Canon DSLRs and Lenses 101

[dubjdubw]

what is the best walk around lens for a canon 60d? I'm mainly using it while I'm on vacation but would also be using it to take pictures of my kids and such. Wanting sort of a one size fits all lens to use around 90% of the time.

[Bill Ng]

Originally Posted by dubjdubw

what is the best walk around lens for a canon 60d? I'm mainly using it while I'm on vacation but would also be using it to take pictures of my kids and such. Wanting sort of a one size fits all lens to use around 90% of the time.

There is no "best". This is photography, not mathematics. What focal length do you prefer? Do you like getting up close and personal with your subjects or do you prefer candid shots from far away?

For years I used almost nothing but a 75-300 lens, and I was very happy with the results and with the look. Now for some reason the first lens I grab is my 20mm prime for almost every occasion. For decades, hundreds of photo journalists used nothing but a 50mm lens on their cameras.

There is no right, there is no wrong. Find a focal length that works for the kind of photographs you want, then look at the various lens options from Canon, Sigma, and Tokina in that focal range. Find the one with the price and features that best works for you and go have fun.

Ask 100 photographers a question about which lens is the 'best" for a given application and you'll get 200 different answers. This is art - what do you want to see on your wall?

[Rob_50D]

Originally Posted by dubjdubw

what is the best walk around lens for a canon 60d? I'm mainly using it while I'm on vacation but would also be using it to take pictures of my kids and such. Wanting sort of a one size fits all lens to use around 90% of the time.

The 28-300mm L.

[Lowdown89]

I just wanted to say thank you, I know lots of others have basically said the same thing I have but this is great info for a "newb" such as myself... I wish I had read this before I went and attempted to take pictures of my wifes friend I'm sure they would have turned out a lot nicer.... Anyway thank you fornthe time and effort you have put in to this!!

[Bill Ng]

Originally Posted by Lowdown89

I just wanted to say thank you, I know lots of others have basically said the same thing I have but this is great info for a "newb" such as myself... I wish I had read this before I went and attempted to take pictures of my wifes friend I'm sure they would have turned out a lot nicer.... Anyway thank you fornthe time and effort you have put in to this!!

Glad people are still getting use of out it. Thanks!

[crbeveri]

wow great read thanks much.

[HemiLens03]

This is exactly what I've been looking for, a nice and sweet explanation to the functions and modes of my camera, THANKS OP!

Canon Rebel XS with 18-55mm kit

[heem6]

Bill, I wanted to say thank you also. I've been learning digital photography slowly, mostly by trial and error. I've read several tutorials and one or two books but none explained the basics as well as you have in this thread. I particularly like your explanations of how apertures, shutter speed and ISO work in combination - for instance that it's generally desirable to have higher apertures so you can use faster shutter speeds and lower ISO's, and the explanations of the 4 different camera modes. Thank you for not digressing into too many scenarios in the article. You've stuck to explaining the basics - making comprehension much easier!

[Bill Ng]

Originally Posted by heem6

Bill, I wanted to say thank you also. I've been learning digital photography slowly, mostly by trial and error. I've read several tutorials and one or two books but none explained the basics as well as you have in this thread. I particularly like your explanations of how apertures, shutter speed and ISO work in combination - for instance that it's generally desirable to have higher apertures so you can use faster shutter speeds and lower ISO's, and the explanations of the 4 different camera modes. Thank you for not digressing into too many scenarios in the article. You've stuck to explaining the basics - making comprehension much easier!

Thanks Heem. I'm still here, so if anyone ever has any specific questions or wants to understand another photography related topic, PM me. I'd be more than happy to help.

[LRM]

Is there some "cheap" good walkaround lens for mine 40D? Now i got Canon 28-135mm wich is quite Ok, but 28mm with 1.6x sensor camera is not wide and that's why i need to carry also Sigma 10-20mm lens. So something to maybe replace that 28-135mm lens, but what?

[eos650]

Bill, thx from me also for putting the time in as i am sure this is very redundant for you.

[calidoc]

Excellent overview, thanks

[icontact]

thanks Bill for writing this up and others for their contributions. i've definitely learned something new today. it's easy to get caught up in all the latest and greatest SLR gear without knowing or having a clear understanding of the basics.

[Bill Ng]

Originally Posted by icontact

thanks Bill for writing this up and others for their contributions. i've definitely learned something new today. it's easy to get caught up in all the latest and greatest SLR gear without knowing or having a clear understanding of the basics.

All cameras work the same way. Once you have the basics, it becomes very very easy to buy your next camera. You'll know what features you want (full frame, spot metering, weather sealed body, integrated battery grip, 5/7/9/11+ fps, live-view, etc) and will be able to quickly find the body that suits your needs at your price point and it will all work virtually the same way whether its Nikon, Sony, Canon, Sigma, Mamiya, etc.

[rogertb]

Hi chaps, I bought a 550d earlier in the year and have messed about buying and selling lenses until I think I've settled on a useful setup .. I have a 100-400 L and a 24-105 L and I'm really happy with them. Well I have run out of money but have a niggling feeling that having spent 2K on lenses the 550d is letting things down. I'm guessing that unless I spend some serious money I'll have to stick with the 550d. I've always agreed with the 'spend money on good glass' - I'm just wondering if I've gone too far the other way ! Thanks for any feedback - Roger