Buying the new Canon EOS 40D... - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II

09/01/2007 11:51:17 PM · #1

Okay, I'm officially in the market for the new 40D from Canon. I also want "kit sized" lens (18-55mm) or close to it, as well as a 70-300mm (or something close to that range). Since I'm now spoiled on IS (from my Pentax), I also want both of the lenses to have IS. My budget is around 2 grand.

Here's what I've found online that meets my budget:

EOS 40D (Body Only) $1199.95 Abe's of Maine (however, these are considered "pre-orders", since Abe's doesn't have them yet)

Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM Autofocus Telephoto Zoom Lens
$549.95 Samys

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, Standard Zoom Lens
$179.99 Calumet

Does anyone have any other suggestions as to where I may purchase this hardware?

Also, what are your opinions on EF vs EF-S? Pros? Cons?

Thanks!

.

surfdabbler

Canon EOS-5D

09/02/2007 12:00:15 AM · #2

Is that 18-55 IS lens legit? I've never seen it before. I thought you had to go to the much more expensive version to get IS. I am definitely going to check this one out, especially at that cost. I had heard of a USM version of this lens at this price, but not an IS one.

surfdabbler

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II

09/02/2007 12:15:42 AM · #3

Yep, I've found it. It's a new model lens. Hasn't got pricing from Canon-Australia yet. It will be interesting to see. They are claiming the 4-stops, so that sounds pretty good.

My only comment on your suggestions is that you are spending a lot of money on the body, but not much on what will probably be your main lens. I'm sure you know the standard recommendation is to spend your money on better glass rather than a better body. The 70-300 IS USM is supposed to be a pretty nice telezoom though, so no problems there. Myself, I only have the kit lens in the standard range so far, so I can't make any first hand recommendations there.

SamDoe1

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

09/02/2007 01:55:57 AM · #4

That looks good to me. I'm not really sure how nice the 18-55 IS will end up being but I guess we'll see. I would take the 70-200mm f/4L over the 70-300mm IS, but I want sharpness over the IS.

As far as EF vs EF-S, there's nothing to worry about right now. Canon has a lot invested into EF-S lenses and mounts that it's not going away anytime soon and that supposed sub-$1000 full frame camera is a very VERY distant possibility. I wouldn't worry about getting EF-S lenses right now. I do, however, believe that you will soon want to upgrade that "kit" lens very shortly after using it.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

09/02/2007 02:15:04 AM · #5

Originally posted by surfdabbler:

...My only comment on your suggestions is that you are spending a lot of money on the body, but not much on what will probably be your main lens. I'm sure you know the standard recommendation is to spend your money on better glass rather than a better body...

I know, but with my budget, that's all I can get right now. Later, I hope to build my lens collection with better glass--now that I'm planning on settling down with Canon.

.

TroyMosley

Canon EOS-5D

09/02/2007 02:53:35 AM · #6

dont buy the 300 its a pice of junk, you will be sorry, just save the 500 for something better.

CorySmith

09/02/2007 05:59:18 AM · #7

Originally posted by TroyMosley:

dont buy the 300 its a pice of junk, you will be sorry, just save the 500 for something better.

agreed, take into consideration the defractive optics lenses (DO)
//www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=218&sort=7&cat=27&page=3

bjarnith

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

09/02/2007 06:51:09 AM · #8

IMO.

You don't need IS on a wide angle lens.
It's somewhat pointless.
Unless you are taking pictures of completly static things, in low light, it will do next to nothing for you.

To get pictures that are not moved of people or other moving things you have to take at a MINIMUM of 1/20, i'd say faster but ok..
Without IS you can take handheld at 1/20 at 17mm pretty easily..

I'd personally recommend the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8, it's really sharp and it's bright so IS is not as needed.

I used to have the canon kit 3.5-5.6 lens, and wished i had the mighty holy IS to save my pictures.. but got the tamron lens.. and i see no need for IS now.

Tez

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

09/02/2007 07:38:29 AM · #9

I entirely agree. The Tamron is a fantastic, repeat FANTASTIC lens and as sharp as anything you could find for less than $1000.

The one you're referring to seems the kit lens with an IS feature and not a totally different lens. If that's the case avoid it like the plague- IS or not it's not a very good lens, sure it can get good pictures but you have to work and get every condition perfect before anything magical occurs.

My vote- the Tamron, the 50mm 1.8 prime and the 200mm L if you can afford it. This setup will do you for a long time.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

09/02/2007 01:57:05 PM · #10

Originally posted by Fetor:

Originally posted by TroyMosley:
dont buy the 300 its a pice of junk, you will be sorry, just save the 500 for something better.

agreed, take into consideration the defractive optics lenses (DO)
//www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=218&sort=7&cat=27&page=3

Thanks everyone, for your opinions. This is good information.

