Ok, just a run of the mill lens poll.

[RinkRat]

I understand that most of the cheapie lenses can't compare to some of the ones > $250, but this will be my only purchase until the new year, & I only have ~ $300 budgeted. Besides, it's one of many HOBBIES for me, and I have my first child due in October. :)

I have the Kit lens, and I am purchasing this one:
Grade: 4.2 35mm/AF Canon EF 50/1,8 II

But, which of these would you choose in addition?
Grade: 3 35mm/AF Canon EF 55-200/4,5-5,6 USM
Grade: 3 35mm/AF Canon EF 80-200/4,5-5,6
Grade: 3.1 35mm/AF Canon EF 75-300/4-5,6 III USM
Grade: 3.1 35mm/AF Sigma AF 75-300/4,5-5,6 APO

It is basically for me to noodle around with, until I get around to buying better stuff. I know it seems like a waste, but I don't want to wait 6 months to add to the kit lens. I could lose interest by then. *GASP*

P.S. I still have to buy a tripod with that $300 also. :)

[sGu]

i'd love to help you out, but i can't really comment on something i haven't used, sorry dude.

[CyberDyneSystems]

$300.00 is about right for a good tripod :roll: :P :D :D

[Scottes]

$300.00 is about right for a good tripod :roll: :P :D :D

Yeah, but then you need a head for it. :)

Personally, I have no opinion on the lenses in question because I haven't used them. But I'd wonder why you get the 50mm 1.8 when the kit lens goes to 55mm already.... Granted the 50mm 1.8 is a darn good lens, especially for the money, but perhaps you could put that $70 towards a better lens, or a better tripod.

[Belmondo]

I'm not sure if I read your original question correctly or not, but it sounded like you were saying you have a $300 budget for the lens and tripod combined. If that's the case, I'd skip the mediocre lens if it means buying a marginal tripod. Either buy a better lens or a better tripod, but for your ultimate peace of mind and satisfaction with your purchases, give up any notion of buying both. You'll only end up with a poor lens and a crappy tripod.

The value of quality optics to good photography can't be overstated, but ultimately a stable shooting platform will do more to improve your photos than will a better lens. It will allow you to shoot slower shutter speeds (and smaller apertures) which in turn will improve the clarity of your images.

Buy a good tripod now. Wait till you have more money and buy better quality lenses than those you've listed in your survey.

[Tom W]

Based on images I've seen here, the Canon 70-300 is pretty capable. It can give you decent images.

I cannot compare it to the others, except to say that it is pretty good.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Belmondo has a much more thought out way of saying "$300.00 is about right for a tripod"

I put in smilie faces.. but it's really true. I was not merely being facetious.

Figure at least $100.00 for a tripod head.. and another $100.00 for the legs.. minimum.. so $200.00 will "swing" it.. barely... But I'm serious.. I'd budget a good $300.00

[ron chappel]

An i dentical subject id being discussed here.Check out what i said there about several models as it's too long to say again
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=38292

I will say though that those ratings you got for those lenses are dodgey at best :shock:
The 80-200 especially is nowhere near that good.
however....the II version *is* very good

I also feel the sigma APO probably is better than those numbers say.I've not used one but owners do tend to praise it as better than any canon kit lens...

[timmyquest]

I too cant speak for things i havnt used, but i can for things that i have. That said, the 75-300 sigma is not a good choice, i wouldnt even waste $30 on it.

[Mike H]

this will be my only purchase until the new year, & I only have ~ $300 budgeted ... I have the Kit lens, and I am purchasing this one: Grade: 4.2 35mm/AF Canon EF 50/1,8 II

But, which of these would you choose in addition?
Grade: 3 35mm/AF Canon EF 55-200/4,5-5,6 USM
Grade: 3 35mm/AF Canon EF 80-200/4,5-5,6
Grade: 3.1 35mm/AF Canon EF 75-300/4-5,6 III USM
Grade: 3.1 35mm/AF Sigma AF 75-300/4,5-5,6 APO

...

P.S. I still have to buy a tripod with that $300 also. :)

My suggestion is to go ahead and get the 50/1.8 and buy a decent tripod with the rest of the money. Bogen makes some nice lightweight tripods that you can get for the $230 you have left, or even less than that (see below).

