Originally posted by kirbic:
Jen,
You can find folks who will post photos taken with a lens they either have tested or purchased; the trick is finding someone who has posted good quality shots, and at full resolution, and explained how the shots were made. Even a mediocre lens can usually do some good work within its "sweet spot", it's when you shoot "wide open" (and at the extremes of zoom range with zoom lenses) that things get interesting. Testing for flare, CA (chromatic aberration) and quality of bokeh are other areas that require specific shooting technique and subject matter. Rarely do you see a really complete test posted.
If at some point you have a particular lens in mind, try asking here at DPC, you will most likely get some great feedback. Check out this thread, there is a ton of useful info on various choices for the Canon EOS digitals.
In general on pricing, any Canon lens with "L" as part of the designation will be expensive, it's Canon's "Pro" lens line. Good, fast telephotos are always expensive, and even more so when they include IS, or "Image Stabilization".
Many of the "L" lenses are $1000+, there are a few notable exceptions, and there are also a few non-"L" lenses that give every bit the optical quality of the "L" glass. When buying lenses, do a ton of reaearch. The 10D and 300D have very high resolution and will show up the defects in mediocre glass! Realize ahead of time that good lenses will be a bigger investment than the body, but will carry forward to your next body.
BTW, I just received my copy of the "$1600 lens" mentioned above, played with it today, it was worth it! |
Great advice, kirbic. Thank you. I checked out the link to that other thread as well. Some really good suggestions there, too.
Looks like I'll have to settle for the Rebel. I would love the 10d but can't seem to convince myself that it's worth $500 more (with no lens) for a few extra features. I can get a lens or two with that extra money. And besides, I don't know enough about all of the features yet to justify it, either.
Thanks again for all of your advice. I'm hoping to catch an after-Christmas sale and get the camera soon.
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