DRebel with 28-105 vs G3

[ejwebb]

I currently have an Elan IIe and a 28-105 lens that I love shooting with film. However, I really prefer digital and have not been able to pull the trigger on a DSLR, although I know I NEED to. I have owned a G3 for over a year and have been relatively pleased with it and learned a lot using it. Aside from providing a little more zoom and less depth of field, I was wondering how the 28-105 on a DRebel would compare to the G3 lens. Any thoughts, or is this completely apples to oranges?

[Tom W]

The 28-105 is a pretty good focal range on the D-Reb and 10D. If you have the f/3.5-4.5, you have what should be a very good lens. I still use mine when weight is an issue, since its quite light. Here's a couple of snapshots I've taken with the 10D and the 28-105/3.5-4.5:

http://images.fotopic.net/?id=4978457&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1

http://images.fotopic.net/?id=3312170&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1

http://images.fotopic.net/?id=3598677&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1

The only weaknesses that may stand out, depending on your style of shooting, are that it doesn't go as wide as you might like on the smaller sensor and that it isn't fast (aperture-wise) enough for non-flash low-light indoor shooting. Still, its a pretty good match, and if you have a good copy of the lens, you'll appreciate it on either the D-Reb or the 10D.

EDIT: I kind of lost track of your comparison. When I said smaller sensor, I meant as it compares to full-sized 35mm film like on your Elan II. In fact, most of my comparison was with the film SLR, since I traveled a similar path to digital (Elan II first, then 10D).

I would say that the G-series is as the next post describes it in comparison. Its good, but you'll appreciate the benefits of the SLR.

[photoguynorth]

The big difference will not be the lens. The larger (CMOS) sensor will take much better shots than the G3 (I have a DRebel and a G2). The ability to use high ISO will outweigh the lens speed difference, you can limit DOF much better, and there is no shutter lag to speak of. The DRebel gives you much more control (I'm not talking about manual shutter speed/aperature - I'm talking about creative control). I have not had any regrets about buying the DRebel. FYI - I still keep the G2 for carrying when I am not able to take my full camera bag.

[drisley]

I went from a G3 to a 300D Rebel, and I totally agree with everything photoguynorth says.
I now routinely shoot at ISO800 and ISO1600 and get less noise than my G3 at ISO100 and ISO200.

I was at a diving meet this weekend, happily filling my 512mb with raw images. Beside me a woman had a Canon A80, a very good point and shoot digicam, and it was utterly useless at such an event.

[Jim_T]

I think the 28-105 is a good lens.. It's very underrated.

On a Rebel, with the 1.6 crop factor, it will net you an effective focal length of 45mm to 168mm.. Or in other words it will net you the same field of view as a 45-168mm lens would provide on your Elan.

The G3's fixed lens has an effective focal length of 35mm to 140mm..

The 28-105 on the Rebel wont be as wide at the short end and will give you a bit more at the long end.

I've got the 10D, but if I was buying a Digital Rebel, I'd still go for the kit lens.. (18-55mm).. It's only about 100 bucks extra and for the price you WON'T get anything near as wide. I've paid close attention to the sample shots I've seen from this lens and they look pretty good to me.

[photoguynorth]

I should have added that I do have a 28-105mm lens. I probably take most of my shots with it, I use the kit lens when I need wide angle, and a Sigma 70-300 APO for long shots and macro. The 28-105 is certainly sharp, and a pretty good range on the DRebel. I'd like it to be wider, but that's the nature of affordable digital SLRs for the time being, anyways.

[Tom W]

I've got the 10D, but if I was buying a Digital Rebel, I'd still go for the kit lens.. (18-55mm).. It's only about 100 bucks extra and for the price you WON'T get anything near as wide. I've paid close attention to the sample shots I've seen from this lens and they look pretty good to me.

Me too, and I'd keep the 28-105 as well.

[Guillermo Freige]

Also you can add a Sigma 12-24 to the 28-105, and have all the wideanlge you need. Despite having the EFs 18-55, I didn´t use it since the 12-24 arrival. Isn´t cheap (similar to the 28-135IS) and not very fast (f/4.5-5.6) but sharpness is very consistent in all apertures and focal lenghts, and has HSM motor, so it supports FTM, and have a distance scale for manual focus and DoF calculation. And the heavily curved massive front element is cool too!! :)

[ejwebb]

Thanks for all the comments...I'm sure it won't be long before I have to rationalize another purchase. While the G3 is certainly a great camera, I just hate that my SLR lenses all sit in a bag and get no action. Plus, I just miss the feel of the SLR in my hands. Although the 10D feels much better to me I just can't justify the extra cost. I also have the 50mm 1.8 and the 70-210 f/3.5-4.5 which will round out my lens collection. If I get the DRebel with the kit lens I should be set for a while!!