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Archive 2006Here's what lens to buy
p.2 #1Here's what lens to buy
I shot with a 630 and 50 1.4 for 5 or 6 years before getting another lens (Sigma 20 1.8)
Feb 21, 2006 at 01:31 PM
p.2 #2Here's what lens to buy
Excellent post, Todd. I second the Stickie nomination.
Feb 22, 2006 at 01:26 AM
p.2 #3Here's what lens to buy
elader wrote:
How about this:
I am new to the dating scene and I would like some advice about what kind of woman I should marry. She has to like to do what I like to do, watch the same kind of movies, eat the same kind of foods, think similar thoughts, and have a sense of humor I will like. I am in kind of a rush, and since I haven't dated much, can someone please just recommend someone in my price range so I can get married ASAP.
Start by dating cheap sluts and work yourself up to classier, more sophisticated women. At some point, you find what's been lacking...
The lens advice was right on the mark!
How about this:
I am new to the dating scene and I would like some advice about what kind of woman I should marry. She has to like to do what I like to do, watch the same kind of movies, eat the same kind of foods, think similar thoughts, and have a sense of humor I will like. I am in kind of a rush, and since I haven't dated much, can someone please just recommend someone in my price range so I can get married ASAP.
Start by dating cheap sluts and work yourself up to classier, more sophisticated women. At some point, you find what's been lacking...
The lens advice was right on the mark!
Feb 22, 2006 at 09:30 AM
p.2 #4Here's what lens to buy
Great admonishment!
Great reproval!
Good insight!
Experience speaks!
Great reproval!
Good insight!
Experience speaks!
Feb 22, 2006 at 09:46 AM
p.2 #5Here's what lens to buy
Well said! 
I have 5 friends that went into photography with 350d and I always suggested kit lens and 50 1,8.
I have 5 friends that went into photography with 350d and I always suggested kit lens and 50 1,8.
Feb 22, 2006 at 10:51 AM
p.2 #7Here's what lens to buy
Great post. And I like Eric's sense of humour!
However, I think you should only buy one cheapo lens to start with. From there you can figure out what you really want. And when you know that, you should buy a good one.
In Ireland, we often have low light levels, so fast lenses are required for any kind of action at all. I had to figure that out the hard way, and wasted a couple of hundred on a slow lens, and then knew I needed faster. Still, it's a lesson I learned myself, and when its your own money, you think a lot harder about it!
Merv.
However, I think you should only buy one cheapo lens to start with. From there you can figure out what you really want. And when you know that, you should buy a good one.
In Ireland, we often have low light levels, so fast lenses are required for any kind of action at all. I had to figure that out the hard way, and wasted a couple of hundred on a slow lens, and then knew I needed faster. Still, it's a lesson I learned myself, and when its your own money, you think a lot harder about it!
Merv.
Feb 24, 2006 at 11:28 AM
p.2 #8Here's what lens to buy
Well done Todd!
Your thread should be automated as a standard response to all the ppl asking this question!
I wonder why nobody of us thought this answer before.
This Forum is great!
Ciao
Carlo
Your thread should be automated as a standard response to all the ppl asking this question!
I wonder why nobody of us thought this answer before.
This Forum is great!
Ciao
Carlo
Feb 24, 2006 at 12:51 PM
p.2 #9Here's what lens to buy
Merv,
Do you know what? The cheap one is a good one! That's one of the great things about this. If you're talking about Canon lenses, you're talking about the EF 50 f/1.8. It's fast. It's sharp. It's not a bad lens. Sure, there are better lenses, but none come close when you compare the bang with the buck.
Do you know what? The cheap one is a good one! That's one of the great things about this. If you're talking about Canon lenses, you're talking about the EF 50 f/1.8. It's fast. It's sharp. It's not a bad lens. Sure, there are better lenses, but none come close when you compare the bang with the buck.
Feb 24, 2006 at 04:05 PM
p.2 #10Here's what lens to buy
Well I guess I am going to be the first and only one so far to somewhat disagree. In 1970 I bought my first SLR. It came with a 50mm 1.8 lens and I learned a lot with that lens. That might be the only part of the post that I agree with. Get a 50mm lens, fastest best they offer and start with that. But it will quickly be apparent that you will want more.
I avoided the digital scene up until now and finally made the plunge and bought a Canon 300D. Used that until I learned enough about digital than upgraded to a 20D. Got most of my money out of the 300D so I was happy. Probably will continue to chase pixels but that is another story.
