Zoom lenses

[shelly3girls]

I have been looking at the same cameras. Today someone recommended the Sony DSC-HX1. It looks pretty tempting although I don't know if it will do me any good until I figure out how to actually use a camera!

 

[ukcatfan]

You are better off spending your money on classes or a good book than just getting another camera that is going to be very similar to your old ones. If classes are not your style or available, then check out "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson.

 

[waytoomanywebkinz]

I just got a Canon XSI - I have the kit lens which I believe is the 17-55. I also have the 50 mm 1.8.

My previous camera is the Canon S5 - I guess I am a bit spoiled by the zoom on that camera. I am slowly trying to learn how to use the XSI - but find myself a bit frustrated with the lack of zoom/telephoto ability.

I wanted to find some recommendations for zoom/telephoto lenses (See - I don't even know which one I'm looking for!). All the numbers confuse me - the prices overwhelm me!

What are some good telephoto/zoom lenses that will not break the bank? I don't need one of those big ole white ones - LOL - although I bet I'd love it!

Specifically - I'd like to get wildlife shots - birds, alligators, etc that are somewhat far away - I'd like to be able to zoom in.

Any help?
Thanks in advance!

 

[bob100]

I just got a Canon XSI - I have the kit lens which I believe is the 17-55. I also have the 50 mm 1.8.

My previous camera is the Canon S5 - I guess I am a bit spoiled by the zoom on that camera. I am slowly trying to learn how to use the XSI - but find myself a bit frustrated with the lack of zoom/telephoto ability.

I wanted to find some recommendations for zoom/telephoto lenses (See - I don't even know which one I'm looking for!). All the numbers confuse me - the prices overwhelm me!

What are some good telephoto/zoom lenses that will not break the bank? I don't need one of those big ole white ones - LOL - although I bet I'd love it!

Specifically - I'd like to get wildlife shots - birds, alligators, etc that are somewhat far away - I'd like to be able to zoom in.

Any help?
Thanks in advance!

many consider the best Canon telephoto "bang for the buck" the 55-250IS $230 or cheaper if you buy "refurbished" at Adorama or B&H, it's comparable to the S5 zoom, If you want more reach - be prepared to pay!
do a search on www.photography-on-the.net/forum

 

[wdwwishes]

go to Canon's website, canonusa.com, and you can check them all out. I think they may offer the suggested retail prices too. As far as price goes, lenses in the "L" series offer top quality glass and are more expensive as are the lenses with the 2.8 f stop. Canon has an 18--200mm which is pretty good. Another thing to keep in mind is the sensor size which alters the lens' focal length because most digital have crop sensors. Go to your camera shop with your camera and put several different lenses on your camera, get some opinons while there and then make your decision.

 

[jann1033]

i don't know what your budget is but the canon L f4 70-200 is around $600 which probably makes it the best bargain in L lenses. i love it for close ups as well since the focus distance is 4 ft, you can be standing almost straight up and get a nice close sharp shot... but imo it's worth every penny. you can keep/use your lenses even if you upgrade the body so you might as well get the best lenses as you can. plus the sharper the lens, the better you can crop and still have a good sharp photo... plus you can also use a teleconverter for added reach( 1.4x makes the 200 like 280 ish). i can crop lots smaller with my 70 and still get better results than with my 28-135 since it just isn't as sharp a lens.

this is about a 1:1 crop from standing up with the 70-200 from last yr. recently it wasn't focusing as sharply in the narrower apertures so i think it need adjusted( then i dropped it so now it just plain needs fixed)

 

[boBQuincy]

Canon's 55-250 is better than we might expect for the price as long as it is not used wide open. The next step up after that might be their 70-200 f/4 L (without IS) but that's a big step!

The 55-250 rotates as it zooms or focuses (can't remember which) which makes it a minor nuisance to use a polarizer.

For reference, lenses that change focal length are all considered zoom lenses (there are exceptions but so few we need not worry about them). Lenses that are longer than about 100mm may be considered telephoto although again there are exceptions.

 

[bob100]

Canon's 55-250 is better than we might expect for the price as long as it is not used wide open. The next step up after that might be their 70-200 f/4 L (without IS) but that's a big step!

The 55-250 rotates as it zooms or focuses (can't remember which) which makes it a minor nuisance to use a polarizer.

here's a pic I took yesterday with the 55-250 "wide open" (without a polarizing filter)

if it's within range I don't see how you can get any better (for the price!)

