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Old 30-06-2008, 10:49 AM
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jjjnettie (Jeanette)
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Budget Lenses

My 20d came with a stock standard 18-55mm lens. I want/need to buy another.
Here is a list of lenses I found that were within my price range.
(I need to add another $20-$60 for delivery)
I'm leaning towards numbers 4 or 6.
Advice anyone?


1.Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM Lens for DSLR -#0293
AU $209.99

2.Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG APO Macro Fr Canon-0112
AU $190.99

3.Sigma AF 55-200mm 55-200 F4-5.6 DC HSM For Canon -1164
AU $159.99

4.Tamron 28-200mm f/3.8-5.6 XR Aspherical Macro Lens-0155
AU $229.99

5.Tamron AF 55-200mm f4-5.6 Macro Lens For Canon-0728
AU $140.00

6.Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 LD 1:2 Macro Lens 4 Cn Nk-0157
AU $166.99
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  #2  
Old 30-06-2008, 11:57 AM
Dennis
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Hi Jeanette

When I compare the results from my older Pentax mount lenses to our newer Canon L lenses, a couple of noticeable differences are Chromatic Aberration and image softness.

With our (1990’s) Sigma 400mm F5.6 and (2006) Sigma 55-200mm for the Pentax, CA is clearly evident wherever there is high contrast. On stars for astrophotography and on the edge of e.g. branches against the bright sky for terrestrial photos. These lenses are also quite soft at full aperture, but they perform much better when stopped down a couple of stops.

Our Canon L lenses haven’t shown any CA on our terrestrial photos and are very sharp wide open, at full aperture.

So in my case, there is a clear difference between our previous budget lenses and the much more expensive Canon L lenses. I suspect that on 6”x4” prints, you would have to look quite hard to spot the difference, but on my monitor at 100%, the difference in image quality is very obvious.

Cheers

Dennis
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  #3  
Old 30-06-2008, 12:08 PM
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dugnsuz (Doug)
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...you seem to be set on zooms, but the Canon EF 50mm f1.8 MkII is a great prime lens for around $125. Very sharp, and good for widefield astro work too...
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/R...ns-Review.aspx

Cheers
Doug
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Old 30-06-2008, 12:19 PM
Dennis
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Have a look at these Canon-fit lens reviews to help with your decision making. Not all on your list appear there.

Cheers

Dennis
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Old 30-06-2008, 02:25 PM
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[1ponders] (Paul)
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I agree totally with Doug. A Canon kit just isn't complete without the nifty fifty.
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Old 30-06-2008, 02:34 PM
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Hi J,

what do you want to use the lenses for?

The 18-55 and the tele-zooms you ask about are useless for astro-photography - they just don't have the speed (aperture), low distortion, lack of chromatic aberation etc that you need.

The 20D is a far better camera than the lenses are...

On the other hand, if they are for holiday and family snapshots, then they are fine - probably better than any of the ones I list below due to their smaller size and weight.

If you want something for astro and are on a tight budget, then I'd say go for the 50 f1.8 like Doug said and also a longer fixed tele like 100 or 135 mm.

Otherwise, if you really want a zoom, then the Canon 70 - 200 L f4 is hard to beat - only the 70 - 200 L f2.8 is any better. The f4 version has a rrp of about $1300, but if you shop around, you can get them for about $600 - $650. Apart from the smaller aperture, this lens will equal or outperform almost any fixed lens (eg 100 mm f2) and certainly any of the zooms that you mention.
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Old 30-06-2008, 08:24 PM
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jjjnettie (Jeanette)
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Thank you all very much for your input.
It's given me something to think about.
I need a zoom lens for taking pics at local camp drafts and horse shows etc.
I'm limited with astrophotography because I only have an alt az mount at the moment.
So the "nifty 50" seems to be the lens of choice for day to day photography and wide field astrophotography.
And I'll read through the reviews that Dennis gave the link to, to decide on the best budget zoom lens.
Cheers
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Old 01-07-2008, 06:37 AM
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acropolite (Phil)
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Jeanette, the Sigma 17-70 is a good step up from the kit lens and not too expensive ($300-400 depending on where you buy). Quite a few members including Mike and myself have them, I bought mine after favourable comments by Terry Lovejoy in this thread. I've only pointed mine skywards once and was pleasantly surprised with the results. The 17-70 is a reasonably fast lens varying from F2.8-4.5 from the wide end to the telephoto end of the zoom. If you want to see how this lens performs so a search of the forum for Sigma 17-70, Mike in particular has a lot of images taken with that lens.
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Old 01-07-2008, 09:09 AM
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jjjnettie (Jeanette)
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A big thank you to Steve (MadTuna) for your generosity (I'll give that lens a very good home) and to Terry (CometGuy)
The link you gave me was enlightening.

After much deliberation, cross checking and comparing I finally chose....(insert drum roll here)........

The Sigma AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG macro

While it's performance fell down at 300mm, it rated really well when used between 70-200mm. Much better than the other 200mm lenses on my list.
For a 300mm lens it makes a very good 70-200mm zoom lens.

Doug, the 50mm you recommended is next on the wish list.
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Old 02-07-2008, 09:43 AM
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Well done on your buy jjj.
To those who have the nifty fifty or the Sigma 17-70 - how is the focusing? I have lot of trouble focusing the 18-55 on the Canon 450D as 'infinity' is not right at the end on focusing ring, and I have to spend time trying to focus thu the Liveview, which is bit frustrating. Is Infinity on these lens at end of focus ring?
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Old 02-07-2008, 10:10 AM
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[1ponders] (Paul)
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Quote:
Is Infinity on these lens at end of focus ring?
Generally not Liz.

Focusing is a trial, for sure. Having a laptop to assist focus is a major plus, but otherwise live view is about all you can try. The nifty fifty lens can be a bit tricky to focus accurately as the focus ring moves quite freely. I find a piece of blu-tak or similat presses against the focus ring and body of the lens helps considerably by increasing the resistance to movement. It also helps to prevent the focus ring from being bumped out of focus with you remove your fingers from it. Yes it's that sensitive. I've used this trick with zoom lenses as well to help prevent the zoom shifting when pointing straight up, which can happen at times. You can even bump it when trying to focus or even grab it by mistake instead of the focus ring. You could even use a couple of pieces of sticky tape to hold the zoom where you want it.
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Old 02-07-2008, 10:37 AM
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jjjnettie (Jeanette)
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Liz,
You might find some help on focusing here.
http://www.possumobservatory.co.nz/a...5-focusing.htm
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Old 02-07-2008, 06:54 PM
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Thanks jjj, checked out the website, and some interesteing data, but not really the answer to my query .... or is there no answer, as I realise there is supp to be no infinity .........
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Old 04-07-2008, 09:59 AM
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Oops Paul, sorry, I didnt see your reply, thankyou for your tips, perhaps I wont worry about the nifty fifty as reason I want a new lens to not have to spend 1/2 hr at start of session, getting all in focus, then worrying if do knock it.
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