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12/06/2005 02:11:20 AM · #1 |
Hey, what's up everybody? I purchased a Rebel XT without the kit lens and I'm trying to find a good lens to start with. I was wondering if anyone could provide me with some help or advice on picking one out. Or, perhaps point me in the right direction. I'm trying to stick with a non-IS one at first, seeing as how I'm a rookie and they are quite expensive. I'll probably go as high as $200 or so. Any help would be very much appreciated.
Kyle |
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12/06/2005 02:41:44 AM · #2 |
Seriously....I will sell this lens for $300
Tamron 2.8 70-210 for canon eos
alixmiles has for sale
Wow, he's the only one that owns one at DPC
Message edited by author 2005-12-06 02:43:41.
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12/06/2005 12:20:54 PM · #3 |
Most purchase a telephoto zoom for their second lens.
Your budget is tight.
But I'd recommend considering the Canon 55-200mm USM II or a Sigma 70-300 APO DG. I've had the Canon and the non DG version of the Sigma. They are just about $200.
The Canon takes a 52mm filter (vs the 58mm filter in the kit lens), has a faster and quieter focus than the Sigma.
The Sigma comes with a hood and a case, focuses slower and louder, is really sharp from 70-200, acceptable at 200-300mm, has a 3 year (vs Canon's 1 year) warranty, take the same sized filter as the kit lens. But it will leave you with a 55-70mm range gap, if that matters to you.
Good luck
P.S. Oh without the kit heh, sorry about that.
In that case, I'd recommend considering a wide to mid range zoom lens for the best versatility. Something like a Sigma 18-125? It's a bit over $200 at $237 at Sigma4less, but the 18mm would let you do landscape and buildings while nearing the 125mm will get you portraits and stuff.
Good luck
Message edited by author 2005-12-06 16:34:36.
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12/06/2005 12:47:09 PM · #4 |
Did everyone miss the without bit there in reference to the kit lens?
A good lens and under $200 is a hard to reconcile. I skipped the kit lens on my Rebel ond got the tamon 28-80 3.5-5.6 for $70 or so. Decent lens, i used it for 6 or 7 months and sold it for $40 or 50, so the 'cost' for 6 months was $20 or so. Well worth it.
This is available in a kit with a 70-300 at b&h online for $199, less on ebay ($169 if i recall most of the time). The 70-300 is decent as well and will probably last you a while before you upgrade. It has macro capability as well so you can explore all aspects of photography.
You can usuall get a used or near new kit lens (18-55 3.5-5.6) for $70 as well. Not a stellar lens, but OK for the money, and you can always sell it when you upgrade, and the 18mm end is nice to have compared to 28mm.
The best deal/value is the
Sigma 70-300 3.5-5.6 APO DG Macro for $220ish.
Best bet is get $300...get teh Sigma and a kit lens.
Other lenses i know nothing much about... Sigma 18-50 & 55-200 combo kitfor $259. The 18-50 is available by itself for $119.
Message edited by author 2005-12-06 12:47:19.
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12/06/2005 12:51:44 PM · #5 |
For around $225 (maybe less) you can get the Sigma 18-125. There are apparently some bad copies around, but mine is great. Read through all the FM reviews to get the entire picture. Some are very happy, a few not. I'm very happy.
There are also a fair number of shots on DPC taken with this lens.
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12/06/2005 01:04:02 PM · #6 |
Have no idea why so many rate the "kit" lens as poor.
18-55mm is a great range and the lens itself is of good quality. True it isn't L glass and may have a plastic body, but still yields good results as seen on the top 15 pics using that lens.
Only downside I have with it is the f/3.5 as I find myself wanting less dof and/or more light.
$200 is a very tight budget. Very tight. Personally, knowing what I know about the 18-55mm, and with that budget, I would be looking for one on eBay, ($50-100) hang on to the balance and apply it towards a Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di as the next choice for a speedy, tack sharp walk about lens with good macro capability.
Message edited by author 2005-12-06 13:04:22. |
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12/06/2005 01:41:43 PM · #7 |
| I second what Brad said, both on the kit lens, which some people seem to get great shots out of dispite it's reputation; and the Tamron which has pushed the kit lens out of my camera bag. |
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12/06/2005 02:22:53 PM · #8 |
Nah. You don't want any of that autofocus zoom bollocks.
Get on the manual focus/prime bandwagon and get yourself a set of primes. Preferably in Pentax M42 mount.
M42 and other manual focus lenses are as good or even better, than the new ones at a fraction of the cost. Plus, the build quality on the Takumars is way better, than on those new fancy zooms. |
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12/09/2005 05:07:57 PM · #9 |
| Thanks for all of the suggestions and advice. I think I'm going to try and get the kit lens and try that out for a little while. From what I figure, and from what many people have said, the kit lens is not as bad as it's made out to be, and it's probably one of the best options to start with that's affordable. My other choice will probably be a Tamron lens, if I cannot manage to get the rebel xt kit lens. Thanks again everyone. |
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12/09/2005 05:26:37 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by BradP:
Have no idea why so many rate the "kit" lens as poor.
18-55mm is a great range and the lens itself is of good quality. True it isn't L glass and may have a plastic body, but still yields good results as seen on the top 15 pics using that lens. |
Oh, your just mesmerized by all those ribbons... ;) |
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12/09/2005 07:20:39 PM · #11 |
I think it would be best to get a lens like the 50mm f1.4, that way you have a lens for low light and high speed, and a lens that really makes you think about what you want your image to look like, you have to use your feet to zoom, and move around to get the perfect composition, and it's a lens you will keep as long as you are using canon :)
and the image quality is amazing, even though it's not L quality
just look at the result 50mm f1.4 |
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12/09/2005 07:29:26 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by khinkle:
Thanks for all of the suggestions and advice. I think I'm going to try and get the kit lens and try that out for a little while. From what I figure, and from what many people have said, the kit lens is not as bad as it's made out to be, and it's probably one of the best options to start with that's affordable. My other choice will probably be a Tamron lens, if I cannot manage to get the rebel xt kit lens. Thanks again everyone. |
You can get a used kit lens on FredMiranda's buy/sell forum for like $55 and a slow (f4-5.6) zoom lens on there for about $130. Put the two together and you can shoot 18-55 and 75-300 for $185 or so.
M
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12/11/2005 10:33:31 PM · #13 |
Please don't buy a zoom spend the extra money and pick up 3 prime lens. and once you have mastered a 3 prim set buy your frist zoom.
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12/11/2005 10:44:24 PM · #14 |
For $250, I just got 3 lenses off eBay. All Canon, all used, but in great condition - 50mm 1.8, 35-80mm, 75-300mm USM. So if you watch the auctions and stick with it, you can get a great deal for your money. I got mine all within a month of each other and am very fond of all of them - especially the 50mm. eBay might be worth a look for you...
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12/11/2005 11:58:17 PM · #15 |
Originally posted by radionin:
Please don't buy a zoom spend the extra money and pick up 3 prime lens. and once you have mastered a 3 prim set buy your frist zoom. |
Probably excellent logic there, but i am a zoom guy. I have 2 primes, and like never use them (50 1.8 and 135 2.8).
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