Sam K
I'm getting my first DSLR camera and it comes with a kit lens that is 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 Zoom Lens. After I buy the camera I won't be able to afford any more lenses. I'm wondering how far this lens can shoot. I like to take close up pictures of things in a far distance. Can you please give me a basic guesstimate of how many yards away it can shoot something.
The camera is a Sony Alpha A230
Answer
Sam,
The lens you're asking about is really best for landscape (wide angle) and portrait shots. Not for telephoto zoom at a distance.
If that longer distance zoom is what you want and you can only afford one "kit" (bundled) lens with your camera body you should ask the seller if you can get the 55-200mm kit lens in place of the 18-55mm.
Honestly though, I'd suggest two alternative options for your consideration:
1- Purchase a superzoom "bridge" camera instead of the Sony DSLR starter camera. They have fixed, not interchangeable, lenses. But they zoom from wide to long, include manual, semi-manual and auto modes and will allow you to learn the photography skills you'd need to operate a DSLR when you can better afford one (& its expensive associated lenses). Highly rated superzooms include the: Canon SX20-IS or SX10-IS (the older model of the two but still excellent) or Nikon P100.
2- If you really dream of having a DSLR, then consider a Canon or Nikon rather than the Sony. Sony's are quite good, but the other two brands will provide many more lens and accessory options AND they are often sold in promo pkgs bundled with 2 "kit" lenses - the wide to medium zoom and the medium to long telephoto zoom - probably for the same price you're likely paying for one included lens. Look for a sale! There are also 3rd party lens makers like Sigma, Tamron and Tokina that make a lot less expensive lenses than some of the equivalent Canon or Nikon offerings - in mount sizes that fit the typical Canon & Nikon bodies.
Good luck in your choice!
Sam,
The lens you're asking about is really best for landscape (wide angle) and portrait shots. Not for telephoto zoom at a distance.
If that longer distance zoom is what you want and you can only afford one "kit" (bundled) lens with your camera body you should ask the seller if you can get the 55-200mm kit lens in place of the 18-55mm.
Honestly though, I'd suggest two alternative options for your consideration:
1- Purchase a superzoom "bridge" camera instead of the Sony DSLR starter camera. They have fixed, not interchangeable, lenses. But they zoom from wide to long, include manual, semi-manual and auto modes and will allow you to learn the photography skills you'd need to operate a DSLR when you can better afford one (& its expensive associated lenses). Highly rated superzooms include the: Canon SX20-IS or SX10-IS (the older model of the two but still excellent) or Nikon P100.
2- If you really dream of having a DSLR, then consider a Canon or Nikon rather than the Sony. Sony's are quite good, but the other two brands will provide many more lens and accessory options AND they are often sold in promo pkgs bundled with 2 "kit" lenses - the wide to medium zoom and the medium to long telephoto zoom - probably for the same price you're likely paying for one included lens. Look for a sale! There are also 3rd party lens makers like Sigma, Tamron and Tokina that make a lot less expensive lenses than some of the equivalent Canon or Nikon offerings - in mount sizes that fit the typical Canon & Nikon bodies.
Good luck in your choice!
Interchangeable lens camera <$1100?
Matthew Ch
There's so many damn choices and I am unable to make up my mind! help!
Answer
Take a serious look at the Pentax K-30. Its currently the lowest-priced Weather Resistant (WR) DSLR available. WR means its safe to take it out in the rain or use it in very dusty conditions.
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/pentax-k30/pentax-k30A.HTM
The K-30, in addition to its WR feature, has a few additional features not found on any comparably priced Nikon or Canon DSLR.
First, it has a focusing motor in the camera body. You have to move all the way up to the Nikon D7000 to find that feature.
Second, it has the Pentax version of Image Stabilization (IS) in the camera body so any lens used becomes an IS lens. Nikon and Canon have their respective versions of IS in some but not all of their lenses so with them you get to pay over and over for the same feature.
Third, since the K-30 uses the "K" lens mount introduced in 1975 any "K" mount lens ever made - manual focus or auto focus - can be used with it. Although Nikon can also lay claim to using the same lens mount since 1959 - the "F" mount - a Nikon AF lens will not auto focus an any Nikon model below the D7000. Canon abandoned their "FD/FL" lens mount for the "EF" mount in 1988 which is currently used on all their DSLR cameras. However, there are two lens lines from Canon - the budget "EF-S" lenses and the professional grade "EF" lenses. The "EF-S" lenses CANNOT be used on a Canon full-frame DSLR like the 6D, 5D and 1D.
Fourth, Pentax introduced the first Japanese manufactured 35mm SLR long before Nikon and Canon.
Fifth, the K-30 uses a pentaprism viewfinder while comparably priced Nikons and Canons use the cheaper pentamirror viewfinder. A pentaprism viewfinder is brighter which means easier focusing in low-light situations.
Pentax K-30 w/18-55mm f3.5-5.6 WR zoom lens, $696.95 after a $100.00 'Instant Savings' from B&H that ends 6-30-2013. You can add the SMC Pentax DA 50-200mm f4-5.6 ED WR zoom for another $246.95. $943.90 for a two lens kit. By comparison, a Nikon D7000 body with no lens will cost you $996.95 and a camera without a lens is pretty much useless. A Canon T5i w/18-55mm f3.5-5.6 zoom lens is $899.00.
B&H - http://www.bhphotovideo.com
Take a serious look at the Pentax K-30. Its currently the lowest-priced Weather Resistant (WR) DSLR available. WR means its safe to take it out in the rain or use it in very dusty conditions.
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/pentax-k30/pentax-k30A.HTM
The K-30, in addition to its WR feature, has a few additional features not found on any comparably priced Nikon or Canon DSLR.
First, it has a focusing motor in the camera body. You have to move all the way up to the Nikon D7000 to find that feature.
Second, it has the Pentax version of Image Stabilization (IS) in the camera body so any lens used becomes an IS lens. Nikon and Canon have their respective versions of IS in some but not all of their lenses so with them you get to pay over and over for the same feature.
Third, since the K-30 uses the "K" lens mount introduced in 1975 any "K" mount lens ever made - manual focus or auto focus - can be used with it. Although Nikon can also lay claim to using the same lens mount since 1959 - the "F" mount - a Nikon AF lens will not auto focus an any Nikon model below the D7000. Canon abandoned their "FD/FL" lens mount for the "EF" mount in 1988 which is currently used on all their DSLR cameras. However, there are two lens lines from Canon - the budget "EF-S" lenses and the professional grade "EF" lenses. The "EF-S" lenses CANNOT be used on a Canon full-frame DSLR like the 6D, 5D and 1D.
Fourth, Pentax introduced the first Japanese manufactured 35mm SLR long before Nikon and Canon.
Fifth, the K-30 uses a pentaprism viewfinder while comparably priced Nikons and Canons use the cheaper pentamirror viewfinder. A pentaprism viewfinder is brighter which means easier focusing in low-light situations.
Pentax K-30 w/18-55mm f3.5-5.6 WR zoom lens, $696.95 after a $100.00 'Instant Savings' from B&H that ends 6-30-2013. You can add the SMC Pentax DA 50-200mm f4-5.6 ED WR zoom for another $246.95. $943.90 for a two lens kit. By comparison, a Nikon D7000 body with no lens will cost you $996.95 and a camera without a lens is pretty much useless. A Canon T5i w/18-55mm f3.5-5.6 zoom lens is $899.00.
B&H - http://www.bhphotovideo.com
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