More on lens selection for a newbie

[Zap37]

I just purchased the 10D! I can only spend around $800 to $900 for my first set of lenses. I will have to wait on some L's in my future. My primary use will be family photos, general travel photography, some specific travel on a cruise ship up the Alaska coast within a few weeks. I am planning to get the 28-135 IS USM and the 75-300 IS USM. Do you think this is a good combo or is it too much overlap. Also, any recommendations for a camera bag to hold this equipment and a image wallet such as the tripper or Image Bank G2. Thx

[msvirick]

I am going for a 28-135 USM IS and not sure the 2nd less yet.
I will closely follow your discussions

[CyberDyneSystems]

Zap,

Those are the two most common starting lenses ofr owners of Canon SLRsthat want quality but do not have the ability to spend lots of cash.

The 28-135 has a larger group of suppoters of the two lenses,. but a lot of people are also very happy with the 75-300USM.

Definately get the 28-135mm IS . It will allways be a usefull lens for you, and thus a good investment. If you are unsure of your need for an expensive (read VERY expensive!!!) long telephoto than I think the 75-300mm IS is a good place to get a feel for that focal length.

See which lens you use the most. If you find that the 75mm-300mm IS is the lens you use most often than I will assure it wil be a matter of time before you feel the need to get MORE telephoto :)

Why by a pricier telephoto zoom if you may end up not using it often.

[Longwatcher]

Having started with those two lenses, they are a good choice. The only thing I would also recommend is getting the 50/1.8 (or better the 50/1.4). It is needed for those occasions where the 28-135 won't make it due to low light.

There is not too much overlap between the two lenses and actually I find that having a bit of overlap is good so that I can pick when to change lenses if the scene is changing and I will need to change lenses.

In my case I found I eventually needed a wider angle lens then the 28-135, but only occasionally so that can wait. I also eventually picked up the 100-400L IS because it was used, in great shape and below market price. I still keep the 75-300 IS because it is a much better travel lens in conjunction with the 28-135.

So I always recommend the 28-135, 75-300 IS, and 50/1.8 for the lens set with the most versatility and quality for the price.

[Hatem Eldoronki]

From my experience with those two lenses, I highly recommend the 75-300mm IS. The 28-135mm IS is also good, but I have some doubt about the functionality of IS system in it: I think that the AI Focus mode over-rides the IS within the focal length zone of that lens.
I mentioned this in a previous post:
-AI Focus mode + IS on, a moving subject is blurred out.
-Either AI Focus OFF (i.e. AI Servo) or IS OFF, the subject is in sharp focus.
That only applied to my 28-135mm though. The 75-300mm IS has a longer focal length, and IS is really helpful for that kind of unsupported shooting..
My advice is to try before you buy, and I would suggest the 28-105mm USM, and the 75-300mm IS, and maybe you'll have some extra cash for a 420EX flash..

[msvirick]

What are the street costs for 70-300 and 50/i.8

[Longwatcher]

On my cheat sheet the costs for 75-300IS is around $380 US.
The 50/1.8 is around $70
The 50/1.4 is around $300
Price according to www.Pricegrabber.com

[RichardSimon]

I would add my vote for the 28-135IS; it is the lens I use the most, and the one I leave on the camera.

For a longer lens, I like the 100-300mm L lens (non-IS). I was considering the 75-300mm IS, but when I did a side-by-side comparison, the 100-300 L was substantially sharper at the long end, with far less color fringing. It would be interesting to hear if others have hade the same experience. It turns out that the 100-300mm L lens, if you can find it, is less $ than the 75-300IS. For the price of the 75-300 IS lens only, I was able to get the 100-300 L, a monopod, and Canon's $80 50mm 1.8.