Next Lens?

[PnwGuy]

I'm a noob, but an eager one. I've had my Canon Rebel XTi for about a week and I have the Canon EF 50mm F1.8 II, and the Sigma 70-300mm APO lenses. I think I probably should have included something to handle wide-angle tasks, which I discovered while trying to shoot neighborhood holiday light displays tonight.

I don't have a big budget and don't want to spend a lot more money on gear yet, until I know I'll be sticking with this. Should I go with a wide-angle prime or something like a 18-70mm, or 18-125mm Sigma? I don't mind using a tripod and so far I shoot mostly landscape and nature and some portrait so I don't really need IS. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Ben

[NaturesPixel]

i am a Nikon girl.. but lenses are the same.. i have the sigma 70-300mm also.. and love its range..
i also got a Nikon 18-70.. and love it for its ... range also.. but if i was to do again... i would get one with 18-135mm that way less lens changing, less dust bunnies ... and keep it on my camera as a good all-rounder...

my thoughts anyways..

[PnwGuy]

...would get one with 18-135mm that way less lens changing, less dust bunnies ... and keep it on my camera as a good all-rounder... my thoughts anyways..

Pixel, Thank you! That sounds like a great solution and it would be a good all around lens. Time to enter research mode again. :-)

BTW, I saw your gallery...you definitely have some great shots in there!! I'm quite impressed. I hope to be able to shoot like that some day.

[NaturesPixel]

you are welcome and thank you for the wonderful compliment.. im just a newbie too...:)
i would do my research on the lenses tho.. good and hard... i just did a quick read over at FM reviews by users of this lens (http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=257)... it looks like the sigma is very soft on focus... maybe look at the tamron equivalent also... see if the either lenses have sweet spot and find out what they are!! my 70-300 is very soft at 200-300 range but if i set my aperture to f8/ f11 its focus is much better :)

[Darren Rowse]

check out this site (http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/) for some great Canon lens reviews.

[jhawksley]

While I do not have this lens yet, I plan on buying it soon. From the reviews I have read, it is a great lens for the price (you can find it on B&H and amazon for ~230USD).

fredmiranda.com Review (http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=206&sort=7&cat=27&page=1)
The-Digital-Picture Review (http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-28-105mm-f-3.5-4.5-II-USM-Lens-Review.aspx)

Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Canon-28-105mm-3-5-4-5-Standard-Cameras/dp/B00004YZQ8/sr=8-1/qid=1166154896/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-1972438-5494237?ie=UTF8&s=electronics)
B&H (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=4657&A=details&Q=&sku=206434&is=USA&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation)

[drivebyshooter]

Even before I bought my 350d, I figured I would keep only two lenses in my bag. They were:
1. Canon EF 24-70mm 2.8L
2. Canon EF 70-200mm 2.8L

Since I've started playing around, some things have changed:
- I might get a Sigma 24-70mm 2.8 EX DG instead of the 24-70L, partly for the price, and partly for the ability to shoot in macro. Of course, if I have to cash to burn, I just might get both.
- I will definitely get a nifty fifty.
- I will most convince a friend to buy a wide-angle that I can borow, and in the meantime, I'll keep my kit lens.

Now, which of these is my next lens? I know the 24-70mm is next, but I'm not sure which of the two I'll finally end up with.:confused:

[Saralonde]

Even before I bought my 350d, I figured I would keep only two lenses in my bag. They were:
1. Canon EF 24-70mm 2.8L
2. Canon EF 70-200mm 2.8L

Since I've started playing around, some things have changed:
- I might get a Sigma 24-70mm 2.8 EX DG instead of the 24-70L, partly for the price, and partly for the ability to shoot in macro. Of course, if I have to cash to burn, I just might get both.
- I will definitely get a nifty fifty.
- I will most convince a friend to buy a wide-angle that I can borow, and in the meantime, I'll keep my kit lens.

Now, which of these is my next lens? I know the 24-70mm is next, but I'm not sure which of the two I'll finally end up with.:confused:

Just to make it more difficult :D , have you considered the Tamron 28-75 2.8? A great lens that delivers sharp pics at areasonable price.

[Fraggleroxer]

Just to make it more difficult :D , have you considered the Tamron 28-75 2.8? A great lens that delivers sharp pics at areasonable price.

i just want to put in my two cents here and say that i would NEVER buy a tamron lens ever again. ive never bought one and was glad i did

if you are looking for a cool little lens that does the wide angles, why not try out a zenitar 16mm f2.8. its a heavy metal lens made is russia. its crazy sharp and fun to use.

i love it and use it all the time. its one of thouse lenes u put on and use all day, just to try to get a differnt perspective on ur world.

http://photonotes.org/reviews/zenitar-fisheye/

check it out

zach ;)

[drivebyshooter]

Just to make it more difficult :D , have you considered the Tamron 28-75 2.8? A great lens that delivers sharp pics at areasonable price.
I guess the main reason I'm considering the Sigma is the fact that a few of my friends have the same lens and are pretty happy with it. As for the Tamron, I haven't met anybody in my neck of the woods using that lens. Yes, I can always read reviews on the net - but I prefer borrowing the lens and shooting with it for a few days.

[RainPacket]

One option that's worth looking into is that there are places which will rent you lenses for a week or so. Some online, but I'm thinking mostly local; a lot of pro photography places will do so.

Rent a lens for a week, try it out. See if you like it. If you really do, go back and see if they maybe have one of those lenses used, a leftover rental lens they no longer need. You might be surprised!

My instructor's gotten a lot of lenses (and a kickass tripod and mount) by doing that; he rents, finds the ones he wants, and then buys the leftover rentals.

