Your Favorite Walkaround Lens

[mrod]

OK, everyone, what's the range of your favorite walkaround lens? 17-55? 18-70? 24-85? (no need to bring aperture into the discussion just yet).

I'm beginning to maybe think about considering my next addition. Perhaps.

Just curious about what others like.

Thanks,
Mike

[Byron Gale]

I expect this will come as a total shock to you, Mike... it's my 18-200. :eek:

Byron :rolleyes:

(I should probably add that I only have 3 lenses... the above-mentioned zoom, and two primes - 50 and 105.)

[mljrbg]

Mike, mine is 18-135.

[jo]

Mine is 28-135 IS

[budman101]

If I have to travel light the 28-200 is my go to lens.

[BruceM]

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

Came as the kit lens with my XSI, very pleased with the results I've been getting.

[bnk1953]

My 18-250 - I don't leave home w/o it.
~bruce.

[TonyW]

It all depends on where I'm walking :D. Most of the time it's the 18-70 but if I'm out for close-ups of flowers, people, mushrooms I'll probably walk around with the 70-300 (and be using it at the 300 end for close-ups because it gives a 4:1 ratio on the sensor - not true 1:1 macro but good enough for me.). My walkarounds often involve changing on the fly and I'm getting quite quick at it :)

Actually it's not a bad idea to walk around with something different once in a while. Did that with my 50mm a while back and got some great shots because it forced me to stop thinking about zooming and start thinking about composition. And it's both the cheapest and the best quality lens I own.

Tony

[ljameso1]

My 28-135 IS.

[billz]

I'm with Byron, 18 - 200 for me.

Bill

[Shari]

Mine has been 55-200 VR but I plan to invest in the 18-200 because it will be so much simpler - especially when we go to Europe next Spring.
Shari

[mrod]

Thanks, everyone. Like Tony, I have a 70-300, so I'll be looking the wider range, most likely. Tony, I'd also like to pick up that 50mm prime, too. Can't beat the price. I've tried to use the 70-300 more lately...still trying to get the feel for it's optimal range, proper focusing, etc. Too much of the time it feels like luck when I get a tack sharp image.

Appreciate all your input.

Mike

[winclk]

mine is 24-60

[msbrad]

Mine is 28-135 IS
m

[Diana]

The one I leave on my Canon XTi most of the time is my 24-70 f/2.8 L because it takes such great photos. But the downside is it weighs 2 lbs.

Diana

[Whiplash-GT]

i just picked up the 24-70 and so far i'm loving it..
prior to that it was the 17-55, but my wife adopted that piece of glass so i had to go get me a new one :)
with FX in my future replacing it with another DX lens didn't make a whole lot of sense so...
and, because i always carry 2 bodies with me i also love to have the 70-200 hanging off my other shoulder

[sosdog]

Right now it's the 18-55 but would like to get a 18-200 so I wouldn't have to switch to my 55-200 when I needed it.

[WayneS]

I recently purchased the Nikon 70 - 300 VR, and the more I use it, the more impressed I am. It is a bit heavier, but well worth the extra weight
I'm finding versatility that was never possible with the 18 - 55 lens.

Wayne

[Sepiana]

Mike,

I have two lenses:

1. 18-55 -- came with the Canon XT; I use it most of the time.
2. 70-300 -- I don't use it too much; see your quote below (that's exactly how I feel about it).

I've tried to use the 70-300 more lately...still trying to get the feel for it's optimal range, proper focusing, etc. Too much of the time it feels like luck when I get a tack sharp image.

Mike

[lowbone]

Canon 24-105 for very high quality
Canon 18-200 for versatlity

[Codebreaker]

Most of the time I use a Sigma 17-70mm F2.8 I find this excellent for Landscapes and Flora. It has reasonable Macro capability. For real Macro work I'll switch to the Canon 100mm F2.8

Currently I'm shopping for a longer zoom lense - so far its between the Canon 100-400mm L and the Sigma 150-500mm. If any one has experience of either of these I'd be interested to know.

