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View Full Version : A Good All Purpose Lens?


Zombie
01-22-2010, 09:25 PM
so Zombies finally going to get a xsi (or if money permits, t1i)

but He also wants a good all purpose lens to go with it, but He's not sure which one to get.


can you guys suggest some lens's? is there any Zombie can get for less then $250?

dr_teng
01-25-2010, 12:31 PM
I wrote up a buying guide for lenses before the holidays, it should give you some decent advice :

http://www.whatsyourobsession.com/camera-buying-guide-dslr-lenses-accessories-guide/

For your particular price range, start with the 50mm 1.8 then save up for the Tamron 28-75. I'd even sugget sticking with the XSi and buying both lenses over the T1i.

Zombie
01-27-2010, 11:32 PM
http://corvallis.craigslist.org/pho/1563315176.html


would you consider that worth buying?

DRL
01-28-2010, 02:16 PM
thanks for asking Zombie! i just bought the xsi and was wondering the exact same thing.

and thanks for the great buying guide dr teng! i think im going to go pick up the 50mm 1.8 today.

DRL
01-28-2010, 02:18 PM
oh and i too was contemplating between the t1i and xsi but decided to go with the xsi... it just seemed more practical for me since im just a noob at this photography stuff! i did like the fact that the t1i has the movie recording feature.

cblakey1
01-28-2010, 07:28 PM
For my t1i I have the 18-55 kit lens, a Canon 75-300, a Sigma 28-70, and a Canon 50 / 1.8.

The kit lens is the best multi-purpose because it has IS where the others don't. I find myself reaching for the 50 most of the time though because I love the pics it takes. I could kick myself in the ass for not bucking up another $250-300.00 for the 1.4 lens.

dr_teng
01-28-2010, 07:30 PM
The 50mm 1.4 is a fantastic lens and what I use as my primary, but I don't recommend it for people just starting out. Simply because you can use the 50mm 1.8 which is about 90% as good and resell it after a year or so for at least 80% of what you paid for it. That way, you'll know if you enjoy shooting with primes or with zooms.

cblakey1
01-28-2010, 07:47 PM
The 50mm 1.4 is a fantastic lens and what I use as my primary, but I don't recommend it for people just starting out. Simply because you can use the 50mm 1.8 which is about 90% as good and resell it after a year or so for at least 80% of what you paid for it. That way, you'll know if you enjoy shooting with primes or with zooms.

Agreed, but why not get the better one from the get-go. It has a metal mount, is USM and has a better manual focus. The 1.4 is heavier (vs. lighter, cheap plastic feel) and smoother autofocus.

IMO, 50mm is an all purpose lens that you should just have in your lens arsenal. Otherwise, the kit lens should cover all of bases and you don't have to spend a dime.

I've had my 1.8 for just over a month (which I purchased based on similar advice as yours) and already I'm ready for the better upgrade. :doh!:

dr_teng
01-28-2010, 08:30 PM
Agreed, but why not get the better one from the get-go.

Well for one, because it's nearly double Zombie's price range, haha. The earlier versions of the 50mm 1.8 had a metal mount too, though they're a little trickier to find. You have to resort to Ebay or local dealers.

cblakey1
01-28-2010, 09:11 PM
Well for one, because it's nearly double Zombie's price range, haha. The earlier versions of the 50mm 1.8 had a metal mount too, though they're a little trickier to find. You have to resort to Ebay or local dealers.

Only $100.00 more if bought from Amazon.

I wouldn't recommend buying someone's used one. Too many folks try to dump lenses with non-disclosed issues and camera shops don't discount them very much. I bought a lens from the 'Bay and not only did it have biological growth, but it had dust on the lens. Canon would'a charged the price I paid for it to fix it.

Anyway.. based on Zombies budget and your advice, he could get the 50mm 1.8 and the 28-75mm Sigma new for $200.00. That should keep Zombie happy for a long time.

Zombie
01-30-2010, 12:27 AM
here is what Zombie has in his amazon cart...is there anything you think Zombie might need?

Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black) (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0012YA85A/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance)

Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8-4 DG AF Lens for Canon EOS / EF (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000H38ANO/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=A1P9QRDRYY6FXL&v=glance)

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00007E7JU/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=A17MC6HOH9AVE6&v=glance)

Opteka Remote Control Cord for Canon EOS Digital Rebel Cameras (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000NVU0C4/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=A1P9QRDRYY6FXL&v=glance)

Transcend 16 GB SDHC Class 6 Flash Memory Card with Card Reader (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0010Z28XG/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=A2JDMO6KD2GDJR&v=glance)

cblakey1
01-30-2010, 12:49 AM
here is what Zombie has in his amazon cart...is there anything you think Zombie might need?

Looks like you are set unless you want one 52 and two 58mm UV or Sky filters to protect each lens.

Oh, and unless you have one already, you may want to look into a LowePro gadget bag. Best Buy has one that comes with a 52mm UV filter and extra battery.

Zombie
01-30-2010, 12:56 AM
filters! Zombie forgot about those. he was looking at them this morning but forgot to add them to the cart.

thanks!

cblakey1
01-30-2010, 01:02 AM
filters! Zombie forgot about those. he was looking at them this morning but forgot to add them to the cart.

thanks!

I just updated my message adding the gadget bag. Also, an extra battery wouldn't hurt.

insomniac
01-31-2010, 05:24 PM
My suggestion would be to skip the Sigma 28-70 and sell the kit lense after you get the camera. The kit lenses normally goes for about $100. With the savings I would look on CL for a Tamron 17-50 f2.8 or Sigma 24-70 f2.8. They normally sell for around $400 Canadian so I would guess they could be less in the US. You would get the same range coverage for around the same price.

insomniac
01-31-2010, 05:57 PM
Another great buy is the Canon 17-85mm. The lense normally retails for about $500-700 but you can get new ones or fairly new ones on CL for about $350. They came with the 40D and 50D as a kit lense and many people sell them immediately upon getting the camera. It is a great walk around lense with good range coverage and good picture quality.

Tyz1on
02-01-2010, 12:31 AM
Another great buy is the Canon 17-85mm. The lense normally retails for about $500-700 but you can get new ones or fairly new ones on CL for about $350. They came with the 40D and 50D as a kit lense and many people sell them immediately upon getting the camera. It is a great walk around lense with good range coverage and good picture quality.

The 17-85mm is what I have and use. It's a good all purpose lens that takes great pictures. It's what I take my statue pics with and my closeup outdoor pics with as well. I eventually want to move up but for now it's doing what I want it to.

ta2215
02-01-2010, 07:47 PM
here is what Zombie has in his amazon cart...is there anything you think Zombie might need?

Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black) (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0012YA85A/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance)

Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8-4 DG AF Lens for Canon EOS / EF (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000H38ANO/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=A1P9QRDRYY6FXL&v=glance)

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00007E7JU/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=A17MC6HOH9AVE6&v=glance)

Opteka Remote Control Cord for Canon EOS Digital Rebel Cameras (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000NVU0C4/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=A1P9QRDRYY6FXL&v=glance)

Transcend 16 GB SDHC Class 6 Flash Memory Card with Card Reader (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0010Z28XG/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=A2JDMO6KD2GDJR&v=glance)

No tripod?

Zombie
02-01-2010, 10:22 PM
No tripod?

Zombies going to buy one locally. he wants to be able to feel one before he buys it (cus he has no idea what a good price is for one)

Zombie
02-03-2010, 01:49 PM
Zombie just purchesed the camera off amazon. He was able to get a free trail of amazon prime, which means Zombie should have most of what he bought by the end of the week (a few things where not sold by amazon them selves, so they did not quilify for amazon prime shipping)

EXCITED!!!!!

insomniac
02-03-2010, 08:28 PM
Zombie just purchesed the camera off amazon. He was able to get a free trail of amazon prime, which means Zombie should have most of what he bought by the end of the week (a few things where not sold by amazon them selves, so they did not quilify for amazon prime shipping)

EXCITED!!!!!

Congrats Zombie. Welcome to the SLR world.

DRL
02-04-2010, 12:16 AM
Congrats man!