Thread: Lens advice wanted

You should be buying a Nikon

OK got that off my chest...

As for the lenses, kit lenses with any entry DSLR are OK but slow and not built to last. In Canon L-series are the ones to get but cost lots of $'s.

It really depends on what you want to shoot. For example I tend to use a 24-70 most of the time. If image quality isn't high priority then an 18-250 range zoom lens is a good general purpose one.

What to look for in a lens:
Good wide aperture for suitable DOF.
Fast and smooth focusing that doesn't hunt.
Robust zoom that doesn't creep.
Not to heavy for the camera mount. Some of the pro-glass is just to heavy for the entry level camera bodies.

There's another way to look at this. All the EXIF data of pictures you take includes the lens and focal length information. From this you can build up a count of the most common focal lengths you use and buy accordingly. Hence my next lens will most likely be an 85mm prime - here's hoping Nikon updates the 85 f/1.4 soon.

Originally Posted by dm_td5

There's another way to look at this. All the EXIF data of pictures you take includes the lens and focal length information. From this you can build up a count of the most common focal lengths you use and buy accordingly. Hence my next lens will most likely be an 85mm prime - here's hoping Nikon updates the 85 f/1.4 soon.

Somewhere on the net you will find a utility that you can point at a folder and it will export all the exif data into an excel spreadsheet, I used to have it on my old PC but I haven't been able to relocate it yet . It was good because with very little work you could see what focal length etc most of your pics were taken.


Martyn

Originally Posted by Bushie

Somewhere on the net you will find a utility that you can point at a folder and it will export all the exif data into an excel spreadsheet, I used to have it on my old PC but I haven't been able to relocate it yet . It was good because with very little work you could see what focal length etc most of your pics were taken.


Martyn

I just set up several smart albums in aperture to group by focal length and noted down the number of shots in each category.

Len's not home man

Originally Posted by clean32

Len's not home man

Shouldn't you be off somewhere else upsetting christians?

Originally Posted by WhiteD3

Shouldn't you be off somewhere else upsetting christians?

Don't think Christian's home either



Now can we go back to talking about Cameras and Lenses - PLEASE!

Originally Posted by WhiteD3

FYI I'll be looking for a wide angle for landscapes and an allrounder zoom to start with.

As with most things it comes down to $. I don't know Canon but I assume they have a professional range of lenses and if you want great shots then buy these. It really is a case of spend the most amount of money you can on the lens as it almost always equals better quality.

I'm with Pentax and started off with a 16-50mm zoom which is f2.8 throughout the zoom range and weather proof so shooting in the rain isn't an issue. 16mm is just considered wide angle so OK for landscapes and the rest is great for catching an active toddler. Off course you then get LBA (Lens Buyers Addiction) which can lead to an empty pocket and many arguments with the other half while you try and explain that you really need that 60-250 zoom.

Maybe Canon has something similar to PENTAX Photo Gallery so you can see shots taken with the various lenses.

Originally Posted by WhiteD3

Shouldn't you be off somewhere else upsetting christians?

i thought i was upsetting the creationists.


sorry on my and Whites behalf for the mini hijack, we will go back to battle in the correct thread.