The 50/1.8 is more than 3 stops faster than the kit lens at the same focal length, and it's sharper, too. This will open up many possibilities for you. With that lens you will be able to shoot some indoor sports, stage events (dance recitals, plays, bands in concert), and really nice portraits. For the latter you can get better results because you'll have more ability to limit depth-of-field.

Regarding the tripod, remember that some of the others that have posted are learned, well-intentioned folks, but they have bigger budgets. Also, they have bigger equipment! Some load 70-200/2.8L and 100-400 L lenses onto heavy Mark IIs. A Digital Rebel with the 50/1.8 or the kit lens doesn't need as substantial a mount. If you were trying to build the kind of equipment kits they have that you wouldn't want to waste money on a lightweight tripod, but it doesn't sound like you are going there any time soon.

The Manfrotto tripod linked below at B&H runs $99 and comes with a ball head and bag. It's rated to hold 7.7 pounds, plenty enough capacity for your lightweight equipment. I haven't used it, but it's worth checking out given your budget. It comes with a hall head (they're easy to use). I can say that my Manfrotto tripod is good quality.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=ProductDetail&A=showItemLargeImage&Q=&sku=2 83689

Don't let the wonderous equipment kits you hear about here discourage you. The next time you are at a book store, look for Elysium: A Gathering of Souls by Sandra Russell Clark. I met Ms. Clark at a signing for the book at the Barnes and Noble. She was very pleasant, and told me that the entire book, as well as the exhibition that I saw of the work at the Contemporary Arts Center (in New Orleans), was shot with a Pentax K1000 camera and the 50 mm lens that came with it. Your Rebel is far more capable than her Pentax, and the Canon 50/1.8 will outshoot her lens. But her book is magnificent, and prints from it sell in fine galleries around the country (and not too cheaply).

There was a terrific string on the another bulletin board a few weeks ago (which I can't find tonight!). Someone posted an image that they made with their new Nikon 50/1.8, and the response was a long string of wonderful images that people had made with their 50/1.8 lenses. You can do a lot with a lens like that!

I hope this helps.

Mike H

[RinkRat]

I'd like to thank everyone for their responses.

I guess I didn't make myself too clear on my intentions though.

I only plan on using the lenses listed in the poll for ~ 6 months.
Unfortunately, I have several financial priorities ahead of this one, for the rest of the year.
I would like to have different lengths to play around with until the new year.
After that, provided I want to "get serious" about my hobby, I will have no problem purchasing better equipment.

I've already started the search for my next set of lenses, these seem to be on top of the short list:
Canon EF 28-135/3,5-5.6 IS USM Autofocus Lens
Canon Zoom Telephoto EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM Autofocus Lens


With your help, I think this is where my $300 is going:

Canon USA
Normal EF 50mm f/1.8 II Autofocus Lens
MFR #2514A002 Our Price : $74.95

Bogen / Manfrotto
724B Digi Tripod with Ballhead & Case
MFR #724B Our Price : $99.00

Canon Imported
Zoom Telephoto EF 80-200 f/4.5-5.6 II Autofocus Lens
MFR #2573A001 Our Price : $109.95

Sub Total : $283.90
Shipping: $11.15
Total: $295.05

Thanks again!

-RinkRat

[Belmondo]

That works for you, and that's all that really matters. It truly is amazing how many conflicting answers you can get to the same question, though, isn't it?

[ron chappel]

Good plan rinkrat :)

One thing most don't think about is that gear IS easy to sell secondhand these days
Sell on ebay and you don't even lose much 8)

[Mike H]

That sounds good, RinkRat. Let us know how it works out.

Mike H

[CyberDyneSystems]

I have to admit,. I forgot about that particular tripod.. it seems a good way to start appreciating a decent tripod. (and it was not yet introduced when I bought my first "decent" tripod)

If your lenses remain light weight.. it may just serve you for a long time. Good shopping there.. and good job making me look stupid!

:P :lol: :lol:

[RinkRat]

mwahahahahahahahaha :twisted:

The Tripod, & 50mm 1.8 II AF are here!

Just waiting for the 80-200 f/4.5-5.6 II Autofocus to arrive.

I'll post some pics later tonight.

Thanks again for your help!

-RinkRat

[Kabz]

Option 3
I have that lens, and its heavy as hell, but its a beautiful lens and it is not too expensive.