Recommend me some glass!

IronFist · 05-13-2009, 02:47 PM

Hi guys,

Here's the deal: I don't stray far from home often, as up til now, I haven't been able to afford much. I just made plans to take a nice away from home vacation to take in one of nature's marvels: Niagara Falls.

I want to get some really nice, quality photos, and have been considering getting a new camera for a long while now, with a preference towards a Canon Rebel.

While I don't know a whole lot, one thing I do know is that I'd like an all purpose kind of lens, and a nice telephoto lens for distance stuff. BUT, the hitch is that I know absolutely squat about what lenses are good, or pretty much anything about them. I don't even know what the whole "mm" rating system is about.

Can you guys give me any advice, maybe steer me in an appropriate direction so I can go looking for a package that contains what I'd need to get started?

k9ziggy · 05-13-2009, 06:56 PM

I can't imagine that someone won't recommend the 28-200 Canon lens. It's a decent f-stop, priced around $300. My 40D came with the 28-135, which isn't bad and has the IS. The really really good all purpose ones are really really pricey.

Check out B and H photo. Their prices are in line.

bhphotovideo.com

Zurbaran1 · 05-13-2009, 07:24 PM

I've recently decided to take my photography seriously and I've invested a great deal in new gear. I shoot Canon and nothing beats their L glass. I'm moving away from zooms and going with primes (one focal length). Don't know how much you are looking to spend but the L series do not come cheap. The 70-200mm f/4L IS USM is a fantastic zoom lens with Image Stabilization (IS). Put a big +1 for me next to B&H Photo. I work across the street and have been spending a lot of time and money there lately. They are great and very reputable.

Upitnik · 05-14-2009, 10:05 AM

An excellent all purpose lens for APS-C:

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2,8 USM IS

An awesome telephoto for APS-C:

Canon EF 200mm f/2.8 L USM II

Upitnik · 05-14-2009, 10:06 AM

A few more:

Zurbaran1 · 05-14-2009, 11:40 AM

Upitnik, your pics are inspirational! Fantastic work.

Kujo · 05-14-2009, 11:45 AM

Wow, very nice shot Upitnik

IronFist · 05-14-2009, 12:37 PM

Great pics, Upitnik! (It helps that she's freakin' adorable, too!

)

It seems to me that I'm better off buying the camera body, and then getting an all-purpose lens and a telephoto lens? Does that seem accurate to everybody? 'Cause I think that's going to be a bit more money that what I'm looking to spend right away.

k9ziggy · 05-14-2009, 12:55 PM

Yup, and welcome to the lens addiction club.

I think you can get the Rebel with an all purpose lens as a kit, I know the 40 and 50D are available as that option. I got my 40 on ebay with the 28-135 and a 75-300. Since then I bought the 50 1.4 (AWESOME!!!!!) and a flash, which also makes a huge difference.

Hope you didn't need any disposable income, between comics, statues and photography.......:tounge:

IronFist · 05-14-2009, 01:36 PM

Yeah, Best Buy has a kit right now, but I'm sure the lenses are as low end as they come. I'm thinking about putting together a set from B&H, but I'm sort of in the dark as to what to get, hence my coming to you guys.