I believe that in most purchases you should buy the best you can possibly afford the first time. You will long forget the price you paid but the quality will always remain.
I look at it more like a musical instrument. If you want your child to play the piano and you schedule lessons and then go out and pick up one of those “Great for Beginners” $50.00 piano, you move jobs you see in the papers what happens. Well your child plays but it really doesn’t sound very good, horrible in many cases so the child gets frustrated by his perceived lack of ability and then wants to quit. You as a parent are happy they quit because it really did sound awful.
Same with photography, digital or film. If your results are frustrating from the beginning, and we all know there is lots to learn and be aware of, the beginner becomes frustrated and maybe quits what can be a wonderful hobby or profession.
Why not start out with the best tools you can afford or the market offers rather than with the disadvantage of lesser quality, inferior equipment?
I avoided the digital scene up until now and finally made the plunge and bought a Canon 300D. Used that until I learned enough about digital than upgraded to a 20D. Got most of my money out of the 300D so I was happy. Probably will continue to chase pixels but that is another story.
I believe that in most purchases you should buy the best you can possibly afford the first time. You will long forget the price you paid but the quality will always remain.
I look at it more like a musical instrument. If you want your child to play the piano and you schedule lessons and then go out and pick up one of those “Great for Beginners” $50.00 piano, you move jobs you see in the papers what happens. Well your child plays but it really doesn’t sound very good, horrible in many cases so the child gets frustrated by his perceived lack of ability and then wants to quit. You as a parent are happy they quit because it really did sound awful.
Same with photography, digital or film. If your results are frustrating from the beginning, and we all know there is lots to learn and be aware of, the beginner becomes frustrated and maybe quits what can be a wonderful hobby or profession.
Why not start out with the best tools you can afford or the market offers rather than with the disadvantage of lesser quality, inferior equipment?
Feb 24, 2006 at 06:04 PM
p.2 #11Here's what lens to buy
wow. nice writeup.
i definately agree word for word what todd posted. Ive been taking pictures with P&S's along with my canon rebel since i was about 10 or so (even got paid to shoot my older cousins wedding when i was 12 i think). I see myself asking every question, and more of what todd posted. So i chose the easiest solution. Ive heard better things about the d50 than the 350d, and im not a lens collector with my canon rebel, so i chose a nikon d50, 512mb which is about what ill fill up everytime i go out to shoot, and a 50mm prime along with a UV filter and hood. I hope to shoot about 2500-3000 pictures in the next few weeks before spring break comes so i know what lens i need to get to make adjustments. All in all very nice advice Todd
i definately agree word for word what todd posted. Ive been taking pictures with P&S's along with my canon rebel since i was about 10 or so (even got paid to shoot my older cousins wedding when i was 12 i think). I see myself asking every question, and more of what todd posted. So i chose the easiest solution. Ive heard better things about the d50 than the 350d, and im not a lens collector with my canon rebel, so i chose a nikon d50, 512mb which is about what ill fill up everytime i go out to shoot, and a 50mm prime along with a UV filter and hood. I hope to shoot about 2500-3000 pictures in the next few weeks before spring break comes so i know what lens i need to get to make adjustments. All in all very nice advice Todd
Feb 24, 2006 at 06:14 PM
p.2 #12Here's what lens to buy
Hi,
I started with my photography experience with the 350D/rebel 11/2 years ago with the kit lens, now previously i had canon point and shoot film cameras for holidays and stuff and could could take it or leave it.
My husband and I decided to buy the 350D cos we had the spare cash rattling about and it had the kit lens. Because the images were so much better to start with it inspired me to use it more,, that made me get better and I really started to understand the camera more. I know we are not discussing whether a beginner should buy a Pand S before a good camera ... so its not quite on topic.
I blame digital and the fast learning curve you get from it as the reason i came to love taking pictures so much and why i had to empty my bank account to buy the 5D.
It was actually having the 60mm prime and 'needing' a replacment prime for my 5D ( thats what i told my husband) that made me realise that i was going to love the 135L and I wasn't wrong. (I am agreeing with you again!) Still loads of room for improvemnt though which is the most fun part. and what i find amazing is that I was able to sell my 60mm, 10-22 and rebel for 70-90% of what I paid for it. So its not like buying high fashion you can sell the stuff it doesn't work out (thats what i tell my husband), maybe think of it like rental!
anyway back on topic .. I think using the kit zoom lens is the most useful, if you get a prime you can't experiment with different focal lengths. I do agree that a prime 50mm is a good choice so add that to the kit bag.
