Lenses for Canon 30D

[bayhli]

Hi all,

I've pretty much decided to follow Robyn and purchase the 30D, preferring the larger LCD monitor and not seeing much of a price difference between it and the 20D as yet.

I know I want to do Macro so the Canon 100mm USM will be the first extra lens I acquire also.

My problem is which all round lens to buy to start with. Upgrading from a Canon G5, I can see that I won't be able to afford new lenses very often so choosing the right one will be very important. I plan to use the lens for at least a year to learn what I may need in the future as per the excellent advice from former threads on this forum.

I'm most definitely a hobbyist and use the camera for family events and individual shots, landscapes, general types of close-ups. Not much sportsy motion stuff. I have a tripod but I'd want to be able to use the camera and lens sponataneously i.e. hand-held, which means it would have to be uncumbersome (such a word?) enough to comfortably carry around attached to the camera, & stable enough not to cause blur from shaking.

I've been researching on a Canon photography equipment forum for some time but it hasn't helped - just made my head swim :eek: . Most of it went over my head, lots of discussion but no answers. Man what a difference from this forum!! Lots of talk about prime lenses ?? What does this mean - just that it is a fixed lens?

I'd sure appreciate some advice on a versatile starter lens. Other members experiences with lenses with the 20D or equivalent would be invaluable!

Many thanks...

[Carbone]

Hi Pat,

Get the kit lens (17-85 I think it is). It will serve your needs very well, and it leave you money to consider a macro lens.

Ray
P.S. Did you get me p. e-mail ?

[bayhli]

Hi Ray,

Thanks for the quick response and yes I did get your email, thanks so much! I got side-tracked with your movie that I am watching as we speak (on pause at the moment). I'm really enjoying hearing you - just love that French accent!! It's terrific, I don't know what you were worried about :) . Really well done, I love the way you "whip" away the screens when you're finished with them!

Now... what about the Sigma lenses ? Are they something I should be looking at as well or just certain ones.

[GaryK]

Pat

I tend to agree with Ray about the kit lens.. reletively small and a capable lens.. good for what you indicated. I've been eyeing that macro for a while, but finances dictate another strategy:D ..but it is VERY tempting.

Edit:

Prime lenses are just as you said, one focal length. Because of their contruction they tend to be sharper/faster lenses for a VERY reasonable price. The only way to zoom with one is to move closer.

[bayhli]

Thanks Gary,

Yeh....my funds dictated another strategy for the macro too - my birthday's coming up in a couple of months and I'm hoping hubby will come through! :)

[Carbone]

Pat,

Everybody keeps wanting a 100mm Macro these days, and I have not researched the subject as I got a 50mm Macro. That's why I can't speak for the Sigma on any other than the ones I have already :

- 30mm (sweeeeet lens!)
- 50mm Macro (it's perfect, and the price was right)
- 20mm (very big, almost fat, and noisy, but it's ok).

My spouse has a Sigma 28-105mm and would not use anything else. It's not compatible with my 10D, it crashes the 10D. It's bit faster than my 28-105 Canon (mine is a f/3.5-5.6 and the Sigma is a f/2.8-5.6)

BTW, everyone, if you buy compatible lens(es) always, always make sure you ask the reseller about compatibility issue with your current camera (i.e. Rebel XT, Canon 30D, etc.). This is valid for Tamron, Sigma and other manufacturers. Some lenses, when they stay too long at the store, need to be retrofitted (have their circuitry upgraded or updated) in order to be compatible with newer bodies.

Ray

[bayhli]

Ray...what do you use the 30mm for?

I guess that's my biggest problem, even after reading I really don't yet grasp how to determine what the various lenses do.

[Carbone]

---THE FOLLOWING IS STUPID ANSWER----

To take pictures.. :D :D :D
(cafeine deprived man needs a fix, or two...)

---END OF STUPIDOS ANSWERS-------------

The 30mm is close to 50mm, like on my old Elan. I got used to shooting with a 50mm (the compositing, the perspective, etc.). The 30mm is an all around less. I personaly don't like zooms, not unless I absolutely have to use them. There's a world of difference when you get close to your subjects which, I believe, the zoom lenses is hiding.

The 30D (as well as the 20D & the 10D) have a multiplication factor of 1.6. That is, the image that is recorded is 1.6 times bigger than the same lens fitted on a full frame (i.e. SLR like an Elan or a Rebel G), because the frame of those camera is smaller (the size of an Advantix or APS camera)

In my particular case, 30mm * 1.6 equals 48mm (very close to 50mm). When I fit my 50mm on my 10D, it becomes a 80mm, a little too big for my indoor needs.

So, I use the 30mm for shooting my cat, the plants, small objects, outdoor shooting, anything goes.

The 20mm is great for landscapes and small places. But the barrel distortion requires a lot of PS CS2 to get rid of.

Ray

[bayhli]

Very Funny Ray! Take pictures indeed... :)

Thanks to you and Gary for the advice. I've been busy reading reviews on the 17-85mm you have recommended and I will very likely go with this one.

The repeated con of the lens is a barrel distortion at 17mm and reportedly the best sharpness is at 24-85mm. Do I know what this means in terms of affecting what I can shoot well - NO! However, the "pros" for the lens are still good and it does seem to suit what I want to do for now.

Now to find the best deal in Canada for the camera.

Thanks again guys - your help is certainly appreciated!!

[GaryK]

Pat

The barrel distortion at 17mm would mean you get a slight fish-eye effect when you are at the widest view. I'm not sure how bad it is, it may only be really noticeable if you have parallel lines. They will tend to bulge in the middle. You would have to check the images in the reviews to see if it would be that bad for.

