DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register) 
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> What would you buy?
Pages:  
Showing posts 26 - 47 of 47, (reverse)
AuthorThread
 01/27/2012 09:29:47 AM · #26
Well, I have an educated guess that my wife got me the nifty-fifty so I'm excited to try it out!
 01/27/2012 09:34:10 AM · #27
I disagree completely with the 50mm.

You're just starting out and finding out what you like to do. Yes, the 50 is excellent quality, but you already have a slightly decent quality 50 in your kit zoom.

I would go with Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM (if you can get a little more)

Amazon has it on sale for $432. This gives you so much more flexibility to see what you want to shoot -- you can go for wildlife, candids from farther away, etc. It's a decent lens that I had for years before my expensive glass.

This was taken with that lens (paulbtw's shot)

Don't limit yourself when you're first starting. Expand your horizons by expanding your range.
 01/27/2012 09:35:56 AM · #28
Originally posted by Osiris1975:
Well, I have an educated guess that my wife got me the nifty-fifty so I'm excited to try it out!


oops. sorry! didn't mean to rain on your parade. :)
 01/27/2012 09:47:09 AM · #29
Originally posted by vawendy:
Originally posted by Osiris1975:
Well, I have an educated guess that my wife got me the nifty-fifty so I'm excited to try it out!


oops. sorry! didn't mean to rain on your parade. :)


No worries vawendy, I wore a trench-coat. :)

Seriously, I DO want a zoom lens at some point, but on a budget, I think the 50mm/f.18 is going to satisfy my macro aspirations. I suspect that when I do get a good zoom lens, I should be able to cover most photographic situations with the nifty-fifty and a lens like the one you suggested.
 01/27/2012 09:55:23 AM · #30
I am sure Canon has something comparable, but I love my Nikkor 18-200mm. It usually covers all of my needs in one lens.
 01/27/2012 09:57:16 AM · #31
Originally posted by Osiris1975:
Originally posted by vawendy:
Originally posted by Osiris1975:
Well, I have an educated guess that my wife got me the nifty-fifty so I'm excited to try it out!


oops. sorry! didn't mean to rain on your parade. :)


No worries vawendy, I wore a trench-coat. :)

Seriously, I DO want a zoom lens at some point, but on a budget, I think the 50mm/f.18 is going to satisfy my macro aspirations. I suspect that when I do get a good zoom lens, I should be able to cover most photographic situations with the nifty-fifty and a lens like the one you suggested.


The $430 price on that zoom is an excellent deal. Next time birthday runs around (or Christmas), I highly recommend it. The longer lens opens up some incredible possibilities. :)

You sound like you're having enough fun that any additions are going to be more than welcome!

In going forward from here, ignore the people who are recommending good glass (it's way too expensive when you're just starting out). Get the best you can afford, but get all that you can. It helps you figure out what type of photography you want to do. I was taking some wonderful photos with inexpensive glass for many years. It helped me realize what was out there, what I could do with it, and what I wanted to do with it. Now I know what type of expensive glass I want, and I can save up for it. But I've had the experiences in the meantime. :)
 01/27/2012 10:00:34 AM · #32
Originally posted by vawendy:


You're just starting out and finding out what you like to do. Yes, the 50 is excellent quality, but you already have a slightly decent quality 50 in your kit zoom.



except that the kit is f5.6 wide open and the nifty 50 is f1.8.
 01/27/2012 10:10:17 AM · #33
Originally posted by mike_311:
Originally posted by vawendy:


You're just starting out and finding out what you like to do. Yes, the 50 is excellent quality, but you already have a slightly decent quality 50 in your kit zoom.



except that the kit is f5.6 wide open and the nifty 50 is f1.8.


yup! He'll definitely have fun with the DOF possibilities. I remember my first 2.8 lens. What a blast!
 01/27/2012 11:27:51 AM · #34
keep an eye open for pawn shop/2nd hand shop lenses aw well. some great deals can be found if you are just starting out, and lenses are harder to break, so you can get good ones, can check its function easy enough as well. if you go in to a shop regularly the owner will probably try to work with you to make a sale. Never know, and with the economic times, sadly there are probably many good lenses available.
 01/27/2012 12:21:17 PM · #35
Something to consider...if you don't already have a system set up to backup/archive your photo files, then you might consider a big external HD. They come with software that handles the backing-up automatically. Not that expensive, you would still have $$ left over for other gear.
 01/27/2012 06:31:41 PM · #36
Originally posted by vawendy:

In going forward from here, ignore the people who are recommending good glass (it's way too expensive when you're just starting out). Get the best you can afford, but get all that you can. It helps you figure out what type of photography you want to do. I was taking some wonderful photos with inexpensive glass for many years. It helped me realize what was out there, what I could do with it, and what I wanted to do with it. Now I know what type of expensive glass I want, and I can save up for it. But I've had the experiences in the meantime. :)


I can see your point BUT, that does mean buying twice and paying more in the long run. It's better to save up for good glass that you can resell if you don't like it. I've lost VERY little when selling good glass.

