I've done it !...now which lens!

[CraigBFG]

I made the leap and have just ordered a 10D. I'm not overly impressed with the 300D built quality, it does feel quite cheap & plasticy - and if i'm spending that kind of money, i'd rather spend the extra few hundred for quality!

Now - which lens. I'd like a 28-200 or similar. What's the difference in image quality between a Sigma or Canon? Bearing in mind, I only have a few hundred to spend now the 10D has wiped me out!

Thanks.

[fox1]

Some swear by the Sigma 28-300mm hyperzoom.......

I have the Canon 28-135 Is and the Canon 75-300mm
non IS...I'd rather not change lenses at all to avoid the
sensor-dust problem.

Can some-one convince me that the Sigma will produce
this type of quality:

http://www.planepictures.net/netshow.cgi?140831

[Butzl]

Why would you go for a SLR camera when you don't plan to change lenses?
Why would you buy an expensive camera body which will be outdated in two years time, and put up with a cheap lens? You could use a good lens in ten years from now, probably with the 4th generation dSLR body!

But your decision depends all on what you're planning to shoot or what you'll be shooting the most (reality checking, no dreaming): portraits, landscape, macro, still life, sports, wildlife, action?

However: 10D is a good decision!

--Jens--

[MediaMagic]

CraigBFG wrote:
I made the leap and have just ordered a 10D. I'm not overly impressed with the 300D built quality, it does feel quite cheap & plasticy - and if i'm spending that kind of money, i'd rather spend the extra few hundred for quality!

Now - which lens. I'd like a 28-200 or similar. What's the difference in image quality between a Sigma or Canon? Bearing in mind, I only have a few hundred to spend now the 10D has wiped me out!

Thanks.

That's the million dollar question... which lens with best quality to price ratio. My suggestion is to wait for your camera body to arrive. Then, pick up a CF card, take it and your 10D to your local camera shop that carries a variety of lenses and test a few different ones using several aperture and zoom settings for each lens. Take some wide open and then start stepping closed to F11 at least. Take notes of the differences in auto focus speeds, hunting, etc. Take a few shots with the higher end lenses as well so you'll be able to see the difference expensive glass can make. Make sure you turn the camera off during the lens changes to lessen the chance of a charged sensor attracting dust.

Say "thankyou", and bring the card home, take a close look at them on your screen (the lcd on the back isn't really good enough for your purpose). Decide for yourself which lens (if any you tested) is the best compromise to your eye - to YOUR eye. You are the one who must live with the pictures you take. Sigma, Tokina, and Tamron all make relatively inexpensive 28-200 or even 28-300 lenses that may satisfy you. Canon also makes a 28-200 but I can't say that I really care for it and it's a bit pricey compared to the others. You may like it however. If you find one that you really like, go back and buy it right then and there. Don't come home and order it from somewhere else, even if you can get it for $50.00 cheaper. The reason is that the quality of the lesser expensive lenses can vary noticeably from copy to copy (expensive lenses vary too, but usually not to a blatantly obvious degree).

Using a zoom, remember that the best shots are going to be in the middle range of the zoom possibilities and with the aperture closed a bit. When the zoom is at minimim and especially at mazimuim, your shots are going to get a tad softer.

Here are some don'ts..

Don't buy a lens just because it's the least expensive.

Don't buy one because it's the one with a rebate.

Don't buy one because the salesman tells you it's the best. Do ask questions, these guys can be a wealth of knowledge, but make your own decision.

Don't buy one just because it has the highest zoom

Remember YOUR eye... Your eye....... your eye......


Oh, BTW, welcome to the exotic world of digital SLR fun... higher than ecstasy, more addictive than crack.. ahhhhhh gotta love it.

Take care,
David

[Vegas Poboy]

I say, MediaMagic covered the subject very well.

I'm slowly converting my cheap lens to better quality but one of the first things to look @ is what coverage you're going to need, then isolate from there.
I have yet seen a one lens catch all for most photographers. I've owned Sigmas, Tamron and going for the gold in Canon so there is some good 3rd party lens out there but agiain look @ what you plan on shooting and don't forget the 1.6x factor because it does throw you off a little mainly if you have been shooting a lot of film.

Last but not least I hear the 28-135 IS is a pretty decent lens to start with.

[Belmondo]

Vegas Poboy wrote:
I say, MediaMagic covered the subject very well.

Last but not least I hear the 28-135 IS is a pretty decent lens to start with.

Unless you have a very clear idea about what your needs are likely to be, then the 28-135 is indeed a good option as a first lens. It has good glass, image stabilization, and gives you an effective range of 45mm to 216mm. A little wider would be nice, but you're talking about a lot more money (at least for a Canon solution).

As you become more familiar with the camera and start to define your own shooting style, you'll figure out what lenses you need.

One word of caution: if possible, avoid 'bargain' lenses. This is not a blanket condemnation of third-party optics --- some are amazingly good. Just remember that you'll likely be using whatever lenses you buy long after the 10D is nothing more than a distant memory. Consider them as investments. If you doubt me, check the prices on used Canon L glass. They hold their value remarkably well
.

[fox1]

>>Why would you go for a SLR camera when you don't plan to change lenses?

[Hatem Eldoronki]

Congratulations...Canon 28-135mm IS is a good one to start with. I have no previous experience w/Sigma..

[gs121002]

I agree with mcouper that the 28-135 IS is a good starting lens and seems to retain it's resale value if you decide to move up. I'm having a ball with my 28-135 but a new toy just arrived today..... a 16-35 L so we will see which one I play with more.

Listen to me talk... You would think I actually knew my left from my right.... ;)