07-31-2023 05:10 AM
Just treat me as a ( now retired) beginner who knows nothing, because I am. I have had my 1000D for some weeks and would like to look at zoom / macro properly. Mine has the standard18-55 1:3.5-5.6 85mm lens. I manages some decent insect closeups, one below but would like someting maybe better, also zoom for birds and such. Managed the photo of Hawk Moth at the end after about 100 tries, little devils are fast, but hope to do better.
I found this for 290 euros (new 750+ in France) from the same supplier of my camera which was like new as described. The fact it is in a box with all paperwork implies the person cared and was careful.
My question, finally 🙂 Does this seem a good lens for my needs to get me into bird photos decent Macros etc. ? I am sure there are better, but more expensive is the problem. If I really start to get into this I will consdier an all round upgrade.
Also is there a good lens type for landscapes or should I be fine with the two I have ?
Any help and advice appreciated. John W
Solved! Go to Solution.
08-01-2023 03:26 PM
"There IS NO one size fits all lens."
Which, of course, is the whole point of an ILC (interchangeable lens camera). I get along well with the 18-135 EF-S as my main walking around lens, the late great 60mm EF-S for Macro and the EF 70 - 300 II lens for "portable" telephoto and a Tamron 150-600 mm for serious telephoto:
08-01-2023 01:09 PM
I wouldn't recommend this lens due to the large zoom ratio. 1:3 or 1:4 is a good zoom ratio. But 1:18 is too large. Not to mention the aperture at the telephoto end is small. It could cause AF problems with your camera. There IS NO one size fits all lens. If you need a macro lens get a macro lens. With birds or wildlife a telephoto lens is needed.
08-01-2023 03:26 PM
"There IS NO one size fits all lens."
Which, of course, is the whole point of an ILC (interchangeable lens camera). I get along well with the 18-135 EF-S as my main walking around lens, the late great 60mm EF-S for Macro and the EF 70 - 300 II lens for "portable" telephoto and a Tamron 150-600 mm for serious telephoto:
08-02-2023 04:09 AM - edited 08-02-2023 04:11 AM
Thanks for all your opinions, in the end I bought the lens as just too good an offer to miss.
It will be fine for what I want, a good lens in case I need it, the photos kvbarkley posted are just what I am looking for as real examples.
I found a good review here which goes past what I want into the technical side of chromatic abberations and such which are nt really a problem for me. I doubt I will be doing extreme work just to be able to photograph something in a field better then with the original lens that came with the camera. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LudX0GmLZQ
A couple of my efforts here. The red bee hawk moths (big red to his friends) are really fast so way over 100 to get even this. shutter 500 to make wings still so they must beat near that speed. The one on the window was a sitting target but through glass but the 'scarce' butterly (of which we have dozens) was easier.
05-19-2024 12:41 AM
I'm really glad to see you got the lens. Its great and easy to use. Way too many people miss out on a good thing because of a few things that would never make a difference on most cases. The moth and butterflies look great.
05-19-2024 10:15 AM - edited 05-19-2024 10:16 AM
One thing that has always intrigued me is why people think they need approval of what they do or buy. There is only one person that has to be happy with your purchase and the results you get. And that person is not me nor anyone else on this forum or any place else. That person its you. If you are good with it, it doesn't matter what the rest of us think.
If my opinion maters, which it does not, I would not buy or use that lens partly for the one valid reason opined above. "1:3 or 1:4 is a good zoom ratio. But 1:18 is too large." That lens is designed for the very base and beginner market of people that just want camera that has a do all capability like am iphone. Nothing wrong with that and if that is you more power to you. But going that route you have just invalidated the basic reason for a DSLR with interchangeable lenses. "There IS NO one size fits all lens."
05-19-2024 01:45 PM
EB,
The saying, "Its a poor workman that blames the tool" is applicable to DSLR's and presumably mirrorless cameras as well. It looks like the original poster is satisfied with his acquisition, having fun with it and producing nice results.
I agree with you on superzooms and that there is no "one size fits all lens" but at the end of the day, results matter and the original poster's results are very nice. My experience has generally different in that if I do go for the "one size fits all" solutions, I regret it.
Regards,
LZ
05-20-2024 09:57 AM
The only person that is important is you yourself. If you are good with it, its nobody else's business to say good or bad. It is not a lens I would use but that's me. A lot comes into play especially when you have no background or history of the individual. It was my experience doing the DSLR 101 classes that most folks are happy with the, let's say lower end of the camera market gear. Usually somebody has to tell them it not a good lens or whatever. Its like the cropper camera nonsense. Most folks don't even know what it is or have ever heard about it until somebody tells them its no good and you need a FF. You and I can only explain why we use what we use and/or why we don't use whatever.
It is interesting that a lot of people seem to want approval of their choices, however.
12/18/2024: New firmware updates are available.
EOS C300 Mark III - Version 1..0.9.1
EOS C500 Mark II - Version 1.1.3.1
12/05/2024: New firmware updates are available.
EOS R5 Mark II - Version 1.0.2
09/26/2024: New firmware updates are available.
EOS R6 Mark II - Version 1.5.0
Canon U.S.A Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited.