What lens to get

Hi, I'm new to photography. I'm planning on getting the 10d, and a lense. What I need to know is, for example, after 85mm, 50mm, etc, what does f/1.8, or f/1.4, or f/5.6 etc. means? I appreciate your help. Thanks.

Short answer...
The second number is the maximum aperture, the lower the number the better usually.
The smaller the number the more light the lens will let through. Thus a 70-200/f4 is not as good as a 70-200/f2.8

I had the same question a while back.


https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=10159

As to which lens to get, it's impossible to say without knowing what sort of pictures you want to take. But it's possible that even you don't yet know that, so perhaps a reasonably priced versatile wide-to-tele zoom is a good place to start. Unfortunately, the 10D's sensor makes wide-angle lenses less so. If you want at least moderate wide angle, consider the 24-85 USM as a first lens. It is reasonably priced and you won't feel terrible about what you spent if you decide later to change directions. It won't, however, reveal the full quality of the 10D.

If you want something reasonably general-purpose and not expensive but that still explores the full quality of the 10D, then put the zoom lenses off until later and get one or two fixed-focus lenses. I'd start with the 35mm f/2--a high-quality normal lens on a 10D that is quite reasonably priced. None of the zooms will make better images, not even the multi-kilobuck L zooms.

The second number is the maximum aperture. The smaller the number, the bigger the opening in the lens, and the more usable it is in low-light conditions without flash. Fast lenses are not necessarily better, just more versatile in dim light (and more expensive). That 35mm f/2 is not only sharper than any zoom, it's also faster than any zoom.

Rick "thinking that zooming has its price" Denney

Want to have some fun? Take the protective cover that covers the lens mount on the camera- drill a small hole in the center. Cover the hole in the rear with a small piece of tin-foil (tape it in place). Take the smallest needle you can find and poke the smallest hole you can -in the center. You now have an F-256 or higher -6MP digital pin-hole camera. Try it in full sunlight...Big Fun!

Bob

Thanks very much for your comments!!!

If you are new to photography, you may first want to get a simpler point-and-shoot digital first with a built-in optical zoom. Many such cameras have the great advantage that they can fit in your pocket (or even an Altoid can!) so you can take them nearly everywhere, and are cheap enough that the purchase is not likely to prevent you from being able to buy a more sophisticated camera (such as the 10D) and lenses, external flash, etc. later.

One of the advantages of being able to take the camera with you is that you will learn composition & lighting at a faster pace than if you had to lug around something as big and heavy as a 10D with lenses.