Camera Selection

[Macky]

Originally Posted by leet

ballin'

if you notice, there's a trend as to what range i shoot in the most

to the OP - when figuring out what lens to buy, determine the focal length you will be in most (if not all) the time. this narrows down your choices considerably and you dont end up getting lenses you dont even get to use often.

[leet]

Originally Posted by AudibleSilence

(el cheapo beginners lenses ftw):

I disagree, if you buy cheap glass to start with, you'll just be wasting money that could be put towards better glass


the only exception I could see is maybe buy one cheap lens if you're just beginning to see if you like the hobby

but even then, you could get a used XT or 20D + a tamron 17-50 F2.8 and have a badass starter kit for well under a grand

[leet]

Originally Posted by Macky

if you notice, there's a trend as to what range i shoot in the most

to the OP - when figuring out what lens to buy, determine the focal length you will be in most (if not all) the time. this narrows down your choices considerably and you dont end up getting lenses you dont even get to use often.

the photography forum I post on almost always recommends the used XT/20D + Tamron 17-50F2.8 combo for beginners, for good reason

a used 20D should go for around $500 or a used XT for $350-400 for the body, I would spend the extra $100-150 and the the 20D, you might not appreciate it now but if you get into it as a hobby, down the road you will

the Tamron 17-50 F2.8 is often compared to the canon 17-55 F2.8 IS, and can be found for around $300-350 used or $420 new

the 17-50 range is a good beginner range, after that if you always find yourself wanting more zoom get a 70-200F4L, or if you always find yourself wanting wider get a 10-22

[AudibleSilence]

Originally Posted by Macky

lol a while back. i went on a spending spree

sad thing is I may need to sell the 1D to help my grandfather at home (phils). his home burned down and we are sending help. to make matters worse, his elder sister passed away (non-fire related) shortly thereafter in a different part of town.

Sorry Pat Let me know if I can help bro!

Originally Posted by leet

I disagree, if you buy cheap glass to start with, you'll just be wasting money that could be put towards better glass


the only exception I could see is maybe buy one cheap lens if you're just beginning to see if you like the hobby

I bought those lenses as an upgrade to the stocker and to learn which range I found fit me the best. Now I know that I do most of my shooting between 17mm and 55mm so I will be looking to purchase some nice L glass within that range. It made no sense to go out and buy expensive lenses without having the experience to know where and how to use them.

I mean you don't buy a Viper to learn how to drive stick do ya?

[Macky]

Originally Posted by leet

the photography forum I post on almost always recommends the used XT/20D + Tamron 17-50F2.8 combo for beginners, for good reason

a used 20D should go for around $500 or a used XT for $350-400 for the body, I would spend the extra $100-150 and the the 20D, you might not appreciate it now but if you get into it as a hobby, down the road you will

the Tamron 17-50 F2.8 is often compared to the canon 17-55 F2.8 IS, and can be found for around $300-350 used or $420 new

the 17-50 range is a good beginner range, after that if you always find yourself wanting more zoom get a 70-200F4L, or if you always find yourself wanting wider get a 10-22

true, but the subjects I shoot and the style of shooting i do works well with wide to medium telephoto. I have a couple zooms (24-105 f4, 70-200 f2 & 28-135mm) past my normal range, but they're normally reserved for portraits. i dont do action at all, maybe in a few occasions - then again when i do, i shoot from a rig or some custom mount.

the Tammy 17-50 is a very good lens, but since i work my lens out a lot, having a Canon lens made the most sense to me - the Canon Service Center is just down the street and I drop my gear off for cleaning and calibration (free) every other month, so the extra cost is offset by the professional servicing of the equipment

[97mits3kgtSOHC]

Originally Posted by AudibleSilence

I mean you don't buy a Viper to learn how to drive stick do ya?

i bought my vr4 back in the day without knowing how to drive stick lol....i had to learn stick real fast on a buddies truck....

but i get ur point mike

i think ill look around

in response to someone saying determine my focal ranges...here is what im interested in shooting:
-cars of course
-animals since im a zoology major
-landscapes such as homes (im a real estate agent and want to take great indoor and exterior pictures for my sales ads)

[lawdogg]

Originally Posted by 97mits3kgtSOHC

i bought my vr4 back in the day without knowing how to drive stick lol....i had to learn stick real fast on a buddies truck....

but i get ur point mike

i think ill look around

in response to someone saying determine my focal ranges...here is what im interested in shooting:
-cars of course
-animals since im a zoology major
-landscapes such as homes (im a real estate agent and want to take great indoor and exterior pictures for my sales ads)

Sean sounds like you don't need too much zoom, a nice 18-55 and a good macro would probably be all you need.

And I bought my VR-4 to learn stick too.

[97mits3kgtSOHC]

^yea i agree...i mean i have an older minolta slr camera.....kicks ass....i have two lens for that and i really never used the larger ones....i just need digital now for an slr....i have a digital but its like only 2mp

[AudibleSilence]

Originally Posted by lawdogg

Sean sounds like you don't need too much zoom, a nice 18-55 and a good macro would probably be all you need.

And I bought my VR-4 to learn stick too.

18-55mm IS and a used XT..call it a day.

[97mits3kgtSOHC]

why get an xt when i can get an xti for a little more....