ETA: Honestly and truly, it is better to pay for the good stuff once. IMHO, this applies to almost everything... I can't tell you how many times I wished I had spent just a little bit more on a dishwasher, a few guitars, a camera, a lens. I've learned my lesson...

Message edited by author 2012-01-27 18:34:58.
 01/27/2012 07:14:40 PM · #37
For what its worth, I have had only EF-S and Sigma glass since I got into this 2 years ago. It all served me VERY well. HOWEVER, I just purchased the 24-70 f2.8L and WOW! I will always save up to by the better lens from now on in. Just my $0.02.
 02/06/2012 08:25:39 AM · #38
So the festivities have passed and I landed the 50mm f1.8 as expected, as well as the Canon Speedlight 270EX flash, and some miscellaneous small camera items.

I also received $200 to spend on camera gear. I see my interests going in two directions right now, macro photography and tabletop studio stuff.

I know a real macro lens is not in my budget right now, so I'm investigating two options and would like opinions: I could either get a reversal ring or extension tubes for the 50mm. I've seen a few online, some very inexpensive but with no connectivity to the camera's electronics, and more expensive with the connectivity. Any recommendations?

Second, for the tabletop studio stuff, I'm looking at various items similar to this PBL Studio Light Tent Kit. These seem to range widely in price, from as low as $30 to $200. I'm looking to eventually be able to use it for certain types of stock or product photography as well as macro. So not sure how I should go.

I'm also looking to pick up two books:

Adobe Photoshop CS5 for Photographers: A professional image editor's guide to the creative use of Photoshop for the Macintosh and PC

The Photography Book

Lastly, I'd like to be able to used the same filters for all my lenses, so I'm looking for recommendations on step-up/step-down rings.
 02/06/2012 08:49:58 AM · #39
I'm biased, but these are another option. I have extension rings, as well, and both come with their own limitations and drawbacks. Reversal rings are very cheap, but you'll need step up rings for each lens or a separate reversal ring. The extension rings will work with all lenses, as will the diopters (though the diopters will need the right size step-up/step-down rings.
Most light tents and all that stuff you can build or replicate on your own with some screwing around, so I question the worth of them.
 02/06/2012 09:59:11 AM · #40
Originally posted by spiritualspatula:
I'm biased, but these are another option. I have extension rings, as well, and both come with their own limitations and drawbacks. Reversal rings are very cheap, but you'll need step up rings for each lens or a separate reversal ring. The extension rings will work with all lenses, as will the diopters (though the diopters will need the right size step-up/step-down rings.
Most light tents and all that stuff you can build or replicate on your own with some screwing around, so I question the worth of them.


Thanks spiritualspatula. I think those are a viable option. Do you see any pros/cons to extension tubes vs. diopters?

02/06/2012 11:57:53 AM · #41
Steve Kaeser

I bought the 30" light tent from these guys. Good service and decent quality. I live close by so I can pick things up from their warehouse. Just a heads up if you decide to go this route.

02/06/2012 12:44:32 PM · #42
Note, you don't have to spend too much for extension tubes with auto focus. I have this set, which has worked very well for me (used it numerous times with my nifty fifty). Auto focus and other controls work great.

//www.amazon.com/Zeikos-ZE-CVAFC-Focus-Macro-Extension/dp/B003IVXPMS/ref=sr_1_7?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1328550155&sr=1-7

Message edited by author 2012-02-07 13:48:18.
 02/06/2012 12:49:38 PM · #43
Originally posted by giantmike:
Note, you don't have to spend too much for extension tubes with auto focus. I have this set, which has worked very well for me (used it numerous times with my nifty fifty). Auto focus and other controls work great.

