Switching to Canon

After being bamboozled by Sony for the past 2 years, I'm finally wising up and switching to a Canon. After Christmas, I'll be ordering a new 20D. I'm going to purchase the body and look online (probably eBay) for the lens. I have seen some Tamron lenses for good prices. Since this is my first DSLR, I would like to know if someone can fill me in on the difference in the lenses from Canon, Sigma, and Tamron. I'm kinda on a budget and I want to purchase the body, lense, 2 gid microdrive, grip, and the 580ex flash. I don't really want to spend the money for Canon lenses if there is a way for me get good quality photos for less. I'm by no means a professional, and take most of my photos of my grandchildren, and while on vacation. In fact, the only reason that I'm purchasing the D20 is because I like to purchase the most camera I can get for my money. I also like the fact that with the 20D, I won't really have to change cameras every year (like with the Sony).

In your position i'd probably consider the Canon 28-135 IS lens. It has a good range, and image stabilisation will counter shaking hands (which everyone does). Also you might consider a 2GB CF card, microdrives use more power and are less reliable.

Have a look at lens reviews on http://www.photography​review.com too. That'll give you a good idea of the quality of the different lenses. If you're going for a cheap lens you could just get a 2nd hand 10D or Digital Rebel/300D, as the extra quality of the 20D could be wasted.

A 28-135mm, and a 50mm f/1.8 (for $75.00 ) is a great way to start.

Ditto.

Canon 28-135 I.S. at a minimum.

---Bob Gross---

My honest opinion is a question first. What has Sony done so wrong especially considering what you are using the camera for? Why do you think you HAVE to upgrade your camera every year? It is what you make the image as. Getting into a SLR for your use, as I see it, is money unwisely spent. You are looking at spending roughly $1,500 for the body, and another large amount for lenses. Your upgrade decisions sounds more like techie issues or trying to keep up with the Jone's ways.

Now to answer your question: Tamron 28-75 XR DI and Sigma EX 70-200. For the price of these two you can't go wrong. Try to stay clear of the "L" if you can because many people who use Canon will swear by it but at the same time it's like buying a 12 cyclinder Benz when you can have an 8 cylinder Caddy. You make the decision about the status you want .

Consideting what you're gonna be shooting and your budget, I'd go with the Digital Rebel instead. In my opinion you're not gonna have a need for anything more serious.

Digital bodies depreciate really fast. Rebel will do all you need.

Both the rebel and 20D will bodies will cost from 200 to 500 bucks in 3 years. But a 500$ canon lens will be around 400 in 3 years.

Plus... your images are only as good as the lens you put on your body. I'd try to get the best glass possible, even if it means a slightly inferior body.

For your purposes you have:
18-55 EFS f/3.5-5.6 - 120 bucks?
50mm f/1.8 - 70 bucks
Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 - 350 bucks

I'd start there and see if you need anything else.

You can't achieve the super shallow DOF with small sensors. He could really use it for portraits...

On the other hand you may be totally right. He'd be better off with G6 or G7... whichever one is the latest and/or actually exists.

Try Sigma 18-125mm

To be honest, I am somewhat of a techie. I like having the latest. I'm also really want to get into photography. I like the idea of having something with a little more expandability than Sony. I have also had some custoemr service issues with Sony (both my camera and my laptop). So in replacing my camera, I'm not going to go with Sony. I like new things, and the 20D looks interesting. I know that it's overkill but I can't help it.

MinisterStanley wrote:
To be honest, I am somewhat of a techie. I like having the latest. I'm also really want to get into photography. I like the idea of having something with a little more expandability than Sony. I have also had some custoemr service issues with Sony (both my camera and my laptop). So in replacing my camera, I'm not going to go with Sony. I like new things, and the 20D looks interesting. I know that it's overkill but I can't help it.

oh...

Let's all welcome MinisterStanley. My name is Andrew and I have equipment fetish. All of us here do.

Let's all thank Stanley for sharing with us...

Equipment fetish is something uncurable. People subject themselves to all kinds of suffering to satisfy this fetish... monetary posessions go... your second half's nagging is effectively filtered out... if you cut down on craft dinners you'd be able to afford a new filter a week... so you switch to oat meal and elephant grade peanuts.

But, unlike the unenlighened ones you have a purpose! You want to build a perfect system. During the day you work for the next lens, during the night you dream about the next lens and the time in between is spent reading about and discussing your next lens.

So, Stanley, Kiss your savings good bye! Once you get that first shot of the L stuff, you're hooked!

But you're not alone. You are really not alone!

So, in this case, I'd recommend you save yourself some frustration and get this:
50/1.4
70-200 f/2.8 IS L
Tamron 28-70
17-40 f/4 L

That should about do it (for the first 3 weeks)

I think there's some pent up frustration around here because the board was down. I don't see how you guys can assume to know what the original poster needs, or doesn't need, from his limited post. As long as MinisterStanley is comfortable with the size, weight, and cost of the 20D, then I whole heartedly recommend it! It will be far better than any point and shoot for capturing fast moving grandkids. This is the digital EOS forum, everyone here that owns a digital SLR has an expensive camera body. So what?

As for the original question about lenses, you should know that Canon, Tamron, and Sigma all make some good lenses and some not so good lenses. Blanket statements about any brand aren't worth much. So review these message boards to find out which lenses should be considered. Here are three lenses (one from each company) that many people are happy with:

Canon 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6
Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8
Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8

When you see a lens that interests you on ebay, get the exact full name of the lens, including all the numbers and letter abbreviations, and then post here to find out if it's any good.

I'm by no means a professional, and take most of my photos of my grandchildren, and while on vacation.

Kinda gives you an general idea, doesn't it?

I would skip this rather rare lens and go with the 28-75 version instead

MinisterStanley: sooner or later you WILL find yourself seriously looking at some heavy L glass and you'll purchase as much of it as your budget will allow you, so please, be honest with yourself and stop saying you don't want to spend much.

I'll tell you exactly what you want to hear: yes, it is allright if you want very good quality and yes, it's worth the price. So, in case you're somewhat shy of spending alot, do take the advice of someone above and get the Tamron 28-75 and Sigma 70-200. Otherwise switch the Tamron with Canon 24-70L and the Sigma with Canon 70-200L IS. Oh, and should you feel you need a good low light lens, get the 50mm f/1.4.

If you want agood overall set up you can go with the Tamron 28-75 a super lens for the price. I have had cheap teles and they just do not cut it, so a good choice is Canon 70-200. the IS version is $1500 where as you can get the non IS F4 L version for aroun d $600.
If you can afford it the Canln L glass is the weay to go although Tamrons 28-75 comes close to some and beats others.

The big problem is once you get the bug its hard not to buy.

You are right Karuse1, I'm not really being honest with myself. I know I'm going to end up spending lots of money (but I just love my "toys"). As far as possibly keeping up with the Joness, I don't have to. Most folks I know (and I know this sounds sad) don't even own digital cameras. I got bit by the technology bug some years ago, and it has been with me every since. This goes way beyond just my camera. I upgrade all of my computers once a year, I upgrade my cell phone about twice a year. I get an itch is I see a new type of gadget and don't have it. As far as lenses, thank you all for the recommendations. Remember ladies and gentlemen, technical overkill is a good thing (I sure hope my therapist is not reading this)