What to look for in a lens?

[Physics_Guru]

Hello all,

In a few months I plan to buy a few new lens' to support my habit. I am really interested in getting a 75mm-300mm lens for some long distance shooting. I know it is not possible to get the best of all worlds but I would like something that will work good for many different kinds of pictures (still life, fast action, ect.). I do not care about the brand as long as it is a name brand (no generics) and works with the Canon EOS Digital Rebel auto focus feature. I am not set on the 75-300 range but want something with at least 200mm zoom capability.

I don't really need specific product references... mainly just a 'make sure you look at the X feature as it is important for.....' and things like that. Mainly trying to build up my knowledge for two reasons; one that that I know it and two so I don't sound like an idiot at the camera store next month! :)

Thanks.

[Newby]

Hey PG,

I think if you wanted a well rounded set up (but slightly pricy) I would go for the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
(http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=150&modelid=7469) and also purchase a Extender EF 2x II (http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=154&modelid=7463) This set up is going to give you the most for your money & your range will extend from 70-200 to 140-400mm. The IS on the lense will work with the extender and is great for handheld shots that may otherwise come out blurry. You are going to get a softness on the high end of the telephoto when you use the converter, but most people suggest going no futher that 380mm with it. At that range it should stay sharp. I have a EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
(http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=150&modelid=7344) and I love it. I find that in keeping with a range of 380mm I keep the sharpness I want. The 100-400 is too much lense for the digital rebal (that is why I upgraded to the 20D).
Overall the 70-200mm with the 2x Converter is an all around good set up, but this is just my opinion.

Hope this helps

[PDG]

There is one very important feature of a lens. Aperture. A lot of pros refer to this feature when they say how "fast" a lens is. Basically, you want a lens that can stop down to a small aperture at both extremes of zooming. So, for example, let's say you bought a Widget 75-300mm 5.0 lens. This means that at 75mm (the widest) and 300mm (the zoomiest) the lowest aperture you can hit is 5.0.

This kinda sucks because it's going to be hard to blur the background in portraits. It will also perform poorly in low-light situations. As you may already know, apertures of 1.4-3.5 are capable of creating a very nice bokeh (blur) in the background of subjects. Apertures of 8.0-11 will bring everything into focus and are perfect for landscapes but they'll suck the big one at night.

So, when looking for that perfect lens, pay attention to the aperture. Keep in mind, though, that the lower the aperture, the more expensive the lens. Also look for IS which means Image stabilization. This helps prevent blurry pics through advanced lens technology (aka springs and thingamajigs).

I will finally give you the biggest and best piece of advice. Take your camera body with you to the store and test all the lenses you're thinking of buying. Take plenty of pictures. Then, go home and compare them to each other. Zoom in, check for discrepancies and be a total camera geek cuz this is going to be a hell of a purchase ;) Also pay attention to any issues the lenses may give when auto-focusing. If it's annoying at the store, it'll be annoying everywhere.

Good luck and let me know if I can help with anything else.

And avoid Quantaray at all costs! Please. In reference to actual lenses, I've read good things about the Canon f2.8 70-200mm IS and a few Tamrons. See more here. (http://www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=114993)

[Jaygre]

I know this is a little off the primary subject, but since we're talking about lenses. We got a used Canon 10d for our son (graduating from Law School), and have the opportunity of buying a Canon 28-200 macro lense for $150. Is this a good deal (We paid $750 for the camera, which is in perfect condition).

Any advise appreciated!

[Newby]

[QUOTE=Jaygre]I know this is a little off the primary subject, but since we're talking about lenses. We got a used Canon 10d for our son (graduating from Law School), and have the opportunity of buying a Canon 28-200 macro lense for $150. Is this a good deal (We paid $750 for the camera, which is in perfect condition).

Any advise appreciated![/QUOTE]

Hey Jaygre,

If you saw PDG's post you will understand why I ask this. What is the F-stop (minimum aperature on the lense) on the lense??

[Jaygre]

Imma doof - I read PDG message again - I think I understand what he is saying - I'll find out the fstop and get back -

[PDG]

[QUOTE=Newby]Hey Jaygre,

If you saw PDG's post you will understand why I ask this. What is the F-stop (minimum aperature on the lense) on the lense??[/QUOTE]

People are reading my mind everywhere! :D

Jaygre...with this info it'll be a whole lot better. Also, make sure it isn't all scratched up. A lot of people do not respect their lenses.

[Physics_Guru]

Wow, that is a nice looking lens. But I guess I should have mentioned that I didnt want to spend more than $400 for a zoom lens. :) I am sure that drastically alters which ones I can get. :)

[Newby]

[QUOTE=Physics_Guru]Wow, that is a nice looking lens. But I guess I should have mentioned that I didnt want to spend more than $400 for a zoom lens. :) I am sure that drastically alters which ones I can get. :)[/QUOTE]

for an extra $99 this (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4687&item=7508700337&rd=1) could be yours.

It is just missing the IS system, but if you shoot with a tripod or beanbag you'll be fine