Zoom lenses - Page 4 - The DIS Discussion Forums

jann1033 · 07-11-2006, 01:24 PM

poohjen i sent you an email as your pm box is full so if you see a weird "janf2" address it's me

chirurgeon · 07-16-2006, 01:08 PM

I have a Rebel XT, and I want a macro lens for it. I don't want to spend a fortune. This is a hobby, I already spent my fortune on the camera. Any suggetions?

Kelly Grannell · 07-16-2006, 01:31 PM

Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4.5 Macro.

TSBRN · 09-06-2006, 08:06 PM

Currently I have an Olympus Sylus with a 3x zoom. I need to take pictures of my sons from the stands into the stadium (marching band). Any idea of how much zoom I need for something like that? Also, I am new to digital photography and would need a camera that is easy to use if anyone has recommendations. Thanks for any help you can offer!

Bojo · 09-06-2006, 08:12 PM

One can never have too much zoom. Stay away from digital zoom - optical is where its at!

If you want individual faces from the stands, you will need at least 10X optical zoom. You may also want something that offers image stabalization as well.

TSBRN · 09-06-2006, 08:25 PM

Thanks Bojo

I already learned how bad digital zoom is firshand!

alsipd · 09-06-2006, 08:47 PM

As BOJO says, 10x optical is good. anything over that you risk camera shake if handheld. I did sports photography for a long time and I nerver had more than a 6x zoom. Try positioning yourself in a different location than the stands. For high school or college, you should be able to get near or on the field with a little coaxing. Getting the good shot is usually good position and lucky anticipation.

Good shooting!

0bli0 · 09-06-2006, 08:49 PM

remember the zoom 'X' doesn't necessarily mean you're getting a specific length telephoto lens. generally speaking, the 3x zoom means: at the long end, the focal length is 3 times longer than the focal length at the wide end. the standard 3x zooms (for most small p&s) today are roughly 6mm at the wide end and 18mm at the long end (roughly 40mm-120mm on a 35mm camera). yes, the 10x zooms typically will go out to around 400mm equiv, so they are longer telephoto. some of the bigger 'zooms' are wider at the wide end and then not quite as long.

as for the OP's question, i'm guessing the 3x zoom (which is roughly going to be under 150mm compared to a 35mm camera) will be pretty short to capture the boys in the marching band from the stands.

MarkBarbieri · 09-06-2006, 08:58 PM

Be careful with terms like 3x or 10x zoom. Those typically refer to the ratio between the widest and longest zoom the camera offers. A 3x zoom could start really, really wide and only zoom to moderately wide. A different 3x zoom could start barely wide at all and zoom pretty close.

In the 35mm SLR world, a 24mm-105mm lens and a 100mm-400mm lens could both be described as 4x zooms, but they obviously cover very different ground.

JR6ooo4 · 09-06-2006, 09:15 PM

Right alsipd. Zoom is only as big as the starting (wide) mm length. I have a canon 70-300 IS. 300/70 is only a 4.2 zoom. But 300mm is pretty far.

Marching band is similar to theater. The choreography is the same every time. You can go watch the practice and learn when to shoot. If you have that many hours free. But in practice you can get real close!

Mikeeee

dang I'm slow....

so this point is clear.... I may assume?

aliwolly · 09-06-2006, 09:23 PM

Oooh... Marching Band! I was in the color guard when I was in school! Don't forget to take some wide angle shots of the whole field too - I used to get so embarrassed when my parents would photograph (and video) just me on the field and was always curious about how the whole band looked and if we were getting our drill right.

Have fun!!!

TSBRN · 09-09-2006, 06:42 PM

Thanks everyone for their helpful tips!

brer rabbit 28 · 10-13-2006, 09:57 AM

i currently have a sony camera with the usual x3 optical zoom.Now i would really like to upgrade to something with more optical but i am unsure if it will make so much difference.Would like to stay with sony purely because i have all the memory sticks.
Could anyone advise me if it is worth it please?

