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Old 09-12-2008, 10:01 AM
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matt
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Wink Happy Xmas to me....

Well....I've bitten the bullet and made a decision on which camera will be my first DSLR.

After much feedback, for which I am most grateful, I have placed an order this morning for a Canon 40D body

I plan to eventually have this camera modded for astro use...but in the meantime will use it for widefields and terrestrial work.

I didn't buy a kit, because I'm just not sure which lens/s to opt for and wasn't certain what suits my needs. I also am not sure the lens that comes in a kit is as good an option as spending a little more later for a real 'keeper' lens.

On this, I would certainly appreciate any feedback or suggestions.

I guess I'll need something for everyday/general use...as well as a specialised lens or two.

Anyway...I'm thrilled, and looking forward to posting my first DSO images....soon.
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Old 09-12-2008, 10:23 AM
gbeal
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I am no longer in the Canon fold, but can assure you that whichever Canon lens you get make sure it has that red stripe around it, LOL.
Enjoy the present.
Gary
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Old 09-12-2008, 11:10 AM
Dennis
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Hi Matt

Congratulations – the Canon 40D is an excellent camera and I’m sure you enjoy using it, whether terrestrial or for more cosmic applications.

Cheers

Dennis
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Old 09-12-2008, 11:28 AM
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dugnsuz (Doug)
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Good choice - I'm very happy with my Baader modified 40D.
I went with the kit 18-75mm lens...good for daytime general stuff, but not a patch on the 70-200mm f4L I have now. I saw one on ebay yesterday for $600 "buy it now" - bargain.
Good luck
Doug
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Old 09-12-2008, 11:45 AM
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[1ponders] (Paul)
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good on you Matt. You won't regret it.

Your first lens is over in IceTrades. The Nifty-Fifty 1.8 (on sale by gmbfilter) is one of those lenses that is a must have. for a plastic bodied el cheapo it does a fantastic job when stopped down a few f stops.
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Old 09-12-2008, 11:47 AM
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[1ponders] (Paul)
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Then again if you want one of the top of the line astro lenses then the 135mm f/2 is tack sharp
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Old 09-12-2008, 12:32 PM
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dugnsuz (Doug)
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Spoiled for choice!!!!
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Old 09-12-2008, 01:11 PM
Ian Robinson
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Very nice camera - I have one .

I wont be modding it mine anytime soon.

Lens choice - unless you are willing to buy a front LPF to put on the front of the lens , don't get EF-S type of lenses for astroimaging. EF-S are OK for happysnaps and most everything else.
How deep are your pockets ???
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Old 09-12-2008, 01:37 PM
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Hey folks.

Thanks for the replies and suggestions. Please keep 'em coming.

At this stage, I'm just looking for a good all-purpose (if there is such a thing) workhorse lens which pretty much "lives" on the camera body and produces a great picture...

I'll worry about more specialist lenses later.

Ian - I'm willing to save up and pay for a good lens. I'm in no rush. That's why I've just bought the body at this stage.

Having said that....I'm not sure I'm willing to spend many thousands on a single lens (By that I mean upwards of 3 or 4k). But then again...I've been known to do sillier things!
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Old 09-12-2008, 02:03 PM
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[1ponders] (Paul)
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Quote:
workhorse lens
That pretty much describes the 50


Oh you mean one of those Mehhh zoom lenses . 'spose you could look at the 70-200 f4 L or the 17-40mm f/4
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Old 09-12-2008, 02:12 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by [1ponders] View Post
That pretty much describes the 50


Oh you mean one of those Mehhh zoom lenses . 'spose you could look at the 70-200 f4 L or the 17-40mm f/4
A workhorse 'keeper', thanks....

No offence to that nice little 50, though

Thanks for the suggestions, Paul.
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Old 09-12-2008, 02:13 PM
Ian Robinson
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Quote:
Originally Posted by matt View Post
Hey folks.

Thanks for the replies and suggestions. Please keep 'em coming.

At this stage, I'm just looking for a good all-purpose (if there is such a thing) workhorse lens which pretty much "lives" on the camera body and produces a great picture...

I'll worry about more specialist lenses later.

Ian - I'm willing to save up and pay for a good lens. I'm in no rush. That's why I've just bought the body at this stage.

Having said that....I'm not sure I'm willing to spend many thousands on a single lens (By that I mean upwards of 3 or 4k). But then again...I've been known to do sillier things!
I'd recommend the one I am lusting over at present the EF 70-200mm F/2.8 L IS USM then and maybe a 1.4x or 2x Type II EF L extender .... I'm waiting for the exchange to improve somewhat before bighting that bullet.

I bought my 4OD in a kit with the EF-S 17-85mm f4-5.6 IS USM and like it for happy snaps and general shots, not used it or the camera for astroimaging yet.

I like IS option as I want to use the big lens for more than just astroimaging , same with the extra wide stop. Same with the zoom capacity and possibly slightly less sharp images.
Not in a position to buy 3 or 4 fixed focal lenght L telephotos and L widefields (could easy blow $10-$12k on a fast L 50mm or 80mm , a fast L 135mm , a fast L 200mm and fast L 300mm ).

