Which lens??

[Izzy]

I am now on lens number 5 of the super zooms (28-200mm). I am almost getting ready to give up altogether on getting out of the kit lens anytime soon. Why am I on number 5? Because I keep buying them on eBay and they never are as good as they say. Sticking zoom barrels, fungus, horrible hunting focus that never does find focus and so on.

Are these super zooms just condemned to be unusable?

Anyway I was looking for some suggestions before I buy my next lens(s). I do intend to do portraiture again, but I would like the ability to shoot the occasional wildlife shot. Maybe i just need 2 lenses for this.

I have looked at the 18-135mm great lens as I have had one of these on my camera in the store. However they are every bit as much a slow poke as the super zooms with only 1/2 stop difference between them.

Yes I do plan to get a nifty fifty eventually.

I suppose I should mention I am a CANON shooter

Any suggestions would be helpful.

[inkista]

Yeah, multiple lenses tends to get you better image quality. Superzooms are great if you need to travel light, shoot mostly in the daylight, and are willing to sacrifice some optical performance. Otherwise, get a lens specific for the task.

What's your budget? Also, understand that going past 300mm is probably going to cost you at least four figures, even if you go with a third-party used lens. And going faster than f/5.6 is going to cost you an arm and a leg, once you get to those lengths. (E.g., the 70-300 IS USM is about $500. The 300mm f/4L IS USM is about $1200. The 300mm f/2.8L IS USM is about $4500). So, I wouldn't dream of anything faster than f/5.6 just yet unless you want to go prime and 200mm or shorter.

Basically, I think your issue isn't with superzooms per se as much as it is with not knowing how to shop for used lenses on eBay without getting burned. I'd highly recommend considering getting used gear from a reputable dealer with a return policy instead. Adorama, B&H, and KEH all sell used gear with clearly stated return policies. I've bought used lenses from all three, and returned used lenses to all three with absolutely no hassle whatsoever, and been very pleased with the service and grading on all three sites.

If you're budget-limited, and you just want a telephoto zoom, then the $250 Canon EF-S 55-250 f/4-5.6 IS is a great companion to the 18-55. It's stabilized, and newer/sharper/smaller than the el cheapo 75-300 III. If you have a medium-sized budget (~$500-$600), then the EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM or EF 70-200 f/4L USM are worth looking at.

[Izzy]

Originally Posted by inkista

Yeah, multiple lenses tends to get you better image quality. Superzooms are great if you need to travel light, shoot mostly in the daylight, and are willing to sacrifice some optical performance. Otherwise, get a lens specific for the task.

What's your budget? Also, understand that going past 300mm is probably going to cost you at least four figures, even if you go with a third-party used lens. And going faster than f/5.6 is going to cost you an arm and a leg, once you get to those lengths. (E.g., the 70-300 IS USM is about $500. The 300mm f/4L IS USM is about $1200. The 300mm f/2.8L IS USM is about $4500). So, I wouldn't dream of anything faster than f/5.6 just yet unless you want to go prime and 200mm or shorter.

Basically, I think your issue isn't with superzooms per se as much as it is with not knowing how to shop for used lenses on eBay without getting burned. I'd highly recommend considering getting used gear from a reputable dealer with a return policy instead. Adorama, B&H, and KEH all sell used gear with clearly stated return policies. I've bought used lenses from all three, and returned used lenses to all three with absolutely no hassle whatsoever, and been very pleased with the service and grading on all three sites.

If you're budget-limited, and you just want a telephoto zoom, then the $250 Canon EF-S 55-250 f/4-5.6 IS is a great companion to the 18-55. It's stabilized, and newer/sharper/smaller than the el cheapo 75-300 III. If you have a medium-sized budget (~$500-$600), then the EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM or EF 70-200 f/4L USM are worth looking at.

Unfortunately my budget keeps me trapped at about $300 tops. Sucks living on a fixed income. I guess I will give the Canon 55-210 a serious consideration. I will possibly take on but one more tele zoom and see what happens. So far it has been smooth returns on all of the lenses. So I have been lucky to not be burned for more than the shipping costs.

