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Help with Lenses

::cynlee
04/02/07 12:34 AM GMT
If this topic is covered elsewhere, please feel free to direct me to the thread. I want to add to my repetoire of one lens (18-55mm kit lens) for my Canon Rebel XT and I have gone around and around checking them out. I think I want a zoom lens like the Tamron 18-250mm or maybe one lens to cover the lower range and another for telephoto. I thought I liked the Tamron 24-135mm f3.5 lens, but I am not sure if it is for the smaller sensor of the Rebel XT. The 24-135mm Tamron has a $30 rebate until 4/30/07 and I could get it for $329 bottom line. The Tamron 18-250mm Tamron, which I know can be used on my camera is $499, not out of my budget, which is why I am shying away from the Canon line even though I have heard that the L series lenses are the best there are. I have found good reviews on it in several places. I can't seem to find too much information on the Tamron 18-250mm because it is so new. If there is something else out there that you think I should consider, I would be more than happy to consider it. I am not a pro, but I have a fairly good idea about things like 'fast' lenses, wide angle, telephoto, macro, apertures, etc. I don't know what an 'AF' lens is. Please point me in a good direction if you can. Thank you in advance.
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You will be led to the knowledge of the internal things which are invisible to you, by the external things which you see before you. . . . Even so then, we can represent to ourselves in thought the Author of all that is, by contemplating and admiring the (visible) things which He has made, and ever brings into being. - Hermes

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.noahnott
04/02/07 1:07 AM GMT
AF = auto focus
MF = manual focus
IS = image stabilization

If you use a film lens on a digital body (and if it fits the mount), the 'crop factor' will just help you zoom in. Like a 200mm lens would become a, oh, 300mm lens (about 1.5-1.6x).

That's good for zooming in and what not, but not-so-good for wide angle shots.

