ATTN: Photography Experts!

[Mike Lowrey]

I need some opinions on lens selection. I am starting off into my first dSLR and need some help with picking the best lenses. My budget is about $2k for the stuff listed below:

1. Canon Rebel XTi ($720)
2. Ultra II 2 GB CF Card (x2) ($100)
3. Camera Bag ($100)


I am set on the above items, but am looking into 2 lenses that will give me the most versatility and quality for the remaining $1k left.

Some lenses I am looking at:

a. Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DF ($430)
b. Canon 60mm f/2.8 EF Macro ($450)
c. Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX APO ($780)

I am open to suggestions on these lenses or other choices that may be better.

Thanks!

[Sentra]

The XTi is a nice camera. I have one but its not the main one I use. All EF lenses are nice. But if your looking for night time pictures, the IS lenses are really nice.

[imbosile]

I would say go with lenses A and C, right now I only have a 70-300, and a 50mm. Trust me, you will feel really limited not having that lower range.

[Mike Lowrey]

I would say go with lenses A and C, right now I only have a 70-300, and a 50mm. Trust me, you will feel really limited not having that lower range.

Are those good choices or are there other lenses I should consider for the money?

[Jaimecbr900]

You will get more use on a day to day basis out of the 24-70 lens. The 70-200 2.8's are usually good lenses. The L lenses are the best of them all, but are very expensive. I shot with Joey's once, and I was hooked. Got me one right away. It's a great lens for outdoor sports. It won't work so well for like an indoor show though. You can also use the kit 18-55, which is so-so, and spend your money on a combo of big zoom and 50mm 1.8 or better prime.

I'll show you my stuff on Sunday if you want.

[Mike Lowrey]

You will get more use on a day to day basis out of the 24-70 lens. The 70-200 2.8's are usually good lenses. The L lenses are the best of them all, but are very expensive. I shot with Joey's once, and I was hooked. Got me one right away. It's a great lens for outdoor sports. It won't work so well for like an indoor show though. You can also use the kit 18-55, which is so-so, and spend your money on a combo of big zoom and 50mm 1.8 or better prime.

I'll show you my stuff on Sunday if you want.

Cool. Thank Jaime!

[Mike Lowrey]

Found another lens that looks interesting.

Canon Zoom Telephoto EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM Autofocus Lens ($557)


Which would you rather have?

Canon Zoom Telephoto EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM Autofocus Lens ($557)
or
Sigma Zoom Telephoto 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO Macro HSM Autofocus Lens ($889)


I am thinking of pairing one of the above lenses with this one to start:

Sigma Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro DF Autofocus Lens ($429)


Thoughts? Suggestions?

[SniperJoe]

Just a bit more information for the more advanced photogs out there: Rich's primary mission this year is going to be photographing oddly-shaped and brightly-colored cars going the wrong way around a little track in Indiana.

[HachiDori]

I'll show you my stuff on Sunday if you want. [/QUOTE] LMAO
sorry i had too. btw: i still have my stock shitty lense kit. doh'

[Mike Lowrey]

Just a bit more information for the more advanced photogs out there: Rich's primary mission this year is going to be photographing oddly-shaped and brightly-colored cars going the wrong way around a little track in Indiana.

I only take pictures of Toyota's.........

[Nemesis]

where's jo3y r3Dm0ndd the Ph0to gawd h1m53lf!?

[Mike Lowrey]

where's jo3y r3Dm0ndd the Ph0to gawd h1m53lf!?

What? You too good to leave suggestions?

[speedminded]

Microcenter has 2GB CF cards for $19.99, I bought 3 the last sale....they are kinda slow when uploading to the computer but not too much of an issue when shooting with the buffer on my XTI....bursting RAW it will lag after about 6 or 7 shots.

As for lenses, the kit lens sucks...trust me. There's a Canon 70-200mm F/2.8 L non-IS on craigslist for $800. Then you'll want a 24-70 F/2.8L or a 28-105 F3.5-4.5L for everyday all around use....by then you've surpassed the budget by far.

[speedminded]

XTI with 55mm kit lens...

[Nemesis]

What? You too good to leave suggestions?

My personal opinions often end up being bombarded with flamage lol

But yes, if you decide to go with anything from the Sigma line, get HSM and nothing less. Also be sure that you are getting the macro version of the 24-70. Dont settle for anything more than 2.8, and be sure that when (if you are going local) try the lens in the store and double check the return policy. Take the lens home and check the IQ of the lens in low light situations and be sure it doesnt hunt excessively for focus. If it does and it has trouble take it back.

[Nemesis]

XTI with 55mm kit lens...

Purple Fringe ack!

[Nemesis]

Also remember, if you arent really doing this as a profession and what to keep it for a hobby for the most part, youll be fine with a high end all-around zoom lens. Id maybe consider a high end 18-200 style lens. That way you keep lens changing to a minimum and fouling up your sensor to a minimum as well. Itll also ease some of the load on carrying all kinds of equipment. Youll save money in the end and your back will thank you. Also, 90 percent of the people that probably will be viewing your pictures would probably think you're a star photographer just by any photos you post from any lens you have. Not being sarcastic but its true for the majority of consumer photo viewers. The other 10 percent of photographers could probably tell in different quality lenses. But our opinions dont matter, only yours and that 90 percent does.

[speedminded]

Purple Fringe ack!

wasn't really overexposed but no UV filter and the tailight area is wayyy out of focus. yeah yeah, Nikons own on low light situations, blah!

*edit*
oh yeah, think that was at F/4.0 or so...would have came out with a 2.8 or less

[CodyW]

Found another lens that looks interesting.

Canon Zoom Telephoto EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM Autofocus Lens ($557)


Which would you rather have?

Canon Zoom Telephoto EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM Autofocus Lens ($557)
or
Sigma Zoom Telephoto 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO Macro HSM Autofocus Lens ($889)


I am thinking of pairing one of the above lenses with this one to start:

Sigma Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro DF Autofocus Lens ($429)


Thoughts? Suggestions?

i had the same debate a while back and ended up getting the canon F4L, and i've been really happy with it (plus, canon was running a really good rebate deal at the time which made it too hard to pass up).

[Nemesis]

wasn't really overexposed but no UV filter and the tailight area is wayyy out of focus. yeah yeah, Nikons own on low light situations, blah!

*edit*
oh yeah, think that was at F/4.0 or so...would have came out with a 2.8 or less

lol no Im just saying theres fringe along the lighting above the SUV.

[Mike Lowrey]

i had the same debate a while back and ended up getting the canon F4L, and i've been really happy with it (plus, canon was running a really good rebate deal at the time which made it too hard to pass up).

I am leaning towards the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L Lens ($557). How much will I miss without the IS. The IS version is like 3x the cost. Is it worth it?

[speedminded]

I am leaning towards the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L Lens ($557). How much will I miss without the IS. The IS version is like 3x the cost. Is it worth it?

depends what you're shooting....if you're doing cars around a track i wouldn't worry about it too much. For the cost of the f/4.0 IS you could get a f/2.8 non-IS.

[sweetcarz02]

where's jo3y r3Dm0ndd the Ph0to gawd h1m53lf!?

I prefer the cell phone shot......

[Mike Lowrey]

^^ Nice. LOL.

[The Yousef]

I prefer the cell phone shot......

[AnthonyF]

i wish i knew what you guys were talking about i need a camera but have no idea what everythng means

[speedminded]

i wish i knew what you guys were talking about i need a camera but have no idea what everythng means

You have to ask yourself what's your budget and what do you plan on doing with it? From there you can decide on a fixed lens (point & shoot) or a DSLR...