Just got a 400D... next, which lens?

DeVore

Ok, I finally got my very own 400D (*hugs*) and it came with a stock lens which looks suspiciously like the one I had on the 350D. If thats the case its a good lens but its a bit "flat" and all-focusing for the sort of stuff I want to do (mostly macro stuff and portrait shots).

Fajitas had a lovely lens at the last Boards mods beers so hopefully he see's this thread ...

The thing I liked about it was the tightness of focus on the subject and a nice soft focus in the background. Also I would like to be able to take shots at very close range too (if thats an option).

As you can tell I am not deeply experienced in photography lingo so perhaps someone could give me the Lens 101 for all us beginners out there


DeV.

gandalf

Tom first choice should be the 50mm F1.8 Canon lens as its dirt cheap and takes great piccies for the price.

Not sure but I tried Fajitas Canon 135mm F2 lens and it was a great one, I have a feeling thats the one you used. Great for low light portraits. I am still trying to justify buying one of these babies!

The other lens I have are Sigmas

10-20mm a brilliant Wide Angle lens that I just love using
70-300mm a ok telephoto zoom but crap in low light.
30mm F1.4 a lens I really like using and one that has replaced the Canon 50mm.

MartMax

Hi Tom,

If this any help, I started a thread a while ago... http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055289454

Good luck!

Calina

Hmm I'd second the 50mm and there's a very nice Canon 100mm macro that I had some fun with that you might want a look at.

Cabaal

third the 50mm 1.8, get one off ebay with shipping for maybe 60-70e odd its well worth it but you'll have to learn to zoom with your feet

Fenster

85mm f/1.8

challengemaster

100mm macro would be what you're looking for for the macro shots anyway class little lens, I'm sure elven would agree.

Fajitas!

Hey Dev, it was the 50mm 1.4 I had that night, is a great lens, AF isn't great at night without the IR aid from the flash though. It's about 350 online, and the 1.8 version is about 80 online!

Pop over to Peoples Photography next weekend, and I'll give you a go, and I'm sure someone will give you the 1.8 version to compare with!!!

Larianne

ooh excellent! I was wanting to get a new lens for my 400D and didn't know where to start. Now I do! Thanks!:D

Ballyman

I'd also recommend as a very good walk around lens, the 18-135mm OS from Sigma. It' covers a large amount of ranges and is ideal when travelling or where you can only carry one lens. About €350-400 on ebay.

The Tourist

Here's my short thread on the same topic.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055355718

Also, this faq is the best thing I've found so far on lenses.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055215579

I thought I was getting somewhere ... until I checked out the list of available zoom lenses online :eek:. Lol.

Taking some time off from poker?

The Tourist

Ballyman wrote: »

I'd also recommend as a very good walk around lens, the 18-135mm OS from Sigma. It' covers a large amount of ranges and is ideal when travelling or where you can only carry one lens. About €350-400 on ebay.

Would this be a better bet than say, staying with an 18-55 kit lens and adding something like 55-200 or 55-300?

Ballyman

The Tourist wrote: »

Would this be a better bet than say, staying with an 18-55 kit lens and adding something like 55-200 or 55-300?

For a walkaround lens I think it would be as you would only have one lens. You can get an 18-200 OS lens also for a little more but it's much heavier to be lugging around hanging from your neck

I have a 50mm, 70-300mm, 18-55mm and 18-135mm. I would say that the 18-135mm is stuck onto the camera 95% of the time.

The Tourist

Ballyman wrote: »

For a walkaround lens I think it would be as you would only have one lens. You can get an 18-200 OS lens also for a little more but it's much heavier to be lugging around hanging from your neck

I have a 50mm, 70-300mm, 18-55mm and 18-135mm. I would say that the 18-135mm is stuck onto the camera 95% of the time.

Thanks. What do you use the 70-300mm for?

preilly79

Hi DeVore,

thanks for buying my 400D my 5D is on the way to me as I type!

My own lens arsenal is made up of a 17-40 f4 L which is a pretty good all rounder on that camera but the wide end is a bit wasted with the cropped sensor. Fantastic lens though, and pretty decent in price for an 'L'.

I also have a 50mm f1.8 which is great for low-light portraiture and the like. It's cheap as chips and you'll be very happy with this. If you don't like how the current 18-55 produces 'flat' images you'll be impressed with this lens. it gives lovely 'bokeh' to give your photos that 3D look.

And finally I have a 85mm f1.8 for portraiture/picking out details. great lens, but it never got much use on that camera as is was a bit too long for what I normally photograph.

Phil

Ballyman

The Tourist wrote: »

Thanks. What do you use the 70-300mm for?

GAA, horseracing and probably rugby when it starts.

And faraway stuff

DeVore

Ok, great help from all. It sounds like the 50mm F1.8 is what I need (I dont want to blow 400 notes on an F1.4 as I doubt I have the skill to exploit the difference, but I will wait and see how Fajitas lens works at People Photography just in case! )

DeV.

0utpost31

Ballyman wrote: »

I'd also recommend as a very good walk around lens, the 18-135mm OS from Sigma. It' covers a large amount of ranges and is ideal when travelling or where you can only carry one lens. About €350-400 on ebay.

I'd wait for the canon 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 IS coming out in october... it could be the ultimate walkaround lens.

daycent

Is there that much of a difference between the 50mm 1.4 and 1.8? For the price difference it's a strange one Just curious...

hussey

daycent wrote: »

Is there that much of a difference between the 50mm 1.4 and 1.8? For the price difference it's a strange one Just curious...

Yes big difference, build quality & faster ... now is it worth the price?
as a amateur and photography as a hobby, I would say no.

Professional or someone with lots of cash, yes.

Thoie

Friend just asked this morning for lens suggestions for her new Canon 450D. She's a first time DSLR user and wants a zoom. Would the suggestions above do for the 450 as well, or are they very different cameras?

DeVore

tell her about this forum too, I learn a lot here! I think the suggestions should work seemlessly with her 450D but thats just a presumption, most manufacturers make their standard kit work with all their "bodys".

DeV.

Thoie

DeVore wrote: »

tell her about this forum too, I learn a lot here! I think the suggestions should work seemlessly with her 450D but thats just a presumption, most manufacturers make their standard kit work with all their "bodys".

DeV.

Pimp my forum?

I've already pointed her here, but she's not in IE so you're unlikely to pick her up at a pub meet.

BoardsRanger

hey, i'm also interested in this thread. i want something more than my 18-55kit lens. i find the images very flat! so i would really like a sharp lens ideal for landscape and general use. im swinging towards the 17-40 f4 L. any advice is appreciated! its for a 40d.

PJW

Hi All,

Sorry noob question

I've got a question in relation to the Canon 24-105mm IS 4L sort of on topic here, I've seen the review on cameralabs where the photo results are shown taken at F8 however they talk about the lens having a F4 all the way through or is the F8 setting on the camera? I think this is going to be my walkround zoom of choice, could sombody elaborate, thanks in advance.

Paulw

F/4 is the maximum aperture. So, you can use it from f/4 ... normally up to f/22 (depending on the lens).

f/8 is probably just the user's choice for those shots you saw.

AnimalRights

PJW wrote: »

Canon 24-105mm IS 4L sort of on topic here I think this is going to be my walkround zoom of choice

Great choice.
I never have it of my Camera 95% of the time.