Colin

[Michel B]

Most of the time I use a Sigma 17-70mm F2.8 I find this excellent for Landscapes and Flora. It has reasonable Macro capability. For real Macro work I'll switch to the Canon 100mm F2.8

Colin

Same for me.

[Codebreaker]

Ah! Great minds etc, etc

Colin

[Poorboy]

For me it's the 18-200. It's heavy and stands out in a crowd but it works for me. I would like to get something not so large.
Any suggestions?

Bob

[ljameso1]

Most of the time I use a Sigma 17-70mm F2.8 I find this excellent for Landscapes and Flora. It has reasonable Macro capability. For real Macro work I'll switch to the Canon 100mm F2.8

Currently I'm shopping for a longer zoom lense - so far its between the Canon 100-400mm L and the Sigma 150-500mm. If any one has experience of either of these I'd be interested to know.

Colin

I have the 100-400 canon. It's great for wildlife. Not what I'd call a walking around lens as is heavy.

[JudyL]

I'm with a couple of others....its my 18-200!

[robpendragon]

I like my new Olympus prime lens 50mm. I also like to do the "one lens challenge" with myself sometimes & take my 40-150mm.

[markev1122]

my fav is 75-300 that came with my sony A200

[Chuck S.]

Canon 28-135, although the 17-40 kicks in when a little wider angle is needed.

[Derry]

my favorite is the 12-60mm on my E3, a great combination ,,

Derry

[robpendragon]

my favorite is the 12-60mm on my E3, a great combination ,,

Derry
That's the next lens on my list for my E3.

[Edmund]

Well you asked me for my 2 cents worth so here it is::eek:
I have an older Nikkor 35-70 f/2.8 D Macro lens that I just love. This equates to a roughly a 52-105mm in 35mm format. Very sharp and not too big. This is what I walk around with most times. It is also great for family parties etc as a indoor lens.
My 18-200 Nikkor VR is too me a little soft and must be used with smaller f/stops ie f/8 -f/11 range and closer to the mid zoom range to get the sharpness that I want.
I also Have a 50mm f/1.8 lens which I really need to use more often to keep me aware of getting in closer rather then zooming in.
Eddie:)

[epaul6]

I'm with the 18-200 vr crowd. A truly iconic lens for those of the DX persuasion.

[fjricciardi]

Its my 18-200mm lens. Never take it off my camera.

[w7vp]

Well in my case it is my Tamron 18-200. It is a nice utility lens for just shooting "whatever." If I am shooting scenics or others stuff I will use my 24-105 IS lens or my 100-400 IS Lens. If I am shooting football at night I will use my Sigma 70-200 f/2.8.

Tomorrow I am going to try my new 50D with a soft box and reflector on a backdrop for the kids in my daughter's cheerleading group. I will probably use either the 25-205 IS or my f/1.8 85 mm. or both for the set-up shots and the 70-200 f/2.8 for the activity shots. Wish me luck

[mrod]

Hey, Bill, nice to see you around again (or maybe you have been, and I've just missed it).

Some real fine weather we've been having, eh? ;)

Mike

[w7vp]

Hi Mike:
Yes I have not been on the forum for a while. I was induced to do so by this new camera.

The werather has been pretty crummy. Today the Mountaineers were to go to shoot the snow geese and swans. Not a very good day for it, huh? A few weeks ago we shot the Blue Herons at Golden Gardens Park. Here is one of my shots.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1A0mpW8qISsgyz7tdnggERS7LgO0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1A0mpW8qISsgyz7tdnggERS7LgO0)

Yesterday I did my first portable set-up shoot at my daughter's cheerleading contest. It was quite an experience. I used a small soft box over the flash with the flash on a separate tripod set up for bounce off the ceiling and triggered from the camera. I set up a backdrop with some colored paper and used a large white foam board as a reflector. I used a gray card to set up the white balance and shot in aperature priority with the flash stopped down 2 f-stops. I shot in full RAW with my new 50D.

