Camera Lens Selection

Post by **racer12306** » Sun Nov 29, 2009 10:10 am

I can shoot the pics, but I've never had to select hardware. The film camera I have was my Uncle's and all I really know is the lens sizes (28mm, 55mm, 85-200mm). It's an old Canon so I doubt the lenses will fit a new Canon. (by old I mean very old, probably 30 years old)

I've decided to go with the Canon EOS XSi over the Nikon D3000 due to how it fits in my hands and the self-cleaning image sensor plus from what I'm read it is better for action shots.

So I'm looking at a few options for places to purchase and how to purchase....

Option 1:
Package deal from Best Buy, includes black body, Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens and a Canon 55-250mm f/4-5.6 Telephoto Zoom Lens for $771.84

Option 2:
The same body, same 18-55mm lens however use of this SIGMA 70-300mm MACRO lens

Option 3:
Again, the same body, same 18-55 lens and use this Tamron 70-300mm MACRO lens

Thoughts?

Post by **Canada** » Sun Nov 29, 2009 1:45 pm

#1.

The 18-55 is a good multi purpose lens for just fooling around with and testing settings.

Of the other bundles, I feel you will get more use out of the 55-250. You will seldom go to 300mm and if you do, you'd want a higher quality lens anyway. I can shoot at 300mm with that same lens if its really sunny and nice, but you bascially need some type of additonal support for your camera at the length.

darthroush · Post by **darthroush** » Sun Nov 29, 2009 2:39 pm

I am actually going to be buying an XSi as well. Time to upgrade.

Check this site out:
http://www.slrisland.com/products.asp?d ... t_id=10170
At the moment, I think I'll be buying from them when the time comes.

farmboy · Post by **farmboy** » Sun Nov 29, 2009 2:45 pm

I aggree with Chris. I have that same camera and bought it as a package deal with the 18-55mm EF/S lens and a 75-300mm EF lens. I LOVE how close the 300mm shots appear, but since it's not a EF/S lens, you have to be super steady with your shots or you get lens shake. I'm currently looking at replacing that one with the same lens but with the image stabilization feature...expensive but worth it to me.

Talk to Best Buy about paying the difference to replace the 55-250 EF lens with the EF/S version. You'll pay more but will be much happier having the image stabilizing and will have more versatility with not HAVING to utilize a tripod or monopod as much. You still can of course...but the NEED of a tripod won't be as great.

Paul56 · Post by **Paul56** » Sun Nov 29, 2009 6:15 pm

Evaluate those zoom lenses based partially on the f-stop numbers.

The larger the f number the less light that gets through the lenses so the more desirable lenses are those with the smaller f stop numbers.

Obviously budget comes into play, but you WILL notice a difference.

Post by **racer12306** » Sun Nov 29, 2009 7:49 pm

This is in the description of the 55-250mm lens in the Best Buy package:

bestbuy.com wrote:Telephoto zoom lens with optical image stabilizer maintains image clarity, even with slow shutter speeds (up to 4 stops correction)

So I guess that's the way to go.

Here's hoping this deal is still around in a month or so.

farmboy · Post by **farmboy** » Sun Nov 29, 2009 9:17 pm

keep in mind that the stabilization does not work on moving objects, (ie: a running person, subject turning while you're shooting, etc.), it only compensates for your potential shakiness when shooting.

Post by **racer12306** » Sun Nov 29, 2009 9:22 pm

That's all I need. I wouldn't expect any camera or lens to compensate for a 250-300mph vehicle.

This is a pic I took with a film camera a few years ago. The car was going approximately 250mph.

2005.Neon.SXT · Post by **2005.Neon.SXT** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 1:41 am

I personally don't see why you would really need to get the "i" version. I have the Rebel XS, and it's been working great for me. I honestly wish I had waited for the T1i since it does HD video (the XS, and XSi I believe, don't do video).

With the XSi all you're really getting is the bigger LCD Display on the back and.. 2MP more than the XS. The MP you can make up for, I'm sure, with a better lense and the bigger display isn't really worth the extra money...

I say get the XS. But if it's a packaged deal and it's better to get the "i" then go ahead lol..

*EDIT*

Also, for those 70-300mm lenses (unless I'm missin it somewhere in the description), make sure it has the image stabilizer option otherwise you'll need a tripod for a lot of high zoom shots. The 55-250mm lense has the stabilizer built in (it's the same exact lense I'm looking to buy whenever I can get the $250). Whatever you get man, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.