What lens for a newbie?

[pantscat]

I've just got my first SLR - a Canon EOS 1000D and I'd like to get a larger zoom lens - but I don't really want to spend a lot of money.
I've been looking at the Tamron 70-300mm lens, the Sigma 55-200 and the Sigma 70-300 - can anyone recommend any of these lenses?

Basically I'm looking for something that I can use when I go over to the States in the autumn to take some good scenic shots (I'm visiting Yosemite, the Grand Canyon etc.)

Is there a big difference between the 55-200 and the 70-300 zoom-wise?

Cheers,

Ant

[Simpo Two]

Actually for 'good scenic shots' - if by that you mean landscapes, you want to go wide angle not telephoto, eg 17-55mm, 10-20mm etc

Apologies if I've misinterpreted you.

[pantscat]

I've already got an 18-55 lens which should cover some wide-angle stuff - but I was looking for something that will give me better zoom - so I suppose I shouldn't have said scenic... more something that I can use to get a good photo of something in the distance.

[rasputin]

I just got a 100-300mm Minolta lens for my Sony A300.

It's not quite pin-sharp, but it's not bad at all.

I have to say though - "good photo of something in the distance"... It's not great at this. 300mm isn't really enough, and because you're shooting at the top of the zoom range and looking at something quite far away - detail in the photo isn't great.

What it is very good for (considering the sub-£100 price) is full-frame photos of animals a stones-throw away .

So if it's for very distant photos - consider more than 300mm and get a good one.

[GuildfordPaul]

Hi,

Some great advice on a similar thread that i started last week entitled 'newbie lens question' page 2.

Good luck.

Paul.

[pantscat]

Cheers Chaps.

I'll check out the other thread...

Ant

[Mini1275]

Taken with Tamron 70-300mm

Hope this helps

[Simpo Two]

^^^ although to be fair the success of the above shots is down to technique and user skill, not the fact it was a Tamron.

[RobDickinson]

I've seen great things from canons 55-250IS if thats in budget.

Sigma 70-300 get the APO for sure.

[pantscat]

Cheers for all the posts so far - very helpful!

Rob - what's APO?

Edited to say - Yep, the Canon 55-250IS lens may be just about in budget - have found it for £165.

Can anyone tell me what the difference is between a lens described with an EF fitting and one described as EF-S?

I've got a lot to learn here!

Edited by pantscat on Saturday 25th July 11:44

[BigAlinEmbra]

Simpo Two said:

Actually for 'good scenic shots' - if by that you mean landscapes, you want to go wide angle not telephoto, eg 17-55mm, 10-20mm etc

Apologies if I've misinterpreted you.

Nah, good advice! Although if you want to shoot some distant scenery then a long lens might be useful?
Shame wide lenses are so pricey.

[RobDickinson]

pantscat said:

Cheers for all the posts so far - very helpful!

Rob - what's APO?

Edited to say - Yep, the Canon 55-250IS lens may be just about in budget - have found it for £165.

Can anyone tell me what the difference is between a lens described with an EF fitting and one described as EF-S?

I've got a lot to learn here!

From Sigma:
"APO Lens
In order to attain the highest quality images, the APO lens has been made using Special Low-Dispersion (SLD) glass and is designed to minimize color aberration."

CA is bad, sometimes scorrectable, but the APO version is superior I've heard.

EF-S means the lens produces a smaller image circle than a standard EF lens and is only suitable for the smaller , crop, sensor cameras, it wont mount or fire on a FF camera (5d/1Ds). Nothing for you to worry about just yet.

[Pvapour]

Canon 450 here, I went for the Tamron 18-270, it may be a little more then your budget though, cant remember how much i spent, am very pleased with it apart from the lens dropsout too full zoom when being carried (but it had a lock which i use now)

same pic full zoom in / out shot.

HTH

[kybo]

Could always look here for prices.

My first lens was the budget Sigma 28-300mm, which I really liked when I first bought it. Have better lenses for my needs now so it rarely comes out to play.

Scott

[Podie]

I'd go for the 450D over the 1000D too... but the Tamron is quite a nice little lens.

[pantscat]

Cheers for the advice chaps!

I'll let you know how I get on.

Oh... one more thing - where to get a good camera bag? I've looked in my local jessops - but they only appear to have something either very small (e.g. just big enough for my camera) or huge (big enough for my camera plus about 4 lenses).

Ant

[Simpo Two]

pantscat said:

big enough for my camera plus about 4 lenses

Think laterally - big enough for two lenses and some lunch!

[pantscat]

I like your way of thinking...

I've taken the plunge and have ordered a Canon 55-250 IS lens - so I'll report back once I've figured out which way round I'm supposed to hold this camera thing...

[jon-]

Look at the lowepro range of bags. They've literally one for every day of the year so something should suit.

As you'll be walking a lot I'd recommend looking at the slingshot range. Something like this is an excellent all purpose bag.

http://products.lowepro.com/product/SlingShot-200-...

[Hunky Dory]

jon- said:

Something like this is an excellent all purpose bag.

http://products.lowepro.com/product/SlingShot-200-...

I'd second that recommendation. I have one, use it all the time and notice plenty of others have them as well.