What lenses are good for all poourpose and Macro?

best canon lens everyday image

shadow_is_

I am buying a canon EOS 7D and am wondering what good model of lenses there are for simple every day shooting and macro lenses as well.

Answer
Well you will not get a macro lens that is good for everyday shots. macro lenses are usually fixed focal length of about 100mm. A good everyday lens would be the 50mm F/1.8 canon lens, it is fixed focal but you will get used to it.

Using different brand lens for different brand camera?

Writer...

I'm thinking about purchasing a Pentax ZX-L camera.

It's coming with a camera case, 75-300mm zoom lens, 58mm Skylight 1-A filter, and cable switch for extended exposure shots.
Does anyone know if the 75-300mm zoom lens a good lens?

Can I use other brand lenses? (Like Nikon, or Ricoh).

If so, what other brands can I use?

Please help! I'm new to this and would really appreciate the knowledge.

Answer
Is that the only lens you'll be getting with it?

What are you planning to take photos of? For everyday things you'll be better off with a shorter focal length. That lens is a telephoto lens for photos of things some distance away.

Pentax cameras have a Pentax mount on them which means you can use Pentax lenses and those made by 3rd party suppliers such as Sigma, Tamron and Tokina. You'll have to check that they do lenses for the Pentax ZX-L.

Nikon and others have their own specific mounts that mean only lenses with mounts for their cameras can be used. If you look on Amazon you'll see the same basic lens (from Sigma, Tamron, etc) but there will be different lenses for Canon, Nikon, etc.

As for the lens itself it seems to be a reasonable budget lens. You get what you pay for. Some reviews in the link. If you're only planning to have smallish photos online (1000 pixels or so) then it will be OK. If you're expecting to print out full size photos (20 inches or so) then you'll see that the images won't be that wonderful.

You may want to get hold of a photography book to learn some terminology and the different effects of shutter speed, aperture and ISO when it comes to taking photos. Also to understand some aspects of image quality and sharpness and how those can vary with lens quality. Good (expensive) lenses take better pictures.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What are the zoom capabilities of a dslr camera?

how dslr camera lenses work image

Belle

So I am wanting to buy a camera, but I don't really know what to look for. I know dslr cameras have interchangeable lenses, and a standard one seems to be 18-55 mm. What does that translate to for zoom relative to a p&s? (Like, is it 30x zoom or something like that?)

Answer
If you are going to spend real money on a DSLR you need to stop misusing words. A zoom lense is a variable focal length lense. 30x is totally meaningless. 30x what? An 18-55mm lense can be set to any focasl length between 18mm and 55mm. Nothing else has any meaning unless you know the dimensions of the sensor the image will be focussed on. Then you can calculate the angle of view options available for a given focal length range.

What are all these FF55 - 200 stuff on the DSLR camera lenses?

Michael

I'm getting a DSLR camera for Christmas and I don't know what all these funky letters and numbers mean.

Thanks in advance!

Answer
Labels, Numbers, They stand for different things.

If you just bought a DSLR you can go to the brand DSLR website and find information about such.

55-200 means that the lens has a 55-200mm focal range. Your kitlens has 18-55, in effect from a group shot to a relative thigh shot. And the 55-200mm is a lens in the tele range meaning it can pull closer for instance a bird in the trees.

Ah you can even see it in effect if you move one of the ribbed rings on the lens you see it extend a bit. Now look through the viewfinder and do it again. Hey wasn't that easy!

The other ring is for focussing, it allows you to manual focus if for instance the automatic focus doesn't cuts it [dark outside or something in the way]

What the other things mean..well that depends on brand and lens brand.

I agree with the others best is to buy a book into the basics of DSLR and read it, keep it with you and most important MAKE ALLOT OF PICTURES. The only way you can learn is through experience! And that means actual doing it.

DSLR's are great tools, but at the same time they are tools, it is the person behind the camera that makes the magic happen. Yes it offers auto modes but one of the nicest thing about the DSLR is control. You get the shot as you desire!

So buy a simple starters guide for your specific model [for instance if you own a Nikon 3100 buy a book that with pictures and easy words tell you what the buttons are for and what does what]

Then buy a book about different types of photography and well again with nice pictures inside so you can see what they mean.

Photography is an art, it is something you can almost touch, taste, feel.. but also it is a technical thing.

So just buy some basic books and actually make pictures. Learn the way get hooked on it.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What canon lens should I get with my 60D for Mexico vacation?

best camera lens for canon 60d image

Vince

Hey guys,
I will be traveling around Mexico for a vacation and would like some advice.
I shoot a canon 60D and my lenses are 24-70mm 2.8L, 50mm 1.8, and the 18-55mm standard lens.

I want to know what lens should I get for a walk around lens in Cancun. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

Answer
Yes bring a $2400 L lens to a poor country so it gets stolen, not smart.

Bring your Kit lens. Its cheap compared to the rest you own and easy to replace. (Just don't leave your camera in shady places or wonder off to shady places).

What is the most inexpensive price for a Canon 60d?

