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Archive 2011 · headed backwards

jasonpatrick
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · headed backwards

So I started getting into serious photography about 18 months ago. I've gone through a lot of lenses. Some several times...mostly because if you keep your eyes open you can pick them up cheap and then sell them for market price and pocket a few bucks.

I've always shot with a crop camera, and that's not going to change for now. At one point I had the Canon EF-S 17-55, the 70-200 f/4 and the 50mm 1.4...I thought I had the perfect set up.

Now I'm shooting with the EF-s 10-22, sigma's 30mm 1.4, a manual focus 50mm 1.4 with an adapter and a 55-250mm telephoto...

The telephoto is the one that really surprised me. I sold it to free up money to buy plane tickets that went on sale thinking I'd replace it in a few weeks, but I picked up the 55-250 for $150.00...and I don't think I'm going back to the L. I plan on picking up another copy of the 18-55 for versatility when the 30mm 1.4 won't due (more for outdoor parties I'm thinking). I never in a million years thought that I would be back to my original kit lens and the entry level telephoto lens...Anyone else out there finding something similar?

Or am I really crazy?

Jul 01, 2011 at 09:55 AM

GC5
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · headed backwards

If the 55-250 would have fit my 5d2, I'd probably still have it. I do love the 70-200 f4IS (and it is better than the 250), but having that extra $900 would have been nice.

Jul 01, 2011 at 10:16 AM

jasonpatrick
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · headed backwards

Yeah, there's no doubt that the 70-200's are the better lenses...but it's not porportinately better. The 70-200 isn't 3x better of a lens than the 55-250mm, but it is 3x the price.

It's a small thing, but the 70-200 wouldn't fit in my camera bag either. I had to cary it seperately. Weird how little things like that actually end up mattering a bit. I guess I could have gotten a different bag, but I really like mine!

Jul 01, 2011 at 10:28 AM

adamrose13
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · headed backwards

the newer 18-55 and 55-250 setup is really the diamonds in the rough. i dont think you can really beat them at their price point.

ultimately the 70-200 is going to be optically better but the 55-250 really is a nice lens.

OTOH, the 17-55 really is much better than the 18-55, but if you are outside with nice lighting you really arent going to notice much a difference. Inside, low light is where it really shines.

Jul 01, 2011 at 12:41 PM

adamrose13
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · headed backwards

jasonpatrick wrote:
Yeah, there's no doubt that the 70-200's are the better lenses...but it's not porportinately better. The 70-200 isn't 3x better of a lens than the 55-250mm, but it is 3x the price.

It's a small thing, but the 70-200 wouldn't fit in my camera bag either. I had to cary it seperately. Weird how little things like that actually end up mattering a bit. I guess I could have gotten a different bag, but I really like mine!

agreed, neither lenses are proportionately better from a cost stand point.

Jul 01, 2011 at 12:43 PM

kakomu
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · headed backwards

I guess I sort of "regressed". I had a 5D for a bit and really liked it, but ultimately opted for a 60D in order to have at the consumer lenses.

Namely, I had a 17-40 F/4L for my 5D that I ultimately sold because I couldn't rationalize the cost. Eventually, I picked up a 60D and a Tokina 12-24 for my UWA wants.

Jul 01, 2011 at 12:59 PM

stebesplace
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · headed backwards

I had a 10D, solid it for a D80, then went to a 5D (back to Canon), with a 50 1.8, 24-105L, and then sold the 5D, and those two lenses to get a 1D Mark II, 70-200 2.8 IS II, and a 28 1.8. In the next few months I'll sell the 28 1.8 for a 16-35 2.8 II, and honestly, will stick with those two lenses for awhile unless I need a low light prime.

Jul 01, 2011 at 04:14 PM

scalesusa
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · headed backwards

You generally pay a high price for very little IQ improvement. You are paying for the durable costruction, a wider aperture, and better edges / corners. I think a low cost lens can do very well in the hands of someone who works within its limitations and takes advantage of its strengths.

Jul 01, 2011 at 04:24 PM

TeamSpeed
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · headed backwards

You pay quite a bit to be able to lower your ISO with a faster lens. Otherwise you either restrict your shooting to great/good lighting with a low cost zoom that is slow but has great IQ (like the 55-250), or you move to a camera that handles higher ISOs really well.

I would love to replace my 50-500 OS for something faster, but yikes, I have to move to something several thousand more to do that. So I just have to make due for now using ISO 6400 and 12800.

