My wish list...In what order should I purchase them?

[FlipsidE]

Well, here's my wishlist of items to buy to go along with my DRebel. I put them in the order that I think I would buy them. But, those of you with more photography experience than I have may have some advice on the order these should be bought. Let me just say that I currently do have a Lowepro camera bag that can hold my DRebel with kit lens and a few other things (like blower brush, lens pen, lens cap/body cap, and CF cards). I also have an el-cheapo tripod that should be able to get me by for a while.

Lumiquest Pocket Bouncer
Lumiquest Mini Softbox
Lumiquest 80-20
Canon 50mm f/1.8 Lens
Tamron 28-75/2.8 Lens
Lowepro CompuTrekker AW
Canon BG-E1 Battery Grip
Gitzo G-2220 Explorer Aluminium Tripod
Alien Bees Beginner Bee (and some way to trigger it)

Thanks in advance

FlipsidE

[IanBMW]

Tripod
50mm 1.8
BG-E1 (i own this its great)
Then go from there on needs.
:D

[Scottes]

Whenever you get it, get the LumiQuest Pro Kit - it's not that expensive and will save you a lot while giving you extra toys.

Bang for buck order:
50mm f/1.8, which you could skip considering the Tamron.
Tamron 28-75
Lumiquest stuff
Bag
Flash Bracket - since you seem to want to do portraits, I'll throw it in.

The big bucks:
Tripod & Head - you forgot the head. Tripods are priceless, but expensive. Good choice on the 2220.
Alien Bees

Note that the Grip is not on my list, as I don't find it useful, but you might for portraits just for the extra button.

[CoolToolGuy]

My 2 cents:

First - EF 50mm f1.8 - you can't get more value out of the $70 or so you'll spend to get it any other way.

Second - The tripod (head included, of course)

LAST - The grip - unless you are really interested in the vertical shutter release. I would not buy the grip for the battery capability unless you plan to use the built-in flash extensively, and with the flash you have and what you have on your list, it doesn't appear that way.

Fit all the other stuff in between 'Second' and the grip.

Although, if you are getting an Alien Bees unit, do you want to trick out your 420EX with all the other add-on things?

Have Fun,

[daveh]

Without knowing anything about what you're doing, I'd say the lenses - especially the 50mm.

But of you tell me you only work in a studio, then it's time to get the Bee. (They come with a sync cable.)

[FlipsidE]

Well, I'm hoping to focus on three types of photography...Macro (of all types), Landscapes, and Portraits.

I'm not planning to be in a studio all the time, but hopefully frequently.

FlipsidE

[Scottes]

Neither of the lenses mentioned are Macro lenses. You already have a landscape lens. You'll really really want a tripod for macro and landscape.

I'm beginning to think that a tripod & head come first to allow you to get started on landscapes at least.

[daveh]

Yeah with Macro listed first (if that's meaningful) I'd be looking at the Canon 100mm macro. That's a really nice macro lens.

[Scottes]

Yeah with Macro listed first (if that's meaningful) I'd be looking at the Canon 100mm macro. That's a really nice macro lens.

It also makes for a very nice portrait lens, allowing you to hold off on the Tamron for a bit. It's not much more than the Tamron I believe.

[FlipsidE]

By all means, if you all can recommend a lens that's good for both Macro and Portraits, that'd be great!

FlipsidE

[Scottes]

Dave did - the Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro.

It's slow to AF, but it's a very nice length, well built, and *very* sharp and contrasty and clear. It's at the top of the list for optics.

[FlipsidE]

Fixed zoom? Just curious. It'd be nice to have a variable zoom for some portrait shots rather than having to move the camera.

Thanks

FlipsidE

[Scottes]

Fixed focal length yes. Also known as a Prime. It's not a zoom.

Yes, it would be nice not to have to move, but you asked for a lens that would suit both. You're not going to find a Macro lens that's also a zoom. Well, some call themselves Macro but no zoom that I know about will do 1:1. On B&H I found 4 macro zooms, none better than 1:2 and all mediocre to poor quality.

It's never easy but you have to weigh your priorities and budget. Since you have a good landscape lens, what is next - macro or portraits? Many would say that the Tamron 28-75, while a very good lens, is barely long enough for portraits. At almost 1:4 it's certainly not a macro. The 100mm Macro suits both very well, at a cost of moving your feet.

[FlipsidE]

I have read (though can't back it up) that that 50/1.8 will do 1:2. That's not bad for the price. I could use that for my Macro lens until I decide to spend more on a true macro lens. Then, either grab that Tamron or the the Canon 28-135 for portraits.

That's what I was kinda plannin to do...what do you all think?

FlipsidE

[daveh]

I have read (though can't back it up) that that 50/1.8 will do 1:2.

I think there may be some confusion with Canon's 50mm macro lens here. That lens can do 1:2 without an optional accessory.

[FlipsidE]

Gotcha..I must have read that incorrectly.

