Lenses for the Digital Rebel

[ChrisN]

OK. So I just got the Digital Rebel a few weeks ago and up to now I have been shooting with an S50 (the S50 being my first camera I ever laid a hand on)....


So... I would like a quick rundown on how to know if a lens will fit my camera.

I was at trade shop (like a pawn shop) to see what they had available but none of the markings indicated to me what I need to know buy a couple of lenses to pad my collection.

They had a Tamran and Sigma lens that seemed to pique my interest but as I stated before, I can't read the numbers :x :oops:

Also, any warnings or things to look for in these lenses to make an informed purchase that they are not damaged or otherwise worthless.

Please help.

Thanks in advance.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Any Canon lens that says "EF" on it will fit.
All of the lenses Canon currently makes will fit.


Any third party manufacturers lens that is;
A: New,
B: Claims to be made for Canon EF or EOS cameras.

Cangrats on the Rebel! Have Fun! :)

[ChrisN]

Thanks CDS. So, the lens will actually have EF stamped somewhere on the lens, that should really be all that I have to look for?

Are there markings on the other lenses that I would be able to use to know exactly if I do not know what the manufacturer claims?
(Like garage sale finds, or repo sales, etc, where there may not be a camera expert on hand)

Thanks again for the quick reply. :)

[Andy_T]

Taka a look at http://www.photozone.de/bindex2.html

There's a section that reads 'Canon EOS' under 'Performance Survey Lenses'.
In the lens database, select 'all'.

Print that out and take it with you to a garage sale.

Important: If you compare a lens to your list, the letters should all match.

e.g. Canon EF 20-35mm f/3.5-4.5 USM
-----^ Manufacturer: Canon
------------^ System: EF (NOT: FD!!!)
------------------^ Focal length: 20-35
----------------------------^ Aperture: f/3.5-4.5
-----------------------------------------^Features, like USM, EX, L, ...

e.g, don't confuse
- an EF 70-200 f/4.0 L lens with
- an EF 70-200 f/2.8 L or
- an EF 70-200 f/2.8 IS L lens

They are different lenses with different values, although it might not be visible immediately to the untrained eye.

If the Canon lenses have the 'L' dedication and a red stripe, then you can be sure that they will have good quality ... but most likely also the corresponding price.

In general ... the lower the f/numbers, the better and more expensive.
an f/3.5 lens will always be more expensive than an f/3.5-4.5 lens, because the second has the f/3.5 only at the full wide setting.

Hope that helps you...

Also, you should be aware that there are older non-Canon lenses (e.g. Sigma) which are not compatible with Canon digital cameras!!! Canon lenses should work fine.

Best regards,
Andy

[ron chappel]

All lenses will have their details written on them-usually around the front lens.
*all* canon EF lenses will fit your Drebel (i.e anything made since 1987! :D )
All canon EF lenses have the 'EF' written just before the focal length-e.g "EF 75-300mm 1:4.5-5.6 III USM" ,or "EF 50mm 1:1.8 "

Other brands you will just have to try to see if they fit.
Take your camera along and compare any lens with the mounting parts of the lens you allready have

[ChrisN]

Thanks so much.

Andy, I printed out the list as you suggested that will be a great help.

I apparently have a lot of reading to do. :)

Thanks again. I appreciate all the replies

[SENster7]

Depending on your budget and the what you will be shooting the most, I would suggest the following to start off with:

Canon 50mm f/1.8 $69
Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 $369

The 50mm f/1.8 is cheap, light, and sharp.

The Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 is solid, sharp, and makes a great walk around lens, it is on my camera about 70% of the time.

If you need to go beyond the 75mm range, I would suggest looking at either the Canon 70-200 f/2.8L or the Canon 70-200 f/4.0L. The difference in price is around $600 with the 2.8 being around $1100, but for me I am glad that I opted for the 2.8, I tend to need it quite often.

Good luck, and don't go broke :)