dslr camera with carl zeiss lens image
lots-a-que
I'd like to upgrade to DSLR, but after buying a body (D80) I will only have about $250 to spend on a lens. I've read lots of reviews on the cheaper models and they all seem to have lots of negatives, be it slowness, distortion, fringing, CA or softness. So I'm wondering if the cheap SLR lenses are just crap compared to good SLR lenses or if they are crap compared to point and shoot lenses as well.
Also, what would be the cheapest Nikon (Nikkor, Tarmon, Sigma...) lens is that will outperform the best point and shoot lenses like Sony's Carl Zeiss and Panasonic's Leica.
Answer
Depends on what you buy. I pride myself on being able to find great deals at low prices...the diamond in the rough so to speak.
I've been able to get stunning images from less expensive lenses that have made people do a double take when they've heard what lens I used. They do take a good knowledge of photography to use effectively, and you'll need to spend some time getting to know what their stengths and weakness are.
Some examples:
I have a Nikon D50, and a Nikon N90s.
Tamron 28-200mm f/3.8-5.6. $150-$180
The first SLR lens I purchased. It works on film and digital bodies. It is not as contrasty or punchy in the color area than some lenses, but all that can be adjusted either in camera using the color settings or in post processing. This is my walk around lens. Thios is solidly built and has never failed me in the 3 years I've had it. It's just a little slow for sports or indoor shots.
Phoenix 100mm f/3.5 1:1 macro $100-$130
I wanted a macro lens, and really wanted the Tamron 90mm macro, but at the time could not afford it. Got this instead and it is a gem for the price. Not in the same league as the Tamron 90mm, but definitely workable, usable and capable of good shots. It's build is a little less than desired, but it definitely works. Most reviews of this lens are favorable for a macro in this price range.
Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 $100
Ask anyone, either Nikon or Canon, and they will have had or do have a 50mm f/1.8 or f/1.4 in their bag. This is such a versatile lens. punchy, great contrast and FAST! There are very few if any downsides to having this lens. For the Nikon...I find that the f/1.8 is the better value($100). The f/1.4 at $250 just doesn't justify the extra $150 for extra stop of light.
Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 $400
I've just come to fall in love with the Tamron lenses. They fit the bill for me and the type of shooting I do and at a great price. A comparable Nikon lens in this range will run you $800-$850! It isvery sharp(close to the 50mm f/1.8) great in low light. I use this for shooting indoors and for sporting events. I shoot a lot of martial arts tournaments and while I love the 50mm f/1.8, sometimes it's too tight on the action and I cannot back up far enough. The constant f/2.8 throughout the 17-50mm range is great for me in this scenario. It's a good working compromise.
Any of these lenses will outperform a P&S camera lens.
Now, lets not forget that there is more going on in the cameras. SLR can tend to be a little less sharp because they are not trying to do everything in camera on their default settings. Most people who use a DSLR will do post processing on their images. Any softness, saturation boosting can be done after the fact. It can also be done in the camera as well. You'll just have to change the factory defaults to be what you are looking for.
Any consumer oriented camera(P&S advanced P&S will be setup to look the best it can from camera because most people who use them will do little to no post processing and print the images "as-is" from the memory card. The camera manufacturers know this and so setup those cameras accordingly.
Hope this helps.
Depends on what you buy. I pride myself on being able to find great deals at low prices...the diamond in the rough so to speak.
I've been able to get stunning images from less expensive lenses that have made people do a double take when they've heard what lens I used. They do take a good knowledge of photography to use effectively, and you'll need to spend some time getting to know what their stengths and weakness are.
Some examples:
I have a Nikon D50, and a Nikon N90s.
Tamron 28-200mm f/3.8-5.6. $150-$180
The first SLR lens I purchased. It works on film and digital bodies. It is not as contrasty or punchy in the color area than some lenses, but all that can be adjusted either in camera using the color settings or in post processing. This is my walk around lens. Thios is solidly built and has never failed me in the 3 years I've had it. It's just a little slow for sports or indoor shots.
