I am a novice photographer and am looking to get a Canon EOS Rebel Xt because the price is right now and I feel the camera is still good quality. I know that the lens is a much more important factor at this time then getting the newer model of camera. What is the best all-around lens to purchase for standard pictures of the kids and vacations as well as action shots in soccer games, etc.? What is meant with the various lenses (18mm-55mm, 17mm-85mm, 70mm-300mm)?
2007-01-19 06:32:57 · 5 answers · asked by greenpitch 2 in Consumer Electronics ➔ Cameras
For reference the zoom of the lens is simply the big number divided by the little number. so for your 18-55 lens it is 55 / 18 which is simply 3X zoom. Why the apparently low numbers? Because with SLR cameras you have a choice. If the current lens doesn't do it for you, then you change it! By making lenses with a smaller zoom, it's actually possible to make them better quality, because there is not so much compromise to work at a wide range of focal lengths. Having said that, you can buy 18-200mm lenses, so that is quite a large 11.1X zoom.
Moving into SLR photography you need to forget about this magic zoom factor and concentrate on focal lengths.
A focal length of 50mm is regarded as "Normal" and all other references are drawn from here. This is something supposedly similar to what the human eye sees. Normal focal lengths are used for portraits, although up to 85mm is still considered a portrait lens.
Any number lower than 50mm is considered a wide angle lens, and any number over 85mm is considered telephoto. SLR lenses can have fixed focal lengths, or they may zoom. An 18-55mm lens is wide angle to normal zoom lens. A 70-200mm lens is a zoom telephoto lens. Notice how a lens can be a zoom lens but not necessarily a telephoto lens, this is a popular misconception.
2007-01-19 10:13:25 · answer #1 · answered by teef_au 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Canon's best lenses are the "L" lenses. I shoot Nikon, so I'm afraid I won't be much help. Some things are universal, though.
A 17-85 would give you lots of reach. If you get a long lens, look for vibration reduction. Generally, cheap lenses are, well, cheap. They are slower and less sturdily built than the more costly ones. The exception is a 50mm 1.8, which is a sweet lens no matter who manufactured it, Nikon or Canon, and around $100.
You can start with the kit lens, and decide which focal lengths you like, and upgrade to a better lens a little later.
Some of the Canon people will weigh in with their favorites.
2007-01-19 18:24:52 · answer #2 · answered by Ara57 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For my film cameras (all canon) i fell in love with and used the most a 28-90 and have the 75-200 , 35-105 ,28 and50. On my digital I BOUGHT a 28-300 tamron due to the excellent extended range and they are light and small compared to the old lenses. Also tamron offers a great warranty. I would not buy the regular kit lens with the canon, it is not rated to good. If you want a canon lens go with the USM. You typically get what you pay for in the lens end of things. ps..using the 28-300 also keeps me from changing lenses which helps avoid a dirty sensor problem.
2007-01-20 23:20:38 · answer #3 · answered by michael k 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I don't know much about lenses but when you go to get some go to this site:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home/
They sell stuff cheap and they are reliable
2007-01-19 18:12:30 · answer #4 · answered by Eric Cartman 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
thats IS ACTUALLY ZOOMING CAPACITY AND VIEWING ANGLE
GOOD IF U HAVE A SLIGHTLY HIGHER BUDGET I WOULD RECOMMEND YOU IN FOR CARL - ZEISS LENS PROVEN TO BE WORLD'S BEST LENS.AVAILABLE WITH MANY COMPANIES LIKE SONY,CANNON,NIKON,SAMSUNG
I WOULD RECCOMEND THIS EVEN THOUGH U R A NOVICE USER SINCE PHOTOS TAKEN WITH THESE LENS ARE AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTED FOR BEST PHOTOGRAPHY POSSIBLE
SO THAT'S MY IDEA U LIKE MY ANSWERE VOTE ME
THANKS DUDE
2007-01-19 15:20:43 · answer #5 · answered by Ganesh 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