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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Need a cheap lens for Canon - Ideas?
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 12/25/2004 11:16:41 PM · #1
I am looking at getting a D30, no lens.
I will be broke...and of course want to use the camera...

I have seen Canon 28-80 for $50 or so - looks like the kit lens for a film Rebel.
I have seen a tamron 28-80 NEW for under $80, and it has macro.I also want to get a 75-300 or 100-400 of some kind in the near future.

I have seen on ebay a sigma 'kit' with 28-80(3.5-5.6) & 70-300(4.5-6.7) for about $170. New. Seems cheap (inexpensive)

Any thoughts on 'starter' lenses? (for a po boy like me)

I'd like to get the canon 28-105 IS USM later on. So i might keep one of these as a backup or resell it, so resale value has some minor value.

Message edited by author 2004-12-25 23:17:56.
 12/25/2004 11:41:23 PM · #2
Good ole 50 1.8 seems like the obvious answer. $80 or less.
Edit: The 50 1.8 is the one lens I can guarantee you won't be disappointed in at that price. Wonderful little lens.

How much are you getting the D30 for?

Message edited by author 2004-12-25 23:42:23.
 12/25/2004 11:51:32 PM · #3
Gotta second the 50/1.8 recommendation. How can you argue with sharp, fast, and cheap?
 12/26/2004 12:18:02 AM · #4
Sharp, fast cheap (saw on e w/ a film body for $65)
and it fits my current filters...although my PL is linear and i think i'll need circular PL filters, right?

I am addicted to zoom...been using it since 1986 or so on a variety of cameras. Not so sure i can go back....

My 602 has 35-210 capabilty, and i'd like 300 or more, so a 1.5 factor and a 300 is plenty on that end.

I like fast...will I use this lens though? I had a Rollei SLR back in the day (ealry 80s) andit has a 50 or so lens, and i used it alot. I never got the money for a zoom lens...had i had a zoom, would i have used the plain 50 again?
 12/26/2004 12:22:45 AM · #5
Back to 50- 1.8...
I know FD is a different mount than EF.
To use a lens on the D30 I need an EF, right? Does EOS EF mean anything different? I kow EF-S won't work.

I ask this becuase on ebay i am finding film bodies with the 50 1.8 (and other bodies and lenses) CHEAP...if the lens will work, i can take a film body for free, huh?

For example:
//cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30033&item=3862589644&rd=1
 12/26/2004 12:28:28 AM · #6
It has to be an EF lens.

If the film camera is not an EOS then the lens won't fit.

The AE-1 shown uses FD lenses so they won't work with the D30.
 12/26/2004 12:33:12 AM · #7
Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
I know FD is a different mount than EF

If you're handy, and don't mind stopped down metering you can build an FD-EF converter. Or build the lens from scratch yourself.
See info in this thread
 12/26/2004 02:17:13 AM · #8
i figure that I can coem up with $200-250 for lens(es).
Been looking at B&H..
Options...
1) Sigma 28-300 3.5/5.6 macro, $249
+ one lens for everything.
- redundant to some extent with a 28-135 IS
(tamron has a 28-200 for same price..XR IF 3.8/5.6)
2)Canon 50 1.8 . $70
Canon 80-200 4.5/5.6 II $110
+ both take 52mm filters, have some money left over for filters
- no macro, no wide angle, kind of redundant with 28-135, no 300mm
3) Sigma 70-300 4.5/5.6 DL Macro $149
Canon 50 1.8 $70
+ Sigma takes 58mm filter like IS lens, macro, can afford filters
- no wide angle
4) Tamron 28-80 3.5/5.6 macro, $80
Tamron 75-300 or 70-300 4.0/5.6 LD Macro, $125-150
+ full range coverage, some money for filters, 28080 takes 58mm filters like the IS lens
- 75-300 takes 62mm filters, not sure the diff on the two big lenses,
(Sigma has a 100-300 4.5/6.7 for $129)

Any input on these optiona? Are any of these lens choices really bad or really good? Have i missed an option?

12/26/2004 02:39:40 AM · #9
Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
I like fast...will I use this lens though? I had a Rollei SLR back in the day (ealry 80s) andit has a 50 or so lens, and i used it alot. I never got the money for a zoom lens...had i had a zoom, would i have used the plain 50 again?


Not sure on your Rollei (nice kit, BTW) but on the D30 I can say without a doubt that you'll keep on using the 50/1.8 It's simply a great little lens... To replace it in a zoom and get the same colour/sharpness/contrast you're looking at a 24-70 F/2.8 L at around 15 times the price... (Or similar non-OEM glass).

I've had my 20D since mid November, and the counter is up to 3000 odd shots. 90% of the 'keepers' have been with the 50 F/1.8, a few from the 90-300 F/4.5-5.6. (at the 90mm end mostly, it's good down there) And maybe 10 from the kit lens.

Just to repeat myself. The 50 F/1.8 is a great lens for the money..

Cheers, Chris H.
 12/26/2004 04:30:02 AM · #10
just to clarify, there are FD 50/1.8 lenses and there are EF ones as well - not sure if you knew that (maybe you do.. i couldn't tell by your question about them)

Message edited by author 2004-12-26 04:30:15.
 12/26/2004 04:49:10 AM · #11
Cheap lens "Canon" is an OXYMORON !

