Purchase of 350D question - DPChallenge Forums

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

09/02/2005 04:38:11 AM · #1

Time has almost come for me to jump on the dSLR boat.
I am very thrilled and yet still confused.
After months of readings reviews and wasting lots of time on the net I decided for the Canon 350D, though my heart still would like a Nikon.
But the 8 megapixels, the 100 ISO and the Canon development direction won over the D70S (might still be an option if strong arguments can be brought)
I also know that any of these will be a huge leap from my A70 and the monkey behind the camera makes the photoes.
Anyways I am happy to be healed (...hopefully) of the gear fever once my purchase will be done.

Now after the blabla the question is:

My budget is tight. I can afford only the camera kit and a portable hard disk ($100 priced here in China), as I have a little collection of 512, 256 and 2X64 CF cards. With some (considerable) effort and some luck I might be able to get the cash for a Sigma 18-200 DC. In this case I thought it would be nice to get the body+50/1.8.

Would be this a wise move or should I just get the kit, learn the camera and my needs (being new to dSLR I have no clue what focal lenghts I need, though tele would be a thought) and save the cash for better lens.

Thanks! and sorry for the long post...

Message edited by author 2005-09-02 12:27:43.

SDW

Canon EOS-60D

09/02/2005 04:49:45 AM · #2

This seems to be a nice starter kit from B&H Photo And I would highly recommend the canon 50mm f/1.8 II. For the money it is a very sharp lens.

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

09/02/2005 04:58:28 AM · #3

Thanks for the fast reply.
Unfortunately I am located in China and I can not purchase online. I will buy my camera at the local store. The CF card is tempting but I do have a 512 and a 256 and I think a x-drive type device 40G will serve me well.
I want to know about this combo:
Sigma 18-200 + or
kit lens + 50/1.8

Thanks!

SDW

Canon EOS-60D

09/02/2005 05:17:58 AM · #4

Originally posted by Tiberius:

Looking at your profile (great pictures) it looks like you don't do a lot of zoom pictures. Mostly wide angle and mid range. IMO I think you would come out better with the kit lens + 50mm f/1.8 II. The 50 mm lens is so sharp. I have it and love it for the price. Here is one example of the lens sharpness from my portfolio.

modprod

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

09/02/2005 05:30:17 AM · #5

Hi Tiberius,I am also a new 350D owner ans also in China.I am in Shenzhen and you?

Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM

09/02/2005 05:33:06 AM · #6

Shantou. 4 hours by bus from you!

modprod

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

09/02/2005 05:50:23 AM · #7

Let me know if you ever get to Shenzhen.You can see my work at www.modelmayhem.com #8585 and Suzie Wong #7909 I also have a page at www.babewarehouse.com search MODPROD Cheers Rick.

Bud

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

09/02/2005 11:05:50 AM · #8

Originally posted by Tiberius:

My budget is tight. I can afford only the camera kit and a portable hard disk ($100 priced here in China), as a have a little collection of 512, 256 and 2X64 CF cards. With some (considerable) effort and some luck I might be able to get the cash for a Sigma 18-200 DC. In this case I thought it would be nice to get the body+50/1.8.

Would be this a wise move or should I just get the kit, learn the camera and my needs (being new to dSLR I have no clue what focal lenghts I need, though tele would be a thought) and save the cash for better lens.

Thanks! and sorry for the long post...

This is basically exactly what I did and it is a help for the learning curve of moving to a dSLR. The Sigma 18-200 has the zoom range for everything and the 50mm f1.8 is a fast lense for low light situations. You will be happy...

Recently I added the Sigma 105 f 2.8 Macro lense and hope to add a long telephoto in the next nine months or so.

Good luck!

Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC for Canon

09/02/2005 12:20:00 PM · #9

Thanks for the input.
I just have to try hard to get the extra cash ;)

suprada

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

09/02/2005 12:57:32 PM · #10

I bought a 350D recently too. I ended up not buying the kit lens. Instead I picked up the Sigma 18-125 and the Canon 50mm f1.8. Am happy with the choice I made. :)

lenny

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

09/02/2005 01:03:23 PM · #11

I already have the 300D but my friend has the 350D. It seems soooooo much better though a lot smaller. I'm thinking of selling mine on ebay and getting a 350D. But then, will I just want to get something even better before long? So, the question is, shall I stick with the 300D for now until I can afford something really swish (1 year), or just go for the 350D anyway!!

It's a hard life.