Phoenix 100mm f/3.5 1:1 macro $100-$130
I wanted a macro lens, and really wanted the Tamron 90mm macro, but at the time could not afford it. Got this instead and it is a gem for the price. Not in the same league as the Tamron 90mm, but definitely workable, usable and capable of good shots. It's build is a little less than desired, but it definitely works. Most reviews of this lens are favorable for a macro in this price range.
Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 $100
Ask anyone, either Nikon or Canon, and they will have had or do have a 50mm f/1.8 or f/1.4 in their bag. This is such a versatile lens. punchy, great contrast and FAST! There are very few if any downsides to having this lens. For the Nikon...I find that the f/1.8 is the better value($100). The f/1.4 at $250 just doesn't justify the extra $150 for extra stop of light.
Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 $400
I've just come to fall in love with the Tamron lenses. They fit the bill for me and the type of shooting I do and at a great price. A comparable Nikon lens in this range will run you $800-$850! It isvery sharp(close to the 50mm f/1.8) great in low light. I use this for shooting indoors and for sporting events. I shoot a lot of martial arts tournaments and while I love the 50mm f/1.8, sometimes it's too tight on the action and I cannot back up far enough. The constant f/2.8 throughout the 17-50mm range is great for me in this scenario. It's a good working compromise.
Any of these lenses will outperform a P&S camera lens.
Now, lets not forget that there is more going on in the cameras. SLR can tend to be a little less sharp because they are not trying to do everything in camera on their default settings. Most people who use a DSLR will do post processing on their images. Any softness, saturation boosting can be done after the fact. It can also be done in the camera as well. You'll just have to change the factory defaults to be what you are looking for.
Any consumer oriented camera(P&S advanced P&S will be setup to look the best it can from camera because most people who use them will do little to no post processing and print the images "as-is" from the memory card. The camera manufacturers know this and so setup those cameras accordingly.
Hope this helps.
Any suggestion on the latest entry level SLR camera guys?
Q. I'm planning to buy a Canon 450D as a start-up camera, any feedbacks on this one? Suggestion and violent reactions are welcome.
Answer
Check out the Sony A300 (10.2mp) and A350 (14.2mp). Both have Live View that actually works with the auto focus. Both have Sony's version of Image Stabilization (IS) - Super Steady Shot - in the camera body. Any lens you use will enjoy that benefit instead of a select few. Plus, you don't have to pay for IS every time you buy a lens.
Sony currently lists 26 branded lenses, has released a line of Carl Zeiss T* lenses and you can use every legacy Minolta Maxxum AF lens made since 1985. Most of the accessories for the Konica-Minolta D5 & D7 DSLR cameras are compatible with the A300/350 as are some of the older Minolta Maxxum accessories.
Sony has announced a full-frame (24mm x 36mm) DSLR to be released later this year.
Also, remember that it was Sony that released the world's first non-film SLR with interchangeable lenses - the 1981 Mavica. Although not digital, it wasn't film. The estimated value of a Mavica with all 3 interchangeable lenses is around $5,000.00.
Check out the Sony A300 (10.2mp) and A350 (14.2mp). Both have Live View that actually works with the auto focus. Both have Sony's version of Image Stabilization (IS) - Super Steady Shot - in the camera body. Any lens you use will enjoy that benefit instead of a select few. Plus, you don't have to pay for IS every time you buy a lens.
Sony currently lists 26 branded lenses, has released a line of Carl Zeiss T* lenses and you can use every legacy Minolta Maxxum AF lens made since 1985. Most of the accessories for the Konica-Minolta D5 & D7 DSLR cameras are compatible with the A300/350 as are some of the older Minolta Maxxum accessories.
Sony has announced a full-frame (24mm x 36mm) DSLR to be released later this year.
Also, remember that it was Sony that released the world's first non-film SLR with interchangeable lenses - the 1981 Mavica. Although not digital, it wasn't film. The estimated value of a Mavica with all 3 interchangeable lenses is around $5,000.00.
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