EOS stands for "expensive optical system" :-)

Sigma lenses are cheaper versions and work as well...
 12/26/2004 07:48:46 AM · #12
I bought a Tamron AF 28-75mm f2.8 XR Di Zoom a few weeks ago and love it
Spent just over 300.00 A great walk around lens //www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=187&sort=7&thecat=29

The most compact and lightest in the history of fast zoom lenses. Thanks to the revolutionary downsizing "XR" technology employed by Tamron in the development of high-power zoom lenses such as the 28-200mm and 28-300mm, the dramatic compactness that makes this lens the world's smallest and lightest is achieved. Its compactness makes it look and feel like an ordinary standard zoom lens, yet the versatility that a fast constant maximum aperture offers will definitely reshape your photographic horizons.
 12/26/2004 07:52:34 AM · #13
The older Canon 80-200 II 4.5-5.6 gets good reviews over at DPReview. It can be found on e-bay for less then $100.
 12/26/2004 08:01:31 AM · #14
"The older Canon 80-200 II 4.5-5.6 gets good reviews over at DPReview. It can be found on e-bay for less then $100."

I have that baby too its a nice lens as well heres one taken with it...





Message edited by author 2004-12-26 08:02:11.
 12/26/2004 11:43:11 AM · #15
Canon 50mm f/1.8 for US$69.95
 12/26/2004 11:56:59 AM · #16
If you are looking for zoom take a look at this one.

//www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=163657&is=REG

Sigma 70-300mm APO super II. I really like it.

Here are a couple images with that lens:
and
12/26/2004 12:04:24 PM · #17
I'll mention KEH, which specializes in used gear. I've purchased from them, and found the experience pleasant. The nice thing about KEH is they honestly rate the condition of the used gear and if you're willing, you can get gear that has the "new" rubbed off and only spend ~3/4 of the new price. If you're really on a budget, their lower categories will yield decent gear at less than 1/2 price, but be aware that they list really crappy consumer lenses (that aren't a bargain at any price) in the lower ratings, so check a review site before buying.

For what it's worth, I am fond of the Tokina AT-X Pro line -- I think it's really under-valued and is usually available quite cheaply compared to Sigma or Canon equivalents.

//www.keh.com

for the home page, and here's the link for the Canon EOS (they call it Autofocus):

//www.keh.com/shop/class.cfm?bid=CE&sid=newused&crid=9510162

for reviews, I like:

//www.photographyreview.com/
12/26/2004 12:21:48 PM · #18
Current thoughts..

tamron 28-80 3.5/5.6 about $80, takes a 58mm filter, macro
sigma 70-300 4.5/5.6 DL, about $150, takes a 58mm filter, macro
canon 50 1.8 soon. $70.

I also get to confuse myself with 3 different lens makers..or get experience with them!

The Canon 75-300 III 4/5.6 is a possibility also. The Sigma offers macor and newer design (i think...)
 12/26/2004 12:27:45 PM · #19
Cheap lens=bad photos.
Save some money and get wide zoom with straight aperture.

Something like Sigma 18-50 mm at f2.8 EX
Or Tamron 28-75 mm F 2.8.

Sample
Tamron sample

Message edited by author 2004-12-26 12:36:37.
 12/26/2004 12:32:20 PM · #20
Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
Current thoughts..

tamron 28-80 3.5/5.6 about $80, takes a 58mm filter, macro
sigma 70-300 4.5/5.6 DL, about $150, takes a 58mm filter, macro
canon 50 1.8 soon. $70.

I also get to confuse myself with 3 different lens makers..or get experience with them!

The Canon 75-300 III 4/5.6 is a possibility also. The Sigma offers macor and newer design (i think...)


I don't have personal experience with the Sigma or Tamron choices, but I would stay away from the Canon 75-300. It's OK at/below 200mm, but loses contrast and resolution from 200-300, and again is very slow.
Whatever you do, you should get the 50/1.8, when you see the quality of the putput from this lens (sharpness, color, contrast) you'll have great reference point to judge other glass against. you'll also have a fast lens that will give much more flexibility in low-light situations.
 12/26/2004 12:52:29 PM · #21
Originally posted by pitsaman:
Cheap lens=bad photos.
Save some money and get wide zoom with straight aperture.

Something like Sigma 18-50 mm at f2.8 EX
Or Tamron 28-75 mm F 2.8.



I see the Tamron 28-75 at B&h for $369.
the Sigma is $500.

I guess you have a different definition of cheap than me! I have a total of $250 to spend!

12/26/2004 01:26:55 PM · #22
Poor people always are buying twice,that what happened to me :-(
 12/26/2004 01:57:56 PM · #23
Here is one that is priced at your range. Not as fast as a 1.8 but if you don't need the speed, this is supposed to be very sharp and versitile.

Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro
 12/26/2004 02:08:14 PM · #24
Don't forget to account for magnification factors. The Canon 50mm f/1.8 is equiv to 80mm on the D30.
12/26/2004 02:10:08 PM · #25
I suggest canon 24-85 USM
great lens, cheap if used
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