What kind of lense(s) do I need?

09/02/2005 02:33:30 PM · #1

I do a lot of fast moving action shots, and do an equal amount of portrait/pet photos, but very seldom do any landscape photography. I would like a good lense for a Rebel XT that can handle action shots (most of which will be behind a boat, so I won't be able to get closer than 60-70 feet from the moving subject very often), and also a lense that would be great for extreme macro. I know NOTHING about lenses, but I've heard the 50mm f1.8 is a great Canon lense for the money. Would it work for either of these purposes? Oh yeah, and I'm on a tight budget! Thanks!!

brianlh

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

09/02/2005 02:45:06 PM · #2

The 50mm f/1.8 won't really work for either of those purposes, but is a good lens. One possibility might be to get a macro coupler so that you can reverse the 18-55 kit lens behind the 50mm, which would give you some macro capability - though I'm not sure how close this would get you since neither are really macro lenses to begin with.

As for really fast action photography, the lenses that produce the best results come at quite a hefty price. The Sigma 70-300 APO Macro Super II is supposedly the best of the budget zooms as far as optical quality goes, but I'm not sure how the focusing speed on it is.

petrakka

09/02/2005 02:52:48 PM · #3

mmm id say the 70-200 f4 L lens, not the cheapest, not the most expensive either....but for what you need get that. your not gonna get a great macro and great sport long lens in the same lens usually i dont think.

09/02/2005 02:55:24 PM · #4

I haven't bought the Rebel XT yet, so would it be better to buy it without the kit lense that comes with it? Or would the kit lense be ok for the purposes I would need? Or forget the kit lense and get the Sigma 70-300 for action shots? I know the 50mm is a good lense as far as sharpness and quality, but what kind of shots is it good for? Are there any affordable macro lenses that can get in pretty tight? Enough questions? haha

Telehubbie

Canon EOS-40D

09/02/2005 02:56:18 PM · #5

Originally posted by petrakka:

mmm id say the 70-200 f4 L lens

Beat me to it while getting the link. Canon 70-200 F4
And you can get tube extenders to get a bit closer for more macro stuff.

09/02/2005 02:57:24 PM · #6

The 70-200 F4 is a bit out of my price range.

09/02/2005 03:09:56 PM · #7

Originally posted by chemlabrat:

I have just bought the Sigma 70-300 APO DG Macro, it is the latest version and seems a good all round lens, although I haven't tested it much yet. I will try to post a couple of shots asap. It is also 1:2 Macro.

Steve

hopper

Canon EOS-80D

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM

09/02/2005 03:12:46 PM · #8

I'd hold off on the macro lens until you're positive you want it. All you need is an extension tube and ANY lens can become a macro lens. I do just fine without one. If you plan to do macros, an external flash and an off camera shoe cord is MUCH more important.

09/02/2005 03:21:42 PM · #9

Here are two photos taken about an hour ago, the light was going, but they don't look too bad. All I have done is resize and save for web. Hope this helps:

300mm Macro setting

300mm

Steve

Just checked and found this one...resized, USM and save for web.

Message edited by author 2005-09-02 15:36:04.

09/02/2005 03:28:36 PM · #10

Thanks very much! That helps a lot to see the actual shots with the lens. As of right now I think I'm going to go with the Rebel XT without a lens, then buy the Sigma 70-300, and possibly the canon 50mm 1.8. What type of shots is the 50mm designed for?

09/02/2005 03:33:47 PM · #11

Originally posted by chemlabrat:

The 50mm is good for indoor/lowlight shots and portraits, and candid street shots. It is good quality, cheap and fast. If you get the Sigma, make sure to get the APO DG Macro one, it is the latest and is designed especially for Digital cameras. However, the earlier DG model is available on ebay for Â£94 +p&p...also a good performer.

As with any long zoom, you are going to be at the mercy of available light...these aren't the fastest lenses, but then they are not the most expensive either. If you can, try them out or borrow them before buying as you may not like any of them.

Steve

brianlh

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

09/02/2005 03:38:10 PM · #12

I don't know if you'll be very happy with only 50mm+.. you're nearly limiting yourself to only telephoto (considering their 35mm equivalent focal lengths).

09/02/2005 03:45:05 PM · #13

At B&H I added the following to my cart to get a total:
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT (Body only)(Black)
Signma Zoom Telephoto 70-300 f/4-5.6 APO Macro
Sandisk 2GB Compactflash Card
Sandisk Compactflash card reader/writer
Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.8 II Autofocus Lens

Including shipping the total comes out to: $1,314 which falls into my budget of between $1000-1500. Does this sound like a pretty suitable setup for what I'm looking at doing?

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

09/02/2005 03:51:11 PM · #14

So you think a lower mm such as the kit lense 18-55 that comes with the package would come in handy?

Canon EOS-20D

09/02/2005 03:53:02 PM · #15

The 350 with the kit lens is only $80 more than without it. You'd still be within your budget and you'd have a better range of coverage. The kit lens gets a lot of love it/hate it publicity but I think starting with a 70mm zoom and only having a 50mm prime has the potential to be a bit limiting.

suemack

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

09/02/2005 04:10:07 PM · #16

Couldn't manage w/out my kit lens. I do a lot of action type shots with my 300D and sometimes the longer 90-300mm f4.5-5.6 and 60mm just aren't right. The kit lens will give you more flexibility. Have a look at Brad P's latest images. They're taken with the XT and kit lens.

brianlh

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

09/02/2005 04:53:00 PM · #17

//www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=163657&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

I'm not sure whether you want the DG or the lens I mentioned above. I know that some of the versions of the lens are known to be poor quality - you might want to research that a bit.