Digital Rebel Stock Lens Question

[stymiee]

First let me preface my post by acknowledging that I am not a professional, or even amateaur photographer. My wife and I currently own a digital camera which is four years old and we feel no longer suits our needs. We've set a budget of about $500 for a new camera but we're not afraid to spend more if we feel we'll really get a good value for our money.

My wife has identified three cameras that she feels would suit us well. One of them is the Digital Rebel. However she seems to believe that the lens on it is very poor. This is based on information she's found online. I can't tell you who the source is or how credible it is but she seems to be convinced enough to rule out the rebel as an option. I work with a graphic designer who sold cameras for eight years and after giving her a comparison sheet of the three cameras we've identified she says the digital rebel is by far the best.

If I am going to convince my wife the Rebel is the better option, I need to be able to convince her the lens is ok. So my question to you is this: how good or bad is the stock lens on a digital rebel?

(If you're curious, the two other camera being considered are the Fujifilm FinePix S7000 Z and Panasonic DMC-FZ20)

[Hellashot]

First of all if you're looking for good quality, I wouldn't even consider a camera from Panasonic which isn't an imaging company.

The 17-55 EF-S kit lens on the Drebel for its price is a very good deal. It is very cut and dry - no bells or whistles. Some advanced users on here do no like the lens but it does very well. I have taken very good images with it using manual and autofocus. The other 2 cameras you listed probably do not have interchangeable lens capability.

[Jon]

The stock lens on the DR isn't great in comparison to many high-end SLR lenses. But the combination of that lens and the significantly larger sensor on the DR will give you generally better results than the smaller sensor and lens combination on either of the other two (even though the Panasonic has a Leica lens). Some digital camera image quality problems are more closely tied to small sensors than they are to lenses (purple fringing springs to mind). Lenses with large zoom ranges (the "x" factor, as in 10X zoom) are more vulnerable to optical aberrations like pincushion/barrel distortion or chromatic aberration. Plus, with the DR, you don't have to stay with the kit lens.

Another advantage of the DR is that it has a true optical viewfinder. In both the others, you've only got an"electronic view finder" (read, relatively low-resolution LCD display) to focus and compose with.

On the down side, it won't give you the "movie" mode the other two have.

[JZaun]

Look at this link. I compared the $100 kit lens 18-55 to a $700 17-40 (L) lens. Make up your own mind. Yes the kit lens is cheeply made but for the money takes great pics.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=48882

JZ

[mgchan]

For the price, you can't beat the lens. As you take more photos and become comfortable with the DRebel, then upgrade to a higher quality lens.

Majority of my shots were taken with the kit lens and I'm happy with the results:

www.dailysnapshots.com

[Andy_T]

Stymie,

welcome to the forum!

The DRebel is the best of the three alternatives.

A simple analogy ... It's like deciding between a Porsche Boxster and a Dodge Neon and fearing that the Boxster might not be sufficient, because it is not as good as the 911.

The Dodge Neon in question would be the normal version, not the SRT-4 :lol:

Best regards,
Andy

[stymiee]

Thanks for the replies. I appreciate your feedback and your sample photos. JZaun, thanks for the comparison photos.

I wouldn't even consider a camera from Panasonic which isn't an imaging company.
My coworker who sold cameras for eight years said the same thing. And it was the first thing she said as well.

From what I gather it seems like this lens should suffice for our purposes. Maybe even more then suffice.

[Cadwell]

Whilst not knocking the Canon kit lens in any way, I would like to say that the 6x zoom Fujinon lens fitted to the Fuji S7000 is one of the finest lenses fitted to any compact digicam.

[RBarr]

This topic arises about every 10 days. Here's a sample from mine:

http://www.cycleorings.com/kid.jpg

(Most of the usual visitors are familiar with this one...).

RB

[stymiee]

OK, so he may have convinced me to get the Rebel.

While shopping online, I came across a bundle that includes two Canon lenses: the 75-300 mm USM IS lens and the 28-135 mm USM IS lens.

I know that a wannabe photographer like me probably doesn't need these NOW, but the deal is pretty good. Thanks to Canon's triple rebates, I'd save almost $400- essentially getting one of those lenses for free.

Opinions on these lenses? Should I just stick with the stock lens for now, or is it worth the splurge?

[Jonny]

OK, so he may have convinced me to get the Rebel.

While shopping online, I came across a bundle that includes two Canon lenses: the 75-300 mm USM IS lens and the 28-135 mm USM IS lens.

I know that a wannabe photographer like me probably doesn't need these NOW, but the deal is pretty good. Thanks to Canon's triple rebates, I'd save almost $400- essentially getting one of those lenses for free.

Opinions on these lenses? Should I just stick with the stock lens for now, or is it worth the splurge?

if its a good deal it will be worth the spend now as you will definately find yourself wanting more focal length, than the kit lens offers, at some point.

I have owned both but just sold the 75-300. Both are good lenses.
Your choice should be dictated by you photographic needs....what do you like to shoot?
Personally i would go for the 28-135...but thats just me.

[commando]

I think the kit lens is very good, and it's very cheap. You could also consider the 50mm F1.8 lens which is around $70 and has a very good reputation. Just remember to stop it down to F8 or so if you want really crisp shots.

[ron chappel]

Well it sounds abit like your budget simply doesn't allow for a better allternative to the stock kit lens :cry:
You have to spend a *SERIOUS* :shock: amount more to upgrade from the kit lens to something better-there simply aren't as yet any in between allternatives.

