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Canon 40D or XSi (450D)

#61
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5/2/09 at 6:10am
  • Joined: December 1998
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Re: Canon 40D or XSi (450D)

I agree with Man that one lens kit does not fit all photographers. It depends on what you like to shoot, as well as your particular style. Some people like to shoot landscapes with a wide angle lens, while others use a telephoto, for example.

Zooms will give you more flexibility, and the newer high quality zooms are very close in quality to a good prime lens.

Right now my kit is comprised mostly of quality zoom lenses -- Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS, EF-S 10-22mm, EF 70-200L f/4 IS -- and one prime (the el cheapo EF 50mm f/1.8, which I never use since getting the 17-55mm). This covers me for just about all my general purpose shooting needs, and the three zoom lenses make for a very good, flexible travel kit.

The next step is covering my less frequent special needs. The 85mm f/1.8 would be used for indoor low light and some messing around at junior hockey games we attend. Then, before our next Yellowstone trip, I need something longer than the 280mm I get with the 70-200mm + 1.4x teleconverter. Since it will be at least another year before I need anything longer, I'm waiting on that lens, but the choices are the Canon 100-400mmL, Canon 400mmL f/5.6, Sigma 150-500mm HSM OS, or Sigma 120-400mm HSM OS. Luckily I do not need to make a decision for quite awhile.

Jim, if you go with primes, I would suggest starting with just the kit lens (it's cheap but decent), and then get an idea of the focal lengths you need most. Personally, 50mm as my widest lens would not be nearly wide enough for me, especially on a crop sensor. However, if you are shooting mostly people, it may be wide enough for you.
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#62
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5/2/09 at 6:55am
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Re: Canon 40D or XSi (450D)

I would get a good zoom and from there, figure out the focal lengths you use most and what focal lengths you wish you had.

I started with the EF-S 17-85. It's a decent lens, although below 24mm there is significant barrel distortion. Its a very good walk-around lens.

When my son's baseball season came around, I realized I needed something longer so I picked up the EF 70-200 f/4 L. Great lens for a fantastic price.

Basketball posed another problem and I picked up the EF 85 f/1.8.

Those were my only lenses until recently when I picked up the EF-S 10-22. I got in the habit of not going below 24mm with my 17-85 because of the barrel distortion, but decided there were enough times where I'd like to go wide-angle that I could justify the purchase.

Then the other day I bought the EF 35 f/1.4 L, mostly for general indoor, low-light, family shots.

Its definately a difficult choice sometimes when trying to decide on which lenses to buy. But if you start off with a good walk-around zoom, that will help you figure out your needs.
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#63
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5/2/09 at 7:50am
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Re: Canon 40D or XSi (450D)

Not to hijack this thread but..any of u guys ever use one of those remotes from HK or China? They're like less $10 bucks on ebay compared to $25 for the original RC-1s. I'd like to have one so I can make myself part of the action so to speak.
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#64
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5/2/09 at 11:54am
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Re: Canon 40D or XSi (450D)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric Samonte
Not to hijack this thread but..any of u guys ever use one of those remotes from HK or China? They're like less $10 bucks on ebay compared to $25 for the original RC-1s. I'd like to have one so I can make myself part of the action so to speak.

Yes, I bought one for about $6 for my 40D. The Canon equivalent was over $40, so I thought it was worth a try. The one I bought has worked fine.
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#65
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5/2/09 at 12:23pm
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Re: Canon 40D or XSi (450D)

I know you guys are right that there isn't one perfect solution and I'm not trying to find one. I'm looking for the highest quality 'all-purpose' lens(es) that fit my personal definition of all-purpose.

After thinking about it a lot I think zooms are what fits my 'style' and needs the best. I may add a prime to play around with but I think for 99% of what I do a zoom is the best way to go. I'll probably add a wide prime or zoom to the kit eventually.

Now, that leaves me with what zoom to go with from that list:

EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS - How big a deal is the dust issue I keep reading about?

EF 24-105 f/4L IS - I'd like to have a faster lens than f/4. Plus, I love background blur and f/4 won't give it as well as f/2.8. That said, I absolutely love the range and superior build quality. This lens is the current front-runner.

EF 24-70 f/2.8L USM - I keep reading about quality control issues with this one and that concerns me with a +$1,000 lens. I'm also not sure I want such a heavy lens hanging around my neck while I'm walking the kids around Disney all day or trekking around the southwest.

Any advice on those zooms?

You want to upgrade again?!!

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#66
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5/2/09 at 1:45pm
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Re: Canon 40D or XSi (450D)

Jim,

I have no dust issues with my EF-S 17-55 f/2.8, and I do not even use a UV filter on it. I have owned this lens for over 2 years. I would highly recommend the lens shade if you go with this lens, though. It does suffer from a bit of lens flare without the hood, and unfortunately the hood is an extra expense since this is not an "L" lens.

While I would love the 24-105L, it's just not wide enough for me with a crop sensor. The gap between 55mm and 70mm is not a big deal for me, so having the 10-22mm, 17-55mm and 70-200mm f/4 IS works well for me.
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#67
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5/2/09 at 5:39pm
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Re: Canon 40D or XSi (450D)

I've never used it, but I've heard nothing but praise for the EF-S 17-55. All three that you listed are great lenses though.
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#68
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5/2/09 at 6:33pm
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Re: Canon 40D or XSi (450D)

The EF-S 17-55 is an excellent lens, and there is really no comparable "L" lens for a crop sensor. You get a focal range designed for a crop sensor, image stabilization, excellent image quality, constant f/2.8 aperture, and quick, smooth focusing. All you lose is the build quality of an "L" (but the 17-55 is built well for a non-L, IMO), and the ability to use the lens on a full frame body.
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#69
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5/3/09 at 3:11pm
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Re: Canon 40D or XSi (450D)

I keep flip-flopping between the 17-55 and 24-105. It'll probably come down to a game-time decision.

You want to upgrade again?!!

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#70
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5/3/09 at 9:32pm
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Re: Canon 40D or XSi (450D)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric Samonte
Not to hijack this thread but..any of u guys ever use one of those remotes from HK or China? They're like less $10 bucks on ebay compared to $25 for the original RC-1s. I'd like to have one so I can make myself part of the action so to speak.

I use the Phottix Cleon for my Nikon D300 and use it both as a wired trigger and wirelessly much less often. It's awesome as both but i couldnt live without the wired trigger functionality for my astro stuff.

Oh and the 85 1.8 was my favorite portrait lenses on the 20D, even with the crop factor.

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