Need Help With Lens

[xcess]

Hi all I currently using a Canon 450D with the kit lens 18 to 55mm. I would like to get a telezoom lens but I am not very sure which to get. I am looking for a lens maybe up to 300 to 400mm and able to give me a wide angle e.g. 50 to 400mm

So my questions are:

1) any lens that you would recommend and the price,
2) is it necessary that I have to calibrate the lens with the camera? Or can I just fix it on and start snapping away?
3) What are the thing that i need to look out for when getting a new lens

Thank You! =)

[Reportage]

Originally Posted by xcess Hi all I currently using a Canon 450D with the kit lens 18 to 55mm. I would like to get a telezoom lens but I am not very sure which to get. I am looking for a lens maybe up to 300 to 400mm and able to give me a wide angle e.g. 50 to 400mm So my questions are: 1) any lens that you would recommend and the price, 2) is it necessary that I have to calibrate the lens with the camera? Or can I just fix it on and start snapping away? 3) What are the thing that i need to look out for when getting a new lens Thank You! =)

yours is a crop camera, a 55-250mm IS will do just fine....but from the questions you are asking, i suggest reading the camera manual and checking out DSLR photography books from the library or online articles.

[Octarine]

Your idea of "all-in-one" lens might sound tempting but the trade-off is image quality. SLR means: use the right lens for the right purpose. That's why you can chose from the long list. Some people use lenses like Tamron 18-200 for traveling and as 'walkaround' lens.

1) You can check the Canon Lens Price guide in the Canon Equipment section for the lenses available and the prices for a first idea. For budget lens check EFS 55-250.
2) Nothing required, put on and snap.
3) Optical check, functional tests, warranty card.

[SilverIce]

Originally Posted by xcess Hi all I currently using a Canon 450D with the kit lens 18 to 55mm. I would like to get a telezoom lens but I am not very sure which to get. I am looking for a lens maybe up to 300 to 400mm and able to give me a wide angle e.g. 50 to 400mm So my questions are: 1) any lens that you would recommend and the price, 2) is it necessary that I have to calibrate the lens with the camera? Or can I just fix it on and start snapping away? 3) What are the thing that i need to look out for when getting a new lens Thank You! =)

If u wan a lens in that range, i can only think of Sigma 50-500mm lens, but i think most ppl would recommend u not to get a lens with such a big range...

If u really wan a lens with a big zoom... These are the lens i can think of that i feel its not bad..
Canon 18-200....
Tamron 18-270...
Canon 100-400...
Sigma 120-400....
Sigma 150-500...

[xcess]

Thanks for the quick response =)

If i were to get a lens with a big range, the picture quality will not be as good?

How about if i were to go for something like a 100 to 400mm?

[Octarine]

Originally Posted by xcess If i were to get a lens with a big range, the picture quality will not be as good? How about if i were to go for something like a 100 to 400mm?

Read the reviews:
www.photozone.de
www.dpreview.com

[SilverIce]

Maybe i can say mostly short range lens is better, but it depends on which lens u comparing....

If u talking about 100-400, i believe u talking about the canon lens.. There are quite a few ppl using the lens in this forum, in fact there are a few topics on it too... Personally i think its a lens worth considering, the down point is the weight and price.. Personally if i need a long tele lens, i would consider the last 3 which i list out... Then consider other lens to cover the shorter range....

[xcess]

Yup it's the Canon... But for low light condition it's not very good rite?

[Reportage]

Originally Posted by xcess Yup it's the Canon... But for low light condition it's not very good rite?

low light depends on the camera noise tolerance among other things like iso and shutter speed as well as how "fast" the lens is. either you need to be very experienced with budget equipment or spend $$$ like no tomorrow. Some places dont allow flash so take note.

I found it easier simply to use a camcorder with night vision. Sony has prosumer cameras and camcorders with Night function.

[SilverIce]

Originally Posted by xcess Yup it's the Canon... But for low light condition it's not very good rite?

Low light condition depends on what u talking about.. So far, i havent heard of any AF problem in low light condition of this lens...

But if u talking about aperture, this lens when didnt zoom out is already at F4.5, when fully zoom out is at 5.6... So u will have to have a high ISO in order to have a faster shutter speed to freeze the object if your object is moving in low light condition... But most of the zoom tele lens is about this aperture...

[ahbian]

Originally Posted by xcess Thanks for the quick response =) If i were to get a lens with a big range, the picture quality will not be as good? How about if i were to go for something like a 100 to 400mm?

Are you more concern with range or reach? What do you intend to shoot?

[xcess]

Well i like to shoot sports and a mixture of wild life too... I am also looking at the 70 - 300mm range.

Btw...

1) EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM
2) EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

What is the III in 1) and DO in 2)???

Thanks...