First dSLR: XTI + ?

[ilkhan]

Im looking to get into a dSLR. Ive decided on the canon (Im a fan from my P&S days) but are unsure on which lens to pair it with (no kit). Im trying to keep it to the low $400 range, and my next lens Im pretty sure will be the canon EF 100mm macro. So heres what Im thinking of:

Canon EF-S 17-85m f/4-5.6 IS amazon
Decent range, good IQ. downside is the f/ stop range is pretty small, it cant open up.

canon EF 28-135mm f/28-135 IS amazon
Again, good range, with the benefit being a bit longer reach than the EF-S. Downside is its still not that good at opening up and from reviews its not quite as polished in build quality as the EF-S.

Tamron 18-50 f/2.8 amazon
Doesn't have the same range, but it IS a wide opening lens. No FTMF, AF is kind've loud, no IS. 50 is short for what Im using it for, and leaves a big gap even with my next lens (the 100 macro).

My primary usage will be a bit of landscapes, some animal work at about 30 feet, a bit of short range near macro, and just a general purpose camera.

Which is my best bet?

EDIT: I had picked the EF-S 17-85 but then noticed that the amazon link didn't go to sold by amazon, but by another substore. I dont like substores (and it was $100 cheaper there than anywhere else I could, looked fishy), so I went with the EF-S 18-55 IS instead. 2 day shipping should be here on wednesday. So I'll get to try out my new XTi and lens on the snow covered hills (eww, long distance on a 88mm effective....maybe Ill bundle up and go visit the local park and/or the university. I haven't been down [to the park] before.)

 

[taylorwilsdon]

Out of those, 17-85.

 

[ilkhan]

Had the sigma 17-70 amazon suggested to me as well. It has more range than the tamron, is just as fast on the short end and not bad on the long end.....inexpensive, has macro capability. Just doesn't have the IS that the 2 canon lenses do.

But the-digital-picture.com doesn't have a review of it up. The recomender and a couple other places say its pretty sharp. Good option?

 

[VictorChan]

I would go for a shorter range one and another telephoto lens down the road. I started out with the ef 28-135. Yes, the build quality is so so. Front lens element, by design, is loose. The zoom ring is kind of too loose. Overall, is a good average lens. Unfortunately, with a 1.6 crop body, you don't get the wider angle end. The lens isn't exactly fast enough. The reach is OK.

Then, I got the Tamron. My favorite landscape lens. Smaller, faster, and has a wider angle. A bit noisy during auto focus. You don't need IS as much or IS won't help as much on a shorter focal length lens. Shorter focal length lens is a bit forgiving when comes to hand shaking. IS only useful at the longer focal length at slower slower shutter speed.

I would recommend this lens for animal shots:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/397663-USA/Canon_0345B002_70_300mm_f_4_5_6_EF_IS.html

I had a for couple of days. A bit long and somewhat "ugly." The front element would extend out pretty far during zooming. The up side with the lens is that the IS is great. At 300mm focal length, with the IS turned on, I could still get a sharp, clear shot using 1/30sec shutter speed. Without IS, I would need at least 1/300s. I exchanged for a 70-200 F/4 L lens because I wanted a L lens, even though I would miss the IS.

Yeah, I would get 2 lenses instead to cover from the wide angle end to the extreme telephoto end. If you see yourself getting another lens in the future (I am sure you would), a general purpose zoom range, walk around lens may eventually see little of use.

Im looking to get into a dSLR. Ive decided on the canon (Im a fan from my P&S days) but are unsure on which lens to pair it with (no kit). Im trying to keep it to the low $400 range, and my next lens Im pretty sure will be the canon EF 100mm macro. So heres what Im thinking of:

Canon EF-S 17-85m f/4-5.6 IS amazon
Decent range, good IQ. downside is the f/ stop range is pretty small, it cant open up.

canon EF 28-135mm f/28-135 IS amazon
Again, good range, with the benefit being a bit longer reach than the EF-S. Downside is its still not that good at opening up and from reviews its not quite as polished in build quality as the EF-S.

Tamron 18-50 f/2.8 amazon
Doesn't have the same range, but it IS a wide opening lens. No FTMF, AF is kind've loud, no IS. 50 is short for what Im using it for, and leaves a big gap even with my next lens (the 100 macro).

My primary usage will be a bit of landscapes, some animal work at about 30 feet, a bit of short range near macro, and just a general purpose camera.

Which is my best bet?

 

[Grentz]

Another HUGE recomendation I can give is for the Canon 18-55 IS. It is a new lens out that has very very good IQ from what the reviews have said. 18-55 is a nice range on a crop camera and a great starter range.

Another thing you could go for with that lens is the 55-200 to get up to 200mm with no gaps from 18.

The 70-300 is a better lens than the 55-200, but also much more expensive.

 

[ilkhan]

So am I wrong in thinking there will probably be a 450d announced around feb? 300d=august 03, 350d=feb 05, 400d=august 06. Around 18 months per, and the 400d is nearing that mark. Probably come kitted with that 18-55 IS lens, but what else would they throw in?

 

[JohnnyNapalm]

whatever you do, get the 1.8 50mm...should be around 70 bucks. one of the best lenses you'll own.

 

[Grentz]

So am I wrong in thinking there will probably be a 450d announced around feb? 300d=august 03, 350d=feb 05, 400d=august 06. Around 18 months per, and the 400d is nearing that mark. Probably come kitted with that 18-55 IS lens, but what else would they throw in?

Correct, Canon usually has 18 month cycles.

I dunno if they will come out with a new rebel yet though, they do not ALWAYS follow the cycle (look at the 5D...which is probably now the next to be upgraded as it has stayed the same for a looong time).

The XTI is already comparable to the D40x which is its main competitor (both 10mp).

 

[compslckr]

The kit lens isn't really a bad lens for the price. you can pick them up for well under $100.

With the budget of $400 I would recommend

75-300 f/4-5.6 USM from canon (About $170 iirc)
18-55 f/3.5-5.6 "kit lens" (About $100)
50mm f/1.8 ($70)
Total: $340 (buy a nice backpack with the leftover $60, or a monopod and an extra memory card)

 

[Joves]

Well you might also consider a Tamron 28-300 f/ 3.5-6.5 XR Di, it is a great walking around lense. Also the just came out with an Image Stabilized version this year. But I havent seen it on any site yet. But the one I have is $399 at B&H. I use it more than most of my other lenses on my D80.

 

[Grentz]

Well you might also consider a Tamron 28-300 f/ 3.5-6.5 XR Di, it is a great walking around lense. Also the just came out with an Image Stabilized version this year. But I havent seen it on any site yet. But the one I have is $399 at B&H. I use it more than most of my other lenses on my D80.

If you want a super zoom, the Sigma 18-200 OS version is the one to go for. OS is like IS. There is a non-OS version of the 18-200, but make sure to go for the OS version. It is much better overall.

18 is much better than 28 on a crop camera.

 

[ilkhan]

I had picked the EF-S 17-85 but then noticed that the amazon link didn't go to sold by amazon, but by another substore. I dont like substores (and it was $100 cheaper there than anywhere else I could, looked fishy), so I went with the EF-S 18-55 IS instead. 2 day shipping should be here on wednesday. So I'll get to try out my new XTi and lens on the snow covered hills (eww, long distance on a 88mm effective....maybe Ill bundle up and go visit the local park and/or the university. I haven't been down [to the park] before.)

 

[Grentz]

Congrats, everything I have read says the 18-55 IS is a great lens.

 

[ilkhan]

Got my camera and went down to the local kid's park this morning. Took 90 shots and found 3 that I liked, but one you really cant tell what 3 is without more context.

1

2

3 "Leave nothing but footprints" Wish I had taken this at a lower angle to the ground. Standing over it you cant tell what it is.

 

[fugu]

Got my camera and went down to the local kid's park this morning. Took 90 shots and found 3 that I liked, but one you really cant tell what 3 is without more context.

Welcome to the hobby, and I hope your wallet is ready

 

[compslckr]

Just a pointer for your first shot, when you are shooting landscapes don't use a low aperture like 5.6 (what you choose when you shot that one).

Notice how your trees in the front are blurry and the background is sharp, if you use f/11 you could still hand hold it and you would have a better shot. Also a tripod is your best friend when shooting landscapes, close that lens down to its highest f/stop (f/22) and take the shot, I think you will be impressed with the over clarity and saturation you get with the faster shutter speed.


Shot 3 is kind of neat, I like the colors in it.


Welcome to the world of photography!

 

[ilkhan]

Just a pointer for your first shot, when you are shooting landscapes don't use a low aperture like 5.6 (what you choose when you shot that one).

Shot one is a crop of an image where I liked the background but not the subject. Thus it not being a great shot for the landscape.
Id throw up the full shot but dont have it with me.

