Would this be a good starter kit?

Quackles · 28-10-2007 10:53am #1

Hello all,

My hubby has just changed from 400d to 30d, and I inherit the 400d (yessssss!). Problem is, he doesn't love me enough to give me the lenses

I was looking at getting a little starter kit to get me up and running.

Now I don't expect professional quality lenses at this price, but is that offer that pixmania have on sigma lenses at the moment of any use? http://www.pixmania.com/ie/uk/47930/art/sigma/18-50mm-f3-5-5-6-dc-55-20.html?tag=mail_ie_uk_2007-10-24_18818&srcid=3666 - That's a sigma 18-50mm f3.5-5.6 DC and a 55-200mm f4-5.6 DC for €208, if you use the sigmaie code when ordering.. I'm reading mixed reviews, does anyone have any personal experience with these boyos? Would I be better buying one good lens, even though I know a lack of range would be very frustrating for me (I'm upgrading from a fuji s9600 so one thing I'm used to is good range). I won't be able to buy any other lenses for a while, budget and all that.

Thanks,

Deirdre

Quackles · 28-10-2007 12:19pm

Hmm... spotted a Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC second hand for £194 inc postage with 6 months warranty, I'm half thinking that might be a better plan.. Nice walkaround lens with good range, then I'm free to save for GOOD glass and I still have one comparable to what I'm used to. Arrgh, this is so hard, what do I do? Is 18-200 too much, would there be serious degredation in quality?

Carrigman · 28-10-2007 12:29pm

My advice is not to be seduced by the bargain price for such a wide range. If something sounds too good to be true it probably is. You just don't get a pair of good quality lenses for that price. The 400D is an excellent camera and it deserves good lenses to get the most out of it. (The extra 2MPs give it an image quality edge over the 30D in my opinion). For a start buy the Canon 50mm f/1.8 which is a great portrait and general use lens and is ridiculously cheap. Build up a good collection of lenses over time (surely hubby will share?). Camera bodies come and go but lenses are for life so get the best you can afford and don't be in a mad rush to replicate the range you had with the s9600. You're in a different league now.

Fajitas! · 28-10-2007 12:30pm

Best advice really ^

Carrigman · 28-10-2007 12:41pm

Quackles wrote: »

Hmm... spotted a Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC second hand for £194 inc postage with 6 months warranty, I'm half thinking that might be a better plan.. Nice walkaround lens with good range, then I'm free to save for GOOD glass and I still have one comparable to what I'm used to. Arrgh, this is so hard, what do I do? Is 18-200 too much, would there be serious degredation in quality?

This seems to be a far better bet if you really, really want a wide range in the shorter term. The reviews on Fred Miranda's site (www.fredmiranda.com - click on Reviews) are generally favourable given the price.

Mount it on a tripod and knock the socks off hubby when he sees the results:-)

Go for it.

Quackles · 28-10-2007 1:55pm

Hi, thanks for the help. Hubby has a 50mm (lovely, lovely lens) and he will share, but at the end of the day, we go on photographic excursions together, and he only has a couple of lenses, sharing would be awkward. I don't want to buy a 50mm because he has one, and because I'm waiting to get enough together for a EF 28mm f/1.8 USM instead.. I like portraits, but find the 50mm too tight for couples etc if there isn't good room to stand back. That was going to be my first 'nice' lens

Fajitas! · 28-10-2007 2:13pm

What's your budget?

The Sigma 30mm 1.4 is a fantastic lens.

punchdrunk · 28-10-2007 2:40pm

i was just gonna post the sigma 30mm 1.4 s great stopped down a bit!

AnCatDubh · 28-10-2007 9:06pm

hmnnnn.... as there appears to be a lot of good advice above can i offer something alternate and hopefully raise a chuckle. Right so.... it seems clear to me..... Take the camera from the hubby, then get a new hubby with a greater range of lenses.

You can just see the small ad now... Hehehehehehehhh.......

Quackles · 28-10-2007 9:19pm

AnCatDubh wrote: »

hmnnnn.... as there appears to be a lot of good advice above can i offer something alternate and hopefully raise a chuckle. Right so.... it seems clear to me..... Take the camera from the hubby, then get a new hubby with a greater range of lenses. You can just see the small ad now... Hehehehehehehhh.......

Genius... I can see it now... "Darling, I'm leaving you for a man with a bigger .... lens collection".

All codding aside, I think I'll go for that second hand 18-200, and maybe chat with him about getting either that sweet 30mm for my birthday in February.. Looks awfully nice!

Would this be a good starter kit?

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