Message edited by author 2005-09-02 13:03:49.

Brad

Olympus OM-D E-M1

Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO M.Zuiko

09/02/2005 01:03:31 PM · #12

Though the 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 kit lens really isn't too bad, I have my sight set on a Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di as it's replacement for an all-purpose, walk around lens.

09/02/2005 01:07:46 PM · #13

I found a good review here 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 kit lens
I still don't figure out if the 18-200 zoom is worth (it's almost X11)
Any help?

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

09/02/2005 02:43:12 PM · #14

Any other thoughts?

brianlh

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

09/02/2005 02:54:25 PM · #15

Those hyperzooms are generally only worth it if you're going to be too inconvenienced to carry around any other lenses or won't be able to afford any other lenses. I suppose it depends on what your needs are, but hyperzooms don't offer excellent quality (which you seem to be aware of). Some people are happy with them and some people hate them - it really depends upon you.

You may not need the hard disk right now unless you're going on vacation soon. I have a 512mb and a 128mb card, shoot RAW, and seldom use my entire capacity (though I do review shots not long after taking them and delete the ones that I can already tell are not worth keeping). I'd be more inclined to save that money now so that you can get another lens sooner (or now), and then get the hard drive if you later find that you need it. If you don't plan on shooting RAW (though I would advise that you do), there's nearly no way that you will go over your capacity on a normal 1-day outing.

SDW

Canon EOS-60D

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

09/02/2005 03:25:46 PM · #16

Originally posted by Tiberius:

I found a good review here 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 kit lens
I still don't figure out if the 18-200 zoom is worth (it's almost X11)
Any help?

I have the Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II for Canon and can tell you it an OK lens. Fun to have on the camera because you don't have to change lens. But if its sharp and consistent pictures your looking for I would not recommend this zoom and probably not any other ones that has that type of range.

I though it would be nice because of it's light weight and range but you sacrifice a lot. The lenses are slow and not near as sharp. I still enjoy it and use it but mostly for family get together and taking pictures under certain situations.

I agree with Brad on the Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di. I would of purchased it but it was out of stock when I purchased my 18-200. And the quality is so much better.

I have learned a big lesson about lens when I went with the 18-200. There is no shortcuts when it comes to lens. If you want one that will give you the full range you may as well get a pro-sumer came with a fixed lens. The beauty of the dSLR is the ability to change lens for a particular situation.

So Now I have a wish list of lens in my portfolio. I hope one day to be able to obtain them. Expensive, but like I said it's a wish list.

Message edited by author 2005-09-02 15:26:43.

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

09/02/2005 10:46:30 PM · #17

Well, I will be on a vacation soon. I have to go to Hong Kong and I will take my daughter to the DisneyLand (I already booked the hotel and park ticketes for 2 days in Oct) so I guess the hard disk is necessary.

Oh, really I did't think it's so damn complicated... I don't really have the money for the Sigma but I am thinking to borrow some...

I might just drop it, get the kit and start taking pics instead of getting mad for some piece of glass...and wait patiencely for the right cash for the right lens.

Did you all get through this or I am too picky (as my wife says LOL)

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

09/03/2005 12:17:17 AM · #18

You can't go wrong with the Tamron 28-75, I got mine a week ago and it's exceptionally nice. Does pretty good macro too...

Robt.

09/03/2005 02:00:29 AM · #19

One more question. Might sound silly

Is the Sigma 18-200 sharper than the kit lens or better in any other respects than the range?

Thanks

art-inept

Olympus C-5060WZ

Canon EF 35mm f/2.0

09/03/2005 03:38:31 AM · #20

hey i too have a 350D and i was confronted with choosing a lens on a budget as you are. i chose the 50mm 1.8 route. i had a backup 28-80 canon zoom. but it wasn't very good. i agree with your decision on picking up the 50mm 1.8 since it is a very good standard lens (especially for portraiture if you ever find yourself doing that genre). however, about the zoom lens. i also agree that a zoom lens would be good. but make sure you don't go too cheap. the 50mm might just blow it away so that you'll never be satisfied with the sharpness/softeness of the econo zoom. i have heard very good reviews of the tamron 28-75 however i have also heard about some quality control issues concerning serious front focussing on some bad copies. this site is very good if you want to find reviews of some first and third party lenses - Fred Miranda Reviews . hope this helps, good luck! and im sure you'll love the 350D, it is a lot of fun.

Message edited by author 2005-09-03 03:39:15.