Newbie with a Canon 60D body. Is EF-S18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS e perfect lens to start?
- Thread starter buso1984
- Start date
It's almost an art... Lol... Nah, kidding.
First things first, you MUST bring your camera to test it. Also, bring a small torchlight.
When you see the lens, don't be too excited and mount the lens. Check its physical condition first. Look for major knocks, dings, scratches, peeling paint, flaking rubber, etc. Also, check both front and rear glass elements under the torchlight to make sure there is no scratch or fungus (i.e. mould).
If the external condition is satisfactory, mount the lens on your camera. Make sure the lens is in AF and the Stabilizer is OFF. Select the camera's center AF point only (use the Q menu if you are not sure). Randomly focus on a very far, then a very near object. Listen for any weird sounds coming from the AF mechanism. The ultrasonic AF motor in Canon lens should be very quiet with only a very soft hiss. Now zoom in on something and half-press the shutter. Take note how shaky your hands are. Next switch the Stabilizer ON, and zoom in on the same thing again, half pressing the shutter. The stabilizer should turn on, so listen for loud sounds. The image in your viewfinder should be much more stable than just now since now you get help from the stabilizer. Next take a picture of a well-lit subject a medium distance away (but not a light source) using AF and stabilizer ON. Now take a picture of the same thing using MF (manually focus) and stabilizer ON. Compare the two pictures: they should be focusing on exactly the same thing and look exactly the same.
If any of the above tests fail, move on.
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rhema83 said:
I have to say its really almost art. Lol. Jialat. Can I bring u along to view e lens with me? Joking. Chim sia.
I think I'm going to buy 15-85mm for sure now. Still do not understand why i did not get the 18-200 bundle initially. Good horse dont eat return grass. Lol.
Will also be purchasing a tag team 50mm f/1.8 lens. Am I ready to go? Haha
50mm is my most underutilized lens in my list.. Indoors = Too tight (unless subject is small), Outdoor, I prefer wide (<35) or longer tele (>100)..So, 50 falls in neither here nor there...YMMV.
Bring me along? How about you buy my 15-85, I will show you exactly how you should test a lens for no extra charge.
I am very confident in the condition of my gear.Similar to tecnica, I found the 50mm focal length not to my liking. It works more like a tight portrait lens rather than a "standard". In addition, the plasticky construction and the 5-bladed aperture are really turn-off's.
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it is not the walking back and forth that is bad. primes are like this, you have to live with it, regardless of which focal length.
it is the fact that when you bring the camera up to your eye, the framing is just not right, not here not there kinda feeling.
get the 15-85 first, then set the lens to 50mm and shoot for few days, then decide whether to buy the 50mm prime or not.
this is the beauty of zoom lens, being able to simulate specific focal length to see if different primes suit you or not.
rhema83 said:Bring me along? How about you buy my 15-85, I will show you exactly how you should test a lens for no extra charge.
Similar to tecnica, I found the 50mm focal length not to my liking. It works more like a tight portrait lens rather than a "standard". In addition, the plasticky construction and the 5-bladed aperture are really turn-off's.
Haha. Cheeky sia rhema83. Ehmm. Let me think through la. it's a huge amount of $$. My wife to be will slaughter me. I was already reprimanded for buying e 60d body yesterday! Lol
avsquare
Senior Member
reprimand your wife when she buys her new branded bag next time... :bsmilie:
You are buying a good camera so that you can take nice pictures on your honeymoon. It is only reasonable to pair it with a good quality lens. In the worst case, you can sell the entire setup for minimal loss after the trip if you find that travelling with a DSLR is not to your liking.
I shall not comment too much on the "slaughtering" and "reprimanding" by your wife-to-be. Explain to her nicely that you are spending this money because this honeymoon means so much to you and you want to record all the beautiful moments of your time together the best you can. If that sweet-talk has no effect, then I don't know what to say liao. But of course, don't spend beyond your means. Otherwise you really deserve scolding from her.
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avsquare
Senior Member
You tired of living?
depends lah.. at least my GF can take the joke ;p
avsquare
Senior Member
hahaha! ok.. what you need to do is:
1) Lure her to a "Ion Orchard" shopping mall in France
2) Find a toilet near some luxury goods shop
3) Tell her you need to lao sai, please wait for a while outside toilet
4) Go in toilet but monitor your fiancee
5) Take out your DSLR with a telephoto and snap at her when she drool over the luxury goods
Mission accomplished :bsmilie:
And... sleep on the floor/sofa for the following week :bsmilie:
avsquare
Senior Member
ah.. that's nice. hope you get some good shots there!
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