gregh

Hi all,

I'm picking some brains on what lens to get for my Canon 300D.

I currently just have the kit lens that came with the camera.

I want a bigger zoom to take things like:

cars on trackdays
my kids at sports days, playing at the end of the garden without them knowing I'm taking a pic etc
wildlife
more detail on corals etc in my marine tank


I'm likely to be in the US in the coming months, so could take advantage of the $ pricing.

I also don't want to spend the earth. This is my first SLR so I'm still learning about it.

Lastly could I get a decent zoom lens that would also be better at macro shots than the kit lenses or is that asking the

impossible?

cheers,

greg

PG

Diablo refered to this the other day.

Diablo

Yup, its a great lens for the money.

Would be an effective 480 mm with the 1.6 crop factor

D

Diablo

You'd need to look elsewhere for a good macro though.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0502/05...s60mmmacro.asp

Looks good

gregh

cheers, so am I right in assuming I cannot get a decent zoom and better macro in one lens?

regards

greg

AndyC_772

iTrader: (2)

Not really. Long zooms tend not to be able to focus very close - that's not what they're really for, after all. Macro lenses, meanwhile, are always fixed focal length, and 100mm is about the longest.

alistair

Sounds like good advice - that 100-300 seems like a good choice. The only other things you may want to consider are things like how often you want to change the lens over and what the majority of your use will be.

If you don't use the wide end much, then the 28-135 IS gets good reviews, but doesn't cover the long end.

If you don't do too much Macro work, you could also consider the extension tubes in either 12 or 25mm. These move the lens further away from the sensor, so allowing closer focussing. These are slightly more fiddly, but you can use them with any lens and they'll last you a lifetime.

Venturing into more serious money is the 70-300 DO lens which is much smaller - depends on your requirements really.

I'm saving up for the 28-300 L. I used to have the 35-350 and shouldn't have sold it - I really miss having a single lens I can use that will cover everything - there are times when you're not sure what you'll need and either don't want to carry a second lens or won't be able to change them over easily.

Where abouts in the US are you going ? If it's NY then B&H is worth a visit just for the experience....

Al

gregh

I normally fly into JFK, but then work is around an hours drive away in CT, so I never get to the city!

A 28-300 sounds interesting, do Sigma or other budget lens do something similiar? I like the idea of one lens!

cheers,

greg

Harry_Boy

Mmm..... Now that looks a decent bit of snapper kit....

Daryl

This Sigma 18-200 would fit the bill. With such a long zoom range, there will be compromises, but with the 1.6 crop of your 300D, you get the equivalent of 28-300.

That really is a great range to have covered in one small lens and would make the perfect 'walkaround' lens

pslewis

I'm looking at some secondhand Canon Lenses tomorrow ........ someone selling up. I guess this is the most cost effective way of getting a bag of lenses for hopefully not much money!?

Pete

Daryl

Which ones?

pslewis

Not exactly sure, got a call saying he will bring them into work Monday and I can have a look ........ one is definately a Sigma, which is unfortunate (unless he has the original receipt, then Sigma charge only postage to re-chip).

The others are a mystery as yet .... I was offered a kit lens which came with the EOS Cameras ..... I'm guessing, but would 28-90 seem correct? Anyway they wanted £50'ish which is too much for that lens and it duplicates too much of my 18-55 range.

Secondhand is definately the way to go ...... find someone with an EOS SLR and Lenses .... they struggle to sell those at the moment, but - buy the camera with lenses at the right price and you can get hold of some bargain lenses ..... then chuck the old SLR away!

Pete

Daryl

Sigma also do this 28-300 macro, which may fit the bill. The Macro setting is 1:3, which means objects will appear at one third of their actual size (I think!).