Another what lens thread...
Discussion
Having had the 400D for just less than a week, I've found the existing lens (18-55 EF-S, standard kit one) quite limiting (very very if I'm honest), and possibly not making the most of the quality available.
So, the brief is for a new lens, or possibly two (one for macro, one for motorsport, with a budget of upto around £500 for each. The useage will be a mixed bag of motorsport, some macro and a few shows (Fairford this year as I'll have the dragster on display, so come and say hello).
Therefore, seasoned folks of PH...what would you recommend?
So, the brief is for a new lens, or possibly two (one for macro, one for motorsport, with a budget of upto around £500 for each. The useage will be a mixed bag of motorsport, some macro and a few shows (Fairford this year as I'll have the dragster on display, so come and say hello).
Therefore, seasoned folks of PH...what would you recommend?
Gemm said:
In what way do you find it limiting? OK, it's not the best lens available but it does take decent images when used properly. I'd give it more chance before giving up on it totally. After all, less than a week isn't a long time (and I don't know what experience with DSLR you have).
Primarily, very little reach. The quality thus far I've found to be very good, but I know better offerings are available and something with more length will be a must for when at the track (at events where I'm not mullering armcos myself). This is my 1st DSLR, but I spent a few years with a Pentax film SLR which helped learn the basics, or at least I hope so.
Top Fuel Digger said:
Having had the 400D for just less than a week, I've found the existing lens (18-55 EF-S, standard kit one) quite limiting (very very if I'm honest), and possibly not making the most of the quality available.
So, the brief is for a new lens, or possibly two (one for macro, one for motorsport, with a budget of upto around £500 for each. The useage will be a mixed bag of motorsport, some macro and a few shows (Fairford this year as I'll have the dragster on display, so come and say hello).
Therefore, seasoned folks of PH...what would you recommend?
In what way limiting ? Are you looking for more range / larger apertures / etc.. ?So, the brief is for a new lens, or possibly two (one for macro, one for motorsport, with a budget of upto around £500 for each. The useage will be a mixed bag of motorsport, some macro and a few shows (Fairford this year as I'll have the dragster on display, so come and say hello).
Therefore, seasoned folks of PH...what would you recommend?
Are you looking for a dedicated macro lens ? I'm no macro expert (i'm sure they will arrive later
) but they seem like the best route to take. In fact, many still combine them with extension tubes to take some crazy images...How much reach would you want with your motorsports lens ?
A common favourite is the Canon 70-200 f4 - about £450 retail. I'm guessing you may want more zoom with dragsters ? ...but then you get into the long running 70-200 f4 or 70-300 argument
(thats unless you want to spend more on the 100-400 (about £999 retail), through there are probably 3rd party manufacterer lenses as well...)Cheers.
flat-planedCrank said:
In what way limiting ? Are you looking for more range / larger apertures / etc.. ?
Are you looking for a dedicated macro lens ? I'm no macro expert (i'm sure they will arrive later) but they seem like the best route to take. In fact, many still combine them with extension tubes to take some crazy images...
How much reach would you want with your motorsports lens ?
A common favourite is the Canon 70-200 f4 - about £450 retail. I'm guessing you may want more zoom with dragsters ? ...but then you get into the long running 70-200 f4 or 70-300 argument (thats unless you want to spend more on the 100-400 (about £999 retail), through there are probably 3rd party manufacterer lenses as well...)
Cheers.
A greater range is the main priority. The motorsport aspect I think will need between 200-300mm, as with the barn now gone from SPR, only the banking's left to catch on track escapades (which can become a turf war with the Nikon folks). Are you looking for a dedicated macro lens ? I'm no macro expert (i'm sure they will arrive later
) but they seem like the best route to take. In fact, many still combine them with extension tubes to take some crazy images...How much reach would you want with your motorsports lens ?
A common favourite is the Canon 70-200 f4 - about £450 retail. I'm guessing you may want more zoom with dragsters ? ...but then you get into the long running 70-200 f4 or 70-300 argument
(thats unless you want to spend more on the 100-400 (about £999 retail), through there are probably 3rd party manufacterer lenses as well...)Cheers.
Ideally the fewer lenses the better, so one which could do the above, would be perfect, though I'm leaning towards the 70-200mm f/4.0 L as it seems to do most things for a reasonable price
, and possibly a Sigma 17-70mm Macro for the tiny stuff.Ta muchly folks, much appreciated
Top Fuel Digger said:
A greater range is the main priority. The motorsport aspect I think will need between 200-300mm, as with the barn now gone from SPR, only the banking's left to catch on track escapades (which can become a turf war with the Nikon folks).
Ideally the fewer lenses the better, so one which could do the above, would be perfect, though I'm leaning towards the 70-200mm f/4.0 L as it seems to do most things for a reasonable price, and possibly a Sigma 17-70mm Macro for the tiny stuff.
