Telephoto lens

kleefarr

Well... sorted my Christmas present from everyone.

Canon EOS 400D Rebel XTi Digital Camera with EF-S 18-55mm Lens two spare batteries 4GB memory card and a case. :cool:

Only thing I will be looking to get in the new year will be a telephoto lens.

Any recommendations? Would this do.. EF 55-200mm??

Thirdfox

I think Canon have an IS version of the lens - image stablisation really helps for handheld shots (especially when you're using a small aperture lens).

kleefarr

Ah yes, you right... EF-S 55-250mm IS

Thanks for the tip.

kensutz

What do you want to shoot with the lens?

Thirdfox

No probs - ouch at the price though it doesn't actually sell for £240 does it?

I have the similar Nikon version (55-200 VR) - cost me €230 half a year ago...

then again I bet Olympus has a Zuiko lens that is cheaper again...

kleefarr

Thirdfox wrote: »

No probs - ouch at the price though it doesn't actually sell for £240 does it?

I have the similar Nikon version (55-200 VR) - cost me €230 half a year ago...

then again I bet Olympus has a Zuiko lens that is cheaper again...

I'll check out various other outlets.

kleefarr

kensutz wrote: »

What do you want to shoot with the lens?

Nothing really in mind, although portraits and group shots would be regularly targeted. Some scenic ones probably in among the others.
I thought that the two would give a reasonable base for basic photography until I get more into it.

Thirdfox

Soon you'll want a flash and tripod too (I know because I'm now the owner of a tripod and flash

Look into a circular polariser filter for the scenic shots.

Low-light, big aperture, small cost 50mm f1.8 lens...what more could a budding photographer ask for?

kleefarr

Thirdfox wrote: »

Soon you'll want a flash and tripod too (I know because I'm now the owner of a tripod and flash

Look into a circular polariser filter for the scenic shots.

Low-light, big aperture, small cost 50mm f1.8 lens...what more could a budding photographer ask for?

All in good time.

I'll get used to the camera first.

5uspect

I have the vanilla 55-200. Its a pretty good beginner lens, its relatively sharp and build quality is alright. Gets a little soft at 200 with chromatic abberation tho. Its definately a good lens to start with before you contemplate splurging on more expensive glass...

Also the barrel extends a good bit when zooming and rotates when focusing making a polarizer difficult to use.

kleefarr

5uspect wrote: »

I have the vanilla 55-200. Its a pretty good beginner lens, its relatively sharp and build quality is alright. Gets a little soft at 200 with chromatic abberation tho. Its definately a good lens to start with before you contemplate splurging on more expensive glass...

Also the barrel extends a good bit when zooming and rotates when focusing making a polarizer difficult to use.

Who makes the Vanilla 55-200?
I did a search but it didn't reveal anything obvious.

WizZard

kleefarr wrote: »

Who makes the Vanilla 55-200?

He meant non-IS

5uspect

WizZard wrote: »

He meant non-IS

Yeah sorry, I ment the one you posted first.

Anyway here are some samples for it on a 350D: This was a really dirty sunset, didn't need any real PS work


Taken Porto where it was nice and bright!


Not too much processing here, shot in RAW.


Heavily cropped moon:


There's a few more in my sig...

Dades

Nice gull 5uspect!

kleefarr

WizZard wrote: »

He meant non-IS

May be I should stick with IS version lenses as I'm not getting any younger.

kleefarr

5uspect wrote: »

Yeah sorry, I ment the one you posted first.

Anyway here are some samples for it on a 350D:

There's a few more in my sig...

They're great pics especially like the detail in the Gull shot. If the Canon EOS 400D gives me results as good as that I'll be very happy.

So they were taken with the Vanilla 50-200 were they? No IS on it?

5uspect

Vanilla I'm afraid. Maybe see about getting a cheap monopod instead of the IS if you can't afford it.

kleefarr

5uspect wrote:

Vanilla I'm afraid.

No. Nothing wrong. I think they're great.

5uspect wrote:

Maybe see about getting a cheap monopod instead of the IS if you can't afford it.

I'll save up for the IS. I think I'll need it.

One thing I was thinking of earlier, what's the best way to change lenses to make sure you get as little dust in the body as possible?
I thought tipping the camera body downwards might help, but then not having done it before I don't know how easy it would be. Another thought I had was to do it under a lint free cloth.

I'll be taking a gander at the tutorials that they have on the Canon site later. Will probably give some good pointers.

5uspect

I find the get the missus to help method works great!

Usually I have the new lens ready before I pop the current lens off and get it done as quickly as possible.

Also everybody's favourite ebay shop has this:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Canon-EF-70-300mm-f-4-5-6-IS-USM-Zoom-lens-NEW-0V_W0QQitemZ200183965678QQihZ010QQcategoryZ4687QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem
Gets good reviews on Fred Miranda...

deegs

5uspect wrote: »

Also everybody's favourite ebay shop has this:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Canon-EF-70-300mm-f-4-5-6-IS-USM-Zoom-lens-NEW-0V_W0QQitemZ200183965678QQihZ010QQcategoryZ4687QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem
Gets good reviews on Fred Miranda...

Fantastic piece of kit this, I have it with my 400d. Only drawback is the f4 but if necessary the IS can compensate.

kleefarr

Could be worth keeping an eye on this guys shop.