And yes better glass equals better pictures period. There are no two ways about that. Maybe one day I can afford real lenses, meanwhile I must shoot my way into better lenses. Either that or I could always pawn myself.

[kirbinster]

eBay is a mistake - you never know what you are going to get, its a crap shoot. Try craigslist - you meet the people face-to-face and can play with it before you hand over the cash. I have bought lots of camera equipment that way and have never had a problem.

[rharrison]

Originally Posted by Izzy

I am now on lens number 5 of the super zooms (28-200mm). I am almost getting ready to give up altogether on getting out of the kit lens anytime soon. Why am I on number 5? Because I keep buying them on eBay and they never are as good as they say. Sticking zoom barrels, fungus, horrible hunting focus that never does find focus and so on.

Are these super zooms just condemned to be unusable?

I wouldn't say unusable but I would say of limited use. I no longer own any of them and instead carry multiple lenses to cover the same focal length range.

Originally Posted by Izzy

Anyway I was looking for some suggestions before I buy my next lens(s). I do intend to do portraiture again, but I would like the ability to shoot the occasional wildlife shot. Maybe i just need 2 lenses for this.

You really do. You can pick up a non IS version of the 70-200mm f4L at very reasonable prices and it would make for a good portrait lens that you could also use for wildlife in the daytime. You can get something to cover the wide angles for the same price as a super zoom and it'll be much better glass. You'll still end up spending less money than the five lenses you've already bought. Just buy from somewhere reputable for used stuff like KEH.com or B&H. Screw eBay for lenses.

Originally Posted by Izzy

I have looked at the 18-135mm great lens as I have had one of these on my camera in the store. However they are every bit as much a slow poke as the super zooms with only 1/2 stop difference between them.

Yes I do plan to get a nifty fifty eventually.

It is a great bang for the buck. You won't regret it. In fact I feel that should be your first purchase. If you are frustrated with the focus speed of your existing zooms make sure to get the f1.4 over the f1.8.

[Izzy]

I think I have my selections narrowed down

Either a 18-135 F? or the Canon 55-210 companion kit lens. I am sure even the kit lens will beat the super zooms in quality.

Like I said I will eventually shoot my way into nicer lenses. I have seen $400 lenses on my camera. Incredible focus and image quality.

[inkista]

Originally Posted by Izzy

I think I have my selections narrowed down

Either a 18-135 F? or the Canon 55-210 companion kit lens. I am sure even the kit lens will beat the super zooms in quality.

Actually, from what I've seen, the superzooms are pretty much the same as the kit lens quality-wise. I'd actually recommend getting the EF-S 55-250 over the 18-135. the 18-135 isn't particularly spectacular, it also being similar to a superzoom (one rule of thumb is that if the zoom range is >3x, there are probably some compromises optically). The money you save could go towards an EF 50mm f/1.8 II, for the portrait work.

Like I said I will eventually shoot my way into nicer lenses. I have seen $400 lenses on my camera. Incredible focus and image quality.

[grin]. You should see the $1000 lenses.

Another possibility that you may want to look into, if you're really strapped for cash, is adapting manual focus lenses. While, obviously, this isn't the route to take for action photography, for landscapes and portraits, you can still find some decent deals out there. The six manual-focus lens mounts that can be adapted to Canon EOS are Nikon F, Pentax K, M42, Contax/Yashica, Leica-R, and Olympus OM. Note how Canon FD/FL isn't on that list. Or Minolta MD/MC.

Basically, you find an adapter ring (usually on eBay), and it will let you mount the lens. You have to set the focus and aperture on the lens via rings, and you're limited to shooting in M and Av mode, with only stop-down metering, but it can work. And there are some great deals, particularly in M42 and Pentax K, for fast primes.

One board to find out about this stuff is on mflenses.com.

However, for this stuff, you do tend to have to learn how to navigate your way around the 'bay and how to quizz sellers.

[Izzy]

I have bought a brand new in box with warranty EF S 55-250 Lets see how this goes. BTW I scored it for $185.