50-500 on the 1D4

55-250 on the 7D

Jul 01, 2011 at 07:22 PM

CW100
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · headed backwards

jasonpatrick wrote:
Now I'm shooting with the EF-s 10-22, sigma's 30mm 1.4, a manual focus 50mm 1.4 with an adapter and a 55-250mm telephoto...

The telephoto is the one that really surprised me. I sold it to free up money to buy plane tickets that went on sale thinking I'd replace it in a few weeks, but I picked up the 55-250 for $150.00...and I don't think I'm going back to the L. I plan on picking up another copy of the 18-55 for versatility when the 30mm 1.4 won't due (more for outdoor parties I'm thinking). I never in a million years...Show more →

you are not crazy!
The cheap 55-250IS and 18-555IS were designed for crop models and are sharper than many more expensive lens on a crop. Now if Canon only sold an F2.8 zoom or 400mm lens for $150
But not to worry, at a few more bucks Tamron and Sigma fit the bill

Jul 02, 2011 at 07:57 AM

jasonpatrick
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · headed backwards

I think I got a bit too wrapped up in my gear and not making photos...You know you're starting to loose your mind when you take more pictures to test the quality/sharpness of your different lenses then you do just making photos. I bump the in camera saturation when I'm using the 55-250, but that's about it. Do a little clean-up in pp and I've been super happy.

Jul 03, 2011 at 05:33 PM

retrofocus
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · headed backwards

Pretty much the opposite - lenses which I bought I still keep and use to this date (exemption is the 18-55 kit lens which I no longer use). Heading backwards only for some used version I of excellent lenses like the 24 TS/E or 2x I teleconverter which are fully sufficent for me.

Jul 03, 2011 at 07:05 PM

CSX700
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · headed backwards

I managed to pickup a used 55-250 IS for $100 (marked $125 but there was a $25 discount on all purchases over $100) from my local camera store and am very impressed with its performance. Its a really sharp lens, even wide open. I bought the lens because it can fit through small openings such as in a chainlink fence or during other situations where I don't want to use my 70-200 F2.8 IS. I've come to find myself using the 55-250 in a lot of places that I would use the 70-200 just because of its smaller size.

Jul 03, 2011 at 10:05 PM

timpdx
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · headed backwards

Its a surprising piece of glass. The only time I have been disappointed with it has been in lower light situations at like 1/60 and slower where I think the IS is a let down. When I travel, the 55-250 is my go to lens despite owning supposedly better glass. Its small light and delivers great IQ in good light situations and if got stolen or damaged on the road I would not be heartbroken. It is very high on the price to performance curve. You have to pay alot more to get marginally little more performance. I would only hesitate if I had to use this lens hand held in low light regularly.

I also got mine for about 150 and can't bring myself to sell it.

Oh, and I see you use the Sigma 30 1.4, now that is a lens that I do sort of regret selling despite owning a 24l. Sigma really delivered with their 30.

Jul 03, 2011 at 10:32 PM

cputeq
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · headed backwards

I'm downsizing too, but I don't know if I'd call it regressing

More of a lateral shot.

5D2 with 24-105 kit to D7000 with 17-55. I really, really do like the 5D2 combo, except I find myself grabbing my wife's D90 with 35 f/1.8 more often...I dunno, I guess I like that size of camera, as it lets me blend into crowds more often and not be so obvious.

I'm more of a fan of Nikon's croppers than Canon's (unless we're talking 1.3 crops, but they're again a bit big), hence the trade over. Frankly, though, I don't think I'll really miss that much, things will just be a bit different, mostly smaller and lighter.

I never thought I'd come to this day, being concerned with weight, but when my hobby starts feeling more like a job, it's time to lighten the load

Jul 03, 2011 at 11:13 PM

CW100
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · headed backwards

CSX700 wrote:
I managed to pickup a used 55-250 IS for $100 (marked $125 but there was a $25 discount on all purchases over $100) from my local camera store and am very impressed with its performance. Its a really sharp lens, even wide open. I bought the lens because it can fit through small openings such as in a chainlink fence or during other situations where I don't want to use my 70-200 F2.8 IS. I've come to find myself using the 55-250 in a lot of places that I would use the 70-200 just because of its smaller size.

the $100 55-250IS is pocket size !

Jul 04, 2011 at 04:30 PM


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