Same goes for the sharpness. It sounds like when you are zoomed right out it may be a little soft until you get into the higher zoom settings.

To be quite honest, I think you would find that any zoom in that price range (some would argue any zoom at all) will have some weak points.

[Carbone]

Pat,

Most zoom will not give their best at either ends (17 or 85). That doesn't mean you won't be satisfied with what's out of a picture shot at 17 or 85. It just means the best is away from these limits. The barrel distortion is also amplified if you shot close subjects. If you go out and shoot landscape pictures, it will be less noticeable.

Full Photoshop has a nice tool to correct this (if you have it, I'm not sure who does these days). Else there are third party solution to correction this kind of problems.

Also most lenses will give best shaprness at aperture slightly smaller than the max they're capabale of. Example, if you have an f/2.8 lens, it will probably do better at f/8 or close to.

Ray

[bayhli]

Ray & Gary,

OK - that makes me feel better. It seems to be a popular zoom and quite frankly in the photos that were offered I could not see much of a difference with regard to the distortion. I know I won't want to be changing lenses all the time so it certainly seems to be the most useful for me.

I also did some web reading on prime lenses. It does seem like a good way to go too - we'll see after a year if I've learned enough to go this route.

Thank you both. I have to find a better "layman's" site for photography - one I can understand!

[Carbone]

Go there :
http://www.photoworkshop.com/canon/index.html

At the bottom are 3 areas, one offers Rebel XT lessons. From ground up, if you like. Very, very good!

Ray

[bayhli]

Ray !!

I bought the Canon 30D - or does it matter for this?

Checking it out right now in any event.

[GaryK]

Pat

I had a link a while ago for a free elements plugin that corrects barrel distortion. Ill have a look for it, if you think your photos have it enough to worry about. It's just another step in photo correction and to be honest .. the fewer steps the better for me. :D

We sometimes get caught up in specs and hype and for the average user some of these things would never be noticed or used. I'm not saying that some things aren't important, they just might not be as important to you. :)

Enjoy your camera and have some fun with it.
As much as I get frustrated with my results, I find the act of taking pictures puts me in a different frame of mind. Takes me to a peaceful place. :)

[Carbone]

Pat,

No, it doesn't matter. The principles for shooting are the same (depth of field with aperture, motion stopping with exposure time, etc.)

Ray

[bayhli]

I have purchased the Canon 30D kit, which includes the 17-85 IS USM lens, and at a reasonable price. Will have to wait for it a couple of weeks but that's ok by me!

Ray & Gary, I truely appreciate your support and advice. It made all the difference in being totally comfortable with my purchase.

And you are so right Gary.... I do plan on worrying less and just enjoying photography more. It takes me away from everyday too!

Thanks again.....

[GaryK]

Pat

On a whiter note.. do you still have snow???? :D :D

[Carbone]

Well, I am glad you got the camera :)

Another joyful moment... someone buying a Canon.. :D

Ray

[GaryK]

Ray

Two more weeks and I'm there... oh I do hope they are having a sale that week.:D

[bayhli]

Oh God yes.... still lots of snow although it has gone down considerably. Warmed up a bit last week but today was frigid! However, it's coming. My daughter tells me you are walking around in short sleeved shirts down that way. Lucky!!

What camera are you getting Gary?

[Carbone]

Gary... if you spot a Canon EOS 35D... please, have a thought for me ;)

Ray

[bayhli]

Ah... I didn't know that was your dream camera Ray.

Will have to go have a look :)

Update: Well - looks like I bit! :)

[Carbone]

The 35D is a rumoured 10MP camera. It's not actually something previewed by Canon. Yet.. :)

Ray

[GaryK]

Pat

I have the original Rebel. I think it will do me for a while :D.

All I really would like is some faster lenses and maybe a macro, but I really don't mind the close ups you can get with good zoom. I now its not really the same, but for me and my purposes it's fine.

It cooled off here today as well.. wet flurries on and off all day. Supposed to get to mid teens by thursday.. who knows :D

[Wendy]

Gary ...

I still have the original one too ... I have looked at some of the others but they just don't have the same feel to them :). I like mine just as it is and can't really find any reason to change !!

Wendy

[GaryK]

Wendy

I took a sort of demo class for mine last summer, the XT was just out at that time. I got a chance to try the XT (just quickly mind you) and I found it to be ok for me. It was a bit samller but it still felt comfortable in my hands. I really liked the lens the guy had on his.. it felt nice and smooth.

I really like mine though and same as you, I don't really have a compelling reason to upgrade. I may have a compelling urge to do it, but no real reason. :D

[Carbone]

Isn't that a sufficient reason to change.. ? ;) :D

Ray

[Chuck S.]

Hi, all: My 30D is due to be delivered Monday or Tuesday; definitely looking forward to that. Primary lens of choice will probably be the 28-135 IS zoom, which is a pretty sweet lens for a lot of purposes. Secondary will be 17-40 L.

Chuck

[Carbone]

Hi Chuck !

:D

Ray

[Chuck S.]

Hi, Ray! Have you been behaving yourself in my absence?

Nah......:D

[Carbone]

Was I suppose to??? :D

Got a new job, though.

Ray

[GaryK]

Ray

I know...... any reason is a good reason :D ... I just don't have the cash :)


Hey Chuck

Where ya been?

[alfaromeo155]

Canon 30D +17-40 f/4L +70-200 f4/L is the best choice considering cost and performance. dont buy kit lens unless you really want it. I wouldnt