 

[Angrypenguin]

Great shot! I can see why the 55-250 is developing a reputation!

 

[jann1033]

here's a pic I took yesterday with the 55-250 "wide open" (without a polarizing filter)

if it's within range I don't see how you can get any better (for the price!)

looks good, what camera is this with?

 

[KCmike]

Great shot of the plane. Love that blue sky against the yellow plane.

 

[waytoomanywebkinz]

wow - that photo is AMAZING!

A few questions -

1 - What body are you using?

2 - what do you mean by "wide open"?

3 - did you use a tripod?

4 - how much did you crop?

thanks!

 

[bob100]

wow - that photo is AMAZING!

A few questions -

1 - What body are you using?

2 - what do you mean by "wide open"?

3 - did you use a tripod?

4 - how much did you crop?

thanks!

Canon XSi (450D)
wide open - 250mm
no tripod
about 50% crop

 

[boBQuincy]

here's a pic I took yesterday with the 55-250 "wide open" (without a polarizing filter)


if it's within range I don't see how you can get any better (for the price!)

Very nice! Canon's 55-250 may be even better than I thought. My older version needs to be closed down a stop before it gets really good, the new one looks good at f/5.6!

 

[jann1033]

Canon XSi (450D)
wide open - 250mm
no tripod
about 50% crop

can you post one from the 55 end? as much as i like my 70-200, i have been wondering if i should pick this one up for days when my hands are shakiest. i'm guessing it's lots lighter and the is. now if it were only 2.8...(and the same price as the 4-5.6)

 

[bob100]

can you post one from the 55 end? as much as i like my 70-200, i have been wondering if i should pick this one up for days when my hands are shakiest. i'm guessing it's lots lighter and the is. now if it were only 2.8...(and the same price as the 4-5.6)

here's a whole set shooting only with the 55-250IS at different focal lengths,
www.flickr.com/photos/rugby100
(click on pic, look on the right side under "Additional Information" and "more properties" for EXIF data ),



here's one at 55 -

 

[bdtracey]

I'm also looking at getting this lens. I've been swaying between the 18-200mm IS and the 55-250 IS. For one, I have a tough time buying a "super zoom" because I could've just as easily bought an S5 IS rather than my XSi. Plus it's kinda pricey! If I was spending that kind of money I'd much put it towards something a little faster (70-200 f/2.8L maybe?). Secondly, I'm still fairly new to the dSLR realm so I'm not going to notice much of the lackluster performance that the nifty two-fifty may have.

Question: If I've been reading correctly there is a bit of a difference between the newer version of this lens and the one that initially came out; is there any way to tell the difference? Or am I delusional?

TIA!!!

 

[waytoomanywebkinz]

I hate to ask a dumb question, when you think you already answered it - LOL - but I'm totally new to dslr world - and when you said wide open at 250 - does that mean it's zoomed as far as it goes?

 

[bob100]

I'm also looking at getting this lens. I've been swaying between the 18-200mm IS and the 55-250 IS. For one, I have a tough time buying a "super zoom" because I could've just as easily bought an S5 IS rather than my XSi. Plus it's kinda pricey! If I was spending that kind of money I'd much put it towards something a little faster (70-200 f/2.8L maybe?). Secondly, I'm still fairly new to the dSLR realm so I'm not going to notice much of the lackluster performance that the nifty two-fifty may have.
Question: If I've been reading correctly there is a bit of a difference between the newer version of this lens and the one that initially came out; is there any way to tell the difference? Or am I delusional?
TIA!!!

I don't think there is an older or any other version of the Canon 55-250IS,
www.eflens.com

I hate to ask a dumb question, when you think you already answered it - LOL - but I'm totally new to dslr world - and when you said wide open at 250 - does that mean it's zoomed as far as it goes?

yes

 

[annnewjerz]

I hate to ask a dumb question, when you think you already answered it - LOL - but I'm totally new to dslr world - and when you said wide open at 250 - does that mean it's zoomed as far as it goes?

I'm no expert, but I believe this means the aperture is open to the widest it goes (lowest f/#).

Example: If you are shooting with a 70-200mm f/2.8, using an aperture of 2.8 would be "wide open", whereas an aperture of f/5.6 would be considered "stopped down."

I'm not positive, but I don't think focal length (the zoom) of the lens has anything to do with it.