Shopping List - Suggestions/Advice

gandalf

OK I have had my 350D now since the beginning of Jan and have used it with my Canon 50mm 1.8 (which was a great recommendation from this forum).

I need to invest in other lenses now so these are the ones I have settled on. I like peoples advice on whether they feel are best suited or have a better recommendation.

Stage 1 - in the next month or so
Canon 28mm f2.8 - Basic Wide Angle Prime
Sigma 70-300mm APO - Basic Telephoto Lens

Stage 2 - in around 3 months
Sigma 10-20mm - Wide Angle
Canon Speedlite 430 Ex

Stage 3 - no timescale

Fisheye Lens - I just want one cause I love the effect it gives.

Fajitas!

I'd be going for the Canon 28mm 1.8 or Sigma 28mm 1.8 with macro (I'm shopping for these myself at the moment and trying to decide). You have an extra stop, and better AF & Bokeh, for an extra 150 quid... The Sigma has much better build quality too.

The other choice you have is the Sigma 30mm 1.4 Prime, which is a fantastic lens, I was well happy with mine, but since moving to full frame, I don't have the same use for it. It's sh*t fast, well built, sharp...and just really great!

Can't say a word about the 70-300 though. Go for it.

10-20 is a great lens too, I got fantastic use out of mine.

Do you definetly need a flashgun though? The pop up flash might be a bit weedy, but it is possible to diffuse it. Plus, with your 50mm and 28mm having such wide apertures, flash isn't too vital.

I always wanted a fisheye, but I'm not really too bothered anymore. They're fairly pricy for what you're getting. Would you look at a Sigma 24-70 2.8 first? It's a really nice walk about lens (Think there's a thread here at the moment about it)

Other than that, how about a battery grip? Longer battery life, better handling, and portrait functions. Not too pricy for the 350 either if I can remember right.

Oh, and they make you look cooler.

Errrm. Oh, and a macro lens, whether it be the Sigma 70mm, 105mm or 150mm all at 2.8, or the Canon 100mm or 150mm @ 2.8

Macro's are great - Lovely portrait lenses, really sharp, and...they are macro. AF might be a bit slow, but there's always MF

gandalf

Yeah the 70-300 doubles as a macro as well.

As regards batteries I have bought an equivalent twin pack from 7dayshop at a fraction of the cost of Canon originals. The grip is not something I am majorly bothered about at the moment as I like the size of the 350D in my hands.

Thanks for the tips on the Sigma primes will have to review those as well (and see if I can stretch the extra €150).

Fajitas!

Check out Fredmiranda.com for reviews.

It is opinions though, and we all know how people on the net like to complain...

In my opinion, (modern) Sigma lens are every bit as good as Canon Ef lenses.

The Macro function on the 70-300 isn't macro, it just focuses a bit closer tbh.

Macro get's you 1:1 reproductions at least, I think the 70-300 gives you 1:4 (Same as the Sigma 28mm...They should really just say 'close focusing')

Pop into Jessops or Conns and feign loads of interest in buying there and check out true Macro lenses on your camera.

EDIT: Oh, or try Macro tubes on your current lenses, which is what Elven uses to great effect!

311

gandalf wrote:

As regards batteries I have bought an equivalent twin pack from 7dayshop at a fraction of the cost of Canon originals. The grip is not something I am majorly bothered about at the moment as I like the size of the 350D in my hands.

Just to let you know ,some people have had batteries explode and burst that where branded 7dayshop.
dont forget to unplug the charger when they're full:)

gandalf

Don't worry the semi-eco warrior in me disconnects all chargers when I have finished with them (or it could be the scrooge in me as well )

gandalf

OK went and bought the Sigma 10-20mm and the 70-300 over the weekend. Didn't get a chance to use them but will next weekend.

Anyway I need a recommendation for a Poloriser for the 10-20mm what would you lads use?

Valentia

The Sigma ib 1:2 btw but it is a very good lens. You will want a closer macro though once you start using it. Get a set of Kenko extension tubes and use them with the 50mm. You will get as close as you want then. Ask Elven

Fajitas!

gandalf wrote:

Anyway I need a recommendation for a Poloriser for the 10-20mm what would you lads use?

I have a Hama, but if I wasn't selling the lens, I'd be buying a B+W