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Lens/Beginner Help!!!
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Hi everyone -
My friend just kindly gave me his Canon 20D (he upgraded) but, I need to get lenses for it.
I've never shot SLR - well, one class in HighSchool, but I've pretty much forgotten most of that by now.
Anyway - I am looking at Lenses now, and willing to spend up to about 500 dollars to include EVERYTHING, but, would like to keep that number at about 400.
Basically, I am looking at 3 lenses, thinking about how to start out shooting. I will be shooting everything from scenes off roof-tops, indoor parties/bars, sports, etc. and want something to grow and learn with, that's flexible, and of DECENT quality.
I am looking at:
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Standard AutoFocus Lens - USA
Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM AutoFocus Wide Angle Telephoto Zoom Lens - USA Warranty
and
Canon EF 28-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS USM SLR Lens -72mm- USA
I think I would get both the 50 and the 28-105 together, though if IMAGE STABILIZATION is really important, and the 28-135 would give me a good range, I'd get that one.
In addition,
How important are lens hoods?
and, will I be cool with the standard UV filter, or should I get a full set?
Thanks, I apologize for my naivety ahead of time!
Will
Posted at 12:10PM, 14 February 2007 PDT
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Hello Will,
The 50/1.8 is well worth getting. It makes a very fine prtrait lens on the 20D and is a goodish all round lens when stopped down a bit, say f4.
The other two have a substantial overlap, perhaps you need only one of those.
Lens hoods, well the 50/1.8 front element is set quite far back, for that one you may well be able to get away without one. For the other, I think you need one for both protection from the sun and for physical protection of the front element. I think you need one.
The 20D is a fine camera, you will love it.
Just my 2p
Pete
Posted 64 months ago.
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If you are going to buy a lens for general photography and if wide angle isn't a big part of your photography then I would buy the 28-135mm IS lens. This is a great walk around lens and it even focuses close for really nice close up's of flowers, butterflys, etc.
There are lots of choices but this one is a really good one for the price.
Posted 64 months ago.
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You can not go wrong with the 50MM f1.8 . Every user of a Canon dslr should have this! Cheap, great optics, great bokeh, etc, etc. For the price, this lens canot be beat. Just go for it!
Posted 64 months ago.
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The Tamron 28-75 is probably a better lens in terms of optical quality and would be within your budget. It also has a constant f/2.8 aperture throughout the focal length, which would be better in low light. The 50mm f/1.8 is so inexpensive and such a great bang for the buck, every beginning photographer should have one.
Posted 64 months ago.
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I agree with the others on the cheap 50/1.8 as a good addition for a newbie. It was my 3rd lens and it served well at the time. I have a 50/1.4 now. I don't use the 1.8 anymore.
Posted 64 months ago.
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50mm for sure is a good lens for experiments and more than that. For 28-135 I think is good option. In my oppinion you can upgrade the camera later on, but not so often the lenses, so think twice. the main drag down you will find 28mm in reality will be 44mm focal length in this case your landscapes or arhitectural will be limited.
Posted 64 months ago.
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I have had several lenses, both for my Nikon SLR and my Canon 20D. I am VERY happy with my new Sigma (I don't believe in paying more for the brand name) 18-125mm. But I shoot a lot of wide angle stuff. I also have a Canon 70-300mm but it's so heavy, I hardly ever drag it out. I don't use any fixed focal length lenses because I am always on the go and don't want to have to change lenses if I change subjects.
Posted 64 months ago.
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Here are my two cents if you are starting from scratch getting lenses for a 20d.
30mm 1.4 Sigma, very sharp and fast lens. Also less then half the price of the canon equivalent. This lens is always on my camera, as it's close to the equivalent to 50mm with a 20d. (Great article here about 50mm equivalent lenses The forgotten Lens.). I use this lens at events, portraits, and street type shots. I usually carry two lenses in my bag, the 50mm and a 10-20mm (for fun shots). Both sigmas.
50mm 1.8 is a great portrait lens on the 20d (85mm equivalent) and fast. If you are in tight situations, like a pub, restaurant or a party, you may find that, you don't have a lot of room. In other words you need a fair distance between you and your subject if you want to do more then headshots or want to do group shots. I have a 50mm 1.4 canon, which mainly I use for portraits, or if I am in wide open spaces and want tighter crops.