The results were good even though they came out uniformly underexposed by 1 f-stop. I fixed that with Canon Digital Photo Professional and set up a recipe to use on all the shots to simplify editing them. Here is one of the shots.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1ngQ6RgxbE1wRshvWzHNlI6KZBjA0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1ngQ6RgxbE1wRshvWzHNlI6KZBjA0)

I also shot the contest using my 70-200 f/2.8 lens and got some good shots there too.

Hope I can be more active again. Love to have your comments.

[fjricciardi]

I think my favorite lens would have to be my 18-200 Nikkor VR. Just love this lens. Hardly ever take it off my camera. My next best lens is my nikon 60mm micro . This lens just takes super sharp macro and just breath taking portraits. Would not trade either for the world.

[agraichen]

I used to carry at least 2 lenses and depending on the subject switched between my 17-35 and 80-200 Nikors. With the introduction of the variable aperature 18-200 and a new need to not need F2.8 glass, I've found the 18-200 handles almost all my casual shooting needs unless I'm after birds; then I switch to an 80-400.

[Not4wood]

Wow, great thread guys.

Some great glass here, wish I could afford all of the fast lens.

For me, I will find that I'm using my Kit Lens for my D80, my Nikor 18-135 which is very nice. But truthfully, I have found that I carry both of my glass with me everywhere at this point. I've been using my Nikor 70-300 VR even for some scenery that I have to really reach for, and like what has been said about this lens, I've used it for both Birds and Flower Closeups.

I have a Lens question for all you Nikon Fans; does anybody have the famous 17-55 I think its the 1.7 or 1.8 extremely Sharp Glass? I see that its very expensive and anybody that has it, will part with there Wives or Husbands first before this Lens and possibly there first born as well.

[Whiplash-GT]

17-55 should be a 2.8 piece of glass
i searched out the faster versions you stated but couldn't find anything..??
if it is a true lens it's gotta be quite a few years old by now



and oh, the 17-55 2.8 is a dream machine ;)
great for portraits/weddings/landscape...you name it and it'll make great work of it :)

[Not4wood]

17-55 should be a 2.8 piece of glass
i searched out the faster versions you stated but couldn't find anything..??
if it is a true lens it's gotta be quite a few years old by now



and oh, the 17-55 2.8 is a dream machine ;)
great for portraits/weddings/landscape...you name it and it'll make great work of it :)

I think thats it, but I remember in the back cobwebs of my mind that it was faster. Old age setting in maybe LOL, I tried to search for it but came up empty.

[ricklepage]

I'm with Diana: the 24-70mm f/2.8L is my main, if-I-have-to-have-one-lens, lens, although the 85mm f/1.2L gets almost as much use.

[Jeff Perry]

Likewise, the 18-200 VR is my favorite, although I have been eying the new 18-270 VC from Tamron. If Nikon would make an 18-300, I would carry it no matter how heavy it was.

Jeff

[candleman]

my dream lens is the 24-70mm f2.8 cant afford it tho..

i've only got a 18-135 and it doesnt cut the mustard at f5.6

BUT you gotta make do with what you got.

[Jeff Perry]

The 17-55 f/2.8 is a DX format Nikkor lens that has superb optics, but I hate the size and placement of the zoom ring. It is narrow and located right next to the mount so it's very close to the body. Additionally, because it is a DX lens (although it will work in cropped mode) it is not appropriate for use on the new FX format Nikons (D3 and D700) so I have opted for a 17-35 f/2.8 which is an older model but shares the same quality glass as its 17-55 sibling and gives me a real 17mm's angle of view. I also like the zoom ring size and placement more than the 17-55.

Jeff

[Not4wood]

On Saturday, I got to hold and try a Used Nikon 60mm f:/2.8 Macro. Looks real sharp, does anybody have it? I want a Real Sharp Lens, but I'm disappointed with the f:/2.8. Besides wanting a Real Sharp Lens, I also wanted a faster lens. I have the Nikon 18-135 f:/3.5 Kit Lens and a Nikon 70-300 VR f:/4.5-5.6 which dosn't give me a Real Fast or even a Real Sharp Lens. The Kit Lens is OK, but not great. My longer Zoom is even less sharp then my Kit lens. I don't want to break the Bank on a New piece of Glass.

