Purchasing 350D need good lense

[djdante]

After much deliberation, I have decided to purchase a Canon 350D as opposed to the 20D, as I have a lot to learn before i can utilise everything the 350D has to offer, and I can spend the money on better equipment.

I understand that the standard lense that comes with the 350D is pretty horrible, and it has been reccomended to me by quite a few camera stores that I look into purchasing a Canon 17-85mm EF-S IS USM Lens for the camera as a good starting point. Is this in fact a good all-round lense for someone such as myself just getting into photography? also, other family members will be using it for family photos, so lots of indoor work.

I have also been reccomended a Tamron 28-75/2.8 and a canon 50mm F1.8 lens, however when I asked about these lenses at the stores I went to, the people seemed to think they they were not very good lenses for digital photography.

Is the 17-85mm a pretty good starter lense?

[Andy_T]

IMO and based on some of the comparison I've seen, the 18-55 and the 17-85 perform very similarly in the wide angle range. The 18-55 even has an edge as far as distortion is concerned. Main advantage of the 17-85 is the usable focal range. The price difference is pretty steep, as you will realize, and - IMO - not justified.

Still, there will be other users who have diverging experiences.

Always bear in mind that if you go to a shop and the salesrep you talk to doesn't have what you want in stock, he will go to lengths to convince you that what he has available is a lot better, anyway :confused:

It is utter BS that these 2 lenses are not good for digital photography.
It has been pointed out here that they may not be very wide on a 1.6 crop camera, but that's what a dedicated wide angle lens (like the very affordable 18-55 kit lens) is for.

Best regards,
Andy

[EOSAddict]

I used the kit lens exclusively for the first 6 months of having my 300D and it turned out some good shots (some posted on here). In my opinion get the 350D+kit lens to start with until you decide where you want to go next. IMO for £50 (in UK) extra at initial purchase you can't beat it.

[djdante]

Hrm... What about two seperate lenses, one for model photography and the parent's indoor shots of family, and one for larger nature shots and that type of photo?

Is that an example where the Tamron begins to be a better choice?

[kenyc]

I used the kit lens exclusively for the first 6 months of having my 300D and it turned out some good shots (some posted on here). In my opinion get the 350D+kit lens to start with until you decide where you want to go next. IMO for £50 (in UK) extra at initial purchase you can't beat it.

I tend to agree because the lens that comes with the kit is basically free (or at least cheap) and it clearly can produce good shots. That said, when I bought my 20D I went for the kit that included the 17-85 EFS IS lens and I'm not disappointed. It is a great lens and does much of what I need. A great "walk-around" lens. If you have the extra money go for it, but otherwise the kit lense 18-55 is going to work for you as well and you can add the 17-85 later if you want. and it will only cost you $100 or so...

KAC

[Andy_T]

Hrm... What about two seperate lenses, one for model photography and the parent's indoor shots of family, and one for larger nature shots and that type of photo?

Is that an example where the Tamron begins to be a better choice?

That's the suggestion.

With the option of adding a 70-200/4.0 (or 2.8 ) later to cover tele.

Best regards,
Andy

[whchan]

Tamron 28-75/2.8 (~$350) and Canon 50/1.8 (~$70) are both GREAT GREAT lens. Tamron is very sharp and fast with zoom capability and 50/1.8 is great for indoor shots. As a matter of fact, I use 50/1.8 exclusively when I shoot indoor (unless I have a hugh group of people). The profit margins on these two lens are probably not as good as some other models that the camera shop was suggesting.

[lostdoggy]

Go with the Tamrom because its a constant aperature. The 17-85 limits you to EF-S capable camera Bodies and from17-55 is already covered by the kit lens. The 50 f/1.8 is not really necessary since the kit lens and the Tamron already cover the 50 part. Hold of and buy the 50 f/1.4 instead if you really think you need a faster 50.

[lostdoggy]

Then when you really get into photography then you can consider the 70-200 f/2.8 IS.

[djdante]

how does the fstop affect my shots? I know the fstop is how wide the opening of the lense is, but I don't know how that affects me. Also, does the IS really help a lot?

[C.S.I.]

The only option is this...... http://www.canon-europe.com/For_Home/Product_Finder/Cameras/EF_Lenses/Fixed_Focal_Length/EF_1200mm_f56L_USM/