Thoughts On This Lens

[psykon99]

Ok, what are everyones' thoughts on this (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=WishList.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=397592&is=USA) lens instead of the Canon XT/XTi kit lens?

I would buy the camera body alone and then this lens. Thoughts?

[phlyersphan]

I'm certainly not qualified to say, as I haven't replaced my own kit lens yet, but I found these 2 resources very helpful in planning:

1. Article from SLRGear - Choosing Your Second Lens -
http://www.slrgear.com/articles/secondlens.html

2. CameraLabs video on Canon dSLR kit lens upgrades -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vm3f7eF4W3g

Good luck!

[Saralonde]

I've never tried this lens, but here are some reviews at fred miranda (http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=101&sort=7&cat=37&page=1) that may be helpful.

[psykon99]

I've never tried this lens, but here are some reviews at fred miranda (http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=101&sort=7&cat=37&page=1) that may be helpful.

Thanks for that link. The reviews are very encouraging.

So here's my thought - comments very welcome:

Rebel XT or XTi with this as my main carry lens. And I'll buy an inexpensive zoom lens around 50 - 200mm to complement it. I should still be within my price range
to boot!

Do you think the 28mm will be a wide enough lens?

[smc1377]

Do you think the 28mm will be a wide enough lens?

No. That was actually what I was going to post after reading your first post so I'm glad you asked.

Currently, my widest personal lens only zooms out to 28 and this is not wide enough. There's actually a huge difference going from 18 to 28.

I personally wouldn't give up the kit lens simply because of the 18mm wide side.

Go to this website below. Here, you can change the different focal lengths to see just how the field of view (FOV) changes as you increase your mm's.

http://www.tamron.com/lenses/learning_center/tools/focal-length-comparison.php

You can definitely see just how big of a difference there is going from 18 to 28. You'll come to regret it in the future, especially if you plan on getting a zoom in the future that starts at 50mm.

***EDIT***
The angle of view at 18mm is about 74 degrees. Going to 28mm reduces that angle of view to only 52 degrees or so. That's a big difference.

[psykon99]

No. That was actually what I was going to post after reading your first post so I'm glad you asked.

Currently, my widest personal lens only zooms out to 28 and this is not wide enough. There's actually a huge difference going from 18 to 28.

I personally wouldn't give up the kit lens simply because of the 18mm wide side.

Go to this website below. Here, you can change the different focal lengths to see just how the field of view (FOV) changes as you increase your mm's.

http://www.tamron.com/lenses/learning_center/tools/focal-length-comparison.php

You can definitely see just how big of a difference there is going from 18 to 28. You'll come to regret it in the future, especially if you plan on getting a zoom in the future that starts at 50mm.

***EDIT***
The angle of view at 18mm is about 74 degrees. Going to 28mm reduces that angle of view to only 52 degrees or so. That's a big difference.

Very interesting site! That definately gives me food for thought!

I know they also start at 28mm, but what about these lenses? Also, is Beach Camera reputable?

http://www.beachcamera.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=CN28105USM
http://www.beachcamera.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=SG28105UCEOS
http://www.beachcamera.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=TM2880EOS

Thanks again for all the advice.

[psykon99]

Ah heck, I'll throw this one out there too:

http://www.beachcamera.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=SG18200EOS

At Beach Camera's prices, I can nickel and dime it down into the price range - if I could just sell my Fujifilm!

[ELAY]

I bought a 24-85 for my D40. Nice lens, but when I have it on I find myself missing the extra 6mm my kit gives me (18-55) more than i find myself using the the extra 30 on the long end.

EL

[baseballboy828]

Beach Camera is absolutely reputable. What I believe to be their only brick and mortar store is a few miles from my house. I've bought stuff there before. They don't have the largest selection, but their prices are good. Absolutely trustworthy.

[psykon99]

Ok, so the 24mm on the wide end lenses are out. Thanks for the help. Loved that Tamron site!