Trixie

Hey, I'm buying a Canon 60d but I need to know how much it would cost in stores. What would be the most inexpensive price for one, that isn't like totally cheap quality. Tell me where it would be, too!

Answer
Totally cheap quality? What does that mean. The 60D (every one built) is of the very highest quality by consumer level dslr standards - regardless of price the 60D is always a 60D.

About $1,300 with a good lens.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/732048-REG/Canon_4460B004_EOS_60D_DSLR_Camera.html

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What are all these FF55 - 200 stuff on the DSLR camera lenses?

dslr camera and lenses image

Michael

I'm getting a DSLR camera for Christmas and I don't know what all these funky letters and numbers mean.

Thanks in advance!

Answer
Labels, Numbers, They stand for different things.

If you just bought a DSLR you can go to the brand DSLR website and find information about such.

55-200 means that the lens has a 55-200mm focal range. Your kitlens has 18-55, in effect from a group shot to a relative thigh shot. And the 55-200mm is a lens in the tele range meaning it can pull closer for instance a bird in the trees.

Ah you can even see it in effect if you move one of the ribbed rings on the lens you see it extend a bit. Now look through the viewfinder and do it again. Hey wasn't that easy!

The other ring is for focussing, it allows you to manual focus if for instance the automatic focus doesn't cuts it [dark outside or something in the way]

What the other things mean..well that depends on brand and lens brand.

I agree with the others best is to buy a book into the basics of DSLR and read it, keep it with you and most important MAKE ALLOT OF PICTURES. The only way you can learn is through experience! And that means actual doing it.

DSLR's are great tools, but at the same time they are tools, it is the person behind the camera that makes the magic happen. Yes it offers auto modes but one of the nicest thing about the DSLR is control. You get the shot as you desire!

So buy a simple starters guide for your specific model [for instance if you own a Nikon 3100 buy a book that with pictures and easy words tell you what the buttons are for and what does what]

Then buy a book about different types of photography and well again with nice pictures inside so you can see what they mean.

Photography is an art, it is something you can almost touch, taste, feel.. but also it is a technical thing.

So just buy some basic books and actually make pictures. Learn the way get hooked on it.

Need help with a good beginner dslr camera?

Anthony R

I own a canon point and shoot and I would like to get a dslr that can produce better quality. What are some good entry-level dslr cameras? What about lenses? Any information or tips for a beginner?

Answer
Stick with Canon. They produce excellent quality cameras. And you are familiar working with them.

Look into the:

- Canon XS
- Canon XSi
- Canon T1i
- Canon 7D

Depending on your budget...

The 1st two are entry - intermed. level offerings. The next two are more intermediate (as is the Canon 50D).

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What is a good fast lens for low light photography?

best camera lens for low light photography image

Jaide

I have a Canon EOS Rebel T1i. I'm leaning toward the Carl Zeiss Planar T 1.4/50 ZE but it's a fixed focal length and I'm not sure if that's the best for concerts and stage events. However I've been a big Zeiss fan since I got my first vintage Rolleiflex with Zeiss lenses. Would one of the Canon lenses be better for a lower price point?

Answer
For concert and stage events you will unlikely see any image quality improvement over a Canon f1.4 lens. And I would hate to give up auto focus in that situation.

You typically are shooting either too large an aperture (with little DOF) or too slow a shutter speed (motion blur) due to the low light levels. These are compromises you will be making. Many situations you will be shooting ISO 1600. You will not be getting the best out of any lens.

If you want to do this kind of shooting then get a 5D II camera. The low light capability will help you a lot more. And your concern about the fixed focal length is valid. It is limiting. A fast f2.8 zoom will not give be enough in really low light but in reasonable light (it always will be lower than you would like) it will be much more flexible.

Also consider the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 for low light work. It will give you some more reach and is very good wide open on a cropped format sensor. For concerts I use 50 and 85mm and 17-55mm f2.8 for a zoom.

What is the best CHEAP camera+lens combination for Low Light Photography?

alex

I know I need a "fast lens". What's the best low-cost option out there when you also account for the cost of the camera?
Thanks

Answer
nikon d3100 + 50mm f/1.8G AF-S

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What is the cheapest European country to buy Canon Lenses?

best canon usm lens image

James C

I'm Going on a two week road trip around Europe and im looking to buy a Canon 28mm ef F/1.8 usm lens.Which would be the cheapest Country to get it in or is it the same roughly everywhere?

Answer
Look for a used copy before you leave. This is a great lens to have for the entire road trip. You won't find it sold for less retail, and you probably won't find a used copy at all during your 2 week trip.

If you can't find one, consider the Sigma 30mm f/1.4. It's the same price as the Canon and half a stop faster. The Sigma is a bit soft towards the edges, but otherwise very good - sharp in the center, fast AF, etc. For night time street photography, I'd probably prefer this lens. (I personally use a 50mm f/1.4 for this and a 17-55mm f/2.8 for just about everything else.)

