Advise On Canon Mount Lens

[pRoLoS3r]

hihi people with knowledge.... can enlighten me with information on which lens to buy ???

Currently I am using 350D with kit lens and speedlite 420EX.
I am thinking of investing in a zoom len. Probably about 50mm or 70mm to 200mm or 300mm?

My budget for this lens is <$1200.
Somehow the lens I am getting is restricted to 1 len and I have to purchase brand new.

1st party or third party also can.

What I usually take is people during events(Not scenery or macro), more of reporting a event happening.....
I find that focusing Speed is not really a matter, but definitely a bonus .

Can somebody give me an advise on it ????

Thank you very Much :thumbsup:

 

[Adam Goi]

Hi.

You may wish to consider a EF70-200 f/4 or a Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 ...

 

[DT_]

sigma 18-200mm for me if there's only 1 choice.. pop it onto the body and never had to change lens, kiss gdbye kit len.. lighter and cheaper.. if need to squeeze extra zoom just pop a 1.4 tele (can af? not sure pls clarify).. dont know the image quality for this set though.. but dont think it'll be too bad..

http://www.sigma-photo.co.jp/english/lens/digital/18_200_35_63.htm

alternatively canon 28-200mm.. but i think the 10mm wide differ is a pain... anyway enjoy your new len...

http://www.canon-europe.com/For_Home/Product_Finder/Cameras/EF_Lenses/Zoom_Lenses/EF_28200mm_f3556/

 

[drumma]

hmmm.. i'm puzzled. u mentioned u are taking event right? how come focusing speed not a matter?

 

[Xing]

What I usually take is people during events(Not scenery or macro), more of reporting a event happening.....
I find that focusing Speed is not really a matter, but definitely a bonus .

Why not try out primes like Canon's 50 F1.4 / 85 F1.8 / 100 F2. On a 1.6 crop camera, it becomes 80mm or 136mm or 160mm. Good to isolate pple from the surroundings and you'll be amaze by the bokeh :bigeyes: . Focusing speed on these are zip zip... super fast, to capture candid expressions.

 

[roti_prata]

sigma 18-200mm for me if there's only 1 choice.. pop it onto the body and never had to change lens, kiss gdbye kit len.. lighter and cheaper.. if need to squeeze extra zoom just pop a 1.4 tele (can af? not sure pls clarify).. dont know the image quality for this set though.. but dont think it'll be too bad..

http://www.sigma-photo.co.jp/english/lens/digital/18_200_35_63.htm

alternatively canon 28-200mm.. but i think the 10mm wide differ is a pain... anyway enjoy your new len...

http://www.canon-europe.com/For_Home/Product_Finder/Cameras/EF_Lenses/Zoom_Lenses/EF_28200mm_f3556/

$1200 budget and u suggest him a hyper-zoom?:nono:
the sigma 70-200 is a very highly regarded 3rd party lens and its got hsm for quick focusing

 

[roti_prata]

Why not try out primes like Canon's 50 F1.4 / 85 F1.8 / 100 F2. On a 1.6 crop camera, it becomes 80mm or 136mm or 160mm. Good to isolate pple from the surroundings and you'll be amaze by the bokeh :bigeyes: . Focusing speed on these are zip zip... super fast, to capture candid expressions.

primes may not be as versertile and will need to change lenses more often, but its a personal preference. since the lens will go with a 8mp body, primes can be used and the image cropped to give extra [zoom] the excellent quality of primes and the large image output of the body can give good acceptable crops

 

[sriram]

No question about it : canon 70-200/4L. The best of the bunch, in that price range.

 

[rainman]

get a L lense 70-200 F4.

light, durable metal body and most imptly optical sharp...has great resale value somemore!

 

[pRoLoS3r]

Thanks alot for the advise people. appreciate it.

hmmm.. i'm puzzled. u mentioned u are taking event right? how come focusing speed not a matter?

Sryz ... maybe i am wrong about focusing speed is not a matter.. I am still new to photography.

Why not try out primes like Canon's 50 F1.4 / 85 F1.8 / 100 F2. On a 1.6 crop camera, it becomes 80mm or 136mm or 160mm. Good to isolate pple from the surroundings and you'll be amaze by the bokeh :bigeyes: . Focusing speed on these are zip zip... super fast, to capture candid expressions.

Regarding about prime lens. I forget to include that I have a Canon 50 f1.8 or f1.4. . Sorryz !!!

No question about it : canon 70-200/4L. The best of the bunch, in that price range.

Are you refering to the one Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM?


Thanks once again for being tolerant with me for being a noob...
So I guess kind souls out there have helped me list down the following lens

1) Sigma 18-200mm F3.5 - 6.3 DC
(MSColor $560 w/GST, According to http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=145126&page=4)

http://www.sigma-photo.co.jp/english/lens/digital/18_200_35_63.htm

Review by SLRgear.com for Sigma 18-200mm F3.5 - 6.3 DC http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/175/sort/2/cat/31/page/2

2) Canon EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6
(MS $550, According to http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=131801&page=7)

http://www.canon-europe.com/For_Home/Product_Finder/Cameras/EF_Lenses/Zoom_Lenses/EF_28200mm_f3556

3) Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM
(CP $1,300 | MS $1,290, According to http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=131801&page=7)
http://www.canon-europe.com/For_Hom...ex.asp?ComponentID=25945&SourcePageID=26341#1

Review by SLRgear.com for Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM
http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/55/sort/2/cat/11/page/2

Can anyone gimme their opinion for their performance ?
Also, are there anymore that you guys think i should add to the list ?

Thank you everyone for their help.

 

[JediForce4ever]

what about the 28-135mm 3.5-4.5 IS USM?IS helps in low light, good zoom range, fast focussing.

 

[pRoLoS3r]

Everyone thanks alot for your help .

Anyone got recommendation for tokina lens ?

Which lens do you think is more value for $$$?
1) Sigma 18-200mm F3.5 - 6.3 DC
2) Canon EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6
3) Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM
4) Canon EF 28-135mm 3.5-4.5 IS USM
(If i suppose JediForce4ever is refering to that model?)

Thanks alot peepz for guiding me the noob.

 

[Fluorite]

Just general reference (anyone correct me if there are exceptions): F/2.8 L(Canon)/ EX(Sigma) should be sufficient in their focussing speed for event coverage.

USM/HSM/AF-S(Nikon) are a plus- But unless you are shooting sports or action, then you wouldn't need these. If you realized, Sigma only builds HSM motors to the extreme wide and tele of their lens lineup.

 

[pRoLoS3r]

USM/HSM/AF-S(Nikon) are a plus- But unless you are shooting sports or action, then you wouldn't need these.

Thanks. It is of great help to me. Learnt more about lens

F/2.8 L(Canon)/ EX(Sigma)

can advise me where to get inform on the alphabets abbrevations for the various lens ??? (Like L, EX, USM??, APO, DG? )

Appreciate it Thanks:thumbsup:

 

[user111]

get a used 70-200/f4 L

lightweight, fast AF, ability to focus down to 1.2m, and within your budget

and looks cool because its white colour hehe

 

[20D]

Ever consider Canon 17-85mm IS?

 

[Venom81]

get a used 70-200/f4 L

lightweight, fast AF, ability to focus down to 1.2m, and within your budget

and looks cool because its white colour hehe

I 2nd that. 70-200L f4. :thumbsup:

 

[Kongo]

For that budget,

Canon EF 70-200 F4L or
Sigma 70-200 F2.8 EX DG

If u happen to consider prime also:
Canon EF 135 F2L or
Canon EF 200 F2.8L

 

[Fluorite]

Thanks. It is of great help to me. Learnt more about lens



can advise me where to get inform on the alphabets abbrevations for the various lens ??? (Like L, EX, USM??, APO, DG? )

Appreciate it Thanks:thumbsup:

Hello, just a few designations/abbreviations.

L (Canon)- Luxury- Basically Canon's top line of lenses
DG (Sigma)- Sigma lenses supposedly optimized for digital. Can be used on film bodies too.
DC (Sigma)- Sigma "digital" lenses- Can only be used on DSLRs due to the smaller circle proj.
USM (Canon)- Ultrasonic Motor- A silent and fast focussing motor utilizing Ultrasonic waves.
AF-S (Nikon)- Also a designation used in Nikon to classify usage of USM
HSM (Sigma)- Hypersonic Motor- Same meaning as above.
APO (Mainly Sigma)- Apochromatic- Uses Apochromats- Reduces CA- occurs mainly on teles.

There are many other terms- Floating System, Calcium Fluoride (that's me!), Aspheres... etc

Just to name a few here.

 

[pRoLoS3r]

Once again, thank you everyone for your help.:thumbsup:
(Cs ppl are friendly and helpful)

So now I can classify the various lens....

Lens that cost <$1000
1) Sigma 18-200mm F3.5 - 6.3 DC (MSColor $560 w/GST)

http://www.sigma-photo.co.jp/english/lens/digital/18_200_35_63.htm

Review by SLRgear.com for Sigma 18-200mm F3.5 - 6.3 DC http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/175/sort/2/cat/31/page/2

2) Canon EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 (RS$960 - MS $550)

http://www.canon-europe.com/For_Home/Product_Finder/Cameras/EF_Lenses/Zoom_Lenses/EF_28200mm_f3556

3) Canon EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 USM (RS$960)

http://www.canon-europe.com/For_Hom...ex.asp?ComponentID=25933&SourcePageID=26341#1

Review by SLRgear.com for Canon EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 USM http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/65/sort/2/cat/11/page/1

4) Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM (RS$1,100 - CP $900)

http://www.canon-europe.com/For_Hom...ex.asp?ComponentID=25784&SourcePageID=26369#1

Review by SLRgear.com for Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/139/sort/2/cat/11/page/1

Lens that cost >$1000
1) Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM (RS$1,700 - CP $1,300 / MS $1,290)

http://www.canon-europe.com/For_Hom...ex.asp?ComponentID=25945&SourcePageID=26341#1

Review by SLRgear.com for Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM
http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/55/sort/2/cat/11/page/2

2) Sigma APO 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG /HSM (MSColor $1399 w/GST) (TKFoto $1395 w/GST)

http://www.sigma-photo.co.jp/english/lens/telezoom/70_200_28.htm

Review by SLRgear.com for Sigma APO 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG /HSM http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/217/sort/2/cat/31/page/1

3) Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4.0-5.6 IS USM (RS$1,229 - AP $1,020)

http://www.canon-europe.com/For_Hom...x.asp?ComponentID=221323&SourcePageID=26369#1

Review by SLRgear.com for Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4.0-5.6 IS USM http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/136/sort/2/cat/11/page/1

Seems like all these option make me even more comfused :sweat: .
2nd last query, which lens will you choose (if for my case) for <$1000 and >$1000?

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM or Sigma APO 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG /HSM will be sharper if both are at f4???

Pls forgive me for asking so much question :X.