should i get an "all in one" lens?

fguihen

I used to have a Panasonic superzoom camera ( FZ7, 36-435 35mm equivalent) and used it all the time. Since getting the 400d with the kit 18-55mm lens and a sigma 70-300mm lens, I don’t use it too much. There is one to many lens’s to carry around and when my manfrotto tripod comes i don’t think il ever carry it around.

Also, the thought of swapping lenses all the time jst doesn’t appeal to me. So, before telling me ive made a huge mistake and a dslr isn’t for me, can anyone recommend a good “all in one” lens that gives good zoom and also decent wide angle also? I know this is the holy grail of lens’s but I think if i don’t get something like that, I will never be bothered to use my dslr.

Maby i just havnt enough experience with it yet. Has anyone else faced a situation like this?

Paulw

There is no "all range" lens that does everything well. It's not possible, due to the optics.

I did have to get used to the idea of changing lenses when I moved from a P&S to SLR, and now would never look back. The lenses are brilliant for what they do. High quality glass to do a specific job.

Maybe an SLR isn't for you, or maybe you just haven't found the area you're looking for.

Of course, if money isn't a problem, you could buy a body for each lens. I use two bodies for sports so I don't have to change lenses. I also generally try to change lenses as infrequently as possible.

fguihen

hmm. im afraid money is a sevre object to me and one body, 2 lenses, a bag and tripod has melted my credit card sufficiently so that it is now just a blob of molten plastic accepted nowhere!

I think i just need a few day trips out with folks from the boards. I must organize somthing or jump on the offer of a few trips suggested here.

leohoju

The closest thing that I could think of for the Canons is the Sigma 18-200mm lens. That's your standard "walk-around" lens. The optics won't be of the best standard and the lens is a little slow on the long end too.

There's also a version with OS, which is Sigma's equivalent to IS.

Paulw

It does take some getting used to - changing lenses. There is also a knack to it. But, many people know what they will shoot on a day, and would generally only have a single lens attached.

So, if you were going for a shoot of a sports event, then you'd have your longer fast lens attached. If you were shooting macro, you'd have the macro attached, if you were shooting landscapes, you'd have a wide angle attached. There would be a lot of times when you would be changing lenses that often, ok, maybe the odd time you'd use 2 lenses in a day, but that would be it.

It's about knowing what you're going to shoot, and what lens suits, rather than looking for a single lens that might do everything.

But, certainly, organise an event, or get involved in one. It's a great way to learn.

GristlyEnd

fguihen wrote: »

I think i just need a few day trips out with folks from the boards. I must organize somthing or jump on the offer of a few trips suggested here.

Your welcome to come along to the Sunday meet

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055216754

fguihen

Unfortunately I wont be around Dublin this Sunday. I would jump at the chance if i hadnt promised friends id meet up with them.

I might head to Dunlaoire/bray some evening or some saturday.

What would be the better "walkaround lens" of my two, the cannon 18-55 kit lens for wide angle or the sigma 70-300mm DG APO?

im thinking the apo would be better for close up portraits but for landscape the cannon is more wide angle. knowing me il be switching and swapping all day long.

just out of curosity, when is the next boards meet, after sunday?

kensutz

If you suggest a place and time we can all suggest which suits the majority better. No harm in doing so with the days getting longer and hopefully the weather improving.

fguihen

im good most weekends, as long as i have a week or so notice so that i dont have anything else arranged.

As for location, somewhere not too far from Dublin city/outskirts. Im on my provisional license so cant go on the motorway you see:(

kensutz

There's a good few of us have cars and lifts can be arranged.

Fenster

quality versatility

Pick one.

fguihen

id prefer versatility at this point.

Im aware the lens's i have arnt the best, but they are the best i can afford at present so im afraid it will come down to versatility for the forseeable future.

Thirdfox

There's also a tamron 28-300 if I remember correctly...

and a 18-250 tamron.

But quality wise there would probably be quite a bit of distortion etc. check out their reviews.

fguihen

yea, was reading about it in PhotoPlus. It gets decent reviews but there are compromises.

Thirdfox

Well I suspect the laws of physics prevent getting anything better under current technology (well at a price point you can afford anyway ).

At least with dSLR - you can wait for a better lens to appear to put on your body

PixelTrawler

leohoju wrote: »

The closest thing that I could think of for the Canons is the Sigma 18-200mm lens. That's your standard "walk-around" lens. The optics won't be of the best standard and the lens is a little slow on the long end too.

There's also a version with OS, which is Sigma's equivalent to IS.

I have this lens (OS Version) and the optics are pretty ok (sometimes it seems a little soft, especially at 200mm) but the slowness really fecks with the AF in low light - you are better off switching it off sometimes.

Its much heavier then the kit lens so if you are carrying it over a long distance this can be an issue, esp if you want to treat it as an all purpose and not something you want to use occasionally (get the battery grip to balance the weight, its horrible without it - the weight is a strain on your wrist as it tends to twist the camera down). The AF motor is very noisy too.

The OS is pretty decent though. The build quality is excellent.

I got this over the Canon 70-300mm because it has the lower range meaning I can use it as an all in one for most stuff.

I keep the kits lens in the bag then with a polaroid filter on at all times.

As a starter zoom i'd recommend it, although I can see myself wanting to replace it eventually.

It is at least versatile

leohoju

Joebloggs4817 wrote: »

The AF motor is very noisy too.

Just noticed that there is a HSM version too, which should in theory make the AF a little less noisy. Looks like it's only for Nikon at the moment though...

Thirdfox

...well you could always go with Nikon - D40 + 18-200mm VR Nikkor would make for a compact package similar to your Panasonic bridge. And better optical quality than the Sigma 18-200 too.

fguihen

I didn't think a nikon lens would fit my canon. I've spent a huge amounnt over the last while anyway on my kit so I feel there won't be any more purchases for a while. I feel for walking around dunlaoire harbour the sigma 70-300 might be the best. I think in future iwant to get something in the range of 18-120 for walking around at family events and weddings.it would be good for portraits and wider angle group shots.meh,better learn to use the kit I have first. really looking forward to getting out with a group.rack your brains folks for a good location to head for on a day trip.

Paulw

I was out for a wander around Dun Laoghaire on Sunday, and just used my 24-70mm. Nice for general shots.

I'd personally find anything over 70mm a bit long, unless you're taking picts of things out for the shore.

Thirdfox

fguihen wrote: »

I didn't think a nikon lens would fit my canon. I've spent a huge amounnt over the last while anyway on my kit so I feel there won't be any more purchases for a while. I feel for walking around dunlaoire harbour the sigma 70-300 might be the best. I think in future iwant to get something in the range of 18-120 for walking around at family events and weddings.it would be good for portraits and wider angle group shots.meh,better learn to use the kit I have first. really looking forward to getting out with a group.rack your brains folks for a good location to head for on a day trip.

Nikon started out making lenses for Canon... you guys can still use our lenses (with AF and metering) when you use the right adapter. But what I meant was maybe you can jump ship and go for a Nikon camera and Nikkor lens

Nikon make a 18-135mm lens too and a new 16-85mm VR lens. I'm not sure if there are Canon equivalents.

Edit: good spot Fajitas - I forgot to write the very important "out" i.e. without AF and metering - but someone is working on a converter that supports AF I hear (or read on dpreview).

Fajitas!

I'm not sure if you can retain AF?

Canon have a 17-85 IS, and a few others with good range - Sigma do a 18-200 for Canon too Afaik. It might have IS aswell.

Thirdfox

Corrected that! Thanks