If you live in the USA, forget about buying gear in Europe. A used Canon 28 f/1.8 in mint condition goes for $375 (craigslist.org in NYC) and retail it's $420 (bhphotovideo.com). In most of Europe, expect to pay 390 Euros retail (kamera-express.nl - I picked a Dutch website because I live in Holland). This translates to $610. Prices in the UK are a bit higher still: there you can expect to pay 325 Pounds (jessops.com), which works out to $645.

If you're shooting digital, also bring a laptop or stock up on memory cards before you leave. Two weeks is a very short time - you don't want to waste any of it in camera shops, waiting for your pictures to transfer to DVDs.

---
Nathan, the thumbs-down wasn't mine. Although... you know, I can't actually think of too many department stores that carry the Canon 28mm f/1.8.

What lens u ll suggest for a travel photography?

arun

1)i like to buy 70-200mm f/ 4l is usm lens,is it gud enough or will sugest sum other lens for the same price category?

2)how to find the orginal canon lens? becoz here lot of shops provide various price ranges for the lens which i mentioned.
Thanks 4 ur suggestions in advance.

Answer
@Camera guy-it looks as if English may be a second language for the OP, but I'm not sure.

As far as a lens, it really depends on where you're going and what you'll be doing. If you will mostly do scenic shots, landscapes, cityscapes, then I recommend a wide angle lens like a 10-22mm or 12-24mm. It will make for much more dynamic shots.

But if you will be doing mostly street style photography, cafes, people, markets, then something like a 35mm or 50mm might be more appropriate.

Or, if you will be shooting a lot of wildlife, then you are going to want at least a 200mm focal length, so perhaps the 70-200. But it might still leave you wanting a little more reach.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

Where do professional photographers buy DSLR cameras through online?

dslr camera lens help image

Q. To professional photographers which are the safest or reliable places to buy a DSLR camera/Lens ?
I need it online and in New Zealand. I don't trust ebay and am having doubts about Amazon, although they have a DSLR that is sold by them and not a reseller not sure if there may be something wrong with it, or it gets damaged in the mail etc. I would prefer a camera only online store. Would require your help to know where you buy yours and if you had any problems with the camera will it be solved there.

thank you in advance

Answer
I would recommend Smifu for your DSLR camera need because they operate from New Zealand with a physical address for their store. I have found number of positive reviews from them in online which have been posted by satisfied customers of them. These things make Smifu trustworthy.

What kind of DSLR camera + lens fits my speculations?

Q. What kind of DSLR camera + lens fits my speculations?
Spec 1: it doesnt cost more than 500$
Spec 2: it doesnt have more than 14 mega pixels
Spec 3: it has vivid colours
Spec 4: it has nice stabilization
Spec 5: it will be usually used for portraits
Spec 6: it needs a good focus
Spec 7: iwill be used for medium distance fotos (1-5 meters)

Thanks!

Answer
Check out the Pentax K-x. It meets all of your specifications and it is a good camera.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentaxkx/

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/651671-REG/Pentax_16301_Pentax_K_x_Digital_SLR.html

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What's the DSLR equivalent of the best point and shoot lens?

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.

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.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What is the absolute best Canon lens for landscape photography?

best canon lens for landscape image

Zaki I

Own a Canon 5D Mark III with a 24-105. Really looking to dive into landscape photography seeing as how when I had the 40D with the 17-55, loved it.

Given that, without budget restraints, what is the best Canon L series lens out there for landscape photography? I intend on using ND and Polarizing filters as well for some of my shots.

Thanks in advance.

Answer
On that camera
Zoom - Canon EF 16-35mm F/2.8 L
Prime - Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 L or 24mm f/1.4 L

That said, your 24-105 on the full frame 5D includes the full focal length range of your 17-55 on the crop sensor 40D which would be equivalent to a 27-88 on full frame.

What lens u ll suggest for a travel photography?

arun

1)i like to buy 70-200mm f/ 4l is usm lens,is it gud enough or will sugest sum other lens for the same price category?

2)how to find the orginal canon lens? becoz here lot of shops provide various price ranges for the lens which i mentioned.
Thanks 4 ur suggestions in advance.

Answer
@Camera guy-it looks as if English may be a second language for the OP, but I'm not sure.

As far as a lens, it really depends on where you're going and what you'll be doing. If you will mostly do scenic shots, landscapes, cityscapes, then I recommend a wide angle lens like a 10-22mm or 12-24mm. It will make for much more dynamic shots.

But if you will be doing mostly street style photography, cafes, people, markets, then something like a 35mm or 50mm might be more appropriate.

Or, if you will be shooting a lot of wildlife, then you are going to want at least a 200mm focal length, so perhaps the 70-200. But it might still leave you wanting a little more reach.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

Which camera will work best for my needs?

best canon 7d lens for wildlife image

radical

I have 3 cameras in mind - the Nikon D5000, the Canon T3, and the Canon T1i.
For the most part, I usually take photos of scenery/wildlife from afar.
With the T1i, I'd be getting an 18-55 lens
The T3 an 18-55 also and a 75-300,
and with the D5000 a 15-55 and 55-200.

