Oh..oh...Newbie

[ThePhantomsGirlfriend]

Hi there,

I'm considering purchasing the 10D. As I know that it's sold with basically just the body I could use some advice on a first lens.

My first uses will be for portrait photography where I can place my subject (i.e. they will be posiing and distance won't be a huge problem).

What recommendations do you have for a first lens? Once I'm comfortable with that...then onto zoom.... one step at a time!

Smiles,

Holly

[HoodedOne]

The 50/1.8 is a very nice lens for portrait photography. and it´s cheap and has excellent quality. This lens is almost a must.
Other lenses that could be interesting are the 85 and 100 mm lenses.

cheers

[defordphoto]

Holly,

That's a loaded question. It all depends on what you're going to be doing with the camera and how much money you have. If you're funds are bascially unlimited, by all "L" lenses. If not, and you're like most of us out here, then let us know what you'll mainly be shooting and then we can offer some sound advice.

But right off the bat yes, that is good advice to get the 50mm f1.8. It's a great lens and it's around $60-$70, depending on where you buy it.

[ThePhantomsGirlfriend]

Thanks!

I am a big researcher before I buy - and most of what I am reading is really telling me that the LENS is as important as the camera. That I should not try to save money on a lens - i.e. spending the money on the camera - but then trying to get away with the cheapest lenses...

Still, I have to start somewhere. My first uses of the camera would be for taking photos of people - probably posed and fairly close-up. I'd like to be able to do body shots - not just head shots.

I think I'm planning that I'd need to spend another $500 in lenses to start. (for one or two lenses)

I'm assuming over time I will have to "collect" different lenses. I'm looking for the smartest choices to start with. (again for shooting photos of people, etc.)

Am I giving the right information?

Smiles,

Holly

[vvizard]

I'm in the same situation as you. I'm buying a 10D off my next salery (combined with the current ;)) In the meantime I'm researching for lenses. At first I thought that since I pay so much for the body, I can get away with some cheap glass. My research have proven me wrong :) I've dug up lens-reviews, articles comparing lenses to each other. For example the 50mm f/1.8 vs 50mm f/1.4. The other day I got over this used-ad, and bought my first lens (before getting the camera). I bought the 50mm f/1.4 for about $100 less than the price I would pay in the store. As a bonus, I get a polarizing filter with it. The lens was almost not used, and told to be in the same condition as when bought. I think (at least hope) this was a good deal for me. Haven't received it yet, but it's on it's way :)

So now I'm looking for my second lens. It's gonna be "L" =) I have to try it out. Think I'll go for the 70-200mm f/4L. That leaves me a gap from 50mm - 70mm, which I have to cover sometimes later. Another lens I wan't, is the 100mm Macro-lens.

So what you buy is really a personal issue, with what you intend to shoot with it as the primary factor. Have a look at "http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/" for other peoples experience with the lenses.

If someone knows other places doing reviews of lenses, please post it. It'll be a real helper for us SLR-newbies

[CyberDyneSystems]

Hi, Welcome to the forum :)

$500.00 "might" get you started,..

For portraits the 85mm-135mm lenses are most often recomended.

You could get the 50mm f/1.8 as recomended,. it is a no brainer for the price and its sharp images, and some will argue that with the 1.6 crop factor of the 10D it will be an 80mm. But in truth it is still a 50mm or "normal" lens and will not offer any of the telephoto effect that the slightly longer primes offer. (the 1.6X CMOS of the 10D will merely limit the your feild of view)

So in addition you might look at either an 85mm prime (also well priced) the 135mm soft focus,. or grab a 70-200mm f/2.8 or f/4 "L"

The f/4 70-200mm is a very affordable super quality "L" lens for about $700.00 but for portrait work the added aperture f the $1000.00 f/2.8 700-200mm will be an advantage.

[Andy_T]

Hi Phantom,

the 1.8/50 is not a 'cheap' lens as far as quality is concerned.

Granted, it has a plastic (instead of metal) lens mount and is not as robust as the 1.4/50, but one way to get down prices is by selling great quantities of a given lens.

Most owners claim that the 1.8/50 is as crisp and sharp as a zoom lens *much* more expensive.

Regards,
Andy

[sjprg]

I would like to suggest the 85 f1.8 as a starter protrait lens. Anything shorter and slower does not give you the control you require for portraits.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=12182&is=USA

If you have the money this is even better

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=12181&is=USA

Paul

[Doug Rowan]

The 50mm/f-1.8 lens is excellent for portraits and it IS an 80mm lens on your camera. Doing some careful shopping, you can get the first version of this lens, including the metal mount, for the same (or lower) price than the newest version. It's well worth it in my opinion & probably because I found one and paid $80 US for it.

It's sharper than you may expect & I use mine only for portrait shooting and have had excellent results with it!

[slin100]

CyberDyneSystems wrote:
You could get the 50mm f/1.8 as recomended,. it is a no brainer for the price and its sharp images, and some will argue that with the 1.6 crop factor of the 10D it will be an 80mm. But in truth it is still a 50mm or "normal" lens and will not offer any of the telephoto effect that the slightly longer primes offer. (the 1.6X CMOS of the 10D will merely limit the your feild of view)

That is not entirely right. A 50mm lens on a 10D has the field of view of an 80mm lens due to the sensor crop, as mentioned.

The DOF, however, will be less than that of a 50mm lens on a 35mm film camera due to the 1.6x magnification of the CoC, although it's not quite the same as that of a 80mm lens on a 35mm camera. The DOF ends up being 1.6x less than a 50mm but 1.6x greater than an 80mm lens on a 35mm camera.

Therefore, a 50mm lens on a 10D does offer a telephoto (reduced FOV and DOF) effect.

[Woodman7]

If you are not going to buy any L lenses from the get-go, I would say that the best all around lense is the 28-135 IS. This lense gives you a very nice choice of focal lengths. I started with this lense on my 10D really was pleased with the shots that I recieved. I did some engagement photos with it and a few weddings. I also used it to take some corperate event pictures. Overall it was a great lense and it gave me the range to do just about anything that I needed. It however didn't have the lower aperture, but when you are first starting out you need to learn how useful the 2.8 can be in low lighting before you can appreciate it. Just my opinion.

If you are going to be serious about your photography you may want to bite the bullet and buy the 70-200 2.8L. I have been using this lense and I am amazed everytime I see my pictures at just how nice they are.

[ThePhantomsGirlfriend]

woodman7 wrote:
If you are going to be serious about your photography you may want to bite the bullet and buy the 70-200 2.8L. I have been using this lense and I am amazed everytime I see my pictures at just how nice they are.

I did buy a 70-200 L IS! (the Dell deal) In fact, I bought the lens before I have bought a camera.

Thanks!

Holly

[Woodman7]

Just curious have you recieved the lense yet? That price is crazy? I paid 1350 almost a month ago for the Non IS? Thanks for the info, I may think about returning mine and getting the IS for less money.

[ThePhantomsGirlfriend]

No, I've not received it yet. Mine will be shipped on or about October 3rd. I believe the ones who ordered right away may be getting theirs right away. For me waiting a few weeks is no problem since I don't have the camera yet.....

I'm going to try and buy primarily "L" glass and IS lenses. I may buy a 50 mm/f.8 lens to start and then just ONLY buy L glass.

I'd say return the other lens and grab this deal - NOW! I believe the 10% thing ends today - and there is one coupon still out there that is usable.

Smiles,

Holly