My second lens

[arthropodtodd]

My wife has okayed the purchase of my second lens. The question is what should I buy? I own a Canon xsi and have the standard lens that came with it. I'm not looking for anything too crazy, just a good lens to use during the Holidays (going to DC for Thanksgiving) and wanting some good telephoto capabilities.

Thanks.

 

[VVFF]

My wife has okayed the purchase of my second lens. The question is what should I buy? I own a Canon xsi and have the standard lens that came with it. I'm not looking for anything too crazy, just a good lens to use during the Holidays (going to DC for Thanksgiving) and wanting some good telephoto capabilities.

Thanks.

Canon 55-250mm IS?

 

[Frantasmic]

Good choices:

55-250 (about $250)

the nifty fifty (about $85)

70-200 f4.0 (about $650)

100 f2.0 (about $450)


The 55-250 is a good general purpose telephoto and works well for outdoor use.

The 70-200 is a great lens and produces sharp images. I'm considering this as my next lens.

The 100 doesn't give you a lot of zoom since it is fixed; however, it is also a macro lens and will work well in low-light conditions.

The nifty 50 is just a good lens to have since it is rather inexpensive and gives great low-light but not any zoom performance.

 

[VVFF]

Good choices:

55-250 (about $250)

the nifty fifty (about $85)

70-200 f4.0 (about $650)

100 f2.0 (about $450)


The 55-250 is a good general purpose telephoto and works well for outdoor use.

The 70-200 is a great lens and produces sharp images. I'm considering this as my next lens.

The 100 doesn't give you a lot of zoom since it is fixed; however, it is also a macro lens and will work well in low-light conditions.

The nifty 50 is just a good lens to have since it is rather inexpensive and gives great low-light but not any zoom performance.

One correction, the 100mm F2.0 isn't a macro lens, the F2.8 or 2.8L are.

 

[boBQuincy]

If you want a longer lens than the one that came with the camera, Canon's 55-250 is a good 2nd lens. It complements the 18-55 well, same filter size, similar construction, light weight.
If you have some extra $$$ Canon's 70-200 f/4 is a good step up from the 55-250, faster focusing and built really well.

If you get the 55-250 don't forget to order the lens hood too.

 

[ogreenlee]

For 700bux, you can get a Sigma 70-200mm 2.8. It gets great reviews and has a wide ap. It's no Canon L, but it produces well.

I'd have a hard time choosing between this and the Canon L 4.0 in the same range, to be honest, but I'd stick with either of the two, myself.

 

[C&B Young]

If you're budget conscious, I'd recommend the 55-250 IS also. Great lens for the money! I'd also recommend the "nifty fifty", for $85 you simply can't go wrong with it.

 

[KarenAylwood]

I got the Canon XSi last August and played around with the kit lens until Christmas. After much debate I chose to ask for the 18-200mm for Christmas. That held me until about June when I asked for the 100mm f/2.8 macro lens and bought the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 off ebay. (Tokina 11-16 is the next on the list followed shortly by the 24-105 f/4.0L ).

The Canon 18-200mm was exactly what I needed. I love the quality and the range. I wanted a telephoto lens but didn't want to switch lenses a lot. I wanted to be able to just take the camera and one lens, and it worked out perfectly for me. Some will say you only need the 55-250 to cover the range but I couldn't stand changing lenses. There is a big price difference though so you should think about what's more important to you. A friend of mine got the 55-250 to compliment his kit lens but hates changing lenses all the time and wishes he had just sprung for my 18-200 once he tried it out.

Just think about what you'll be using it for and if you typically will be at the wide end, the long end or between the two. Some people hate changing lenses some don't mind it.

Now I typically switch between the 30mm and the 18-200 when I'm out. Even that gets a little cumbersome. It'd be too annoying for me to switch between 3!