Answer
truth be told, the biggest factor here is not going to be the camera body, its going to be the glass you put infront of it.

i've shot on both nikons and canon bodys and personally prefer canon, but thats entirely down to preference, check your local camera store and ask to have a play with each, feel out what you like, and then ask them to load the shots onto a computer so you can compare. this way you can try to take a similar shot a few times and then compare the results yourself. www.dpreview.com is a bit of a bible for photography - they do great reviews on cameras, and also lenses.

currently i am shooting on a 5d mkii and a 7d and i use L lenses on both, but there are some good standard lenses out there, again i would say ask to demo the ones in your budget, and compare the shots. if you are shooting to try and get closer to far away objects, and create more of a portrait of a landscape then look at telephoto lenses, (somewhere between 70mm and 150mm would be plenty) but you wont get the sense of "being there" at that focal length - if you want to capture a whole scene then you will want a wider lens, so should be looking at something with a 20-50mm range.

there are some lenses out there with ridiculous zooms on them where you may get a very very wide focal range, however what you will probably find with these lenses, is that the quality of the glass to make them affordable is compromised, and you may see barrel distortion, or heavy vignetting on your shots that is hard to remove in post, however if you want to do any portrait work, wide angle lenses are not very flattering for your subject, and tend to warp peoples faces so that they look distorted - it can create a good effect, but limits you to a certain style of portrait, and is not ideal for regular portrait use.

I hope that this helps.

Does anybody know a good camera to get?

Q. I really want to get into nature photography. I was wondering what a good type of camera to get would be. A Nikon or something? And what about different lenses?

Answer
Disclaimer first, I own and shoot Nikon and am very happy with my system, but i do not make (or need to make) money from my nature and wildlife photography.

Just starting out, for nature photography I would today purchase a Canon system (rather than the Nikon system I own) just for ease of use and some of the very slick lenses Canon makes. Especially if shooting wildlife in nature Canon would be my #1 choice (and this is just opinion I have not owned a Canon since they changed lens mounts in the 70's). Some well known photographers switched systems (from Nikon) at that time, loudly bitchin' all the way about how much it was costing them but seem to be very happy with the Canon system. The Nikon legacy mount makes some things hard to do that Canon owners don't even consider issues, but the Nikon legacy also provides a huge bank of classic lenses available at cheap prices.

Canon EOS-1 for film, Canon 7D for digital.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What camera and lens should I buy?

best canon lens sigma image

Max Krems

I have about 1,200+ dollars. I love to travel and love to photograph the people and the places I visit. I haven't done any courses but I will in a few weeks. I want to buy a nikon or canon SLR camera plus a lens. I understand that in most cases, the lens is more important than the body. My parents said they would let me use their sigma 28-200 canon lens if I want. Im not sure if this is a decent lens. I don't know what to do. Maybe I should keep saving? I have also been looking at the canon 60d. Does anyone know what I should do?

Answer
Hi
If you want to go with canon you could get the new 70d which just came out or go with you 60d idea, very good camera. I've got 600d and 60d is ment to be the big brother to it. Also the 60d is weather sealed, good for travelling so if you have 1200d to spend go for that then spend the rest on glass
Sigma is not going to be as good as the canon version of the lens so maybe get like a 18-250 mm lens so you get the range you want for traveling as you may see any thing from near to far when traveling
Go for used 60d off eBay body only for about 650 dollars then you can invest in some good quality L lenses

Or get 70d and get kit lens or get a cheaper lens to go with that


Hope that helps

What lenses fit on a Canon Rebel XSI camera?

Lindsey K

I am looking for a Canon lens that fits on my rebel XSI. I take portrait pics and nature and also random shots. What kind of lenses fit on that type of camera? Also a lens made for those type of photos?

Answer
Great thing about Canon EOS camera are that you have great choice of lenses unlike Nikon and other brands.

I also have XSi and I have Canon and Tamron lens and they are all compatible.

Any Canon EF or EF-S lens will fit you XSi. If you have EF lens from your old Canon film camer that will fit your XSi or any EOS DSLR.

If you prefer to buy a cheaper Tamron or Sigma, make sure that they are FE or EF-S mount.

Note that EF lens are forward compatible but EF-S are not backward compatible.



Rohn

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

Is there a macro lens for the Canon Rebel XSi?

best canon macro lens review image

Q. Do they make a macro lens not a filer or extension, but a real macro
lens for the 58mm Canon Rebel XSi DSLR camera?

Answer
Hey,

Your Canon XSi has an EF and EF-s mount. The 58mm is the filter size of your current lens (18-55). All lenses have different filter sizes (but most have 58mm), it is written on the front of your lens.

Here's a post called 'Buying a Macro lens for Canon - http://www.the-dslr-photographer.com/2010/02/buying-macro-lens.html

I'd get the Sigma 105, Canon 100mm f/2.8 or the Tamron 90. They're all ~450$.