However, on the Fred Miranda site, the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM was rated at 8.8, whereas the DO was rated a 7.9.

???

.

option

Nikon D200

09/02/2007 02:05:04 PM · #11

photozone had rave reviews for the 70-300...

Originally posted by photozone:

in terms of optical quality the EF 70-300mm IS can be almost described as a hidden Canon L lens

unless klaus just got an absurdly good sample, it sounds like a real bargain of a lens.

Canon EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM

09/02/2007 02:31:45 PM · #12

Les u TRAITOR! you led us n now u'r leaving us. We wont forget, u will be punished.

heheheheh :)

Kelli

Canon EOS-D60

09/02/2007 02:36:33 PM · #13

In stock and comes with an IS lens...

ritz camera

RayEthier

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

09/02/2007 04:08:22 PM · #14

Originally posted by Kelli:

In stock and comes with an IS lens...

ritz camera

You may want to pay attention to this little detail:

Availability:
Ships when received from manufacturer - Order Now!

I have ordered one and am eagerly awaiting some sort of email notification that it has been shipped.

Ray

SteveJ

Canon EOS-7D

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

09/02/2007 04:28:42 PM · #15

Originally posted by dmadden:

Les u TRAITOR! you led us n now u'r leaving us. We wont forget, u will be punished.

heheheheh :)

Yeah! Muuuwaahhhaaaa!

Why not wait for the new Pentax? I have had Canon 300D and 30D, and was disapppointed with the 30D. The 300D was a fine camera.

Do you still want to desert?? Think about it carefully, it could be a painful decision, both to your wallet and your dangly bits :))

09/02/2007 08:43:00 PM · #16

Originally posted by dmadden:

Les u TRAITOR! you led us n now u'r leaving us. We wont forget, u will be punished.

heheheheh :)

I haven't gone over to the "dark side" just yet--I'm still window-shopping.

And what's this about me leading? You must be thinking of some other Pentax owner. ;-)

.

09/02/2007 08:49:14 PM · #17

Originally posted by formerlee:

...be a painful decision, both to you and your dangly bits :))

"dangly bits"? I know I'm slow sometimes, but what are those? :-(

.

09/02/2007 08:56:12 PM · #18

Originally posted by formerlee:

Originally posted by dmadden:
Les u TRAITOR! you led us n now u'r leaving us. We wont forget, u will be punished.

heheheheh :)

Yeah! Muuuwaahhhaaaa!

Why not wait for the new Pentax? I have had Canon 300D and 30D, and was disapppointed with the 30D. The 300D was a fine camera.

Do you still want to desert?? Think about it carefully, it could be a painful decision, both to your wallet and your dangly bits :))

I hear you all.

It just seems that many more accessories are made for Canon than for Pentax. Also, there were many times I wanted to rent a lens and all the shops in my area only dealt with Canon or Nikon lenses. :-(

.

09/02/2007 10:38:17 PM · #19

Guess wat les! I'm ahead of u. I decided to get a canon this week LOL

Not in my hands yet, but i had the same problems with limited accessories and most people i know have canon. But they both have different advantages so I'll definitely be keeping the pentax :)

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

09/03/2007 03:00:54 AM · #20

Originally posted by dmadden:

Congrats! So, where did you get it? What lenses will you use?

(I'm probably going to give my daughter my K100D)

.

Bud

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

09/03/2007 03:58:14 AM · #21

Originally posted by TroyMosley:

dont buy the 300 its a pice of junk, you will be sorry, just save the 500 for something better.

Well, I won't say its "a pice of junk"... it is a pretty darn good lens, of course, there are definitely better lenses. It is the best IS in the price range, and compares well to the 70-200L f4.0, which is around the same price COMPARE
Fred Miranda also has some good reviews of the 70-300IS you might want to check out.

09/03/2007 01:10:06 PM · #22

I got the rebel xt 350, w kit lens as a gift :) I bought the canon 100mm macro and will be looking to get the 70-200mm f/4 IS canon + tokina 12-24mm when i get some more $.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

09/03/2007 01:11:53 PM · #23

But Les I would never buy another lens with an inconsistent aperature. I'd rather buy the 70-200mm
with a consistent f4. than the 300 lens u proposed.

option

Nikon D200

09/03/2007 01:24:35 PM · #24

Oh snap!

Is it wrong that it hurts to admit in public that I'm in the same boat as David and Les?