lens question

[queenbee288]

My 300d is on the way and I was searching for my starter lens, 50mm 1.8 as recommended here and some of them say EF and some say FD. What is that about and what exactly do I need to look for if I am searching ebay or the web. It was confusing enough when I was trying to choose a camera and now I am overwhelmed by lenses. LOL:confused:


Char

[MrChad]

You need an EF or EF-S lens.

The FD was for the older manual AE-1 type Canon's before Eos came to the market.

You think Canon is confusing look at Nikon lenses.....

[Eric DeCastro]

just get a nice zoom for starters. get a 17-40L

[Jim_T]

The 50 f/1.8 is a good performer, but if you're on a budget, you just **can't** beat the EF-S 18-55mm lens that comes optionally with the 300D.

[Olegis]

get a 17-40L

I wouldn't recommend such a lens for somebody who is just starting his way in a DSLR world. Sure it's one great lens, but it's very expensive. The best approah, IMO, is - to buy the camera with the kit lens, use it for a while and then decide whether you want to upgrade or not. You just may be happy with the results from the kit lens - who knows ?

[queenbee288]

well, I have already bought the camera without the kit lens. It is on it's way. I had read in this forum that the kit lens was crap. See what I mean about confusing. Okay, what should it be? The kit lens or the 50mm 1.8. I am on a tight budget right now.
Char

[Olegis]

The budget is tight ? The 18-55 kit lens is the best for you right now, IMHO.

You see, the 50mm f/1.8 will become 80mm - it's a nice focal length for some purposes and absolute unsutable for others. The kit zoom lens will be much more flexible, it will suit you for much wider range of photography possibilities. It's not the best lens ever, but for that kind of money it's OK and more.

[queenbee288]

Thanks, That is what I will do. I really appreciate the input.
Char

[Olegis]

You welcome :)

[MrChad]

You might want to look at the Sigma 18-50mm. ($109)

It looks better built then the kit lens and if you already have the body may be cheaper to buy now then an EF-S. I like that it comes with a hood and a true focusing ring.

[Ikinaa]

well, I have already bought the camera without the kit lens. It is on it's way. I had read in this forum that the kit lens was crap. See what I mean about confusing. Okay, what should it be? The kit lens or the 50mm 1.8. I am on a tight budget right now.
Char

I don't understand why everybody thinks that the kit lens is crap.
I got the 20D with the 18-55 yesterday and tried it out shooting the family yesterday.
Here's a 100% crop of the eye of my son, 55mm, f/5.6, flash, 1/60s
I think it's really sharp for a plastic lens worth a few bucks...

[tim]

The kit lens is great for the price. I don't know if you can buy it seperately from the camera, I thought you had to buy it in a kit.

The 50mm 1.8 is great value too, and will teach you a lot. Get both if you can afford it.

[Andy_T]

Other than that, you've certainly heard about the 300$ Tamron 28-75/2.8 XR DI.

It's a hell of a lens that will forever spoil you for slow lenses...

Best regards,
Andy

[JZaun]

well, I have already bought the camera without the kit lens. It is on it's way. I had read in this forum that the kit lens was crap. See what I mean about confusing. Okay, what should it be? The kit lens or the 50mm 1.8. I am on a tight budget right now.
Char


Facts, the kit lens "IS" cheaply built, plastic, plastic mount, focus motor etc: but for $100 it takes real good pictures. The zoom range ia real handy. Now you can nit pic and say yep its not as good as a $700 17-40mm(L) but in my personal test the 17-40 just barely beat it out for picture quality. In fact I felt it was so good compared to my 17-85 EFS $600 lens I sent the 17-85 back and ordered the 17-40mm(L). Yep its cheaply built but still a very workable lens. Now the highly praised 50mm f1.8 is just as cheaply built and it also takes fantastic pics. At 50mm the 50mm f1.8 is a little better but keep in mind the range you need. So my thought is pick the focal range you want and get it. Both lens will serve you well and for the cost you CANNOT go wrong.

JZ

[slejhamer]

You might want to look at the Sigma 18-50mm. ($109)

It looks better built then the kit lens and if you already have the body may be cheaper to buy now then an EF-S. I like that it comes with a hood and a true focusing ring.


I just picked up the f/2.8 EX version of that lens. It is closer to US$500 in price, but it is a SWEET lens. Much sharper at f/4 than the 17-40L lens that I sent back (it may have been defective.) Seems very well built too.

But for a general-purpose walk-around lens, I'd second Andy's suggestion of the Tamron 28-75 XR Di.

[Eric DeCastro]

my 10D didn't have a kit lens nor have I used one. so I don't know what it's like.

[jamesdmo]

I chose to use a Tamron 28-75mm on my new Digital Rebel, so the kit lense that came with it is for sale on Ebay right now if you are interested. I never used it. I saw one go for $92 last week in Ebay, to give you an idea what it may end up costing. I don't think you can buy those kit lenses new without buying the kit.

[queenbee288]

Is $130 a good price for a 50mm 1.8 mark 1 with metal mount? I am looking at a used one.

Thanks

[MrChad]

Is $130 a good price for a 50mm 1.8 mark 1 with metal mount? I am looking at a used one.

Thanks


I'd get that over the 50mm mk II anyday.

[queenbee288]

But the mark II is half the price. I am having trouble finding prices for the Mrk I to compare. That is why I wanted to know if 130 is a good price for used.

Man, the response time in this forum is awesome!

[Hellashot]

well, I have already bought the camera without the kit lens. It is on it's way. I had read in this forum that the kit lens was crap. See what I mean about confusing. Okay, what should it be? The kit lens or the 50mm 1.8. I am on a tight budget right now.
Char

It's true you can't be the kit lens for price and range of view. You'll find having only the 50mm will greatly limit your photography since it'll essentially give you the view of an 80 or 85mm which is more of a telephoto lense rather than a general walkaround lens if you'd use the 50mm on a film body.

[Hellashot]

I chose to use a Tamron 28-75mm on my new Digital Rebel, so the kit lense that came with it is for sale on Ebay right now if you are interested. I never used it. I saw one go for $92 last week in Ebay, to give you an idea what it may end up costing. I don't think you can buy those kit lenses new without buying the kit.

No, they've started selling the EF-S 18-55m standalone now.