What would you do? Is this 60mm Sharp enough for me to Not complain? I don't think its what you would call a Pro Lens, but then again I don't think I've ever really held a Pro Lens in my hands.

[Jeff Perry]

Not4Wood, I'll assume you are looking for a macro prime, and I would ask how close do you want to get to your subject to get a 1:1 magnification ratio. The 60mm is a very nice lens, however I wanted a bit more space between me and my subject so I opted for the Nikkor 105mm VR, after having the Sigma 105 I was comfortable with the working distance. Regardless of your choice, the 60 or the 105, are very nice lenses.

Jeff

[Not4wood]

<Sigh> :confused:, The only time I used the term Macro was in the description of the lens. I didn't even make a comment on my usuage, let alone any dreams of purchasing a Macro. I have no needs for a "Macro" lens. I do actually have a couple of extension tubes that I haven't used yet so there is no inkling towards Macro at all.

Like I previously mentioned, I am after a "Very" Sharp, faster Glass without breaking the Bank. I don't want to have to spend a lot of money to make the wife squawck. She even did mention about coming with me and getting it for me for Christmas but I don't want to put up a $1000.00 price tag and scare her away. Getting a Sharp Prime, with being able to keep my Auto Focus and using all functions on D80 would be a plus.

I mentioned the 60mm only because I had heard it was Sharp, nothing more. I didn't mention it before, so I will now. I am a Portrait Photographer by nature and using a 60mm Sharp with my D80 would give me a great Portrait Lens. The 90mm I would get out of it would be perfect and before anybody tries to say anything about that comment as well. The D80 has a 1.5 crop fact, the glass is a 60mm, so half of 60 is 30. Add 30 to 60 and you get a Great Portrait Lens at 90mm.

[lowbone]

Not4Wood, I'll assume you are looking for a macro prime, and I would ask how close do you want to get to your subject to get a 1:1 magnification ratio. The 60mm is a very nice lens, however I wanted a bit more space between me and my subject so I opted for the Nikkor 105mm VR, after having the Sigma 105 I was comfortable with the working distance. Regardless of your choice, the 60 or the 105, are very nice lenses.

Jeff

The Nikon 105 VR is without a doubt sharper then the 60mm macro, also allot more $$$

[Whiplash-GT]

i've found the 85 1.8 quite nice (127.5 on the DX? ugggggh, to tired for math tonite :D )
and the price tag should keep your wife smiling ;)

you could get that and the 50 1.4 for about half of what the 17-55 would run you

[Lucysmith]

It's 24-85 and wat about you?

[Inspeqtor]

I just got a new lens in the last hour, the Canon EF 70-300 IS USM lens :)

This is the first time I have actually been able to see the effects of Image Stabilization, and I was absolutely amazed at how well it works!

I have not yet taken any pictures, just playing with it inside the house.

Time will tell if this will be my "Favorite Walk Around Lens" :D

[BruceM]

I just got a new lens in the last hour, the Canon EF 70-300 IS USM lens :)

This is the first time I have actually been able to see the effects of Image Stabilization, and I was absolutely amazed at how well it works!

I have not yet taken any pictures, just playing with it inside the house.

Time will tell if this will be my "Favorite Walk Around Lens" :D

Glad to hear you have your lens, look forward to seeing some of the shots you take.

[Inspeqtor]

Glad to hear you have your lens, look forward to seeing some of the shots you take.

I was hoping to be able to try the lens out this weekend. I ended up working 12 hours, just got home from work about 20 minutes ago. I have been working 10-11 hours for seevral weeks now. My boss asked me yesterday to work both Saturday and Sunday. We are really very busy, which is good, but I need my weekends! Oh well, I will work a few hours this weekend. Probably won't be able to try out the lens much though :(

[Inspeqtor]

I was reading in the booklet that came with my new lens about Extension Tubes (EF12 II and EF25 II) and Close Up Lenses (250D and 500D) that would attach to my lens,

What is the difference between these, and the 1.4X and 2X extenders that can be bought? I never heard of an extension tube before, and never thought about a close-up lens that would work with my telephoto lens.

