buy any other lenses until you get used to your new 18 - 135 and your husband's lenses.

BAK

+1 for 18-135. A single  lens that covers 95% of what you are likely to need and much better than changing lenses, and having the wrong one on when the moment occurs

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kontini
OP kontini New Member • Posts: 5
Re: Beginner looking for some opinions regarding lenses

Thank you for all the replies.

When you say "All in one" lens you are refereeing to the 18-135mm?

Can you tell a bit more what would be the mean difference when shooting with the 55-200mm?

kontini
OP kontini New Member • Posts: 5
Re: Beginner looking for some opinions regarding lenses

That sounds great!!

Thank you all, I understand your point. I guess i will stick to the 18-135mmm then!

BAK Forum Pro • Posts: 26,020
Re: Beginner looking for some opinions regarding lenses

The 18 -135 is a general purpose moderate lens, from reasonable wide angle (the 18) to reasonable moderate telephoto (the 135)

The 55 - 250 is a telephoto zoom, starting off at a moderate telephoto setting (55) and extending to a long telephoto setting (250)

Both lenses have a 55mm setting, and this nicely fills the frame with a head and shoulder picture from about four feet away.

BAK

gavin
gavin Veteran Member • Posts: 8,242
Re: Beginner looking for some opinions regarding lenses

2 things. The bigger the zoom range the lower the image quality is as you have to compromise more and more. So all in one like 18-135 etc generally have Ok image quality. If you use the 55-200 then the image is better but you have to change lens and also to carry the lens around to be changed. Also generally shorter zoom and primes can be faster than a wide range zoom lens. So if you say going on a trip and want only one lens then the all in one is a good choice. If you are going to take sports photo then the 55-200 is all you need and you probably need faster lens to stop the aciton.

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kontini
OP kontini New Member • Posts: 5
Re: Beginner looking for some opinions regarding lenses

That was a great explanation BAK, and very easy to understand, thanks a lot!

kontini
OP kontini New Member • Posts: 5
Re: Beginner looking for some opinions regarding lenses

Thank you Garwin, i find the 18-135 will be a great choice to my needs, specially when  traveling.

gavin
gavin Veteran Member • Posts: 8,242
Re: Beginner looking for some opinions regarding lenses
1

Good starting point. I really do suggest you take photos for a while. You will see when your lens/camera cannot do what you want and it will be obvious what you need as its a a specific thing. your real needs depends on what kind of photos you like to take.

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