//www.amazon.com/Zeikos-ZE-CVAFC-Focus-Macro-Extension/dp/B003IVXPMS/ref=sr_1_7?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1328550155&sr=1-7


Oh, I was looking at those, but was concerned by the review that called them 'Chinese junk'.
 02/07/2012 10:47:05 AM · #44
Originally posted by Osiris1975:
Originally posted by spiritualspatula:
I'm biased, but these are another option. I have extension rings, as well, and both come with their own limitations and drawbacks. Reversal rings are very cheap, but you'll need step up rings for each lens or a separate reversal ring. The extension rings will work with all lenses, as will the diopters (though the diopters will need the right size step-up/step-down rings.
Most light tents and all that stuff you can build or replicate on your own with some screwing around, so I question the worth of them.


Thanks spiritualspatula. I think those are a viable option. Do you see any pros/cons to extension tubes vs. diopters?


Diopters have some quirks, like I've noticed some increased ghosting from the multiple elements. The use of a hood helps this immensely. Both extension tubes and diopters cause you to lose infinity focus, and I'd venture that you have more light loss when using extension tubes. The glass on the diopters is also adding another layer of glass in front of your lens, so you do lose a bit of sharpness from that, as well I'd say. As I said, they both have their quirks.
 02/07/2012 12:43:29 PM · #45
I disagree with the 50mm 1.8 MKII

The entire front end broke off less than a week after I had bought mine. There's cheap but that's the kind of lens you'd expect to find in a box of crackerjacks. It's an on-going problem too, look it up online.

I then bought a 50mm 1.8 MkI from ebay for a little more, it's way more sturdy, it can take a beating. It's a pretty sharp lens for the price too. Might be a bit slower but I don't mind, I'd much rather have a metal lens that will last me years over a plastic lens that will last me a week.

With a bit of luck you can get it off of ebay for under 200$.

Sorry if I was a bit late on the reply, lol.

Message edited by author 2012-02-07 12:44:26.
 02/07/2012 10:23:52 PM · #46
Originally posted by Osiris1975:
So the festivities have passed and I landed the 50mm f1.8 as expected, as well as the Canon Speedlight 270EX flash, and some miscellaneous small camera items.

I also received $200 to spend on camera gear. I see my interests going in two directions right now, macro photography and tabletop studio stuff.

I know a real macro lens is not in my budget right now, so I'm investigating two options and would like opinions: I could either get a reversal ring or extension tubes for the 50mm. I've seen a few online, some very inexpensive but with no connectivity to the camera's electronics, and more expensive with the connectivity. Any recommendations?
:
:

Instead of a extension tubes or a reversing ring, you could just get a wine glass and crop in PP 8-)

On a more serious note though, I am thinking that you might consider returning your 270 and get a 430 instead. It is a more flexible flash. Then get a IR remote for about $30.
 02/08/2012 02:59:08 PM · #47
Originally posted by slickchik:
Honestly, you need another lens but a $200 lens isn't really going to be that great. Can you save up and wait a few months for a lens around $500? Maybe ask for BH Photo gift cards. You will never regret buying good glass.

That being said, maybe the canon 50mm f/1.8 would be a nice addition that is in your price range.


I have to agree that a $200 lens really won't be enough. I am an avid shooter, yet do not do it for profit (as of yet) and in my bag, I carry the Canon 450D (which I am REALLY wanting to upgrade to the T3i). I also have the kit lens which I never use. I have an EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens (which set me back a little under $700). However, this lens has been great for my son's football games, as well as many other instances which required telephoto shooting. I have the EF 50mm f/1.4 USM (cost a little over $400) but has been my favorite lens thus far, as I use it for most everyday shooting. And I have the EF 100mm f/2 USM (which was a little over $500), this lens has also been a great lens. Honestly, all of my lenses (excluding the kit lens) have been absolutely amazing to work with. I am still looking to invest in a Macro lens, a wide angle lens, and an ultra wide angle lens.

Other than lenses, I have the Gorilla Pod with the Ballhead-X, a camera bag that I will need to upgrade once I invest in my other lenses, a few memory cards, and a GREAT camera strap I can't live without (couldn't stand the stock strap).

Ok, I'm rambling...

Like slickchik said, you will never regret buying good glass! And if you can afford to invest in the IS USM lenses (or even the L-series) then do so. I will never buy another lens that doesn't have these options... it makes an amazing difference IMHO.

Good luck on lens shopping!!! It's always fun! :)
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 07/29/2025 07:17:16 PM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 07/29/2025 07:17:16 PM EDT.