Ta muchly folks, much appreciated
The Sigma 17-70 certainly reviews well, and f2.8 at 17mm for about £220 sounds like a great deal. Ideally the fewer lenses the better, so one which could do the above, would be perfect, though I'm leaning towards the 70-200mm f/4.0 L as it seems to do most things for a reasonable price
, and possibly a Sigma 17-70mm Macro for the tiny stuff.Ta muchly folks, much appreciated
Imo, the only things its missing is a fast AF motor - they do make a HSM version for £30 more, but only for the nikon mount*
(no gloating nikon people )It doesn't have any stability system either, may or may not be an issue. Fwiw, the new 18-55 kit lens has IS now.
Either way i'd guess it'll be a significant step up from the 18-55 kit lens
I know you said increased range was the main priority
but just to put that resolve to the test - the Canon 17-40L f4 falls in your price bracket (just) at £499. Doesn't have stability either, or macro setting, but does have Canons ring USM focusing and some weather sealing (also features a desirable red band at the end )One third options for your 'walk about' lens would be the more expensive (about £660) but well respected EF-S 17-55 f2.8 IS USM. Again, not the same reach or macro, but f2.8 throughout the range, has IS also.
(If you do fancy a dedicated macro lens, Canon has the EF-S 60mm for about £250. The other is the option that the macro-ists
seem to go for - the EF 100mm at about £350. Depends how much macro work you intend on doing i suppose )The 70-200 f4 is a common choice for motorsports. If you need the fast focusing (and im guessing dragsters move at a fair-old-lick
) then the 70-200-series have ring USM. The 70-200 should work with the 1.4x converter as well, you will lose a stop of exposure and probably a little image quality, but %40 more zoom is an attractive prospect
Cheers.
Edited by flat-planedCrank on Saturday 26th January 20:22
Just a quick note for a ta muchly chaps and chapesses. In preparation for the race events that I wont be driving at, a nice Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM has been purchased - aside from some moon piccies during the week, not much to show. It's blooming hefty though - useful in a scrap with Jagdpanthers I imagine
Will sort out a nice macro lens once I've finished the Top Fuel car
Will sort out a nice macro lens once I've finished the Top Fuel car
Usefull thread this, being as I picked up an EOS 400D today!.
Kit lens does seem a bit 'limited' so I popped for a 70-300mm as well.
First results of snapping stuff in the garden and Im really impressed with it all. Roll on some good weather and a day off so I can go and take some worthy pics instead of ones of the cat!.
Sorry to threadjack, any suggestions on a decent tripod for use with the 400D?, I fancy getting some nice long exposure low light coastal shots next time I'm at the parents.
Cheers!.
Kit lens does seem a bit 'limited' so I popped for a 70-300mm as well.
First results of snapping stuff in the garden and Im really impressed with it all. Roll on some good weather and a day off so I can go and take some worthy pics instead of ones of the cat!.
Sorry to threadjack, any suggestions on a decent tripod for use with the 400D?, I fancy getting some nice long exposure low light coastal shots next time I'm at the parents.
Cheers!.
Edited by Greendubber on Saturday 23 February 20:48
Greendubber said:
Sorry to threadjack, any suggestions on a decent tripod for use with the 400D?, I fancy getting some nice long exposure low light coastal shots next time I'm at the parents.
Cheers!.
Not at all, I could use another tripod since the current one decided to buckle under the weight of the new lens...Cheers!.
1. Set timer
2. Hit shutter release button
3. Watch as tripod head gradually curves downwards just as the shutter does its thing...
Edited by Top Fuel Digger on Saturday 23 February 20:52
Top Fuel Digger said:
Greendubber said:
Sorry to threadjack, any suggestions on a decent tripod for use with the 400D?, I fancy getting some nice long exposure low light coastal shots next time I'm at the parents.
Cheers!.
Not at all, I could use another tripod since the current one decided to buckle under the weight of the new lens...Cheers!.
1. Set timer
2. Hit shutter release button
3. Watch as tripod head gradually curves downwards just as the shutter does its thing...
Edited by Top Fuel Digger on Saturday 23 February 20:52
I presume it didnt dump your new kit onto the floor?!
Greendubber said:
Top Fuel Digger said:
Greendubber said:
Sorry to threadjack, any suggestions on a decent tripod for use with the 400D?, I fancy getting some nice long exposure low light coastal shots next time I'm at the parents.
Cheers!.
Not at all, I could use another tripod since the current one decided to buckle under the weight of the new lens...Cheers!.
1. Set timer
2. Hit shutter release button
3. Watch as tripod head gradually curves downwards just as the shutter does its thing...
Edited by Top Fuel Digger on Saturday 23 February 20:52
I presume it didnt dump your new kit onto the floor?!
The tripod in question is now used as a doorstop...
Top Fuel Digger said:
Greendubber said:
Top Fuel Digger said:
Greendubber said:
Sorry to threadjack, any suggestions on a decent tripod for use with the 400D?, I fancy getting some nice long exposure low light coastal shots next time I'm at the parents.
Cheers!.
Not at all, I could use another tripod since the current one decided to buckle under the weight of the new lens...Cheers!.
1. Set timer
2. Hit shutter release button
3. Watch as tripod head gradually curves downwards just as the shutter does its thing...
Edited by Top Fuel Digger on Saturday 23 February 20:52
I presume it didnt dump your new kit onto the floor?!
The tripod in question is now used as a doorstop...
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