New To Forum.........

[J.E.T.]

Just wanted to say hello to everyone here. Finally got my Rebel yell on the other day and now I want to get into some serious photo work. Could someone recommend a good telephoto lens for me. I bought the one that Best Buy had in stock but want to get something way more serious. I'm in the roofing business here in central FL and need lenses that can keep me on the ground instead of dangerous heights. Photos are an integral part of the bidding process in roofing, especially for large commercial projects. I've been using the higher end Kodaks over the past few years due to the easy 4x6 photo printer that Kodak kinda pioneered. I also bought a larger printer just for the Rebel but think I'll get the little 4x6 printer that Canon offers, it's easier to take along to jobsites. Anyway, it's nice to see there's a forum for this. I took a photography class in college many moons ago and fell in love with the art.......

JET

[Saralonde]

Welcome, Jet. Let people know what your budget is for a lens and I'm sure you'll get suggestions.

[crn3371]

Let us know what your budget is, and what lens you have. If you got a telezoom @ Best Buy I'm guessing it's the Canon 75-300. Not the greatest lens out there for sure, but if you're just using it for estimating purposes and viewing on a computer, it should be just fine. If you're serious about your photos, and want something more than just for work, you'll get tons of suggestions for upgrades. Welcome to the forum.

[Eagle]

If you have a few pics from the old camera that would be similar to what you're wanting to get posting them would be helpful so people would have an idea of the outcome your after also.

[Eagle]

Oh yeah, welcome aboard.

[Tom W]

Welcome to the forum, J.E.T.

I agree with the others - the price range your looking in will dictate what lens you might want. You can get an idea of some of the lenses available by visiting a store like Harmon Camera or Colonial Photo & Hobby, both in Orlando. The B&H Photo web site has just about everything at every price range as well.

Is the telephoto lens that was offered at Best Buys a Canon lens or another brand such as Promaster or Sigma? Some brands are good, while others are less desireable.

[J.E.T.]

Thanks for the warm welcome........appreciate it. I looked at the B&H site and it looks like the moon is the limit when it comes to the various lenses available. Don't think I'll go the six grand route any time soon but at around $1500 there looks to be what I need. Any suggestions in that ballpark?

TIA,


JET

[Jon]

Unless another roofer is around, I don't think you're likely to get a "cold" recommendation for the appropriate lens. If you could post a sample of the type photos you use in your bidding process, it'd help the rest of us understand. Assuming that you got the 75-300, and that your typical photo is in "landscape" mode, the 70-200 f/2.8 (Is at/over the high end; non-IS toward the high end, Sigma f/2.8 or Canon f/4 in the mid-range) or one of Canon's 70-300 IS lenses would be a good replacement.

[Doom1701e]

Welcome to the forum. I might suggest the Canon 24-70 2.8L and the Canon 70-200 4L. 2 great lenses in about your price range combined.

[J.E.T.]

Thanks for the suggestions........I'll look into the models you listed.

JET