• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Canon Lens Question

ranf1970

ranf1970

Life without music would be a mistake.
Subscriber
Hey Photo AKers,

I have a quick question for you. My Mom just bought herself a new DSLR (Canon EOS Rebel XS 10.1) without a lens. She is in the market for a good general lens for this camera. She's not shooting for National Geographic or anything like that. Just something that will allow her to shoot people, landscapes, close-ups and things like that. What would you recommend? Somewhere in the $100 - $150 range. Would the lens that comes with the regular EOS Rebel (50 MM I believe) be good enough or is something better out there? She is 65 so as low maintenance a lens as possible, please.

In the process, she is going to give me her old Canon EOS Rebel II SLR (35mm film, not digital) camera with two lenses. One is a Canon Zoom Lenz EF 35-80mm 1.4-5.6 and the other is a Canon Zoom Lenz EF 80-200mm
1:4.5-5.6 II . 52 mm. I will also get a Speedlite 200E flash. I'm new to the SLR world and just wondering if any of you might be familiar with this camera and lenses/flash. Opinions?

Thanks guys and gals!
 
Register to hide this ad
ranf1970 said:
Hey Photo AKers,

I have a quick question for you. My Mom just bought herself a new DSLR (Canon EOS Rebel XS 10.1) without a lens. She is in the market for a good general lens for this camera. She's not shooting for National Geographic or anything like that. Just something that will allow her to shoot people, landscapes, close-ups and things like that. What would you recommend? Somewhere in the $100 - $150 range. Would the lens that comes with the regular EOS Rebel (50 MM I believe) be good enough or is something better out there? She is 65 so as low maintenance a lens as possible, please.

In the process, she is going to give me her old Canon EOS Rebel II SLR (35mm film, not digital) camera with two lenses. One is a Canon Zoom Lenz EF 35-80mm 1.4-5.6 and the other is a Canon Zoom Lenz EF 80-200mm
1:4.5-5.6 II . 52 mm. I will also get a Speedlite 200E flash. I'm new to the SLR world and just wondering if any of you might be familiar with this camera and lenses/flash. Opinions?

Thanks guys and gals!
Click to expand...

The lenses from the film EOS should fit and work fine on the DSLR EOS camera.
 
I would recommend going with a super zoom lens based on your situation. I have used a Sigma 18-200mm non-IS zoom for years. I have other lenses but the 18-200mm is the one I would chose if I have to use only one. It does everything from wide angle to zoom shots and you don't have to mess with changing lenses. I have gotten more fantastic photographs with this lens because it is so flexible. Most of these shots would have been lost if I would have had to change lenses before pushing the shutter button. The non-IS (i.e. non-Image Stabilized) version of this lens is VERY affordable and can be bought new for $250 and $150 used. Sigma makes an Optically Stabilized (OS) version for around $375 new and $320 used. If you buy one I can all but guarantee you will love it. Here is a link:

http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-18-200mm-3-5-6-3-Digital-Cameras/dp/B0007U0GYS

Here are a few photos I have taken with the non-OS version of this lens:

IMG_5975.jpg


CRW_7101a.jpg


CRW_6733a.jpg


NR1.jpg
 
Last edited:
KLH9 said:
The lenses from the film EOS should fit and work fine on the DSLR EOS camera.
Click to expand...

She is aware of this. She would just like to buy a lens that has auto-focus and the other lenses don't. Thanks for your input!
 
OldJBL said:
I would recommend going with a super zoom lens based on your situation. I have used a Sigma 18-200mm non-IS zoom for years. I have other lenses but the 18-200mm is the one I would chose if I have to use only one. It does everything from wide angle to zoom shots and you don't have to mess with changing lenses. I have gotten more fantastic photographs with this lens because it is so flexible. Most of these shots would have been lost if I would have had to change lenses before pushing the shutter button. The non-IS (i.e. non-Image Stabilized) version of this lens is VERY affordable and can be bought new for $250 and $150 used. Sigma makes an Optically Stabilized (OS) version for around $375 new and $320 used. If you buy one I can all but guarantee you will love it. Here is a link:

http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-18-200mm-3-5-6-3-Digital-Cameras/dp/B0007U0GYS

Here are a few photos I have taken with the non-OS version of this lens:

IMG_5975.jpg


CRW_7101a.jpg


CRW_6733a.jpg


NR1.jpg
Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing the pics with me OldJBL. It gives me a very good idea of it's capabilities. BTW, does it have auto focus? I was reading the amazon link and I didn't see anything mentioning it. Since it is non-IS, does it take a long time to learn to take pics without them coming out blurry? Again, my Mom would be the one using it. Thanks again!
 
the 50mm isnt a wide angle lens, so nice wide landscape shots are out, as for nice interior shots its also not very useful.