It was not until I got my 60mm prime that i had to start thinking hard about the composition, not just sitting on my behind pressing the zoom in and out. That was really useful
I have been in forum asking for advise about what lens i should go for and the advise has been useful, very frank most importantly..made me think about stuff. Some people advised me to try rental which was great advice..
as i got to try the 14mm canon 2000 dollar lens over a weekend at death valley, now that was too rich for my blood but a lot of fun for 80 dollars. it confirmed that I would like a wide prime or the 17-40 for my 5D next as I really enjoyed the wide angle and it gave me my best picture of the weekend.. (14mm too wide for me on balance).
I feel I am still a beginner AND I am spending a lot of money on lenses, but so far I think i have made the right choices with the help of the forums ...only regret was buying the 10-22, most people help you think carefully about choices which is why i love this site.
and I will not buy a crappy lens just cos i haven't got years of experience under my belt.
on the whole i agree though.. as i did start with just the kit lens for 10 months, later choices were well considered and with the help of the forum.
Jane
I started with my photography experience with the 350D/rebel 11/2 years ago with the kit lens, now previously i had canon point and shoot film cameras for holidays and stuff and could could take it or leave it.
My husband and I decided to buy the 350D cos we had the spare cash rattling about and it had the kit lens. Because the images were so much better to start with it inspired me to use it more,, that made me get better and I really started to understand the camera more. I know we are not discussing whether a beginner should buy a Pand S before a good camera ... so its not quite on topic.
I blame digital and the fast learning curve you get from it as the reason i came to love taking pictures so much and why i had to empty my bank account to buy the 5D.
It was actually having the 60mm prime and 'needing' a replacment prime for my 5D ( thats what i told my husband) that made me realise that i was going to love the 135L and I wasn't wrong. (I am agreeing with you again!) Still loads of room for improvemnt though which is the most fun part. and what i find amazing is that I was able to sell my 60mm, 10-22 and rebel for 70-90% of what I paid for it. So its not like buying high fashion you can sell the stuff it doesn't work out (thats what i tell my husband), maybe think of it like rental!
anyway back on topic .. I think using the kit zoom lens is the most useful, if you get a prime you can't experiment with different focal lengths. I do agree that a prime 50mm is a good choice so add that to the kit bag.
It was not until I got my 60mm prime that i had to start thinking hard about the composition, not just sitting on my behind pressing the zoom in and out. That was really useful
I have been in forum asking for advise about what lens i should go for and the advise has been useful, very frank most importantly..made me think about stuff. Some people advised me to try rental which was great advice..
as i got to try the 14mm canon 2000 dollar lens over a weekend at death valley, now that was too rich for my blood but a lot of fun for 80 dollars. it confirmed that I would like a wide prime or the 17-40 for my 5D next as I really enjoyed the wide angle and it gave me my best picture of the weekend.. (14mm too wide for me on balance).
I feel I am still a beginner AND I am spending a lot of money on lenses, but so far I think i have made the right choices with the help of the forums ...only regret was buying the 10-22, most people help you think carefully about choices which is why i love this site.
and I will not buy a crappy lens just cos i haven't got years of experience under my belt.
on the whole i agree though.. as i did start with just the kit lens for 10 months, later choices were well considered and with the help of the forum.
Jane
Feb 25, 2006 at 05:50 AM
p.2 #13Here's what lens to buy
I agree with a lot of people on here, This is truly an excellent post, and should be almost a mandatory read for new members, or new photographers in general.
now im no stranger to offering opinions, but thats all any of us can offer, an opinion, and it should be taken as such. not a single one of us knows EXACTLY what lens each of us need to become "ULTIMATE PHOTOG mkIX"
i see no problem in seeking advice on opinons, as i do it regularly, or just for the hell of it to pad my confidence in a purchase! lol.
anyways. got a little sidetracked there, sorry bout that. -- This really should become a sticky, and i think its great information for the new readers.
there im done.
now im no stranger to offering opinions, but thats all any of us can offer, an opinion, and it should be taken as such. not a single one of us knows EXACTLY what lens each of us need to become "ULTIMATE PHOTOG mkIX"
i see no problem in seeking advice on opinons, as i do it regularly, or just for the hell of it to pad my confidence in a purchase! lol.
anyways. got a little sidetracked there, sorry bout that. -- This really should become a sticky, and i think its great information for the new readers.
there im done.
Feb 25, 2006 at 12:26 PM
p.2 #14Here's what lens to buy
HI,
what a saga!