...other than that, i can't respond to any of your other comments. :-S All I know is that i love my 18-35, 50, and 80-200, all 'film' lenses. :)
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::cynlee
04/02/07 1:22 AM GMT
That I did know. I just can't tell if a lens is for a film camera or a digital slr with the small sensor unless they spell it out and often times, it is not specified.
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You will be led to the knowledge of the internal things which are invisible to you, by the external things which you see before you. . . . Even so then, we can represent to ourselves in thought the Author of all that is, by contemplating and admiring the (visible) things which He has made, and ever brings into being. - Hermes
::third_eye
04/02/07 1:27 AM GMT
Cindy, here is a list of lenses specifically for Canon DSLR's at the B&H web site. they don't just have Canon lenses here, but other brands as well
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Hi,my name is Rob..ok, so I'm not the greatest at replies and comments. Sorry. For anyone needing to contact me, my email is back up in my profile. >> my cluttered mess of a gallery
::cynlee
04/02/07 1:29 AM GMT
Thanks, Rob. I'll check that out.
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You will be led to the knowledge of the internal things which are invisible to you, by the external things which you see before you. . . . Even so then, we can represent to ourselves in thought the Author of all that is, by contemplating and admiring the (visible) things which He has made, and ever brings into being. - Hermes
.MiLo_Anderson
04/02/07 2:37 AM GMT
You shouldn't have worry about it being a "film" lens. All it means is that you can use it on a film camera (or a canon 5d, which has a full frame sensor). If you put a "film" lens on a digital camera it just doesn't use all of the glass, which some would tell you is a good thing since often the centre of the glass is the best part. A digital lens has a smaller circle that fits to the smaller digital sensor. So if you put one of them on a full frame camera (film) then you are going to get bad stuff. The only problem is sometimes older lenses wont talk with the newer cameras properly and you might have trouble with that. You should be fine if they are newer lenses though. I'm sure someone smarter in the canon line will chime in and give you a definite answer.
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No one wanted to pay to say something in my sig, so i will have to try and think of something creative now...
::mia04
04/02/07 9:24 AM GMT
Hi Cindy, I know exactly what you mean - I'm facing the same questions, and each week I'm deciding on some other lens... Well, at least I know what I want for the tele end, but the standard zoom is still open to debate.
I found these (english) sites very useful:
Photozone, Lensplay and Bob Atkins. There is also a review of the new Tamson lens: Review.
Perhaps there is something new for you...
Anyway, let me know what you are going to do, it may help me with my own decisions!
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For every complex problem, there is a solution that is simple, plausible, and wrong. - H. L. Mencken
.isaacp
04/02/07 10:00 AM GMT
all new lenses (ie after about 1975) that advertise a canon mount or says it fits a canon camera will work with your rebel XT, the sigma 55-200 would fit nicely into your kit starting where your 18-55 finishes and shouldnt be to expensive, although it isnt very fast (f4 - f5.6) Sigma 55 -200. or if you hav a few more pennies lying around the 50-500 would be very nice :) its starting to sound like i like my sigmas, i'm usually a canon man but ive had my eyes on the 12-24 full frame 8-) but its about $1000 over here so a little more saving for me :(
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+ppigeon
04/03/07 6:35 AM GMT
Cindy: the new Sigma 18-200 OS will be very good for your XT
Link. Available for Canon or Nikon digital cams.
OS is the same than IS in Canon language: image stabilisation. You'll need it...
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-Pierre-
::cynlee
04/03/07 12:59 AM GMT
Thanks everyone. I haven't decided yet. Pierre, I checked out that new Sigma 18-200 with OS and it won't be released until May at a $550 sticker price. A little higher than Tamron's. I have been checking out the auctions too, perchance something good gets posted. Who knows. I can't believe the amount of agonizing that goes into this. No wonder some people own so many lenses. I just have to be a frugal shopper and buy one or two that will last for a long time. I just wish the Canon's were cheaper. They remind me of the 'printer' manufacturers. They sell you a printer for really cheap and soak you for the ink. (Canon).
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You will be led to the knowledge of the internal things which are invisible to you, by the external things which you see before you. . . . Even so then, we can represent to ourselves in thought the Author of all that is, by contemplating and admiring the (visible) things which He has made, and ever brings into being. - Hermes
&trisbert
04/03/07 2:37 PM GMT
Just a thought for you Cindy. Your camera will last a few years, but your lenses can last many many years. I have lenses that are 30 years old and still working well. With that in mind I think it makes sense to buy the very best lens you can afford even if it means buying half as many as you would like.
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There are three colours, Ten digits and seven notes, its what we do with them that’s important. Ruth Ross
+ppigeon
04/03/07 4:07 PM GMT
Totally agree. It's better to buy a medium body with the best lens, than a top cam and a cheap lens...
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-Pierre-
::cynlee
04/04/07 4:33 AM GMT
Does anyone have an opinion on the Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4.5 lens?
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You will be led to the knowledge of the internal things which are invisible to you, by the external things which you see before you. . . . Even so then, we can represent to ourselves in thought the Author of all that is, by contemplating and admiring the (visible) things which He has made, and ever brings into being. - Hermes
&trisbert
04/04/07 6:36 AM GMT
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There are three colours, Ten digits and seven notes, its what we do with them that’s important. Ruth Ross
.Canuck_Photo_Guy
04/05/07 1:26 PM GMT
if you'd like to add a lens I suggest something that compliments your kit lens (18-55mm) rather than replacing it (ie focal lengths that cover what you've already got).

I've had reasonable success with my Sigma 70-300mm (add the correction factor and it becomes a pretty long lens, approx 480mm). I have the 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG MACRO, which is really good for the money (I payed about $200 Canadian for it). But I would recommend the model up from it, the 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG MACRO. The difference between the two is that the second one uses SLD glass (similar to Canon's L series, but not quite as top notch, after all the L series is the best...but you pay for it too). Essentially, the SLD glass minimizes color aberration, which can happen at the longer focal lengths.

So, I suppose it's the age old balancing act...how much can you afford? As trisbert mentioned above, lenses will last a long time and you should try to get the best you can afford.
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"To photograph is to hold one's breath, when all faculties converge to capture fleeting reality. It's at that precise moment that mastering an image becomes a great physical and intellectual joy." ~ Henri Cartier-Bresson

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