Here's a review of the Canon 100mmf /2.8 - http://www.the-dslr-photographer.com/2010/03/canon-ef-100mm-f28-macro-usm-review.html

Good luck!

What is the best portrait lens with the Canon 40d?

Q. I currently have a rebel - think I've finally decided on a 40d body (doesn't seem to be much difference between the 40d & 50d), but now interested in the best portrait lens I can match up with the 40d. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks to all who answered! Looks like I'll be investing in the 50mm 1.4.

Answer
That depends on how much you're planning on spending and what focal length suits your needs. Here are a few fairly inexpensive mid-telephoto prime lenses.

- EF 50mm f/1.8. A very good choice if you're on a budget (only $100).

- EF 50mm f/1.4. Slightly improved version of the lens above. But compared to the more expensive lenses, it's just as sharp but only is a fraction of the price (about $370). You can see the difference between the f/1.8 and f/1.4 versions here: http://photo.net/equipment/canon/ef50/

- EF 85mm f/1.8. Very good quality lens and excellent bokeh. On APS-C cameras, it's a bit long (136mm) but should be okay if you do tight portraits. Also could be a good lens for sports. It costs about $380.

- EF 100mm f/2.8. A tack sharp macro lens and also good for portraits, although it's pretty long on APS-C cameras (160mm). It costs around $520.

Be sure to do plenty of research before deciding on a lens. Here's a good place to read reviews and research: http://the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What lens is good for large family portraits?

best camera lens for group portraits image

jennifer

I have a Canon Rebel xs and I know I will need another lens for shooting large groups of people. I've already used my kit lens for this with an wide angle lens adapter on it and it worked well but I want the pics to be sharper. I'm wanting a budget lens as I can't afford the L series lenses. So what would you recommend?

Answer
If you can't take sharp photos with your kit lens, you won't be able to take sharp photos with an expensive lens. Do NOT use wide angle adaptors on your lens if you want sharp images. They are generally rubbish.. If necessary, stand further back to get everyone in.

Assuming you have the standard 18-55mm kit lens, this is how to take tack sharp images:

1. Put your camera on a tripod. If necessary (when in low light conditions) use the camera's self timer to fire the shot, so you don't have to touch the camera to fire the shot. This will eliminate any possibility of camera shake.

2. For groups of people, set your aperture to f/8 - use aperture priority mode if you are unfamiliar with manual mode. If there isn't much light, you may also need to increase your ISO. Using f/8 will ensure you have the correct depth of field to get everyone in sharp focus, without the aperture being too narrow which could cause diffraction problems (blurring).

3. Tell everyone to stand still.

Would someone please explain to me how the Zoom on a camera lens compares to the X power of a rifle scope?

WV Prepper

For example I have 4X power rifle scope which means that what I'm looking at through the scope is magnified four times it's actual size.
How does this work with a zoom lens? Is a 200mm setting three times closer than a 50mm setting?
Is there a formula for figuring this out?

Answer
Zoom on a camera only describes the RANGE of focal lengths of the lens.
So a 4X zoom may be from 25-100mm focal length.
A 35mm film camera was the standard for comparing magnification for most photographers (and often it still is). A 50mm lens approximated the diagonal dimension of the film frame so a 50mm lens is refered to as a "normal" lens. It came the closest to what your eye saw at 1X magnification.
That means a 25-100mm zoom lens has a magnification of 1/2X at its widest setting to 2X at its highest magnification.

Power or "x" factor on a scope is MAGNIFICATION. A 4X scope sees and object as if it were 1/4 the true distance to you.

For your question, a 200mm setting is 4X more magnification than a 50mm setting.

When reading specs on a camera, you have to dig down to get the "35mm" equivalent of the particular camera focal length. An 7-28mm zoom may actually translate to 28-112mm in "35mm equivalent" because the CCD sensor on the camera may be only 12mm diagonal.

Here is your formula:

1. Make sure you find the "35mm equivalent" focal lengths of the lenses
2. Divide by 50mm to get your magnification range.
3. If the camera is 35mm film or is an expensive "full frame" sensor, simply divide by 50mm to get your magnification.

Many DSLR's tell you the "conversion factor" of lenses. Typical factors are 1.5, 1.7 and 2. That means when you stick a 100mm lens on a camera with a 1.7 conversion factor, the lens is equivalent to a 170mm lens on a 35mm camera and your magnification is 170mm/50mm = 3.4X

Here are some examples of 35mm equivalent focal lengths:
28mm = 0.56X good wide angle. You can capture nearly an entire bedroom view without "fish-eye" distortion
35mm = 0.7X mild wide angle. Easier to get group shots without backing up too much
50mm = 1X Pretty much what your eye sees in terms of magnification
85mm = 1.7X good portrait lens for face shots
200mm = 4X used to be the consumer limits for inexpensive telephoto shots
500mm = 10X used to be top of the line telephoto. These are the lenses used by those pro photographers that often get tackled on the sidelines of football games <g>.