After all that, are you sure you'd recommend someone to buy the cheapest available, considering your point that it took ten years to realise that your bad photography was due to the camera, not your photography!
at least i know when the picture is crap.. i know its my fault
All the best Jane
edit: the post to which i referered to has been deleted!
Edited by JaneG on Sep 08, 2006 at 11:17 AM GMT
what a saga!
After all that, are you sure you'd recommend someone to buy the cheapest available, considering your point that it took ten years to realise that your bad photography was due to the camera, not your photography!
at least i know when the picture is crap.. i know its my fault
All the best Jane
edit: the post to which i referered to has been deleted!
Edited by JaneG on Sep 08, 2006 at 11:17 AM GMT
Feb 25, 2006 at 02:11 PM
p.2 #15Here's what lens to buy
Everyone has their own story to tell about how they got into photography. Many have had their share of poor cameras, but good (and bad) experiences with them too.
I think one should buy the best that you can afford the first time too - but that's once you know what you need. A person shouldn't just say, "I've got so much money to burn. Let's see, what focal length lens can I afford?" A rich man ends up with an EF 600 IS lens and then spends then next months on the internet talking about what a horrible lens he's just bought because it can't be used to take a sharp image! The IS stinks too, because all of the soccer players are blurry.
The point of the post was that one needs to figure out what he needs in order to shoot what he or she wants.
A cheap camera, in most cases, won't do a very good job at that. SLR's give us the option of using various lenses. A cheap camera may be very limiting and give poor results. A cheap lens may do the same, but in the case of the EF 50 f/1.8, for example, it may lead the user to realize what's missing in their bag.
I think one should buy the best that you can afford the first time too - but that's once you know what you need. A person shouldn't just say, "I've got so much money to burn. Let's see, what focal length lens can I afford?" A rich man ends up with an EF 600 IS lens and then spends then next months on the internet talking about what a horrible lens he's just bought because it can't be used to take a sharp image! The IS stinks too, because all of the soccer players are blurry.
The point of the post was that one needs to figure out what he needs in order to shoot what he or she wants.
A cheap camera, in most cases, won't do a very good job at that. SLR's give us the option of using various lenses. A cheap camera may be very limiting and give poor results. A cheap lens may do the same, but in the case of the EF 50 f/1.8, for example, it may lead the user to realize what's missing in their bag.
Feb 25, 2006 at 04:12 PM
p.2 #16Here's what lens to buy
elader wrote:
How about this:
I am new to the dating scene and I would like some advice about what kind of woman I should marry. She has to like to do what I like to do, watch the same kind of movies, eat the same kind of foods, think similar thoughts, and have a sense of humor I will like. I am in kind of a rush, and since I haven't dated much, can someone please just recommend someone in my price range so I can get married ASAP.
I think that you can find the answer to your question in Todd's original post,
except, every time you see the word "lens", substitute the word "woman".
If you do so, it ought to work out well.
Les
How about this:
I am new to the dating scene and I would like some advice about what kind of woman I should marry. She has to like to do what I like to do, watch the same kind of movies, eat the same kind of foods, think similar thoughts, and have a sense of humor I will like. I am in kind of a rush, and since I haven't dated much, can someone please just recommend someone in my price range so I can get married ASAP.
I think that you can find the answer to your question in Todd's original post,
except, every time you see the word "lens", substitute the word "woman".
If you do so, it ought to work out well.
Les
Feb 25, 2006 at 09:24 PM
p.2 #17Here's what lens to buy
what a great post. when i switched from a P&S to a Canon DSLR (300D) i read the boards and purchased a 70-200 f/4. after reading some more i knew i had to get the 70-200 f/2.8 so i sold the f/4 for the non IS version. according to everyone i "needed" to get the battery grip for my camera. bought that new from B&H. i read some more and everyone agreed i had to get the 10D. sold the 300D & grip and bought a 10D. of course i needed a battery grip to go along with my new camera now didn't i. the Sigma DG 500 super flash was the next thing recomended for me to get. next the 20D came along and of course everyone said i just had to get that and the required battery grip. then one day it hit me, i have all this nice cool camera gear and where is it? it is home sitting in the bag. why, because it was too heavy to take with me every time i went out. i sold the batter grip, sold the 70-200 f/2.8 and bought another f/4 version. sold the Sigma and got the smaller & lighter Canon 430EX. i now have a nice light setup i take with me all the time. i fell into the trap of listening to what other people used. just because it works for them does not mean it will work with your style of shooting. this is the learning curve of owning a DSLR no one talks about. i still continue to read all the boards but now i know what i want and why i want it.