 

[WesM63]

whatever you do, get the 1.8 50mm...should be around 70 bucks. one of the best lenses you'll own.

The best advice in this thread!

In all seriousness, the 50mm F/1.8 is a lens every Canon dSLR shooter should have. Its cheap enough and produces awesome images.

I've been through tons of "cheaper" lens's and this is the only one thats stayed in my bag. Another favorite is the Canon 70-210 F/4, its an older lens and can be had on ebay for ~$150.

 

[darktiger]

The best advice in this thread!

In all seriousness, the 50mm F/1.8 is a lens every Canon dSLR shooter should have. Its cheap enough and produces awesome images.

I've been through tons of "cheaper" lens's and this is the only one thats stayed in my bag. Another favorite is the Canon 70-210 F/4, its an older lens and can be had on ebay for ~$150.

I agree, the 50mm f/1.8 is a great lens. But within 3 months of having it, I stopped using it. 50mm was just to limiting for me for what I want it to do on a crop camera. While I loved the 1.8, I do not really miss it (IS helps with that). I will keep my the L's. But for <$75 it is good.

 

[ilkhan]

some from today
1: playground (focused on the seal on purpose) 44mm f/5 1/200s iso200

2: less snow and a better angle of 3 from before 41mm f/5 1/500s iso200

3: snow on a hillside 28mm f/8 1/1000 iso200

4: mountain disolves into nothingness 55mm f/8 1/1250s iso200

 

[PanzerBoxb]

Welcome to the party, GLSauron. Count me as another recommendation for the "thrifty fifty" lens. It is somewhat limiting in that it is fixed but the quality for the price cannot be beat.

 

[s10010001]

They look a little flat, are you shooting RAW or JOG out of the camera?

If JPG, check you color space and the profile. Looks like you are on on standard (Not sure what it s on the Rebels)


any PP or are they out of the camera?

 

[s10010001]

thrifty fifty = 50mm 1.8, very cheap, it shows in the build quality. Plastic mount... but hell its 80 bucks, ansd make good pictures..

Nifty Fifty = 50mm 1.4, build much better, a half stop faster, metal mount, better IQ, some say it rivals the 50 1.2L although, I have the 50 1.2L and I say it dose not.

 

[Grentz]

thrifty fifty = 50mm 1.8, very cheap, it shows in the build quality. Plastic mount... but hell its 80 bucks, ansd make good pictures..

Nifty Fifty = 50mm 1.4, build much better, a half stop faster, metal mount, better IQ, some say it rivals the 50 1.2L although, I have the 50 1.2L and I say it dose not.

The names are debatable...many still call the 50 1.8 the Nifty Fifty and the Thrifty Fifty. Nifty is the one most call it by though.

In a few tests I have actually seen the 1.8 best both the 1.4 and 1.2 when they are stopped down a bit. But they are all awesome and all have their uses. (no denying how awesome 1.2 is)

 

[fugu]

One more tip, when you're shooting snow or white scenes, the metering in your camera gets "tricked" because of all the white highlights and tries to compensate by underexposing. As a result, the snow turns out looking gray rather than white. If you go into photoshop and bring up the curves a little bit I think the images will have a lot more punch to them

 

[Auric]

One more tip, when you're shooting snow or white scenes, the metering in your camera gets "tricked" because of all the white highlights and tries to compensate by underexposing. As a result, the snow turns out looking gray rather than white. If you go into photoshop and bring up the curves a little bit I think the images will have a lot more punch to them

It's also worth noting that this can be corrected by adjusting the exposure compensation on the camera up by a stop or so, for future reference.

 

[s10010001]

One more tip, when you're shooting snow or white scenes, the metering in your camera gets "tricked" because of all the white highlights and tries to compensate by underexposing. As a result, the snow turns out looking gray rather than white. If you go into photoshop and bring up the curves a little bit I think the images will have a lot more punch to them

when you shoot M the Camera never gets tricked

But yea Snow in Auto, P Tv or Av is a bit weird..

 

[gregnash]

Hey GLSauron, nice shots with the camera there!! Got my dad the XT for xmas with his old SLR Rebel lens and he tooks some pretty cool pics while they were here. If you want to shot some good areas are Washoe valley down near Thunder Canyon and back in the Franktown Estates area (old Governors mansion etc) and if you want some shots of RedTail Hawks I would suggests going through Washoe northbound between 6-9am and watch the trees and fence posts. There are tons out there, I am actually planning on leaving early for work one day (live in Carson work in Reno) and taking my Nikon EM with me to see what I can do.