Groucho · 10-13-2006, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brer rabbit 28

i currently have a sony camera with the usual x3 optical zoom.Now i would really like to upgrade to something with more optical but i am unsure if it will make so much difference.Would like to stay with sony purely because i have all the memory sticks.
Could anyone advise me if it is worth it please?

Make so much difference in what way?

The longer zoom makes a huge difference IMHO. I started with a 6x then went to a 12x before I got a DSLR - I really missed the extra zoom when I'd use my wife's compact 3x camera.

I believe that the Sony H5 is very popular at the moment, if your budget allows. It has a 12x zoom.

Caitsmama · 10-13-2006, 10:54 AM

Also, the sony H2 has a 12x zoom for about 100.00 less than the H5, only difference is the amt. of MP (6.0 for the H2, and 7 for the H5) .. Also the Canon S3 has 12x zoom as well..
To the OP - i too have a sony 3x zoom right now, and hope to upgrade before we go to WDW next mo. and i have been looking hard at the Sony H2. (the H5 is nice too, just can't justify the 100.00 more right now). But, i have also looked at the Panasonic version, which also has the 12x zoom.

07-11-2006, 01:24 PM	#46
jann1033 Right now I'm an inch of natural and a foot of unnatural The time has come to break out of my mold Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,553	poohjen i sent you an email as your pm box is full so if you see a weird "janf2" address it's me __________________ I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that don't work.” Thomas Alva Edison The Poetry of Light website

07-16-2006, 01:08 PM	#47
chirurgeon I am a delicate flower and need my sleep Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Pittsburgh, PA USA Posts: 4,423	Looking for a good macro zoom lens I have a Rebel XT, and I want a macro lens for it. I don't want to spend a fortune. This is a hobby, I already spent my fortune on the camera. Any suggetions? __________________ CBR 4/00, YC 12/02, ASSp 6/05, AKL/BWI 12/06, ASSP/POFQ 6/07, POFQ/AKL 12/08, PCC 1 5/09, Dolphin/POP 2.0 12/09, POFQ/BCV 04/10, PCC 2.0 12/10, POR 12/11, ABD BSM 7/12, PCC 4.0 12/12

09-06-2006, 08:06 PM	#49
TSBRN Mouseketeer Join Date: May 2006 Location: NW PA Posts: 112	How much zoom do I need? Currently I have an Olympus Sylus with a 3x zoom. I need to take pictures of my sons from the stands into the stadium (marching band). Any idea of how much zoom I need for something like that? Also, I am new to digital photography and would need a camera that is easy to use if anyone has recommendations. Thanks for any help you can offer!

09-06-2006, 08:47 PM	#52
alsipd Mouseketeer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: On the Coast of Somewhere Beautiful Posts: 128	Sports Photography As BOJO says, 10x optical is good. anything over that you risk camera shake if handheld. I did sports photography for a long time and I nerver had more than a 6x zoom. Try positioning yourself in a different location than the stands. For high school or college, you should be able to get near or on the field with a little coaxing. Getting the good shot is usually good position and lucky anticipation. Good shooting!

09-06-2006, 09:15 PM	#55
JR6ooo4 The Dr. Seuss of Poo Using kerosene lanterns for light? Kerosene, who are you kidding? When did they invent kerosene? Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Arlington Heights, Illinois (26 miles Northwest of Walt's Birthplace) Posts: 11,114	Right alsipd. Zoom is only as big as the starting (wide) mm length. I have a canon 70-300 IS. 300/70 is only a 4.2 zoom. But 300mm is pretty far. Marching band is similar to theater. The choreography is the same every time. You can go watch the practice and learn when to shoot. If you have that many hours free. But in practice you can get real close! Mikeeee dang I'm slow.... so this point is clear.... I may assume? __________________ Please check out my WDW photo galleries if you have time. I love to share! July 01 - Honeymoon @ Carribean Beach ~ April 05 - Offsite Ramada ~ March 06 - AllStar Movies ~ August 06 - Allstar Sports / Corronado Springs ~ March 07 - Allstar again but free ~ December 07-Coronado Springs~ Q Fred x9

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07-16-2006, 01:31 PM	#48
Kelly Grannell DIS Veteran Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,372	Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4.5 Macro.