According to Amazon, the extension tubes could be used with the extenders, if I understood correctly.

Thank You!

EDIT: Reading more, I guess AF does not work with either of these.

[Not4wood]

First Congrats on your new Glass! You'll enjoy the reach of the 70-300, its good but I still can't those rare Bird Shots that are still too far.

Funny, I had gone to my Local Camera Store this past Saturday looking to buy a Cable Release and I had asked them about the Nikon 60mm Macro. I held it, and he put it on a D300, so I was playing with both for a bit. It was used, excellent condition, no blemishes as far as I could see. But I wasn't prepared to get it just yet.

He also pulled out a set of extension tubes and I thought this would deteriorate the image. No Optics, only a physical adapter that goes between the camera body and lens. With contacts so for me, my lens stays in full mode. I can still use Auto Focus and control exposures thru the camera like normal. It comes with 3 tubes, all slightly different lengths to make the lens farther away from the camera.

[Inspeqtor]

First Congrats on your new Glass! You'll enjoy the reach of the 70-300, its good but I still can't those rare Bird Shots that are still too far.

Funny, I had gone to my Local Camera Store this past Saturday looking to buy a Cable Release and I had asked them about the Nikon 60mm Macro. I held it, and he put it on a D300, so I was playing with both for a bit. It was used, excellent condition, no blemishes as far as I could see. But I wasn't prepared to get it just yet.

He also pulled out a set of extension tubes and I thought this would deteriorate the image. No Optics, only a physical adapter that goes between the camera body and lens. With contacts so for me, my lens stays in full mode. I can still use Auto Focus and control exposures thru the camera like normal. It comes with 3 tubes, all slightly different lengths to make the lens farther away from the camera.


Thank you Mark for the congrats :)

From what you wrote above, I still have no idea what extension tubes do.

[jo]

Extension tubes let you move a little closer to the subject than you would without them. Faking a macro lens, sorta. I pull them out and use them once in a while to convince myself that I don't need an expensive macro lens.

I have a 1.4x thingie as well, but I don't much like it. It makes my 300mm act like a 420mm, I think. The subject (bird way out there in a tree or something) does look closer in the viewfinder, but the photograph is never as clear as the ones without it. Probably some technicality about f-stops but I just gave up on it. too lazy to figure all that out when I can just crop an image to "get closer". :rolleyes:

[Inspeqtor]

Jo,

Thank you. Do you know how they differ from a close-up lens?

From what you are telling me, it sounds like perhaps the extension tubes and close-up lens do the same thing, but in different ways.

[jo]

Charles, I don't know about the close-up lens. I ordered one a few months ago and then realized that I ordered the wrong size so I just returned it. And with my personal money crunch I won't be buying one soon.

As far as macro lenses go, a very kind neighbor let me borrow his 100mm lens and it was super! That was the last time I played with the extenders trying to decide if they worked as well with the lenses I already have. Well, that 100mm was better, but not enough better for me to spend the money.

My neighbor bought it from another friend who wanted to get a 180mm so he could be a little farther away from the butterflies he shoots. The butterfly guy decided he liked his old 100mm better, so he talked my neighbor into selling it back to him. That 100 is a super lens!

[Not4wood]

The extension tubes move the lens a bit farther from the camera body, and this increases the Maginification of what you see. No Optics, so you don't loose anything at all by way of image degradation.

[Inspeqtor]

The extension tubes move the lens a bit farther from the camera body, and this increases the Maginification of what you see. No Optics, so you don't loose anything at all by way of image degradation.

Mark,

I was told on another forum that with extension tubes you will also lose f/stops the same as you do with tele-extenders. Do you agree with this? To me it makes sense that that would be true.

[ljameso1]

Yes, You will lose f-stops worth of light. The tube set comes with a notation as to how much will lose. I think what Mark is referring to is that there isn't any glass in an extension tube-think of it like a spacer.

