Lenses

[jforj143]

Hi
we just purchased a canon 300D an upgrade from a point and shoot pentax digital so you could say we have a lot to learn about using a digital slr what we want to know is what is the difference between the lenses some have usm on the end of the description but some don't and what is the difference when using a non canon lens does it change the quality of the pictures or not? I have been reading some of the messages about what other people think and notice in their equipment description that a lot of people have tamron lenses for their cameras are these lenses cheaper to buy than canon and do they have any real affect on the picture quality? Are they availible to buy in Australia?

John & Julie

[tim]

Damn those are long sentences - welcome to POTN though :)

A few answers:
- USM means the lens focuses faster.
- Non-Canon lenses can be as good a quality as Canon lenses, but you have to compare lenses, not brands. For example the Tamron 28-75 is a great lens, but Tamron also make some lenses that aren't great.
- Lenses make a big difference to the image quality. Cheap lenses will give you images with less vivid/accurate color, and they won't be as sharp as good lenses.
- You can buy most things in Australia, but personally I order most of my gear from http://www.bhphotovideo.com in New York (i'm in New Zealand). They're much cheaper and they're reliable.

hth

[shiato storm]

USm means ultrasonic motor - basically its smooth, fast and quiet focusing.
as far as 'other' lens makes they can be a very good option tending to be cheaper than canon's own lenses and sometimes better image quality than canon's professional lens of similar focal range.
basically - being a beginner to the dSLR world - Id strongly suggest you pick up lots of information on lenses and what they do - as well as the reults you aim to achieve (what the camera will be used for etc.). some will be very wide, some will give you huge telephoto range, others can do a wide to telephoto range...

oh and avoid spending huge amounts of money on canon's 'L' series lenses at this early stage in your dSLR-ness. tremendous they might be but expensive they are. you must never forget its who's behind the lens that makes the difference not the equipment you use that makes a good picture.

[gastroboy]

The camera shops in Australia are fairly poor when it comes to DSlr equipment. They either have nothing or charge you an arm/leg and kidney for the stuff. (i.e My 17-85mm lens hood, Michaels camera's in Melbourne, errr..yeah its expensive, um $75 and we can get it to you in 2 weeks! WTF!). you can use them to try out stuff but if you need to buy, use the net. Canon lens's are covered by a worldwide warranty if I am not mistaken so you can save a lot of money that way.

[jforj143]

Hello

just wanted to say thanks for the welcome and the help from those that replied. Reading the questions and answers from other people has helped alot.

[Spatch]

Canon lenses are not necessarily covered by a world wide warranty - it depends where you buy them. For example, if you buy from Hong Kong then they only come with a local warranty so you have to return to HK for any warranty repairs. I understand that if you but from USA then you have to have the warranty card and receipt (for the lens) for repairs to be made outside USA - although I am sure I will be corrected if I am wrong. Bottom line is that you can get lenses cheaper elsewhere but you have to check out the warranty small print to ensure you are covered.

I am currently in the process of buying a lens from HK, however, part of the deal is that the seller will pay for the postage back to HK on all warranty claims - so the purchase of the non UK lens in this case should be fairly risk free. I think a similar deal was also open to Australian residents.

Cheers,