 

[bob100]

If you're budget conscious, I'd recommend the 55-250 IS also. Great lens for the money! I'd also recommend the "nifty fifty", for $85 you simply can't go wrong with it.

the Canon 55-250 is a good sharp lens for the money, can't go wrong with the 50mm 1.8 either.

 

[KCmike]

My second lens was the 55-250 followed by the 50mm 1.8
Both are great and take crisp shots.

I thought this site was interesting as well.
http://www.photoaficionado.com/lenstalk/5mostwanted.html

 

[2Princess&aPrince]

I have the Canon 40D and the 18-55 kit lens from my old Rebel XT. I also have the nifty 50mm f1.8 and the 75-300mm which is a nice lens, and my favourite...the Canon 24-70mm f2.8 (a really nice piece of glass...and the price shows it, but then so do the fabulous photos it takes! lol.)

Switching lenses is a pain, but each lens we buy serves a purpose, so it is just part of photography...I find carrying around a tripod to be painful, but some just carry one around without a second thought.

If you want to review any Canon camera, lens, or accessory I use the website www.the-digital-picture.com . It has some great information and I have used it for information on many of my photographic purchases!

Good luck with your lens shopping!

 

[REL1203]

I own the 50D.... I orig had the 18-55 IS lens and liked it, stuck with it for awhile, picked up the 50 1.8 and the 55-250 IS not long after.... All good stuff... I am about to buy the new Tamron 17-50 2.8 VC when it comes out in a week and ditch the 18-55....

 

[jann1033]

My wife has okayed the purchase of my second lens. The question is what should I buy? I own a Canon xsi and have the standard lens that came with it. I'm not looking for anything too crazy, just a good lens to use during the Holidays (going to DC for Thanksgiving) and wanting some good telephoto capabilities.

Thanks.

you don't mention a budget...one person's "crazy" can be totally "rational" to someone else

right now i use the old (ie non stabilized) tamron 17-50 f2.8 , my 100mm f3.5 Phoenix/Vivitar macro( don't mock it till you've tried it ,although you would need to buy a used copy since they don't make it anymore) or 70-200 f4( non IS) canon 99.99% of the time. all are sharp, i would recommend any of them.

if you want to stick with the IS, the 55-250 is supposed to be a good value, only problem i see with it is the f # so if you want if for indoors unless you have a flash, the IS may not be enough for you to get what you want inside.

 

[arthropodtodd]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I am going to start pricing today or tomorrow. Any particular retailers I MUST check out?

Excuse the edit here....

One more thing. Back in college in (coughs a date before the world of digital cameras) I took a black and white photography class. I learned a lot of theory and technical jargon but have since because rusty and in need to a refresher. I am looking at taking a class at the area community college and the local photography store. Any suggestions on books that get into the technical, but are still able to be read by the common man?

Too bad there aren't things like local photography mentoring.

Thanks.

 

[KarenAylwood]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I am going to start pricing today or tomorrow. Any particular retailers I MUST check out?

Excuse the edit here....

One more thing. Back in college in (coughs a date before the world of digital cameras) I took a black and white photography class. I learned a lot of theory and technical jargon but have since because rusty and in need to a refresher. I am looking at taking a class at the area community college and the local photography store. Any suggestions on books that get into the technical, but are still able to be read by the common man?

Too bad there aren't things like local photography mentoring.

Thanks.

I took a photography class through my local community college and loved it (actually took two). The books we went through were a little too heavy and not that fun to read. My favorite book (and I think the most recommended on this forum) is Understanding Exposure by Bryan Petersen. Definitely a must read. I read it during the first few weeks of my photography class and it was a great supplement and fun to read.

Retailers most highly recommended are B&H (www.bhphotovideo.com) and Adorama (www.adorama.com). They're pretty much the top two.

 

[Frantasmic]

I should title a thread, my sixth lens, but I bought the 70-200 f4.0 non-IS at Adorama yesterday. I got the lens, a filter, a lens cap, a cleaning system, a lens case, and a 7 year warranty for about $675.00. I can't wait to try out the new lens.