Hope that helps

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What is a good first Canon lens for my canon 7D to shoot video with?

best lens canon 7d video shooting image

Burtondude

I am a filmmaker, and I am investing into DSLR lenses. I also want to use this lens for photography.
Let me know. I was thinking to get the Canon 50mm f1.2 or f1.4. What do you think?

Answer
I hate smart people who think that being a film maker necessarily involves silver hallide acetate.

JimA doesn't have a video DSLR and so is the wrong person to answer this, as bourne out by his recommendation of a superzoom lens, the quality of which can be most kindly described as mediocre.

Sorry Jim, it's one thing trying to help, it's another racking up points on subjects where you've no useful knowledge (and being facetious into the bargain)

ANYWAY

Back to the question.

I would recommend a constant aperture walkaround, either Canons 17-55 f2.8 IS EF-s lens (very expensive) or Sigmas version, even the Non-IS version (at less than half the cost of the canon) just make sure it is the constant f2.8 aperture version.

With video you can't shoot below 1/30th and are better to shoot at 1/50 or 1/60th, so an f2.8 constant lens gives you an extra 1-2 stops of light over the zoom range compared to a ramping aperture lens.

The max f2.8 also brings the 7Ds AF system to life, particularly the centre point with its dual cross -axis phase detection.

Fixed lenses are less flexible and very fast short tele lenses (the 50mms become more like an 80mm lens on an APS-C 7D) are very tricky to keep in focus. They are great for effect but not easy to live with for general use.

If you really want a 50mm then I would get the cheapo f1.8 version, and get one of the constant aperture walkarounds.

I would never part with the cash for the f1.2 50mm. It's not worth the cash optically. The f1.4 is equal better accross most of the range.

What lens(es) should I look into for the Canon 7D?

Jacob Lang

I'm saving up so I can purchase the Canon 7D this summer. I'm a film maker, so think in terms of that. I'm not very well versed in lenses, so I need some help. I don't know whether or not to get the kit lens (I don't even know if it's any good), but at the very least, I'll need a normal lens.

I don't need the best of the best, price is a factor, I just need something to shoot with, sans most aberrations.

Answer
What kind of effects are you going for? Shallow depth-of-field? That will require some planning and predetermined focus-pulling to keep what you want in perfect focus. A Canon 50mm f/1.4 would be good for that.

If you're looking for a more general lens that can be used for video under a wide variety of conditions, then a Canon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 will be more suitable. Keep it near wide-angle and at a small aperture to keep everything in focus, zoom in to 200mm to record subjects from further away.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What is a good digital camera for taking pictures with friends?

sony a390 dslr camera and lens image

Kawaii

Need to have more than or equal to 14 megapixels. Have to have awesome quality. When I take pictures, how can I cover my blemishes? Is there any mode that can do that? If there is, I want the camera to have it too. What is beauty mode? I'm just going to take pictures of me and my friends together. Maybe a little of scenery.

Answer
Below are listed a bunch of entry and mid-level DSLR cameras and approximate prices in US dollars, Australian Dollars and UK pounds. I think pretty much all of these will do a very good job. I have preferences amongst them....I guess in the entry level cameras, the Nikon D3100, the Canon EOS 600D and the Pentax K-r are the picks.
All of the mid level cameras are great.

In regards to megapixels.....I think you should just completely forget about it. Any camera with more than 8 megapixels is going to do the job. Honestly it's largely used as a sales tool to sell cameras to people who don't know about cameras.

I don't know what beauty mode is, but in portrait mode the camera just opens the aperture really wide. To soften blemishes, you need to think about how the subject is lit. Soft lighting (don't use the pop-up flash) or even using a sheet of white cardboard to reflect light onto the subject will work. Move the subject out of strong sunlight.


Entry level:
Nikon D3100 (18-55mm lens) --- US$550 / AU$740 / UK£440
Canon EOS 600D / Rebel T3i (18-55mm lens) --- US$900 / AU$1090 / UK£750
Pentax K-x (18-55mm lens) --- US$500 / AU$610 / UK£380
Pentax K-r (18-55mm lens) --- US$640 / AU$870 / UK£470
Sony Alpha A390 (18-55mm lens) --- US$500 / AU$560 / UK£390
Sony Alpha A55 (18-55mm lens) --- US$850 / AU$1100 / UK£600

Enthusiast / Mid-level:

Nikon D90 (18-105mm lens) --- US$960 / AU$1100 / UK£680
Nikon D7000 (18-105mm lens) --- US$1500 / AU$1500 / UK£1060
Canon EOS 60D (18-135mm lens) --- US$1300 / AU$1450 / UK£990
Pentax K-7 (18-55mm lens) --- US$980 / AU$1260 / UK£720

What camera would you suggest for the beginner photographer?

lalala

I am a high school student who has had very little experience with photography. I am currently working in my school's yearbook, and assuming that I do get an editor's position next year, I want to be prepared to take my own pictures whenever necessary and start now. I'm not looking for anything expensive... then again this camera will not be used to take random silly pictures of people. If necessary I would buy a used one. Any suggestions on a type of model?