I use mine for portraits mainly.
 
ranf1970 said:
Thanks for sharing the pics with me OldJBL. It gives me a very good idea of it's capabilities. BTW, does it have auto focus? I was reading the amazon link and I didn't see anything mentioning it. Since it is non-IS, does it take a long time to learn to take pics without them coming out blurry? Again, my Mom would be the one using it. Thanks again!
Click to expand...

It is auto focus and auto aperture or you can flip a switch and operate the focus manually. The non-OS version is more sensitive to hand shake in lower light conditions but no more than any other super zoom or telephoto lens without image stabilization. The camera you referenced can take good photos in low light by raising the ISO so this helps to keep the shutter speed up in lower light. The first photo I posted was taken at full zoom with a Canon 420EX flash. I was quite a distance from the subject and it still got the shot and this was taken with a Rebel 300D. Whether your Mother will have issues is hard to say. She will need to learn to use the camera well to get the best from it and whatever lenses is attached to it. If she does then there is no reason why she can't get the same results from this lenses as I have. If she mostly shoots in good light then I don't think she will have any issues or if she gets a good add-on flash to use in indoor or close-up low light conditions. One thing to keep in mind that even an image stabilized lens will not help in getting good photos of moving objects. If anything it will make it harder as the camera will make the shutter stay open longer to take advantage of the lens stabilization.

If she can afford the OS version of the lens then I recommend getting it. If price is a concern then you can't beat the non-OS lens for zoom range, image quality and ease of use, IMO. There are other super zooms out there to buy but, IMO, none of then come close to the non-OS Sigma 18-200mm zoom regarding price verses performance.

As a side note on the Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens, while it is a very good lens, it is limited in how and where you can use it effectively. On the camera you referenced it will operate like an 85mm lens which isn't very versatile. Many people use it for a portrait lens and not much else. I have one and think it is a lens every Canon DSLR user should have since it so inexpensive and has very good image quality.
 
ranf1970 said:
Just to let everybody know, this is the lens she is thinking about getting that I referred to in the first post:

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-50mm-1-8-Camera-Lens/dp/B00007E7JU/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
Click to expand...


I don't believe that that 10 mp ccd is full frame. SO.... any lens will not have the same focal length on it as it would on the film camera. A 50mm would be more like an 85mm when attached to the DSLR. If she wants something equivalent to a 50mm (as it appears on the film camera) she would be looking at a a 28mm to get the same aspect ratio.

The suggestion of the lens normally bundled with the camera might be the best starting lens. It is auto focus.

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/profe...andard_pro/ef_s_18_55mm_f_3_5_5_6_is#Overview
 
Thanks so far to everyone's input! It has been very helpful! :yes:
 
mikeybc said:
stay away from the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II its not very good....EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS is a much sharper lens in the corners.
Click to expand...

I agree. If you are going for a kit lens then get the IS version. It is much better in nearly all aspects than the non-IS kit lens. Buying a non-IS 18-55mm is a waste of money, IMO.
 
mikeybc said:
For her budget get the 18-55 kit lens that came with those bodies.
Click to expand...

I agree, it's not a bad lens, and is fairly sharp and it also has auto focus and IS, 18-55 mm range. I don't think that lens is for sale in any stores, just people that buy the Canon XSI camera and sell off the lens.
 
Just wanted to thank everyone for the input. My Mom decided to go with the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS as recommended. When she gets better, she might give the Sigma a whirl. Thanks again!
 
She made a good decision with the 18-55mm IS. A good lens to compliment it that also has a great price/performance ratio is the 55-250 IS from Canon.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom