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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Need help choosing my birthday lens
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09/10/2008 08:26:32 PM · #1
Ok, so today is my birthday :) and my dad said he's buy me an iphone. But what I REALLY want is camera equipment much more than an iphone. So here's my situation. He offered to buy me a lens for $300 or put $300 towards a lens that I'd spend the rest on.

I shoot with a Canon Rebel XT. I currently have a Tamron 18-200mm and the Canon kit lens. The two things I've been gazing longingly at lately are a wide angle lens (I don't have my heart set on any one in particular) and a canon 50mm prime.

I know that you can't make this decision for me, but please give me suggestions. Being that I'm pretty much broke, I'm not going to take the $300 and put it towards L glass, but I'm struggling between getting a partially paid for wide angle, or a fully paid for canon 50mm f/1.4

I suppose it would be helpful if I knew what specifically I'd be taking photos of, but I really like taking photos of everything, and even the things I don't take photos of (street photography, to name one, being that I'm super shy) I'm trying to reach out of my comfort zone and do more of what I'm not used to.

If anyone wants to say "duh, get the ____" I'm open to that. Likewise, if you don't really care what I get but could offer a suggestions about which lens you'd get, that also works.

Thanks!

Simone
09/10/2008 08:32:03 PM · #2
May I suggest that you add the Canon 100 mm Macro 2.8 to your list. There is no lenses that I enjoy using more than that one. I have a 50 mm prime and find that I tend to go back to a zoom that covers that range rather than use the prime lens.
09/10/2008 08:33:18 PM · #3
Happy Birthday!

Given your financial situation, I might go with the fully paid for lens. Primes are a great way to learn composition a bit better -- you zoom "with your feet." :)
09/10/2008 09:25:54 PM · #4
Happy Birthday!

Canon 85mm B&H has it for $355
Sigma 10-22mm B&H has it for $479

If you are looking for a wide angle it might be worth waiting for the tamron 10-24mm to be released.
09/10/2008 09:32:03 PM · #5
Happy Birthday! What do you like to take photos of the most? landscape? portraits? macro? Answering that question should help you make a decision ...
09/10/2008 09:42:57 PM · #6
Well I bought the Sigma 10-22 for my birthday, and I REALLY wished I would have gotten a portrait lens instead. I love the 10-22 but havent used it much, since I prefer to shoot people.

What do you like to do?? If landscapes are your thing, save for the wide angle. If you like to shoot portraits go for a prime lens, the 50mm is a great lens, but I would like the 85mm too.
09/10/2008 09:49:29 PM · #7
Thanks for the suggestions. Like I said, I take photos of varied subjects. Macro, landscape, portrait, and just family photos.

I think at this point my gut's pulling me towards a prime lens and away from the wide angle (though I envy others' wide angle shots so much!). My very first camera ever (Pentax K1000, got stolen, very sad) had a 50mm lens only and I used that for years. I'll keep the 85mm and 100mm suggestions in mind, and probably will stop by the camera store to try them on.

By the way, does anyone know yet when the Tamron 10-24 will be released? And for how much? << I'm clearly not as decided as I was in my last sentence.
09/10/2008 10:08:41 PM · #8
Given the crop factor of your camera, I think you will find the 50 F1.4 canon much nicer and is close to the money limit you are in.

Matt
09/10/2008 11:14:21 PM · #9
The Tamron is due to be released in Japan Sept.27th, I haven't seen a release date for the rest of the world yet. I would guess before the christmas shopping season starts. If available, another option is to rent before you buy, I have seen shops that refund a rental price if you buy the lens within a set period of time.
09/10/2008 11:27:37 PM · #10
The Tamron is ¥59,800 which is about $560 (USD).
09/11/2008 12:14:55 AM · #11
Go for primes. Go for large aperture. Nothing beats 50mm 1.4 and 100mm 2.8 macro.
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