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08/08/2009 08:10:50 PM · #1 |
I'm an pretty amateur photographer, with very limited knowledge of equipment, but I'd like to learn more. My standard Sigma 18-50mm lens was ruined on a trip to Africa, so I'm in the market for something new (to me).
On craigslist I've found a Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens and EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 Zoom Lens together for $300, both one-year-old. This seems like a good deal to me, but I just wanted to see if any peeps in DPC had any advice! Are these good lenses to buy? |
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08/08/2009 08:36:23 PM · #2 |
The 18-55 is the standard kit lens on many Canon cameras. Not worth a lot. I just bought the newer, stabilized and optically improved version of it from another DPC member for $90. The old version is not worth much, maybe $50. Maybe. I had the 75-300 for about 3 months. I paid $130 for it used. The 75-300 is the zoom lens that is often bundled in a multi-lens kit by retailers. Think of it as the second kit lens. It's ok for the price, but like any cheap zoom (Including the Tamron 28-300 that I traded it in on, and still use) it gets soft at distance and long focal length. It's also a lot larger and heavier than the Tamron I replaced it with. Here is one of the shots I did while I had it. I was about 12 feet away at the full 300mm focal length.
I think they are both decent lenses if you need to stay within a budget and you can do well with them if you understand their limitations. L-glass they are not, though. I think $300 is way too much to pay for the pair, however.
Message edited by author 2009-08-08 20:38:42. |
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08/08/2009 08:36:27 PM · #3 |
Opinion on Lenses?
You need one. |
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08/08/2009 08:39:51 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by David Ey:
You need one. |
No, you don't.
Ok, maybe that's an exception that proves the point...
Message edited by author 2009-08-08 20:40:19. |
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08/08/2009 08:49:11 PM · #5 |
You can buy the 75-300 on Amazon new for $142 and used for $100. The improved and stabilized 18-55 can be found there for $120, though I know it can be found for less.
If you are really on a budget and want my older kit lens, pm me and we can work out something fair. |
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08/13/2009 12:18:53 AM · #6 |
| Thanks so much for your input guys! |
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08/13/2009 12:33:33 AM · #7 |
Do not go for the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 and the EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6.
I have both, and they are dire. I don't use either. The 18-55 can be picked up on its own anywhere for nothing - hell I will post you mine if you pay for postage from Singapore, but you could probably get one in the US for less than the postage. The 75-300 is fun to stick on the end of your camera - that sort of reach is a blast. Such a shame that everything you shoot is so darned soft. Really not much of a lens. |
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08/13/2009 09:32:07 AM · #8 |
Neither of those lenses is that great - granted, they both work and will take photos, but you can probably spend your $300 more effectively.
I'd suggest a Canon 28-135mm IS lens. New I think they're about $360, and used you should easily be able to find one for $300ish. I find it to be a great everyday lens - and a good performer. It's not as wide as the 18-50mm, or as long as the 70-300mm, but it will perform better in the range it has. (Or, if you want a faster lens instead of IS, look at the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 for about the same price.)
If you were going to get a 70-300mm, get the one with IS. Everything I've read says that the IS version is quite good, and of course having IS helps on the telephoto end. And it's not that expensive, comparatively speaking.
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08/13/2009 10:52:54 AM · #9 |
| You would be better off spending it all on one good quality lens that you will be happy with for the next 5-10 years then two not-so-good ones that you will want to replace in a year or two. Looking at your equipment list you still have the 55-200 mm lens (I assume it is still working), so you might be best off getting a very good quality lens that covers much of the 20-70 mm (or so) range now and then you can always upgrade the telephoto zoom at a later date (perhaps to one of the four 70-200 mm lenses). (Regarding specific lenses, I can not help you as I do not own Canon stuff.) |
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