08-19-2013 09:32 PM
Solved! Go to Solution.
08-21-2013 11:26 AM
@Bryan wrote:
Hey Skirball, is this the lens you were talking about?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00005K47X/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1377038781&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX110_SY165
Another question is would you recomend buying one from amazon or ebay or just go to a local store?
Yup, that's the one. It's not the best lens compared to a lot of other similar options but it performs quite well relative to its price. I like buy refurbished from Canon for more expensive lenses when it can save me some cash, but for a lens this cheap you probably should just buy new. I wouldn’t buy through grey market, for $25 more you can get it brand new, from Amazon, Prime shipping, with a warranty.
That said, I’m a big fan of Sigma too. I don’t know that I’d go for the 50-150 as your first non-kit lens though. My first non-kit lens was a Sigma 17-70, and I felt like it was a big jump up from the kit lens – which broke, so I had to upgrade. They have a new version with a bit wider aperture (2.8 – 4), it would probably fit your requirements pretty good and be in your budget.
http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-17-70mm-2-8-4-Canon-Digital/dp/B002ZNJB32/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
Looks like they also have a constant 2.8 17-50. I don’t know much about that one, but looks like a decent piece of glass close to your budget.
http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-17-50mm-2-8-Aperture-Canon/dp/B003A6H27K/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
08-19-2013 10:28 PM
There is no perfect lens. What's your budget? Do you want one lens to do it all?
You can use just about any lens for landscape, some like wide angle, others telephoto. In general it's nice to have a zoom to allow more flexibility in composition.
Portrait lenses traditionally have a large aperture for a soft look and to allow more flexibilty with light. But just about any lens can take a portrait too. Primes (no zoom) are popular because they're often very sharp, fast, light and you don't really need the flexibility of zoom for portraiture.
Usually people want telephotos for wildlife (although you say up close). Good telephotos cost $$$.
The lenses that came with your camera are fine if there is plenty of light, but you'll really see their shortcomings in something like indoor aquarium. I recommend you do some research to see what you want, but the Canon 50mm 1.8 is a common first non-kit lens for a lot of people because it costs next to nothing, lets in a lot of light, and is reasonably sharp given it's cost. Other people might argue that the $100 could go into the cost of a better lens... they're right, but you never know what you're going to like. I have lens filter that cost $100, it's a nominal cost to see if you like primes.
08-19-2013 10:29 PM
You can also see this, and I'm sure there are plenty more like it if you search:
http://forums.usa.canon.com/t5/Lenses/what-lens-is-best-for-canon-550d/m-p/37263#U37263
08-20-2013 06:28 PM
08-20-2013 06:51 PM
08-21-2013 11:26 AM
@Bryan wrote:
Hey Skirball, is this the lens you were talking about?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00005K47X/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1377038781&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX110_SY165
Another question is would you recomend buying one from amazon or ebay or just go to a local store?
Yup, that's the one. It's not the best lens compared to a lot of other similar options but it performs quite well relative to its price. I like buy refurbished from Canon for more expensive lenses when it can save me some cash, but for a lens this cheap you probably should just buy new. I wouldn’t buy through grey market, for $25 more you can get it brand new, from Amazon, Prime shipping, with a warranty.
That said, I’m a big fan of Sigma too. I don’t know that I’d go for the 50-150 as your first non-kit lens though. My first non-kit lens was a Sigma 17-70, and I felt like it was a big jump up from the kit lens – which broke, so I had to upgrade. They have a new version with a bit wider aperture (2.8 – 4), it would probably fit your requirements pretty good and be in your budget.
http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-17-70mm-2-8-4-Canon-Digital/dp/B002ZNJB32/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
Looks like they also have a constant 2.8 17-50. I don’t know much about that one, but looks like a decent piece of glass close to your budget.
http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-17-50mm-2-8-Aperture-Canon/dp/B003A6H27K/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
08-20-2013 09:41 AM - edited 08-20-2013 09:42 AM
"So I guess my question is what lens would be best for shooting portraits, landscape and up close wildlife"
With in reason, as stated above, no one lens is perfect for all shots, but possibly the best buy for a Rebel series camera is the Sigma AF 50-150mm f2.8 EX DC HSM. It is a truly fantastic lens for crop sensors. And although expensive, not a real budget buster.
08-20-2013 08:12 PM
08-21-2013 09:45 AM
"Would you recomend using this lens MAINLY for landscape?"
Although the Siggy is a fantastic lens, landscape will not be it's forte'. It will take landscape pictures, certainly, but there would be better choices for that. Exactly why we have said, one lens isn't going to get everything the best it can be.
The other attributes of this lens, compared to others in this category, make it a standout.
It gives you the popular, roughly, 70-200mm focal length, on your camera. This lens lives on my 7D.
08-21-2013 09:57 AM
"… aquarium …, … camera felt kind of heavier …, ... best for shooting portraits, landscape and up close wildlife."
This is what you mentioned. The Siggy is fast, for indoor stuff like “aquariums”, it is deffinantly heavier. It is a pretty good portrait lens although a little long and it does wildlife very well. Maybe not really close up but I didn't know what your budget is.
There is a Sigma 1.4x teleconverter, not too expensive, which would help in that area.
It is the best bang for the buck in this class of lens.
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