DON'T RULE OUT THE PANASONIC BECAUSE IT'S NOT MADE BY AN 'IMAGE COMPANY'
The panasonic has some extremely good reviews.I'm sure i've heard it described it as a perfect combination of german optics and japanese electronics

In short your options approch digital from different angles-

The digicams give bright sharp images straight from the camera with little effort involved.The drawbacks are potentially many including slow AF,no shallow depth of field,no interchangable lenses and so on

The DSLR images NEED work in photoshop.Even with the in camera settings at the max i think you'll find them needing more correction than digicam pics.
The DSLR would be an ideal choice if you plan to get more serious about photography,no doubt about it.They offer SO many options and choices-but do require more editing and effort in general


so to answer your original question...i think the kit lens will be very similar to the quality of the digicams.
Abit better with good technique and post processing,
abit worse (on average) when used as a point and shoot



*edit*

The above was written yesterday but my internet connection cut me off before i could post.Most is still relevant though.I see now that you are considering a 28-135 is + 75-300 kit
Basically i think you should pass up on that particular kit.
The 18-55 + 75-300 would make a great combo but the 28-135 is mostly wasted.
Don't get me wrong,the 28-135 is a very good lens.Optically it is better than the kit lens or 75-300 but it just doesn't match up well with your other choices.

[commando]

My kit lens on the rebel make much better pictures than my 3MP Canon A70 point and shoot.

[donP]

Buy the Digital rebel, you will not go wrong... I have used the stock lens and have many awards with images from that lens... Yes Canon's $1500 lens are better wide open etc... but you are not buying a canon "L" lens.... I have both (+17-40 L F4) you will not tell a big difference as a new owner.
It's the best $100 lens on the market !
Good Luck
DonP

[SeanH]

Get the 28-135. I'm going to get it myself for a "all around" lens.........sometimes I don't like lugging the L's around :wink:

[Reminisce]

When you buy the Digital Rebel, you are buying your way into a very well established family (the EOS system), the kit lens is just the butler introducing you to everyone. And its a great butler who does great work for low pay.

The stock lens is only 'bad' when compared to the other tons of lenses available out there useable on EOS cameras, but at the same time, they will cost you tons more. I love my kit lens, I still use it even though I have 2 decent other lenses. You will not go wrong with the DR, trust me. I bought a Nikon 5700 before I got the DR and thought I hit jackpot... thats until I went into a store and held the rebel for the first time.

[EOSX]

Get the 28-135. I'm going to get it myself for a "all around" lens.........sometimes I don't like lugging the L's around :wink:

Which 28-135 would you purchase? The normal EF or USM. Any major differences between the 2 beside the USM motor? Which is better?

[commando]

Which 28-135 would you purchase? The normal EF or USM. Any major differences between the 2 beside the USM motor? Which is better?

As well as the replies that will come from the good folks here, there are good lens review sites you might want to look at:

http://www.photographyreview.com/defaultcrx.aspx
http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showgallery.php?cat=27

[ron chappel]

I'm pretty sure there is only the one version of the 28-135
That's the one with both USM and IS

It's a very good consumer grade lens by all accounts .This forum has lots of owners who love it
I wouldn't get one myself but ONLY because i like both longer and wider lenses..so that's what i have
In fact i'd personally go for a long zoom and a wide zoom and forget the boring middle ground :)

[lensmen]

Get the 28-135. I'm going to get it myself for a "all around" lens.........sometimes I don't like lugging the L's around :wink:

I just join the 28-135 IS club and traded in my kit lens to the seller who wanted something wider.... and pocket change as well...

[Canuck]

My kit lens on the rebel make much better pictures than my 3MP Canon A70 point and shoot.

This isn't really a fair comparison...6.3mp vs 3.2 mp...kinda like comparing the DR to the 1Ds. Not to mention they are in different categories of shooting and a world of difference in cost depending on how you equip the DR (ie: L glass)! 8)

[stymiee]

Your choice should be dictated by you photographic needs....what do you like to shoot?
Personally i would go for the 28-135...but thats just me.


I'm looking for a good all-around lens (or two). I'd like to play with macro photography a bit, but also take pictures of friends and scenery on vacation.

[tim]

I'm looking for a good all-around lens (or two). I'd like to play with macro photography a bit, but also take pictures of friends and scenery on vacation.

For anyone new to SLR photography (which includes me, really) i'd recommend using the kit lens for a while before buying more lenses. The lens is pretty good, and using it will help you get to know what you like to photograph and work out which qualities you value in a lens. eg you might discover you do a lot of low light work, macro work, or portraits, each of which has different requirements.

[FlyingPete]

Get the 28-135. I'm going to get it myself for a "all around" lens.........sometimes I don't like lugging the L's around :wink:

My two frames worth on this? I have both the 18-55 and teh 28-105. I prefer the 28-105 as a walk about lens, but I frequently get caught out at the wide end. On the other hand, as I was often all the way out at 105mm, I would have been caught out at the long end on my 18-55! This is why the 17-85IS is on my longer term 'to-do' list.

In the future I will probably carry both, the 18-55 is so light and small, easy to tuck away in a big jacket pocket.

Perhaps Sigma of Tamron will do one of their superzooms in a 18-200mm perhaps :twisted: (You'll never see on of those on my camera!)

[Hark]

For the price, you can't beat the lens. As you take more photos and become comfortable with the DRebel, then upgrade to a higher quality lens.

Majority of my shots were taken with the kit lens and I'm happy with the results:

www.dailysnapshots.com (http://www.dailysnapshots.com)
your reef shot on March 6th, I dont think thats a carpet anenome...thats a ricordia or some form of mushroom.

BTW...i have a 100 gal reef myself and if i can figure out how to work this new D rebel camera, i will take some pics of my tank as well..

your tank looks awesome though