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06/09/2006 10:15:11 PM · #1 |
Hey all, i've been bugging you guys a fair bit about new camera purchase, and i think i've almost got everything sorted out, but i have another question.
I'm trying to decide between the 50mm f1.8 lens, or the EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 III as the second lens on top of the kit lens. The problem is, i'm pretty new to photography, so i really have no idea what i'll be shooting. As i understand, the 50mm is great for indoor, low light, and shallow dof. Whereas the 75-300mm is just a general purpose telephoto lens...
What your advice be to a new photographer... get the 50mm? or play with the 75-300mm cheaper lens?
also, if not the cannon 75-300mm lens (which i can get for $200AUD as part of a package), is their a similarly priced telephoto zoom which is heaps better? eg sigma/tamron?
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06/09/2006 10:23:32 PM · #2 |
Howdy!
Originally posted by :
What your advice be to a new photographer... get the 50mm? or play with the 75-300mm cheaper lens?
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Perhaps you meant the 50mm f1.4 not f1.8? the f1.8 is a no brainer, I read it gives you a lot of bang for the buck for a sub $100 lens.
Do you have any other lenses in your arsenal yet? if not, just getting a 50mm and 75-300mm might be too long to start exploring the range, even so on a crop factor cam (20/30D or Rebel series). Perhaps start off with a mid range zoom? If you can't afford the L or IS Canon lenses I read the Sigma 18-50mm or Tamron 28-75mm are some good alternatives. Maybe you'll decide you like the wide end more, if you find the lenses too short then you know you want a short or long tele. It all really depends on what you shoot the most at the moment. And you can always keep your first lens as a backup :)
Message edited by author 2006-06-09 22:24:29. |
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06/09/2006 10:40:27 PM · #3 |
| sorry if i didn't make it clear, I'll be getting the 18-55mm canon kit lens. so i'll have that already. and yea, i meant the 1.8. I'm guessing this is a lens i should buy at some point, but i'm just wondering if i should get the zoom lens first... |
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06/09/2006 10:45:45 PM · #4 |
What do you think you're going to be shooting? I would personally go with the 50mm f1.8, which is really the most bang for your buck you can possibly get. It's a light, fast, suprisingly sharp lens with a very usefull focal length. The wide aperature can let you freeze motion in low light, and take interesting shots with shallow DOF. all for under $100 US. The 75-300 on the other hand, is a slower, heavier, and more often than not, less sharp lens. If you plan on trying to take bird shots, or animals of some kind, you'll want the reach. Consider the 100-300 over the 75-300 for a sharper lens for about the same price.
Make sure that you've got something to cover from about 18mm-55mm ish, like the kit lens, or something better. I'm very happy with the 17-85 IS, but it's a bit pricey.
go to //www.the-digital-picture.com to read up on lenses and get really good advice
Mark
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06/09/2006 10:57:28 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by diablo2097:
sorry if i didn't make it clear, I'll be getting the 18-55mm canon kit lens. so i'll have that already. and yea, i meant the 1.8. I'm guessing this is a lens i should buy at some point, but i'm just wondering if i should get the zoom lens first... |
My mistake , I speed read the title. Asking if you had any other lenses = doh! but at least now I know you're planning on getting the kit.
Well the 50mm and 75-300mm are different beasts, and if you find you're using the long end of the kit lens most of the time then by all means get the 50mm+70-300mm combo. You can try to rent the 75-300mm lens locally and see how you like it before taking the plunge. I have my eyes pealed for the 24-105mm IS lens. I currently only have the kit and 100mm macro lens, and really want to find a good kit lens replacement. There are certain times I want to use manual focus and good luck with that on the kit lens, the way too slim ring on the end of the lens is way too flimsy and doesn't hold position very well. Guess I might be spoiled by the manual focus on the 100mm lens.
Perhaps you should wait and use the kit lens for a while before spending on any other lenses. I knew I wanted macro so got the 100mm right away, and it works great as general purpose prime, too long for indoor portraits though. But you really cant go wrong with the 50mm, wont be a mistake to get one.
Fredmiranda.com has a very useful lens review section you can checkout.www.Fredmiranda.com
Message edited by author 2006-06-09 23:04:29. |
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06/09/2006 11:03:11 PM · #6 |
Get the 50. I've got both, and you'll learn a LOT more about photography - you said you were new - with the 50. Learn to zoom with your legs. Learn about perspective. Enjoy sharp photos that neither the kit nor the 75-300 will give you.
Every new photog needs to learn the 50. Period.
Just IMHO. :)
Love the 50. |
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06/09/2006 11:08:43 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by nards656:
Every new photog needs to learn the 50. Period.
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If for no other reason, to see what a sharp photo looks like.
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06/10/2006 12:51:58 AM · #8 |
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
Originally posted by nards656:
Every new photog needs to learn the 50. Period.
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If for no other reason, to see what a sharp photo looks like. |
And it's the worlds best magnifying glass :)
No really get the 50mm as mentioned before to see/get used to what sharp is all about... and the 1.8 makes it pretty useful in low light areas the others won't do well.
Message edited by author 2006-06-10 00:52:23. |
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