Answer
Below are few entry level DSLRs which I think are worth a look if you want to go down that path. I use Canon, but I have not included them in this list because I think their entry level offerings are junk.

Entry level:
Nikon D3100 (18-55mm lens) --- US$550 / AU$740 / UK£440
Pentax K-x (18-55mm lens) --- US$500 / AU$610 / UK£380
Olympus Pen EPL-1 (14-42mm lens) --- US$430 / AU$480 / UK£350
Sony Alpha A390 (18-55mm lens) --- US$500 / AU$560 / UK£390

The other option is a compact. It's difficult to recommend compacts....there are thousands of them out there and in my opinion a $100 Canon is pretty much equal to a $100 Nikon and so on. There are compact cameras that I like a lot but they tend to be at the higher end of the price range.

For example the Canon G12 is a camera that journalists use.....I know a few guys in the army who use them. They are tough and reliable and give you some creative control in a small package. Nikon recently released the P7000 as their main rival to the Canon G12.
These are very nice little cameras. I would probably come down on the side of the G12 but I don't think you'll regret either of these cameras.

If you can give us a budget we might be able to give you better advice.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What are the best lenses for the Canon XTi?

best lens canon xti image

Andy72184

I am looking to take landscapes and portraits. What are the best lens for doing that on a Canon XTi?

Answer
For landscapes you need a good wide angle lens, probably a 14mm.

For portraits, you need a medium telephoto, probably 85mm.

Try to get a fast a lens as you can afford. Canon makes a f/2.8 14mm and a f/1.8 85mm.

I would also recommend getting a tripod, a good one, that is one that is sturdy and will support your camera. A cheap tripod will actually increase camera shake.

What kind of lens adapter do I need for my Vivitar lens to attach to my Canon xti?

Chris

I have a Canon EOS XTi and have recently discovered an old vivitar 75-260mm lens my that my Mom had. I have researched getting a mount/adapter that would allow me to use the older lens on my DSLR, but am still not sure exactly what mount the vivitar lens has. Please help me out; I would like to purchase an adapter, but don't want to waste money on the wrong one.

Thanks,
Christina.

Answer
First you have to determine what camera system the Vivitar lens mount accommodates

Next you need to determine if there is an adapter for that lens.

You should also be aware that any old manual focus lens like the Vivitar will become about a stop slower when an adapter is added and that the meter in the camera will not provide accurate readings

Determine the lens mount for the Vivitar and then ask the question again, although I am sure once you determine that, you and your computer skills along with your ability to search for information will get you what you want

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What is the best lens for close up photography- Canon 60D?

best canon lens jewelry image

Dayarem

I don't mean macro for like flowers and insects. I need it for detail shots of jewelry, shoes, and decorations of weddings and quinceneras. I have macro filters but when I need an extreme close-up the edges are very blurry and have a zoom-like effect. I dont like how it looks.

Answer
A macro lens would still be your best option for jewelry though shoes and wedding decorations can usually be done with a telephoto lens if you don't have a macro lens. Macro lenses have the ability to focus closely but they don't need to. A 60mm F2.8 macro or a 100mm F2.8 macro lens is also a very good portrait lens and will do shoes and table decorations quite well.

Should I get a Nikon 300D or a Canon 50D? I want a really good digital camera. I'm do some professional work.?

Carlee G

I take a lot of portraits, live band performances, and detailed pictures of the jewelry I make. I also want a camera that will take really clear pictures handheld without the flash. Looking to spend under $2,200.00. Which of these would you recommend or do you have a different recommendation.

Answer
don't think the maker matters... any of the dSLR's (not just the two you mention) will do the job. taking portraits shouldn't be an issue for any camera and lens.

bear in mind you may need a macro lens to take the close ups, lighting can be tricky for close ups.

the one I think may be the problem is going to be the live band performances.. you may need exceptional low light capability, image stabilisation and some good post processing software.

so if I were you Id want to break down the budget to include
the camera body
a macro lens
a standard/mid range lens
possibly a telephoto lens
you may be able to get a macro lens which doubles up as a standard lens
some post processing software such as photoshop.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

what everyday item can replace a camera lens cap?

best everyday camera lens image

Boom

im on vacation right now, and the only thing near me is a walmart! I lost my camera lens and contacted the restaurant i left it at, but no luck. What can i use to keep my lens from being damaged?

Answer
If it was me I would go to http://www.yellowpages.com type in cameras and the city,state you are in to see if there are any camera shops nearby.

I keeps caps on all of my lenses when they are not in use. Yeah...I have lost them before, but I would rather lose the front cover instead of the back cover.

When I lose a cover on an unused lens I just keep it in either a lens compartment of my case or a lens pouch until I can get a new one.



ADDT'L: I agree with Ace about the UV(0) filters. I have them on all of my glass...it especially comes in handy during shoots with multiple pets and someone has an inquisitive nose and tongue :-)

What is the best compact digital camera to use at live music concerts and gigs?

