Best Lens for £130 - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/02/2008 12:53:28 PM · #1

Hi Folks,
I have approx Â£130 to spend on camera gear. If you look here Previous post you will see what i have recently purchased.

I am in the process of learning the ins and outs of my camera and slowly building up my gear. In your opinion, what should i get next for my budget?

I was thinking of a flash, new or second hand i dont mind, or perhaps another lens but i am open to suggestions and of course value for money comes into it.

TIA

Edit, sorry about the title, i forgot to change it before posting :(

Message edited by author 2008-10-02 12:55:19.

smurfguy

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

10/02/2008 01:12:54 PM · #2

If it's a lens you want, it's widely agreed that the best bang-for-buck lens is the 50mm f/1.8. This gets you a very fast, good quality prime lens for very little price. The next step up in that line is the 50mm f/1.4, which has much improved build quality and USM.

You could also get an inexpensive zoom in to 70-300 range (maybe Canon, but certainly Sigma or Tamron), which would round out your starter kit.

As you grow out of these lenses and desire something faster and sharper, you'll be looking at no less than $500.

Other than lenses, I'd recommend a flash and some solid reading. Nothing improves photography like lighting.

Cheers,
-Jeff

Message edited by author 2008-10-02 13:13:38.

10/02/2008 01:19:08 PM · #3

Originally posted by smurfguy:

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for the reply, i already have the 50mm 1.8 Mk2 which is a lovely lens. A 70-300 would be nice as would a flash to be honest. Why does photography have to be so expensive starting out.

pastortimmr

Pentax K100D Super

Pentax SMC-F 50mm f/1.7

10/02/2008 01:42:15 PM · #4

Hey

Axleuk

How's the new camera been treating you?! You've had it for about a week now right? Have you been getting used to it and do you dream about it when you go to sleep at night? haha.

Are you only thinking about buying one of the two? (lens or flash?) Or both?

Looking at your profile/portfolio, it looks like for the type photography you do, a nice zoom lens would really fit in with what you shoot. (Outdoors, candid shots, action) - Fun to play with to get some tightly framed shots. If you can spend a little more a 18-250mm (tamron) would be a great walk around lens to have!!!

A flash would be nice (But I agree!!! PHOTOGRAPHY IS EXPENSIVE!!!), and I've been looking into buying one as well... but I my 70-300 is my walk around lens. I love the range it gives... and while it's not the fastest, I'm happy enough with it to start out with (at least until I win the lottery). I'll switch to a wide angle when I want a pano/landscape shot or a nice portrait... but I rarely shoot anything that needs anything more than a flash to fill.

But until you get the lens range you want, I would recommend that before the flash- but it's all personal preference.

10/02/2008 01:57:41 PM · #5

I have actually had the camera for a couple of days. Its doing my head in to be honest but a lot of fun. Not really had the chance to give it a good test. The few pics i have taken are dreadful but its all part of the process i guess.

I agree that perhaps a nice zoom lens would be suited to my needs right now, but then again, i do want to learn the portrait side of things too. I have even considered lights, but i might be running away with myself here.

Mr_Pants

SiPix Blink

10/02/2008 02:02:20 PM · #6

The received wisdom in this kind of case is to play around with what you've got and then see for yourself what sort of features you'd want in a lens. I can highly recommend that course of action. Most important of all, have fun.

10/02/2008 02:05:03 PM · #7

Originally posted by Mr_Pants:

Burning pockets hole - I've not been one to leave money around too long, lol.

Mr_Pants

SiPix Blink

10/02/2008 02:07:18 PM · #8

Originally posted by Axleuk:

Originally posted by Mr_Pants:
The received wisdom in this kind of case is to play around with what you've got and then see for yourself what sort of features you'd want in a lens. I can highly recommend that course of action. Most important of all, have fun.

Burning pockets hole - I've not been one to leave money around too long, lol.

Trust me, save the money and add to it, so that you've got a decent pile when you decide what you really want. Take it from someone who's rushed out to buy something, just for the sake of buying it.

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

10/02/2008 02:25:34 PM · #9

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro for Canon is looking rather inviting :)

pastortimmr

Pentax K100D Super

Pentax SMC-F 50mm f/1.7

10/02/2008 03:10:55 PM · #10

Originally posted by Axleuk:

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro for Canon is looking rather inviting :)

Haha. I can see you're just like me. Think of something you want and sit and research it all day... look up prices, reviews, look up prices, reviews, day dream about what you could do with the new addition, then look up prices and read reviews.

I really agree with

Mr_Pants about saving up, but putting that into practice is so hard!!! Especially when great deals come along.

The previous advice is great though... take some time, shoot with your camera and see what you like, and also see what your set up is lacking. If you're walking around with your kit lens and you don't feel like your zoom is falling short at all, then maybe you don't need the 70-300 yet. Or if you shoot for a few weeks or more and find that you never use your on board flash at all (and not because you don't like it, but more because you don't need it) then you might not need the flash. So maybe a nice light set up for studio portraits, or a light box for some nice isolated shots would be better for you- to create a whole new shooting opportunity... The more you shoot the more you'll find out about your needs vs. your wants.

marbo

Nikon D5000

10/02/2008 04:08:27 PM · #11

Originally posted by Axleuk:

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro for Canon is looking rather inviting :)

Yep this is a great lens for the money. Make sure you get this one with the red ring around the top and not the cheaper dl version.

SteveJ

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

10/02/2008 04:18:24 PM · #12

Originally posted by Axleuk:

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro for Canon is looking rather inviting :)

I had that with my 30D, bit disappointed as I had also used one with my 300D with excellent results. However, I like the Tamron 70-300mm, but you do tend to get CA when shooting straight against a bright background. The Tamron Macro? is pretty good too!

Either are good lenses and worth their cheap price. They will do until you can afford better glass. It's a case of you pay your money and make your choice. We all want the best glass, but finances dictate the final choice, I know! I have the same limitations.:)