George
George
Feb 26, 2006 at 05:47 AM
p.2 #18Here's what lens to buy
JaneG wrote:
at least i know when the picture is crap.. i know its my fault
All the best Jane
Absolutely! The original poster has a point but to his
"If you have to ask this question, buy the cheapest damn lens you can get."
"" My answer is ... what is your definition of cheap? I can buy a second hand Canon FD 35-70mm f3.5-4.5 for £20. Is this the one I should start with? Will I learn the most from this lens. I certainly won't learn the difference between a good lens and a bad lens (I only have one lens).
So you're probably right, get a 50mm... but if I'm on a 1.6 crop then that needs to be a 35mm... so the cheapest 35 I can buy then.. well thats the canon 35 or the tamron 28 ... if I'm spending £200 I'd like a little advice on what the difference is... damn, I'm going to have to ask someone.. but the advice is to get the cheapest!! bum!! well the canon is the closest to 50mm on a crop but the tamron looks like it might be a better lens? Ah well, if I can't ask I might as well toss a coin.
OK, I bought the 35mm canon... I'm now at the football stadium... hmm... looks like I'm going to be cropping the hell out of my shots.. I'd best buy a 1dsmk2 to go with my lens .. arghh! no I'm on full frame.. ah well the 50mm lens is only £80 now so I should get some good results once I crop out the centre 20% """
Perhaps I'm being a little facetious but you can't just say 'get the cheapst 50mm lens you can buy'.
How about the following advice
get a 50 1.8
get an affordable, wel priced copy of a lens that suits your approximate needs that doesn't have lots of people slagging it off (the odd person slagging it off is a good sign that it's popular - not that it's crap)
Use both of these lenses until you get annoyed with something (this process should take about 3 - 9 months of use)
Rent or borrow your desired lens (after reading around a bit)
Keep the 50 1.8
if you go WOW! sell the other lens and buy.
Tim
at least i know when the picture is crap.. i know its my fault
All the best Jane
Absolutely! The original poster has a point but to his
"If you have to ask this question, buy the cheapest damn lens you can get."
"" My answer is ... what is your definition of cheap? I can buy a second hand Canon FD 35-70mm f3.5-4.5 for £20. Is this the one I should start with? Will I learn the most from this lens. I certainly won't learn the difference between a good lens and a bad lens (I only have one lens).
So you're probably right, get a 50mm... but if I'm on a 1.6 crop then that needs to be a 35mm... so the cheapest 35 I can buy then.. well thats the canon 35 or the tamron 28 ... if I'm spending £200 I'd like a little advice on what the difference is... damn, I'm going to have to ask someone.. but the advice is to get the cheapest!! bum!! well the canon is the closest to 50mm on a crop but the tamron looks like it might be a better lens? Ah well, if I can't ask I might as well toss a coin.
OK, I bought the 35mm canon... I'm now at the football stadium... hmm... looks like I'm going to be cropping the hell out of my shots.. I'd best buy a 1dsmk2 to go with my lens .. arghh! no I'm on full frame.. ah well the 50mm lens is only £80 now so I should get some good results once I crop out the centre 20% """
Perhaps I'm being a little facetious but you can't just say 'get the cheapst 50mm lens you can buy'.
How about the following advice
get a 50 1.8
get an affordable, wel priced copy of a lens that suits your approximate needs that doesn't have lots of people slagging it off (the odd person slagging it off is a good sign that it's popular - not that it's crap)
Use both of these lenses until you get annoyed with something (this process should take about 3 - 9 months of use)
Rent or borrow your desired lens (after reading around a bit)
Keep the 50 1.8
if you go WOW! sell the other lens and buy.
Tim
Feb 26, 2006 at 02:58 PM
p.2 #19Here's what lens to buy
great POst..
thanks Todd, I'm a newbie to dSLR.. and reading this post made me thinking what lens I really need not what lens I want.
thanks Todd, I'm a newbie to dSLR.. and reading this post made me thinking what lens I really need not what lens I want.
Feb 27, 2006 at 03:33 PM
p.2 #20Here's what lens to buy
Great post. Now someone should come up with instructions on how to use paragraphs for people who insist on writing long confusing post without any seperation of the subject matter.
I mean : separation.. someone should teach me how to spell
I mean : separation.. someone should teach me how to spell
Feb 27, 2006 at 08:39 PM