09-06-2006, 08:12 PM	#50
Bojo Not a fan of the Pepto-Bismol Macarena Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Kentucky Posts: 592	One can never have too much zoom. Stay away from digital zoom - optical is where its at! If you want individual faces from the stands, you will need at least 10X optical zoom. You may also want something that offers image stabalization as well.

09-06-2006, 08:25 PM	#51
TSBRN Mouseketeer Join Date: May 2006 Location: NW PA Posts: 112	Thanks Bojo I already learned how bad digital zoom is firshand!

09-06-2006, 08:49 PM	#53
0bli0 2006 Time Magazine Person of the Year Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: sydney, australia Posts: 863	remember the zoom 'X' doesn't necessarily mean you're getting a specific length telephoto lens. generally speaking, the 3x zoom means: at the long end, the focal length is 3 times longer than the focal length at the wide end. the standard 3x zooms (for most small p&s) today are roughly 6mm at the wide end and 18mm at the long end (roughly 40mm-120mm on a 35mm camera). yes, the 10x zooms typically will go out to around 400mm equiv, so they are longer telephoto. some of the bigger 'zooms' are wider at the wide end and then not quite as long. as for the OP's question, i'm guessing the 3x zoom (which is roughly going to be under 150mm compared to a 35mm camera) will be pretty short to capture the boys in the marching band from the stands.

09-06-2006, 08:58 PM	#54
MarkBarbieri Semi-retired Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: The Woodlands, TX Posts: 5,887	Be careful with terms like 3x or 10x zoom. Those typically refer to the ratio between the widest and longest zoom the camera offers. A 3x zoom could start really, really wide and only zoom to moderately wide. A different 3x zoom could start barely wide at all and zoom pretty close. In the 35mm SLR world, a 24mm-105mm lens and a 100mm-400mm lens could both be described as 4x zooms, but they obviously cover very different ground.

09-06-2006, 09:23 PM	#56
aliwolly Mouseketeer Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Capital District, NY Posts: 192	Oooh... Marching Band! I was in the color guard when I was in school! Don't forget to take some wide angle shots of the whole field too - I used to get so embarrassed when my parents would photograph (and video) just me on the field and was always curious about how the whole band looked and if we were getting our drill right. Have fun!!! __________________ Ali aliwolly.com Me DH DS April 1989 - Off-site with Family Thanksgiving 1999 - All Star Music with Family Sept 2004 Pop Century with the Boy Oct 2006 Board Walk with the Boy (he popped the question on the beach at the Poly!) Nov 2007 Bonus trip at Swan with DH! Next Trip? Sometime in 2013...

09-09-2006, 06:42 PM	#57
TSBRN Mouseketeer Join Date: May 2006 Location: NW PA Posts: 112	Thanks everyone for their helpful tips!

10-13-2006, 09:57 AM	#58
brer rabbit 28 Dude, you were like, 'Whoa!' and then we were like 'WHOA!' and then you were like 'Whoa.' Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Grimsby, UK Posts: 1,519	optical zoom help i currently have a sony camera with the usual x3 optical zoom.Now i would really like to upgrade to something with more optical but i am unsure if it will make so much difference.Would like to stay with sony purely because i have all the memory sticks. Could anyone advise me if it is worth it please? __________________ Claire and Chris' wedding planning journal http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2509001

10-13-2006, 10:54 AM	#60
Caitsmama Closet Hannah Montana Fan! am planning on getting at least one more Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: By the shore in RI Posts: 5,593	Also, the sony H2 has a 12x zoom for about 100.00 less than the H5, only difference is the amt. of MP (6.0 for the H2, and 7 for the H5) .. Also the Canon S3 has 12x zoom as well.. To the OP - i too have a sony 3x zoom right now, and hope to upgrade before we go to WDW next mo. and i have been looking hard at the Sony H2. (the H5 is nice too, just can't justify the 100.00 more right now). But, i have also looked at the Panasonic version, which also has the 12x zoom. __________________

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