wide angle lenses

[ColleenS]

If you are planning on sticking with a crop factor camera, I would also add the Tamron 17-50 2.8 to the list.

This looks good too.

30d works with ef-s lenses

Good to know, if I were to upgrade, and I won't for a few years, it would likely be to what ever replaces the 30D.

DueyDooDah thanks for the link, I was unaware that of that review website.


There's so much to think about. I'm sort of leaning to the 17-55 since it would work better in low light.

Which one would be best taking shots of the family walking around the park?

 

[MarkBarbieri]

ef-s lenses won't work on d30, d60, or 10d, either.

True. ef-s lenses will not work on any Canon cameras that pre-date the Rebel.

It works with the 30D but not with the D30. They are very different. The 30D is sort of like the D30 Mark IV. The history of the mid-range of Canon digital cameras is: D30, D60, 10D, 20D, 30D.

 

[boBQuincy]

according to the canon website, 30d works with ef-s lenses( plus i think that's what bobq has and i know he has at least one efs)

I have a D30 *and* a 30D, it gets confusing.
The D30 marked the end of film for me, back in late 2001.

 

[jann1033]

back to the wide angle...there is a surprisingly ( to me) huge difference in the few mm 0f 10/12 and 17( who ever said that) as seen here
http://www.tamron.de/Focal-Length-Comparison.238.0.html?&L=2
btw there is also a 3D just not by canon

 

[MarkBarbieri]

there is a surprisingly ( to me) huge difference in the few mm 0f 10/12 and 17

Think of zoom differences as ratios rather than absolute measures. The difference between a 10mm and a 20mm lens may be only 10mm in focal length, but it's also a 2x change. Proportionally, it will change your field of view by the same amount as going from 50mm to 100mm or from 100mm to 200mm.

Using a 10mm lens on a 1.6x body taking a picture of something 10' away, your picture will cover a 22' foot horizontal range. Taking a picture from the same spot with a 17mm lens will result in a shot that covers a 13' range.

 

[MassJester]

what a cogent and exrtremely useful reply -- thanks Mark.

 

[ColleenS]

Using a 10mm lens on a 1.6x body taking a picture of something 10' away, your picture will cover a 22' foot horizontal range. Taking a picture from the same spot with a 17mm lens will result in a shot that covers a 13' range.

You're so smart.

Seriously, that makes a lot of sense. Thanks for all of your helpful comments. It kind of makes me want a wider angle lens ie the 12-24 that was suggested.

I guess I'll ask this question again. I not only want to be able to take the photos I mentioned in the op but want some nice shot of the family and individuals. For this reason I think I'm leaning toward the 17-55 2.8. Since it works better in lowlight situations it will be good for places where I don't want to or can't use flash, right?

 

[jann1033]

You're so smart.

Seriously, that makes a lot of sense. Thanks for all of your helpful comments. It kind of makes me want a wider angle lens ie the 12-24 that was suggested.

I guess I'll ask this question again. I not only want to be able to take the photos I mentioned in the op but want some nice shot of the family and individuals. For this reason I think I'm leaning toward the 17-55 2.8. Since it works better in lowlight situations it will be good for places where I don't want to or can't use flash, right?

yes, don't remember what the reviews say for that one in particular but just remember you may not get the best photos at f2.8, some times you need to move up a stop or two( so maybe f4,) so you'd probably want a flash anyway unless there is some natural light as well. ( or a tripod so you can have a slower shutter speed or both since it's easy to spend someone else's money)

 

[Racey]

sorry i'm new to the photography board. I've only just bought a dslr so everything is kind of new to me!

I have heard somewhere that its more important to have a wide angle lens over a telephoto lens when visits most of teh world (except AK) is this true and should I purchase one in time for my hols?

Your advice is very much appreciated

 

[YEKCIM]

For a frame of reference, what camera and lens(es) do you have now?

~YEKCIM

 

[Racey]

i have a canon 350d

 

[YEKCIM]

Do you have any lenses?

 

[ukcatfan]

There are always going to be a few shots that you are going to want tele for, but in general AK is the main place where tele is more useful that wide. I am going to also carry my S2 around with me for those random tele shots and likely only put the tele lens on my DSLR while at certain AK sections. I am thinking mainly Asia and Africa b/c I cannot think of much in the other sections where tele would be needed too much.

Kevin

 

[tinksdad]

The age old question.......

I LOVE my DSLR, but lugging around a backpack full of different lenses is not my idea of fun day. I would recommend a more general zoom lens that will get the most widely used focal lengths. I use the Nikon 18mm-200mm VR lens. While not a pro glass lens, it does work very well for an general walk-around lens. The canon folks can recommend a similar lens that will work for you.

That said, a wide angle lens is a must for your camera bag at some point.

 

[Racey]

I have the standard 15-55mm lense it came with. I suppose I could get the 55-300mm lens and carry that round but keep the wide angle one on most of the time or the other way round. I dont mind carrying one lense around

 

[Master Mason]

Kevin,,

What is the f range on the 18-200?

As for canon, The one and only time I was at WDW, I used the 18-55 kit for everything but AK, it was the only lens I had at the time other than the 75-300, which is the cheapest canon tele out there.

First thing I did when I got back was to do a little research and purchase the sigma 18-135 lens because the 55 was very limiting.

If I were purchasing at this time, with what I know and what I know of my shooting desires, I would purchase the Sigma 24-70 f/2.8

Sigma also makes a superzoom in the 18-200 range, but from all the reviews I read it is soft at both ends, it is not near the lens that the Nikor Kevin mentions above is.

To wrap this up, I wouldn't go to Disney without something at least in the low 20's so if you have the kit you could get a longer lens, if not, then you need the short end more.

 

[YEKCIM]

Since you already have the 18-55, I would suggest something that would give you more tele reach, like the 55-300 you mentioned. Another option would be to buy a lens that would cover you from wide to tele. In my case (Nikon), that would be either the 18-135 that I have, or the 18-200VR that is much desired and hard to find (and pay for). Tamron has a new lens, the 18-250, that would fit that bill, and would give you 29-400mm equivalent "reach". IQ is probably not what your 18-55 delivers, especially wide open, but stopped down, might be acceptable. I think it's around $500 online. You may want to consider a fast prime for low light situations like nighttime, indoor shows, etc. I think a 50mm f/1.8 can be had for less than $80 online.

~YEKCIM

 

[Racey]

thanks yekcim - I will definitely take your advice about the lenses. Perhaps i'll pop into a shop and borrow a few to see what I prefer

 

[YEKCIM]

thanks yekcim - I will definitely take your advice about the lenses. Perhaps i'll pop into a shop and borrow a few to see what I prefer

I would definitely read some online reviews before I plunked down my hard earned cash on any of them...Canon, Tamron, or other.

~YEKCIM

 

[jann1033]

not familiar with the 55-300 but i am happy with my 70-200 f4( about $500+) and i know some like the canon 70-300 is but the aperture isn't as big( think it's 5.6 at the 300 end, think that is around $450-500) which is why i went with the 70-200 which is sharp enough i can crop it to look like 300 with out much of a problem. i have a 350d as well.
since you have the 18-55 i'd go with a tele. as well and maybe pick up the 50 f1.8 for under $100 for low light situations.. and i am a believer in the "buy as good a lens as you can afford" cause otherwise you just want to replace it anyway, not that the iq is always according to price( like the 50mm1.8 is a great lens even if it cost more but is cheap plastic housing) but if it's bad iq saving a few bucks on it still gives you bad photos