[Quamen]

I have had good experiences with Cannon's EF-S 10-22mm. Not sure if that's going to be within your budget, but it's a very nice specialist wide angle lens designed with crop factor digital cameras like yours in mind.

Because you have a camera with a crop factor you need to keep in mind that at the wind angle the crop factor works against you, whereas at the telephoto end of the scale it work with you giving you more zoom.

[AdamLyon]

I've thought long and hard on lens setups. I currently have a Canon 350D with a 17-85mm IS, 75-300mm IS and 50mm f/1.8.

The 17-85mm IS is a great walkaround lens and the one I use much more than the other two I own.

While not as wide on the wide angle, both the 24-105mm f/4 L IS and 24-70mm f/2.8 L lenses would also be good choices. But now we're sailing over $1000.

The 16-35mm f/2.8 L seems like a great wide angle lens too, but it sure is pricey for that L glass with far less zoom range than the previously mentioned lenses (but possibly better image quality and wider at the wide end).

The 10-20mm is cheaper (but not cheap by any means), but not as fast and not L glass. Both seem good but are very limited (which isn't necessarily a bad thing -- it all depends on what your needs are).

The last thing to consider is the "1.6x crop" that makes wide-angle lenses less wide-angle than when they're on a full-frame camera (like the Canon 5D).

All that being said, I tend to lean towards a more versatile solution instead of a completely specialized lens (as it seems you're not doing any specific photography that would necessitate the use of high end wide angle lenses exlusively... in which case you may even want a prime wide angle lens).

My suggestions would be the 17-85mm IS, the 24-105mm f/4 L IS, or the 24-70mm f/2.8 L. The L lenses are pricey but they are fast. And sexy. But I'm very happy with the 17-85mm IS.

P.S. In case it isn't obvious, I'm a bit of a Canon lens snob and don't really consider Sigma or Tamron lenses in my evaluations.

[Krimo]

Hello evrybody,

I was wondering : I plan to buy a 20D with the kit lens, and given the reviews I read about that lens, I think I should buy another to start. I have read some great reviews about the canon 50mm f1.8 II, what do you think about that lens ? (plus it is not that expensive)

[AdamLyon]

The Canon 50mm f/1.8 is a great lens for a great price, but has a few specific uses and may not be exactly what you're looking for.

The two benefits of the huge aperature of the 50mm f/1.8 (and more expensive f/1.4, and any "fast" lens) are being able to blur backgrounds (great for portriats and isolating your subjects) and better low-light performance.

Being a prime, you obviously can't zoom in or out at all, so that can limit you... or it can inspire you. So-called "limitations" in your gear can lead you to think more about your composition and come up with some great photos you may not have ever "seen" if you had a long zoom.

There's no other lens out there that can compete with the price of the 50mm f/1.8, but you may be happier with a longer zoom lens, such as a 75-300mm. It really comes down to what you will actually use, as lenses do no good just sitting in your bag. I've personally only used this lens for a few concerts and a couple portrait-type shoots, and use my 17-85mm IS far, FAR more often.

I'd suggest getting out and using the kit lens in a bunch of situations, and see what you feel you need. It may be a longer zoom, or it may be a need for a faster lens for low-light or portraiture, or maybe an ultra-wide angle. It's no fun to spend money on a lens you later find out you don't need or use.

Also, take the time to really get to know how aperature, shutter speed, exposure, etc all relate and how changing them affects your photos. Digital pictures are free, so shoot away. Once you get a feel for the inner workings of the camera and lens, you'll be better informed on what gear you want next.

If budget isn't an issue, you may just want to buy the 50mm f/1.8 regardless of your shooting style, as it's so inexpensive.

[Krimo]

Thanks a lot for the advice Adam. Budget IS an issue :p (I am a student...) so I will try to get to know the camera and define what type of pictures I want to make before buying this lens. Thanks again !

[edubya]

I like to shop on Flickr. Almost every lens out there have an active group with lots of photos and threads. I always go to these if I'm thinking about buying a lens. Sometimes community theads on shop sites (amazon, BH, etc) can be deceptive.

[uMicro]

Ok, i Hear you guys, but this is what i have to say..

The EF 50mm f/1.8 is a cheap lens, is has the best value for money lens for a non-pro..
if you read the reviews the 1.8 has some issues with the 5 leaf aperture.. this is corrected in the 1.4, with the 8 leaf shutter... although it jumps from approx $100 to $650 so there is a difference...

in my own opinon i would opt for the 1.4 just because its a metal mount..

if you are looking for a wide angle steer AWAY from the 10-22 EF-S because it is a 1.6 FOV lens.. always buy a Full frame lens..if you want a 10mm, get the 10-20 Sigma for around $800.

I sell cameras for a living so i know which lenses are more popular..

the 17-85 IS USM is the most popular lens for amatures, because it covers a high range, and they like all the cool sounding things like Image Stabliser and Ultrasonic motors...which is idiotic..because you really only need it at 100mm. unless you have excessively shaky hands.

I myself have a EF 28-200 non IS, non USM.. and thats all i need for the moment..however i have recently been tossing between a 50mm f/1.4 and the 10-20 Sigma.

The 50 F/1.4 is primarily a portrait lens and is not wide enough for some of my landscape shots, but is a KILLER at low light..
The 10-20 Sigma, is the best for wide angle as it will cover the wide and angle and the 28-200 will cover my mid and telefocal.

if your searching for a all round lens 17-85 IS USM is great, if you want one better 28-200.

My two main tips are.. ALWAYS buy FULL FRAME lenses..EF series or L series
and always know what your buying, the internet is cheap, but no customer service and no warranty can cost you an arm and a leg, and most likely your well being..

If you want a lens talk to a pro, most likely darren or someone will help you..

ps. paying a few extra dollars for assurance is better than worrying..