I started out with the 28-135mm IS. And though it's a good general consumer lens, I soon discovered I started to prefer primes and realized they are a lot sharper then this lens. Also at 3.5-5.6 it's fairly slow and even at y low light the IS does not compare to opening up a 30mm lens at 1.4 at 1/30th of second. I rarely use this now (usually only for sports), as I am saving my pennies for an L-series zoom replace this. I'll be getting rid of this one when I get a chance....
As for lens hoods, a definate must for daylight shooting in the sun, unless the sun IS you subject. You avoid flare in the shots. Sigmas will come with them as part of the package.
Good luck.
Originally posted 64 months ago.
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UrbanSol edited this topic 64 months ago.
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The only great lenses worth considering are:
50 Canon (portrait lens)
30 Sigma (standard lens)
17-40 Canon (standard zoom)
10-22 Canon (wide zoom)
12-24 Tokina (wide zoom)
70-200 Canon (telephoto zoom)
Ironically, you will save money in the long run by spending a bit more on a better lens to begin with. Only the 50mm 1.8 is both excellent & 'affordable'.
Choose wisely and fulfill your potential !
Originally posted 64 months ago.
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f8125 edited this topic 64 months ago.
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Hi,
I agree with most of the above post, however, I would also consider the Tamron 17-50 F2.8 ($450). It is the best lens for the money I have ever owned, and I shoot with it more than my 17-40L series ($1200). I bought it when I had to send my 17-40 back for repair and found that I liked it better.
I also owned the 28-135, and it is a good all around lens, but I sold it on ebay for the same reasons UrbanSol stated. I use my Tamron and my 70-200 F2.8 L Series all of the time. I also like my 10-22 Canon and 100mm macro canon (one left off the list above that really deserves a spot).
Adam
Originally posted 64 months ago.
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adam photographic edited this topic 64 months ago.
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I invested in the 28-135mm IS USM and have not regretted it. Its a great general purpose lens with good optical quality. Compare the detail it gives (left) with the standard 20D kit lens (right)
A resource I've found very useful when working out which lenses I'd like is here - photonotes.org/articles/beginner-faq/lenses.html#categories
Originally posted 64 months ago.
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uitlander edited this topic 64 months ago.
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get the 50 1.8 and then save up your cheddar and get lucky on ebay with a 35-350L(it was discontinued for the $2500 28-300. I got mine for 700 and I love it.
Posted 64 months ago.
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I use the canon 20D, I had the 28-105mm, 28-135mm and the 50mm f/1.8.
Forget the 28-105mm.
The 28-135mm has much better quality optics. Although more expensive, you get more from it: better zoom and the IS will allow you to go down 1 or 2 stops. It's an everyday lens and excellent at that. The problem with it is that on a 20D it's actually a 45mm-216mm (due to the 1.6X conversion factor).
The 50mm 1.8mm is cheap and very good. Probably the best value in the Canon lineup. However, on the 20D is actually 80mm, so it might not be a good idea to buy it.
I think the best alternative for you is the 17-85mm EF-S f/4.0-5.6 IS USM, which will give you the equivalent to 28-135mm, You get the wide angle and you get the IS advantage. It is more expensive than the 28-135mm, but I think it's better for you. Later you will probably want a longer zoom, but that's another history.
Posted 64 months ago.
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Nifty fifty is a must for any beginner. [50mm f1.8]
You cant beat the price.
Yes, on the crop sensor [1.6x] it does come to a small tele.
But its perfect for portrait and candids.
Cant beat the faster glass.
I dont trust my rent money to a multipurpose zoom lens.
But on the other hand that may be exactly what your looking for.
My suggestions if money is not an option.
17-40L. At f4 sure you dont have speed per say but the quality and versatility is the reason pro's have this lens in their bag.{650-700$}
24-70L. I dont even have to say anything. everyone who shoots for a living and so happens to use canon will tell you. Undeniable.{1,000$}
Posted 44 months ago.
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Also the 135L f2 is an amazing lens. Had to rep. it for my buddy's in the EOS group.
Posted 44 months ago.
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ATTENTION - this thread is two years old. He doesn't need advice any more :-)
Posted 44 months ago.
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