Newbie lens compatability question

[Smitters]

I'm looking to get a DSLR and wanted to check a couple of things with the wise PH crowd.

First up, I have a Canon ef 28-105 1:4 5.6 usm lens, from an EOS 300v film SLR. Would this lens fit a modern EOS DSLR?

Second, assuming it does, am I right in thinking that the 28 might not be wide enough as an everyday tool, due to cropping? My intended use centres mainly around landscapes (keen mountain walker and traveller) and some candid people shots, eg party crowds.

Many thanks.

[saladin]

Firstly... yes that lens will fit....

Secondly.... depends if you get a cropped (600D, 60D or 7D) or full frame (5D or if you are feeling very flush a 1D X)

28mm might not be wide enough for you on cropped sensor... but only you will be able to decide on that....

[jimmy156]

As said above, yes your lens will fit.

I dont think however that it will be wide enough for landscapes on a "crop" body dSLR, which in the canon range is anything that isn't a 5d or a 1d.

28mm is roughly equivalent to to 44mm on a film camera, so is more a normal focal length rather then wide angle. This is why most general purpose lenses for non full frame dSLRs starts at 17 or 18.

[flat-planedCrank]

As has been said - 28mm isn't that wide on a 'crop' camera

The canon crop bodies are all 1.6x (with the exception of the 1D professional cameras which are 1.3x)

So 28x1.6 = 45mm, which is almost 50mm. 50mm used to be the general walk-around lens, so it's not that wide....


[edit] Gah, too slow again [/edit]

[Smitters]

Thanks all. Relief that the lens fits! I deliberately didn't mention camera names as what I go for depended on the lens fitting. I think I now have to try and find a body only deal on a 550 and do some tests, and save for a good wide angle as reportedly the very basic 18-55 the Canons come with isn't brilliant.

[jimmy156]

Actually the latest incarnation of the 18-55 kit lens is supposed to be pretty good.

If you are looking for something a bit better i would reccomend the Tamron 17-50 2.8 (non-vc) its under £300, fast, and as sharp as the £800 Canon 17-55 2.8.

Mine is currently on order

[Smitters]

I think I may have confused what I was reading re lenes with the new 1100D - the most basic of which comes with a 28-55 lens that isn't IS.

I'm currently trying to justify either a 550D or 600D with the standard 18-55 IS over the 1100D but have to be honest with myself about my abilities now and my likely abilities in two or three years time. Would I really outgrow a 1100D? Am I suffering for "Oooh, shiny thing..."-itis? Well, yeah!

The other trick of course is do I stretch for the 600 and have to save for a while for the lens, or go with the lower rent body and spend the rest of the available budget immediately on the lens. Nice decision to have to make, but not simple for sure.

All thoughts very gratefully received!

[andrewrob]

Smitters said:

I think I may have confused what I was reading re lenes with the new 1100D - the most basic of which comes with a 28-55 lens that isn't IS.

I'm currently trying to justify either a 550D or 600D with the standard 18-55 IS over the 1100D but have to be honest with myself about my abilities now and my likely abilities in two or three years time. Would I really outgrow a 1100D? Am I suffering for "Oooh, shiny thing..."-itis? Well, yeah!

The other trick of course is do I stretch for the 600 and have to save for a while for the lens, or go with the lower rent body and spend the rest of the available budget immediately on the lens. Nice decision to have to make, but not simple for sure.

All thoughts very gratefully received!

I'd go for the 550D over the 1100D. I haven't outgrown my 550D yet and do all sorts with it including video.
Don't bother paying the extra for the 600D there's not really much difference apart from the flip out screen and built in ability to communicate with wireless flashes.