[Inspeqtor]

Linda. Thank you :)

[Not4wood]

Yes, You will lose f-stops worth of light. The tube set comes with a notation as to how much will lose. I think what Mark is referring to is that there isn't any glass in an extension tube-think of it like a spacer.

The amount of distance the lens is held away from the camera body with the extension tubes is not a whole lot. In my set of three, which I have't used yet no matter what I do I don't seem to have any time of late. :twisted:

When I do get a chance, I will try and make a few test shots to see if there is any loss of aperature. Its a good question though, but keeping in mind that the extension tubes are only spacers like Linda says and the distance the lens has moved isnt a whole lot maybe a half inch on one tube a drop more on the second and it looks like a 1/4 of an inch on the third but if you put them all together and stack them I can see a loss.

Under the situation of useing extension tubes your doing this for the purpose of Macro Photography and your distance from camera to subject will be extremely close, and in Macro your using external lights anyway correct? Natural light outdoors with extension has to be a very iffy thing in my mind. Shooting inside flowers, or bugs and the waiting game can be real tough.

[LensCreep]

I have to say its the 18-200 also, but I don't have any lenscreep as my user name would suggest. I have a great copy and has been very versatile for me.

~MIKE

[alihan1988]

Mine is 24-60 IS

[Shari]

I'm now with the Nikon 18-200 VR group. Christmas present. The only problem is that I have not been able to walk around with it because we have been snowed in!! I'm a little afraid if I go out on the slippery streets I just might fall and damage my new lense. I know it will make a huge difference for convenience when we go to Switzerland and France in June.
Shari

[Inspeqtor]

Shari,

Congratulations! I am sure you will love that lens. Canon also makes one that I would like to have someday, but it is gonna be awhile before I get one. However I may decide on a different lens by the time that day gets here!

Do you have a hotshoe flash for your Nikon? If the Nikon 18-200 is built similar to the Canon 18-200, I am told if you use the camera popup flash with that lens you will see a shadow in the photos from the length and diameter of the lens being bigger than the lens the camera was built for.

[Shari]

Thank you Charles. No I don't have the hotshoe flash. Most of my photography is outside BUT I have 15 days to try out and be pleased with this lense or it can be returned - so thank you. I will take some indoor photos.
Shari

[billz]

Charles -

While I don't frequently use the onboard popup flash, my combination of d80 and the 18-200 has not produced any noticable shadowing. I'll bet if I added a lens hood to the mix that it would though.

Bill

[ljameso1]

I always take my lens shade off if need to use the pop-up. Don't need to take it off when using hotshoe flash. At least with digital, if you get shadowing, you'll know right away rather than when the slides come back.:)

[Inspeqtor]

Charles -
While I don't frequently use the onboard popup flash, my combination of d80 and the 18-200 has not produced any noticable shadowing. I'll bet if I added a lens hood to the mix that it would though.
Bill

Thank you Bill, that is good to know. I was told that a popup flash would be a problem with the larger lenses, and I assumed it would ALWAYS be a problem.
Thank you again for jumping in here on this!

I always take my lens shade off if need to use the pop-up. Don't need to take it off when using hotshoe flash. At least with digital, if you get shadowing, you'll know right away rather than when the slides come back.:)

That is the GREAT advantage of digital cameras; that being able to view the photos instantly on your LCD screen to be able to see how well the photo turned out. I will keep all of this in mind if I ever do get one of those lenses!

[Not4wood]

Hmmm, never heard of this one.

So, what your saying is that the Pop-up Flash casts a shadow over the Lens Hood onto the image.

So, how big does this lens and hood combo have to be for this to happen? Since this I can see, and it was mentioned that even if there is an external Flash mounted on the Hot Shoe this Shadow wont happen no matter what? Is this statement correct?

Now, I still don't understand at this point why anybody would place an external Flash and I don't care how expensive or cheap it is on the Cameras Hot Shoe. Even with my 283, I had to get a Hot Shoe adapter with a built in capacitor so I could plug in my sync chord so I could connect my D80 and my 283 while sitting on the Bracket. Still useable after all these years.

[Chuck S.]

Now, I still don't understand at this point why anybody would place an external Flash and I don't care how expensive or cheap it is on the Cameras Hot Shoe. Even with my 283, I had to get a Hot Shoe adapter with a built in capacitor so I could plug in my sync chord so I could connect my D80 and my 283 while sitting on the Bracket. Still useable after all these years.

I use the external flash on the hot shoe for simplicity, i.e., no bracket, synch cord, adapter, etc. to lug around, set up, etc. With a diffuser (OmniBounce) on the flash unit, the hot-shoe-mounted results are generally pleasing. I don't disagree that the bracket-mounted flash has some advantages; however, as with most equipment decisions, there are trade-offs.

[Inspeqtor]

Hmmm, never heard of this one.

So, what your saying is that the Pop-up Flash casts a shadow over the Lens Hood onto the image.

So, how big does this lens and hood combo have to be for this to happen? Since this I can see, and it was mentioned that even if there is an external Flash mounted on the Hot Shoe this Shadow wont happen no matter what? Is this statement correct?

Now, I still don't understand at this point why anybody would place an external Flash and I don't care how expensive or cheap it is on the Cameras Hot Shoe. Even with my 283, I had to get a Hot Shoe adapter with a built in capacitor so I could plug in my sync chord so I could connect my D80 and my 283 while sitting on the Bracket. Still useable after all these years.

Mark, Are you asking me these questions? I do not know how big the Lens/Hood must be to cast a shadow. I was told by the owner of the camera store that since the 18-200 lens is longer with a larger diameter than the kit lens it would cast a shadow. He never mentioned the hood being a problem. Linda mentioned that she found the hood was a problem.

HTH

[Not4wood]

Mark, Are you asking me these questions? I do not know how big the Lens/Hood must be to cast a shadow. I was told by the owner of the camera store that since the 18-200 lens is longer with a larger diameter than the kit lens it would cast a shadow. He never mentioned the hood being a problem. Linda mentioned that she found the hood was a problem.

HTH

LOL, OK. Like I said, I've never ever heard of this before.

[kroberts]

Okay, I've read through this thread and am confused (but that's nothing new!:o). I love to take photos and take LOTS of them (and am aiming to post 365 in 2009), but have LOTS to learn about the technical aspects of photography. That is my goal for 2009!

I have a Canon Rebel XT and these Canon lenses:
EFS 18-55mm kit lens
EF 75-300 mm 1:4-5.6 USM (I got this one many years back to use with my SLR.)
EF 50 mm 1:1.8

I use the kit lens and the zoom lens most often. The majority of the photos I take are of nature and small children. I find myself switching lenses frequently, which is something I'd like to avoid if possible.

I've seen several people mention an 18-200 mm lens and like the idea of this one. I've done some googling and found Canon, Tamron, and Sigma lenses. What are your thoughts about any of these with a Rebel XT? I'm hoping to find a lens that is priced at $500ish.

Also, what is the difference in Canon EF and EF-S lenses?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Chuck S.]

Kim, re EF vs. EF-S, the S designation means that it will work on all the Canon DSLR's except the ones that have a full-frame (35 mm size) sensor. The ones that it won't work on are the 1D series and the 5D series. It will work on all the Rebels and the 10-50 D cameras.

So....if you're thinking about moving up to the 5D Mark II (body only: $2700!), you might not want to buy an S series lens....:)

I have one S-series lens (10-22 mm) and it's very nice. And no, I'm not worried about moving up.....:D

[kroberts]

Kim, re EF vs. EF-S, the S designation means that it will work on all the Canon DSLR's except the ones that have a full-frame (35 mm size) sensor. The ones that it won't work on are the 1D series and the 5D series. It will work on all the Rebels and the 10-50 D cameras.

So....if you're thinking about moving up to the 5D Mark II (body only: $2700!), you might not want to buy an S series lens....:)

I have one S-series lens (10-22 mm) and it's very nice. And no, I'm not worried about moving up.....:D

Chuck,

Thanks for the info. I'm not worried about moving up, so an S-series lens won't be a concern for me either!

What are your thoughts about the 18-200 mm lenses and the differences in Canon, Sigma, and Tamron?

[Chuck S.]

Kim, I haven't gone the ultrazoom route. While it's a great concept, the reviews I've read indicate there are quality trade-offs, i.e., no lens is perfect throughout that wide range. Some are better in the wide end, some in the middle, and some at the tele end. I prefer to use multiple lenses to cover the range, but that has its drawbacks as well: portability and cost!

For now, I'm sticking to the lenses that I have which cover 10 mm to 200 mm - although it takes 3 or 4 to cover that range.

I'm sure you'll get some feedback from folks who have used the ultrazooms and are pleased with the results!

[kroberts]

Thanks, Chuck!

[Inspeqtor]

Kim,

You may want to visit another forum about Canon cameras specifically for Canon cameras called Canon Digital Photography (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/). This forum is HUGE. There are 563 members online right now. On this forum you can learn about all the Canon cameras, lenses, attachments, exposure, histogram, the field is wide open.

[kroberts]

Charles, Thanks! I've done some more googling today and keep coming up with different options. I'll definitely check out that forum to see what else I can learn!

[Inspeqtor]

Kim,

I feel I should give you a word of warning about the Canon forum. You will definitely fall into the JOML club (learned this from Chuck!)

After viewing the many photos from the people on that forum you will feel the need for Just One More Lens!

[kroberts]

Kim,

I feel I should give you a word of warning about the Canon forum. You will definitely fall into the JOML club (learned this from Chuck!)

After viewing the many photos from the people on that forum you will feel the need for Just One More Lens!

Charles,

OH NO! I do want JOML right now, so I'm being choosy about which threads I read there and only looking at the ones that have a wide range. I spent awhile last night and will spend more time before I decide what to get so that after I make my purchase I don't want JOML very soon!:eek:

[Not4wood]

Just One More Lens.................................... Too funny!!

Happy New Year Everybody!

I was looking at JOML for upgrading to get a very Sharp Lens. BTW, (Im into Nikon) I looked at the 70-200 and even though it is sharp it is very very expensive. I too have the Kit Lens 18-135 and I had gotten a bit of a more zoom with a 70-300 but between my 2 pieces of Glass my 70-300 is not even as sharp as my Kit Lens.

So, I wanted something that is "Tack Sharp". I am thinking of either the new Nikon 50mm f:1.4, 60mm Macro f:2.8 and the 105mm which is also suppesed to be so sharp we could all shave with. I will probably use this for Portraits and I want to be able to use the baby Telephoto as a general walking around glass. So I automatically dumped the 105mm cause on my Nikon D80 I have a 1.5x frame just like you do with the Rebel. Theres not much difference in price between the two others and I'm leaning towards the 60mm only because it does have the Macro on it, and it will give me something else to play with if I continue to shoot flowers like I have been.

Its the reasoning, the rationalizing that will make you accept even the thought of spending this much money on a piece of Glass. So, my wife and I ended up in the camera store last Saturday, (wife wanted to buy me the new lens) and of course they didn't have the Glass in stock so I ordered it. While I was there I did have my own money and I picked up a Flash. I got the SB900, OMG this thing is just as sophisticated as my camera. In my case its "JOM" just one more not necesarrily the lens... Hahahahahaha

[MorphineKisses]

OK, everyone, what's the range of your favorite walkaround lens? 17-55? 18-70? 24-85? (no need to bring aperture into the discussion just yet).

I'm beginning to maybe think about considering my next addition. Perhaps.

Just curious about what others like.

Thanks,
Mike

There's far too many pages on this thread to read them all and catch up, so I'm going to answer the general question. On my D80 I really do love my 18/135. For the film I have an old Zenit Em and I tend to use the 2/58 on it the most. I also have an old Sears RF5 and like the 48mm on it. I think it really just depends on the camera ones using and where they are walking around!

[Inspeqtor]

MorphineKisses,

Welcome to the Village!

Mike,

Have you decided on a new Walkaround lens yet????

[MorphineKisses]

Thank you!
The village seems very friendly and, welcoming.