Lens recommendation for Beginner

[ilihz]

Apart from it being a small hole lens which will slow down focusing at 85mm(which should not matter much since you are a starter), it is a great lens.

17-85 is the highest resolving power 5x zoom now. It beats even 24-105 L within the aps-c region.

http://www.zen20934.zen.co.uk/photography/MTF_Files/CZoom_85mm/index.htm


For longer focal length, you might want to try 70-300 DO IS, not IS and not MKIII!! Make sure it is DO IS.

http://www.zen20934.zen.co.uk/photography/MTF_Files/WR_Zoom_300mm/index.htm

alternatively, just wack the new 18-200, but it is kinda expensive.

But for a beginner, getting a cheap big aperture lense such as 50mm 1.8 mkii will be great for you. since you can explore the creative use of different shooting style.

if you got 100 to waste
50mm 1.8

if you got 600
50mm 1.8 + 17-85

if you got 800 and want long zoom
18-55(not 17) IS + 70-300 do is

1.8k...
17-55 + 70-200 f4

based on 2nd hand pricing btw.

 

[charlesleong]

Hi bro , why not 17-85 ? is there any reason for not getting that lens?
Cos i'm looking ard for lens too for travelling and general shooting.

what's wrong with the 18-55 IS? The optics are superior.

coz its slow(f/4-5.6) and it creeps.:sweat:

it's only comparatively slow on wide end though (f4 vs f3.5 for 18-55). At the long end (85 vs 55) both are f5.6

Bad distortion on the wide end, expensive for the IQ it gives.

correct. the 17-85 distorts quite badly.

Apart from it being a small hole lens which will slow down focusing at 85mm(which should not matter much since you are a starter), it is a great lens.

17-85 is the highest resolving power 5x zoom now. It beats even 24-105 L within the aps-c region.

many CS members have previously shared that the 17-85 isn't the most value for money lens, esp when compared to the kit1 and 50 1.8 lenses. It's a decent lens, but not for the $700 or so you pay for it. Tamron 17-50 f2.8 better value for money, or go for the kit1.

 

[TamadeZ]

goto http://www.flickr.com/groups/35197737@N00/pool/
it features people who are using the kit lens to take photos..

in my own opinion, its still you who are behind the lens..
if you fail to feature what you want to tell .. its your fault, not the lens..

the whole thing is that there is no such thing as lens for beginners..
its best to train your eyes and use the camera to capture what u had seen.

there are also sites which mentioned that using a prime lens will also help if you want to improve better..
why? cause u are forcing yourself to fit within the focus length.

next, save up enough to get at least 1 prime lens .. the aperture can go as high as 1.8 for the worse of its kind.. which will allow you to seperate the subject and the background..

but still its depending on what you are taking..
in a travel photography, i can't expect you to separate the subject and the background. then u are not telling folks that you had been to that place, it will just be a portrait...

most importantly, have fun with your new gears.. the best way is to keep taking more photos and accept critics

 

[SilverIce]

Hi bro , why not 17-85 ? is there any reason for not getting that lens?
Cos i'm looking ard for lens too for travelling and general shooting.

Lots of complains in the past threads about the wide end...

 

[SilverIce]

Hi,

I am a beginner in DSLR, a beginner as in I have not even bought a DSLR yet.

I have decided to get the Canon 450D but I find the kit lens 18-55mm very limited in terms of the zooming distance. Would like to get something which can zoom further but yet not too bulky.

Which lens would you recommend?
Or do you think I should just get the kit lens first?

I take mainly children photos.


Thanks

U can try to get 18-55 and try out, if u think really short, then buy a 55-250, but u will have to change lens...
If not buy the kit with 18-200, then save the trouble to change lens, and u have a longer reach...

18-200 is slightly bulky and heavier than 55-250...

Personally i think kids if running ard, 18-55 wont be enough, so i think 18-200 might be better for you...

 

[lingmic]

Thanks all!
I'm a happy owner of a 18-200mm now!

 

[corneliustoh]

Hmm... if budget isnt a problem you could spend all you want.
You need to tell us your budget to estimate what you should get.
If your budget is $1000+ get the kit and save up.
If it is like $1800 approx get the Kit, 50mm f1.8, 55-250 IS and a 430 EXII flash (Probably buy it cheap somewhere, not Courts or Best Denki)
That kit with the 2 lens and flash should be enough to last you a long time if your beginning photography with a budget.