Thanks

FlipsidE

[Scottes]

The Canon 50mm f/1.8 will do 1:6.66. The Canon 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro will do 1:2, or 1:1 with the Lifesize Adapter. Such a short macro is generally not very desired by most people who wish to shoot macro. The working distance is very minimal, and the resulting DoF is also very minimal.

The 28-135mm IS is a very good lens, very convenient, but it's f/5.6 at the long end and thus not great for portraits because it's very slow and you get a larger DoF than an f/2.8. Many people like f/1.2 or 1.8 for portraits - at the very least you have more options for DoF and many many more options in low-light situations.

I'd stick with the Tamron vs the 28-135 for portraits. And the Tamron will produce a better image.


For a true macro, about the cheapest you can get is a Sigma 105mm f/2.8 Macro for $370. I have one, and like it very much - well, I hate the AF because it's so slow, but it has fantastic optics. For the extra $100 I'd get the Canon if I were to do it again.

[FlipsidE]

You guys are invaluable resources! I really appreciate it. I think that if I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it right. I think the Tamron 28-75 will be my portrait lens. I'll work on Macro a bit later. I've heard that the 50mm f/1.8 is just a MUST HAVE no matter what type of photography you are into, so I'll probably pick that one up too.

Thanks

FlipsidE

[Scottes]

Take a look at extension tubes for a cheap way to near-macro. A set of 2 (12mm, 20mm, and 36mm) is $130. A single 25mm is probably a better idea for $79. You *will* get 1:1 on the Tamron with one of these, but you might not like the working distance. But zoomed out to 75mm you should be close to 1:1 with a halfway decent working distance.

Well, maybe 1:2 as a very rough guess, since I just found that the min focus distance of the Tamron is 13". With a 25mm tube you might get only 6" of working distance and maybe get around 1:2.


What kind of macro do you want to do? Still objects, or live bugs? And to what extent? Do you really want 1:1? A tube on the Tamron won't be very good for chasing live bugs, but it would be very good for larger, non-moving objects.

[Scottes]

I think that if I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it right. I think the Tamron 28-75 will be my portrait lens. I'll work on Macro a bit later. I've heard that the 50mm f/1.8 is just a MUST HAVE no matter what type of photography you are into, so I'll probably pick that one up too.

I can agree wholeheartedly.

I wish you had said that an hour ago! :D

You will be *very* happy with those lenses, and only a bit sad that you can't do 1:1 macro.

[FlipsidE]

I wish you had said that an hour ago! :D

- Yeah...sorry bout that one. I needed a good talking through anyway to truly get a good handle on what lenses I needed.

Thanks again!!

FlipsidE

[tofuboy]

A temporary macro solution could be to get some extension tubes... These were taken with my 50 f/1.4 and some Kenko extension tubes. (at ~$130 for the 12mm, 20mm, and 36mm set.. it's not a bad deal). I'm guessing they would work well on the Tamron lens you want. Maybe others could weigh in with their input?

http://www.tofuboy.net/upload/photos/CRW_5064.jpg (resized)
http://www.tofuboy.net/upload/photos/canonultrasonic.jpg (resized)
http://www.tofuboy.net/upload/photos/waterdrop.jpg (100% crop)

[Jesper]

Note that for macro, you also must get the tripod, otherwise you'll have a hard time making sharp, shake free photos.

I'm without tripod for the moment (sold my tripod last week and the stupid shop where I ordered my new one says it's going to take longer because they're getting a new importer). I feel crippled! :?

[levontn]

The 50mm lens was a good purchase for myself. I went with the newer (plastic mount) lens but you may be able to find the older metal mount lens on ebay.....if you can find one at a decent price.

[edsarkiss]

couple things:
- the tamron 90mm macro has better optics than the canon. the tamron and the canon make the sigma macro look like junk optically. the canon has better "feel" and fater & quieter (though not necessarily more accurate) AF than the tamron, but AF and macro don't really mix.

- i'm curious why we don't see more plugs for the 35mm and 28mm primes for the 1.6x digi slrs. these are more of a "normal" lens. the 50/1.8 really is more in the portrait range considering the magnification factor. the 35/2.0 isn't terribly expensive (well, 3x the bargain-basement price fo the 50... ;-) )

[Adam Hicks]

Well I had the Tamron 28-75 AND the 100mm Macro USM, and I prefer the Tamron for most everything. The 100mm is sharper, obviously, but the focus distance on the Tamron is minimal, and you can really have fun with it as a macro lens, although it's not a true 1:1, etc. It'll probably satisfy your macro itch.

Adam

[hogzilla]

Talking about wishs one of mine just came true. I just bought my first L
I got the 70-200 4L. Scratch that off my list . i can't wait till it comes :D

[commando]

Glad the Tamron 28-75 does macro, mine'll be here on Monday, yay! :)

[Persian-Rice]

If you don't have a tripod, a tripod should be your first purchase. The 50 1.8 is pocket change, so get that next and the rest is up to you.