Help choosing lens

[joe.lel]

I need some help.

I have a canon 400d and am looking for a relatively cheap (LOL) lens that is also fairly fast!

Looking at this one http://www.jessops.com/online.store/categories/Accessories/Camera%20Accessories/Lenses/products/Tamron/28-300mm%20f3.5-6.3%20XR%20DI%20VC%20LD%20Aspherical%20(IF)%20(Can on%20AF)-74010/Show.html

And wondering if its any good.

I take a full range of photos from insects (sort of) to small animals, landscapes. And also go to airshows quite alot.

Cant afford an f2.8 lens but my telephoto lens (canon 75-300 USM MKIII) starts at f4 so i want a quicker lens so there is less noise in the picture etc and be able to take better pictures at low levels.

Cheers

Joe

[ourmanflint]

Hi Joe

if you've already got a 75-300, then spend your money on something that can cope with the other end 17-75 and do it well!

Sigma 18-50 f2.8 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sigma-18-50mm-F-2-8-EX-DC-Macro-for-Canon-UV_W0QQitemZ130279279701QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Came rasPhoto_CameraAccessories_CameraLensesFilters_JN? hash=item130279279701&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A3|65%3A1|39%3A1|240%3A1318)
It really is worth having that extra brightness and sharpness that you get from a 2.8 lens.

:D

[Reef bloke]

Id be more inclined to go with a faster mid range zoom and use the telephoto for air shows etc where light is better.

[Reef bloke]

thats the lens i was going to suggest lol

[joe.lel]

Cheers Guys.

Just started really getting into the settings, only had the camera 2 years LOL.

Still getting my head round the relationship between

ISO, Aperature and Time Value etc

Think i understand them jsut dont yet know the correaltion

f stops etc blows my head off. LOL

CHeers

Joe

[Reef bloke]

ISO- how sensitive the sensor is to light,the higher the number the more sensitive it is but you trade that off with noise.

Aperture-like the iris in your eye,the lower the number the more it opens,the more light gets to the sensor. The lower the number the shallower the depth of field and visa versa.


Shutter speed- the faster the speed the faster the shutter curtains open and shut.This controls the amount of light that will hit the sensor for the correct exposure.The slower the shutter the more chance you have that anything moving will blur or the shot will blur because of camera shake.

So adjusting any one setting will effect the other, you just have to learn how to tweak each setting for the shot you require.

example: If you want to isolate something and blur the background you would stop to 2.8-4 for a shallow depth of field,then set your shutter depending on if the object is moving.Use the slowest shutter speed you can get away with(no camera shake or object movement) so you can set the iso as low as possible for image quality/least noise.

The above also depends on the lens used as some will drop image quality at either end of your f-stops.

Sorry if im getting a little basic with the above.

[borodaz]

seems like a lot of work just to take a picture lads lol

[hihat]

Might be worth looking at the Tamron 28-75 f,2.8. I've got one and I'm very happy with it.

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=12971

The lens you are looking at is f,6.3 at the longest focal length so won't be 'that' fast, it may be worth buying the 28-75 f,2.8 and the 70-300 f,4-5.6 which will be faster at 300mm.

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=1013817

It will be a bit cheaper as well:)

Jim

[joe.lel]

Not basic at all, its nice to read something in laymans terms.

thanks

think i will stick with my curent telephoto lens and look into getting a better lens in the 18-70mm range.

Thanks for your help guys

Joe

ISO- how sensitive the sensor is to light,the higher the number the more sensitive it is but you trade that off with noise.

Aperture-like the iris in your eye,the lower the number the more it opens,the more light gets to the sensor. The lower the number the shallower the depth of field and visa versa.


Shutter speed- the faster the speed the faster the shutter curtains open and shut.This controls the amount of light that will hit the sensor for the correct exposure.The slower the shutter the more chance you have that anything moving will blur or the shot will blur because of camera shake.

So adjusting any one setting will effect the other, you just have to learn how to tweak each setting for the shot you require.

example: If you want to isolate something and blur the background you would stop to 2.8-4 for a shallow depth of field,then set your shutter depending on if the object is moving.Use the slowest shutter speed you can get away with(no camera shake or object movement) so you can set the iso as low as possible for image quality/least noise.

The above also depends on the lens used as some will drop image quality at either end of your f-stops.

Sorry if im getting a little basic with the above.

[wez130]

If money is tight, you won't get a fast telephoto, closewst you'll get is a sigma 70-200 F/2.8 which is just over £500, as mentioned above, if you already have a 75-300 then concentrate on getting a lens for the wider end, and best bang for buck imo would be the sigma 17-70 F/2.8-4 as it will double up as a macro lens too with 1:2 magnification (great for tank shots). Or if speed is of primary importance, then the sigma 18-50 F/2.8 as mentioned above would suit you.

[joe.lel]

Thanks for all the info

Do you have a link to the sigma 17-70 F/2.8-4 at all??

Cheers
Joe

[Alastair]

As no-one's mentioned it on this thread.. before buying any lens or equipment check to see if it's listed on Camera Price Buster (http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/index.html), you'll find the best price and any discount codes that can be applied when ordering.

[Reef bloke]

Joe, i use the 17-70,i think its a great little lens for the dosh.I think the other sigma was mentioned as you seemed to be after a lens with a constant 2.8.

[joe.lel]

Joe, i use the 17-70,i think its a great little lens for the dosh.I think the other sigma was mentioned as you seemed to be after a lens with a constant 2.8.

Do you have a link at all?????

Looking to get one like this and reccomendations are worth their weight in gold :)

Cheers

Joe

[Reef bloke]

here ya go

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=1012228

as mentioned shop around,you might be able to find it cheaper.

[ourmanflint]

As no-one's mentioned it on this thread.. before buying any lens or equipment check to see if it's listed on Camera Price Buster (http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/index.html), you'll find the best price and any discount codes that can be applied when ordering.

What a load of rubbish!

Nowhere near best price

:cool:

[Alastair]

Well as WE seems to being quoted heavily on this thread and it's rarely the best price.. it's as good a starting point as any ;)

[wez130]

For the best prices on lenses and stuff, i always use Kerso (his shop on ebay is called flash camera). Miles cheaper than anywhere else in the country, and back by full UK warranty too. Lots of people use him on talkphotography.co.uk (a different forum i use).

[craigieboi]

gotta back up wez saw a LOT of kerzo :thumbsup:

[Fungia]

Yep have used Kerso with no problems. Talk to him directly instead of BIN in one of his auctions and he can take off around £10 in saved ebay fees.


Jeff.

[Reef bloke]

Used Kerso for a 100mm macro,top chap!!

[wez130]

Yes, definitely email him outside of ebey for extra savings

[joe.lel]

Thanks guys will see if i can ffind his shop on ebay :)

[Alastair]

When you do.. put a link up for the rest of us :D

[craigieboi]

http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/kerso

as said email him and he'll pass the payapl/ebay fee savings directly on