Here's what I'm down to:

(1.) Canon Rebel XT w/ Sigma 18-200mm WA-Zoom. Should land me around $790 from Beach.

(2.) Canon Rebel XT w/ 18-55mm kit lens and Sigma 50-200mm Zoom. Should land around $700 I think. I'll have to double check.

(3.) Nikon D40 w/ 18-135mm WA-Zoom. Should land around $690 from Adorama.

I actually find option #2 the least desirable. Alot of what I should is going to be either just under 55mm or just a bit over. I think I'll be changing lenses too much.

Consequently, I'm seriously tossing around options 1 and 3. The glass has been the toughest part so far - but I think I've almost got it settled.

[baseballboy828]

Go Nikon. Higher quality glass.

[Saralonde]

Go Nikon. Higher quality glass.

Matter of opinion ;).

[baseballboy828]

High end Nikon vs. Canon L series are comparable. Canon wins on some lenses, Nikon on others. Sigma can be shaky on quality for their cheap lenses. His Nikon option was Nikon only. That will be the best quality.

[psykon99]

High end Nikon vs. Canon L series are comparable. Canon wins on some lenses, Nikon on others. Sigma can be shaky on quality for their cheap lenses. His Nikon option was Nikon only. That will be the best quality.

Ah, but the Nikon lenses are few and more expensive when upgrade time comes - unless you can do without auto focus.

[baseballboy828]

You pay for quality. If you don't want to make a big investment in quality, sigma's fine. Nothing wrong with their stuff. If you don't think you'll outgrow the sigma 24-70's medium level speed and lower quality optics, then it's a great choice. I just am in the camp of saving an extra several months and getting something that will last me a few years longer (both because of build quality and capabilities). It's really your pick.

[psykon99]

You pay for quality. If you don't want to make a big investment in quality, sigma's fine. Nothing wrong with their stuff. If you don't think you'll outgrow the sigma 24-70's medium level speed and lower quality optics, then it's a great choice. I just am in the camp of saving an extra several months and getting something that will last me a few years longer (both because of build quality and capabilities). It's really your pick.

I'm in favor of getting in the door with a great body and a good range lens (read wide angle with REAL zoom as opposed to 3x). That way I can keep shooting what I've been shooting with my p/s but with the advantages of the SLR. Then, as time goes, I will invest in higher quality optics. Chances are, even a lower model Nikkor, Canon, or Sigma lens will be better than the lens on my p/s anyway.

[inkista]

Actually, the biggest danger in going with Sigma/Tamron is when you upgrade bodies. In the past, Sigma lenses have needed to be rechipped to be compatible with newer cameras, while, of course, on-brand lenses remain compatible.

As for Nikon vs. Canon--well, my Canon 400mm f/5.6L USM was priced at $1100. Nikon doesn't make a 400mm prime under $7000. In that situation, for me, Canon had the better offering. And if I decide I want an f/1.2 autofocus lens, well, Canon's gonna win that one, too. [grin]

For me, I think whether Canon or Nikon has the "better" lenses seriously depends on the shooter and what kind of lenses make 'em happy. I've had to buy a Sigma because neither Nikon nor Canon made an 8mm fisheye.

[neilwood]

I think its a case of being realistic about what kind of shooting you are gonna be doing and also about budget.

I made the decision to go for a 400d(XTi) with the 18-55 kit lens and a 70-300mm Sigma APO DG macro. That gave me pretty much all i needed to start with. I do plan however to buy more expensive lenses in the future but not for a good while.

The way i looked at it is - what was the point of buying expensive glass when im gonna be the weakest link? Better I spend a little and upgrade the glass when i start to notice the lens letting the shot down and not my skills.

[inkista]

Sorry, have to ask--have you considered adding the 50mm f/1.8 II to your glass? It's kind of a no-brainer purchase, given its optical quality and low price ($70-80), and will supplement your learning by giving you experience with fast apertures, depth-of-field, bokeh, and shooting with a prime. Focal length coverage is great. But there's a reason max. aperture is also listed on a lens's description.