Lens Suggestions

[XpLoiT]

Im in the market for buying a new lens.

I currently have a Sigma 18-200 lens (link (http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3302&navigator=6)) shitty thing is that at full focal length and low light, i shake WAY too much, bit of a shame cause i really really like the lens but i think i need to get something with IS (image stability). Im planing on getting a canon lens (i have a 400D) but dont really want to spend over 500$AU for it.

Im looking for the same (or larger of course) focal range, same (or more of course hehe) fstops.

Does anyone have any ideas? many thanks

[Saralonde]

If you want IS and relatively inexpensive, it is a little limiting. I don't own any of these, so these are not personal recommendations, just what I can find.

Canon EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 $340 US http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-28-200mm-f-3.5-5.6-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS $530 US http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-70-300mm-f-4-5.6-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS $1045 US http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-24-105mm-f-4-L-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L IS $1040 US http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-70-200mm-f-4.0-L-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

They pretty much go up in price from there.

[inkista]

... I currently have a Sigma 18-200 lens (link (http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3302&navigator=6)) shitty thing is that at full focal length and low light, i shake WAY too much... i think i need to get something with IS (image stability). ... dont really want to spend over 500$AU for it.

Im looking for the same (or larger of course) focal range, same (or more of course hehe) fstops.
You're not going to find something in the wide-to-telephoto (18-200) range in the Canon lens lineup. The Canon lenses tend to split the range over two lenses, breaking in the normal range. You'd be better to look/budget for two lenses.

However, instead of a new lens, have you tried adjusting your technique? Using a higher ISO for a faster shutter speed? Checking that your shutter speed is > 1/focal length? Are you holding the camera correctly (http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-to-hold-a-digital-camera/)?, are you doing the take-a-breath, then click, then let the breath out thing? Have you tried using a tripod or a monopod?

I often shoot with a 400mm f/5.6 lens, and in darker situations there's no way I can handhold, and I resort to a monopod. I've found that my $120 stick can give me the equivalent of three-stop IS, and I can use it with all my lenses. :)

IS will only get you so far. It won't make up for bad technique.

[XpLoiT]

You're not going to find something in the wide-to-telephoto (18-200) range in the Canon lens lineup. The Canon lenses tend to split the range over two lenses, breaking in the normal range. You'd be better to look/budget for two lenses.

However, instead of a new lens, have you tried adjusting your technique? Using a higher ISO for a faster shutter speed? Checking that your shutter speed is > 1/focal length? Are you holding the camera correctly (http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-to-hold-a-digital-camera/)?, are you doing the take-a-breath, then click, then let the breath out thing? Have you tried using a tripod or a monopod?

I often shoot with a 400mm f/5.6 lens, and in darker situations there's no way I can handhold, and I resort to a monopod. I've found that my $120 stick can give me the equivalent of three-stop IS, and I can use it with all my lenses. :)

IS will only get you so far. It won't make up for bad technique.

thanks for your post very interesting.

to sum up, im not a pro photographer at all just a hobby but i do some of the things listed.
ie: higher iso / higher shutter speed, i dont get this shutter speed is 1/focal length (plz explain) / yeah im holding it corretly (well correctly to the link) and im taking the photo holding my breath not breathing out.

I have a tripod which i use occasionally. but its the more inconvenience of a tripod is the reason i dont carry it more.

Thanks for your replies all too :)

[Saralonde]

I'm not a steady photographer either. Because of that, I use my tripod whenever I can. I got a monopod for Christmas because it will be easier to carry in certain situations. If I don't have either, I try to find something to rest my camera on. Carrying a beanbag to set your camera on is another trick people use.

Shutter speed is > 1/focal length: if your focal length is 200mm, your shutter speed should be faster than 1/200.

[inkista]

... i dont get this shutter speed is 1/focal length (plz explain)...It's a rule of thumb in photography that to avoid camera shake blurring your photo, your shutter speed needs to be at least 1/focal-length or faster. So, as Saralonde mentioned, with a 200mm lens, you have to shoot at at least 1/200s to avoid camera shake. If you have to go slower than that, you need to get more light, or to zoom to a smaller focal length.

The basic upshot of this rule is that the longer your lens, the faster your shutter speed needs to be to avoid camera shake blur. Think of a seesaw, with the fulcrum point nearer to one end. The longer the seesaw gets, the more magnified the motion at the far end will be. This is also separate from subject motion blur, where if someone's moving, they'll also introduce blur into the photo.

IS and a tripod won't eliminate subject motion blur, but can eliminate camera shake. The problem with IS is that aside from being very expensive, you can usually only rely on a two stop reduction (I know the ad copy for my 24-105 says three stops, but I've only ever managed two). So, in the case of a 200mm lens, you still have to be at 1/60s or faster (200 -> 100 -> 50). A tripod, however, isn't limited that way. The camera will never shake, and your only limit is subject movement.
I have a tripod which i use occasionally. but its the more inconvenience of a tripod is the reason i dont carry it more.Yes, I don't carry my tripod all the time, either, but it's indispensible for some types of shooting, and completely removes camera shake limitations from your shooting considerations.

There is, of course, the other time-honored device that you could consider: getting a flash unit. Most people don't like using a flash because of the "dead white" look, but with a separate flash unit, you can learn about bouncing and diffusing the light from a flash to get a more naturalistic look than the burned-white deer-in-the-headlights look. :) Again, probably cheaper than another lens, and works with all your other equipment.

And don't worry, I'm not a pro either, just a hobbyist, too. It's just that I went for birding photography with a 400mm, so I had to learn the 1/focal length thing pretty quickly.

[XpLoiT]

thanks very much for your replies :)

much appreciated, funny that i was doing birdy photo's too and thats how i discovered i need something a little more special ;)