Buying a new camera

[fzarda]

Hi Guys, I'm new here and need some advise.
I have a Panasonic FZ8 and want to upgrade.
I'm thinking of buying the new Canon 500D. It comes as a kit with a 18-55mm lens, which I'm not really happy with. I'd rather have a 18-200 so I don't have to change lenses too often ( At least at the beginning). My main shots are when traveling, landscape, buildings, people,sport action, also in low light.
Now my question: What do you think is the most versatile lens (medium price range) I should have?
Tks
Frank

 

[Octarine]

You can check the price list in the Canon Lens Price Guide for a start. You'll also notice that your ideas of a 18-200mm "all in one lens" and low light don't match. Some of those lenses are even slower at 200mm than the kit lens. f/6.3 at 200mm calls for a sunny day or high ISO. DSLR is about changing lenses. There is no "lens you should have" - get the lens that you need.
My suggestion: Get the kit lens and get used to the way of shooting. Upgrade once you know exactly why and what you need. Tamron 17-50 is well liked as fast lens in the range of the kit lens. For longer focal range and fast speed you'll need a deep pocket (e.g. Canon's 70-200 lenses).

 

[ahbian]

You mean you don't want to change lens too often or don't want to change lens at all.

As what octanrine has mentioned, you might struggle with this range of lens at low light.

Cost wise, it is also possible to get several lenses at different ranges at a cheaper price compared to the 18-200mm (canon).

 

[jlkk76]

what ur budget first?

 

[raptor1988]

why not you familarise yourself with the kit lens before you get a better lens? That way you can get a better feel for wad the camera can achieve and better appreciate the new lens when you get it.

 

[Buggy]

the kit lens itself is quite a capable lens that comes with IS

 

[photograham]

Hi Guys, I'm new here and need some advise.
I have a Panasonic FZ8 and want to upgrade.
I'm thinking of buying the new Canon 500D. It comes as a kit with a 18-55mm lens, which I'm not really happy with. I'd rather have a 18-200 so I don't have to change lenses too often ( At least at the beginning). My main shots are when traveling, landscape, buildings, people,sport action, also in low light.
Now my question: What do you think is the most versatile lens (medium price range) I should have?
Tks

Frank

Where are you thinking of buying from? Compare prices at places like amazon, adorama

 

[fzarda]

Tks for your reply. I am aware that 18-200 and low light don't really match. I was just writing down in short what I usually would love to shoot. So to answer to all of you guys: First of all I'm an amateur and I want to start it as a hobby again as I used to (shooting film and slides) years ago when digital was not even in your vocabulary. There was a miss understanding in that I don't want to change lenses. Sometimes it's just convenient to not have to, hence the idea of 18-200mm, correct me if I'm wrong. For low light I was thinking of the 5o mm, 1.8 lens. Of course when I'm more familiar with the kit I want to get other lenses as well. And yes I'm aware of the sometimes "deep pocket".

 

[aryanto]

Nothing really changed much in terms of lense technology from film era to digital era.
How experienced are you with film previously?

If you are experienced, the best way to approach this is to go for exhibition like IT Show etc.

Go buy a CF card or SD Card (or borrow your friend's) and visit the booth. Pop in the card and take shots.
Failing that, go to shops and ask if you can take test shots with their lense.
If they dont allow last best option is to go to showroom (or service center with showroom) of the brand you want, and ask if you can borrow their camera body and lense to take shots. Remember to browse website and check if they are using SD Card or CF card (or both).

Take RAW and JPG if that is possible, bring back home, download the raw converter (normally there are those with 2 week trial etc) and see if you are happy with it.

 

[TheChef]

Hi Guys, I'm new here and need some advise.
I have a Panasonic FZ8 and want to upgrade.
I'm thinking of buying the new Canon 500D. It comes as a kit with a 18-55mm lens, which I'm not really happy with. I'd rather have a 18-200 so I don't have to change lenses too often ( At least at the beginning). My main shots are when traveling, landscape, buildings, people,sport action, also in low light.
Now my question: What do you think is the most versatile lens (medium price range) I should have?
Tks
Frank

There is no such thing as a "do it all" or "bau sua bao hai" lens.

For landscape and buildings, you should need 10-24mm, 12-24mm or 11-16mm.
For travelling or walkabout, you should need a 17-55mm.
For people, you should need a 50-150mm or 50-135mm.
For sport action, you should need a 120-300mm (fast lens).
For low light, you should need primes like 50mm f/1.2 or f/1.4 or 85mm f1.4.

You need to save up for at least 5 lenses for your shooting interests. If you need a jack of all trades, but master of none lens, then 18-200mm should fit the bill. But, I won't derive much fun from such a lens. Photography is all about fun, isn't it? Ah yes, you need a good flashlight too.

 

[fzarda]

There is no such thing as a "do it all" or "bau sua bao hai" lens.

For landscape and buildings, you should need 10-24mm, 12-24mm or 11-16mm.
For travelling or walkabout, you should need a 17-55mm.
For people, you should need a 50-150mm or 50-135mm.
For sport action, you should need a 120-300mm (fast lens).
For low light, you should need primes like 50mm f/1.2 or f/1.4 or 85mm f1.4.

You need to save up for at least 5 lenses for your shooting interests. If you need a jack of all trades, but master of none lens, then 18-200mm should fit the bill. But, I won't derive much fun from such a lens. Photography is all about fun, isn't it? Ah yes, you need a good flashlight too.

Tks Chef this was the answer I was looking for. You're right it's all about fun.:thumbsup:

 

[jlkk76]

Tks Chef this was the answer I was looking for. You're right it's all about fun.:thumbsup:

hmm...:think:

it shld be all abt BBB! :devil::bsmilie:

 

[fzarda]

Nothing really changed much in terms of lense technology from film era to digital era.
How experienced are you with film previously?

If you are experienced, the best way to approach this is to go for exhibition like IT Show etc.

Go buy a CF card or SD Card (or borrow your friend's) and visit the booth. Pop in the card and take shots.
Failing that, go to shops and ask if you can take test shots with their lense.
If they dont allow last best option is to go to showroom (or service center with showroom) of the brand you want, and ask if you can borrow their camera body and lense to take shots. Remember to browse website and check if they are using SD Card or CF card (or both).

Take RAW and JPG if that is possible, bring back home, download the raw converter (normally there are those with 2 week trial etc) and see if you are happy with it.

Great idea to go to these shows however the next one (as far as I remember) is only in September. Am I right?

 

[gymak90]

Great idea to go to these shows however the next one (as far as I remember) is only in September. Am I right?

I thought I saw PC Show in June :think:

 

[raptor1988]

yes. 11-14 june 2009 @ suntec singapore