If I did decide to go for fixed & fastish FL widefields and telephotos I'd be compelled to go for Sigmas instead as Canon are way to expensive. Dpesn't stop me from lusting over them though and they are definitely on MY long term plan of stuff to get ONE DAY ....

That's the biggest trouble with changing camera btands - unless you can get adapters - you can't use the old lenses you accumulated over 20 or 30 years on the new camera !!!! BUMMER !!! And I've got some very nice MINOLTA XD Bayonetted fast widefields , zooms and telephotos - so I am looking for a suitable adapter which will possibly save me buckets of $s .

Last edited by Ian Robinson; 09-12-2008 at 02:31 PM.
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Old 09-12-2008, 06:38 PM
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Thanks, Ian. I appreciate the time and thought you've put into that response

I'm a bit lost when it comes to some of these Canon acronyms...like IS....and USM....L...and EF ....etc

Is there a glossary page or list of terms a Canon newbie can take a squizz at?

Last edited by matt; 09-12-2008 at 06:50 PM.
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Old 09-12-2008, 06:48 PM
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RB (Andrew)
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Congrats Matt.

The Canon 40D is the best APS-C (crop) size camera to come out of Canon yet IMHO !
As for a workhorse lens, I highly recommend the 24-105mm L as a top all-rounder and that's coming from someone who has tried and owns a few lenses.
Later you can get others as your needs arise.

BTW unlike previously posted advice, there's some very nice EF-S lenses, even for astro !

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Old 09-12-2008, 06:51 PM
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xstream (John)
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I went and bought the Canon EF 24-105/f4L IS USM yesterday Matt, you probably won't find anything much more versatile than this.

Quote:
Originally Posted by matt View Post
Hey folks.

Thanks for the replies and suggestions. Please keep 'em coming.

At this stage, I'm just looking for a good all-purpose (if there is such a thing) workhorse lens which pretty much "lives" on the camera body and produces a great picture...
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Old 09-12-2008, 06:53 PM
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Thanks Andrew and John.

I'll have a look at the 24-105mm L.

BTW Andrew...what's an 'APS-C'..???
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Old 09-12-2008, 07:26 PM
Dennis
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Hi Matt

Here is what I have understood so far on my Canon journey:
  • Canon produces EOS camera bodies that have a full-frame sensor, that is, the sensor is the same size as a 35mm negative, around 36mm x 24mm.
  • They also make APS-C sized sensors, such as in the Canon 40D which is only 22.2mm x 14.8mm.
  • EF = the standard lens mount for the current range of all Canon lenses for EOS cameras, as opposed to the previous mount which was known as the FD. EF and FD lenses are not interchangeable.
  • L = Canon “Luxury” Lens. Usually use exotic, expensive glass, are weather proof, mainly made of metal rather than plastic, stand up to professional usage, etc. Here’s a link to Canon Japan for L lenses.
  • EF lenses will mount and work on all Canon EOS bodies, full frame and APS-C.
  • EF-S lenses were designed for APS-C size camera bodies only. I think that the back of the lens is designed to be closer to the sensor, so effectively, the back of the lens pokes into the camera body further, making them incompatible with full frame sensor bodies.
  • IS = Image Stabilisation, where a moving element in the IS lens body compensates for “normal” camera shake due to e.g. hand holding the camera at slow shutter speeds.
Cheers

Dennis

PS - My EF-S 60mm F2.8 macro lens is as sharp as the proverbial razor.
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Old 09-12-2008, 07:26 PM
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RB (Andrew)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by matt View Post
Thanks Andrew and John.

I'll have a look at the 24-105mm L.

BTW Andrew...what's an 'APS-C'..???
It's the size of our sensors in all the Canon DSLR except the 5D the new 5D MkII and the Pro 1Dx series which is a Full Frame 35mm sensor.
The APS-C size is smaller which gives a cropped FOV in respect to the Full Frame sensor.

EDIT: yep what Dennis said, sorry posted at the same time.
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Old 09-12-2008, 07:50 PM
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Octane (Humayun)
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Matt,

Congratulations on your new purchase.

I will also vouch for the Canon EF 24-105 f/4L IS USM lens. It is tops.

If you'd like to see some images, head on over to the terrestrial photography section and have a look at a few of my latest shots.

If you do end up purchasing an L you're going to be spoilt. I ghettoed it up using standard EF lenses for a long time, and even did a fair amount of astrophotography using them (do a search in the deep sky forum for my posts). The moment I put the new lens on... wow! You notice the vibrance and sharpness, immediately.

If you're not in a position to splurge and are after a standard all round performer, I strongly recommend the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 over the f/1.8. For starters it is built a lot better and is faster. I've been able to shoot New Years Eve fireworks with that lens in fully automatic mode, whilst on a boat on the harbour, and the images have come out superb.

Also, listen to Andrew.

Regards,
Humayun
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Old 09-12-2008, 07:51 PM
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Thanks guys
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