Adham

Hello,

Looking for help with a decision on purchasing a new compact camera.

I'm a rock concert promoter / organizer and avid live music fan and am always keen to try and capture great moments at different shows. Even though the live band shots are my main priority, I also want an everyday camera that can fit into my jeans or jacket pocket for other occasions, hence the compact requirement.

My photography skill level is between beginner and intermediate. I am always finding tips on taking good shots and have tried to applied them. This has led me to gain little experience dealing with manual options on cameras, but always trying to change settings to try to get the best picture I can.

The main requirement I have in a camera is to be able to take good quality shots of live rock bands from two perspectives:
a) From within the crowd at a large festival
b) Right by the band in a small bar / pub

Other Requirements are fairly basic:
1. Image Stabilizer - Considering how difficult it is to keep my hands steady while in a crowd of thousands.
2. Optical Zoom of 5x, 6x, or higher - To be able to get as reasonably close a shot as I can.
3. Minimum Mega Pixels = 8MP - For Quality Purposes.
4. Decent Shot to Shot Time - To quickly take shots continuously
5. Decent Battery Life - As I will be away for long periods of time from an outlet to recharge. If necessary of course.

Now I am aware of the difficulties of taking shots of live bands as I have been doing so with compact cameras for a while now; mainly issues with lighting. Also aware of the limited capabilities with compact cameras. However, most of the photos are for personal use rather than professional. Still, it would be great to be able to have high end shots close to, if possible, professional level.

I've been doing research for a while and keep coming back to the Canon PowerShot A720 IS as a prime candidate. But some reviews mention that it is poor in low light scenarios (does this apply to nighttime outdoor festivals?) and has a slow Shot-to-Shot time. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T100 is my second choice at the moment. The Canon G9 seems like a good choice but Iâm anxious that the price of the camera is beyond my skill level.

Any help or tips are much appreciated. Hope to make a final decision soon as I am set travel in a few days.

Thanks.

Answer
Canon G9 is by far the best compact camera among photography enthusiasts, so if you can afford it, go for it. Otherwise I'll recommend the Panasonic DMC-FZ28K, which is coming out this fall. It offers 10 megapixels of resolution, high quality lens, and a 18x zoom, perfect for getting in close when your not. Of course, compact cameras cant really compare to slrs in terms of image quality, so get one when your budget and skill level allows for it.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

What does the lens size affect in a SLR camera, and what's MP?

best camera lenses for beginners image

Camera lenses are sized in mm, but what is the significance of the size? Also, what is MP and what does that affect? Any other helpful info on SLR cameras would be nice! I am a beginner, so some recommendations for a good (not too expensive) SLR camera would be great too!

Answer
You really would enjoy using your camera if you took the time to learn the fundamentals of using a camera.

How the camera works

http://camerasim.com/slr-camera-explained/

http://camerasim.com/camera-simulator/

As far as MP (megapixels) the number of pixels found on a sensor, you need to know this.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/mpmyth.htm

And this link will help you determine what the field of view is for any specific focal length lens. Lenses are measured in millimeters (mm)

http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/lens/simulator/

What kind of camera gear do you have?

Rebecca

I'd like to know to know which camera bodies, lenses, flashes, and other accessories you own. I'm a beginner photographer and it would be interesting to see what other photographers have.
Thanks in advance!

Answer
SLR's.....

Digital

Canon 40D + BG-E2 battery grip

Film

Canon A-1
Fujica ST-605
2x Zenit EM
Cosina PM1
Sigma Mark 1

Other Film Cameras....

Olympus Trip 35
Olympus XA2
Ricoh 500GX
Ricoh FF3 AF Super
Cosmic 35
Yashica A
Voigtlander Vito C
Wirgin Edixa
Fujica Auto-M
Zeiss Ikon Nettar 515/2
Canon AF35 ML

Lenses.....

Canon 50mm f/1.8
Canon 35-135mm f/4-5.6
Canon 70-200mm f/4
Canon FD 50mm f/1.8
Canon FD 50mm f/1.4
Vivitar 200mm f/3.5 (FD mount)
Cosina 50mm f/2

M42 Mount

Pentacon 50mm f/1.8
Helios 44M 58mm f/2
Fujinon 55mm f/2.2
Sigma 39-80mm f/3.5

(I also own an M42 > EOS adapter to use the M42 lenses on my Canon 40D, very useful!).

Helios 3x Teleconverter (M42)
Vivitar 2x Teleconverter (FD)
Tripod
Lens hoods
Shoulder bag
Op/Tech Pro strap
Grey Card
Photoshop CS3
Lightroom
etc.......

Many of my cameras have a fixed lens so they are obviously not interchangeable, I prefer a fixed lens with a wide aperture on a rangefinder to a large SLR.

I have a whole shelf filled with flashes and cases and all sorts of bits that sometimes come with these cameras, I never use flash, I tend not to use tripod either unless it's absolutely necessary.

Of all these cameras, the one I use the most is the Olympus Trip 35.

.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers