Digi-Cam Question: dSLR or not?

[FG Lurker]

What sorts of issues have made you unhappy with the 24-85?

Nothing really. I am happy with it. I just thought if I can spend a little more for a much better lens maybe I should.

You're already getting bitten by the "L" glass bug!! The 24-85 has a good reputation and is a nice all-round lens. I used one for a long time and kinda wish I hadn't sold it.

I could use the money to buy a 75-300mm IS USM lens though....

Canon's longer consumer lenses are not that good. They aren't terrible, but long consumer zooms in general tend to have many sacrifices in their designs. It depends on how much you will use it though and what you will use it for. If it will be used rarely and always in good light then you probably can get by. If not then spending a bit more on a better long zoom would be a good idea. I would suggest you look at:

Canon 70-200 F4L
Canon 200mm F2.8L (prime lens -- amazingly sharp)
Sigma 70-200 2.8

If $$$ is not a concern, look at the Canon 70-200 2.8L. There are two versions, one with IS and one without.

[omae mona]

What sorts of issues have made you unhappy with the 24-85?

Nothing really. I am happy with it. I just thought if I can spend a little more for a much better lens maybe I should.

You're already getting bitten by the "L" glass bug!! The 24-85 has a good reputation and is a nice all-round lens. I used one for a long time and kinda wish I hadn't sold it.

Albert - I'm not sure what your level of photographic expertise is, but make sure you really appreciate the difference in L glass before you spend the money. If you can't identify things like chromatic aberration, vignetting, and problems with edge sharpness in your photos, you might not notice anything different except the balance in your bank account.

I am always amazed at how many dslr beginners on Internet message boards are unhappy with the quality of their photos and make the mistake of buying L glass, just to find that they have the same problems afterwards. Often their problems were actually due to misunderstandings about basic photography principles or problems like camera shake or depth-of-focus, or dslr-specific issues like the need for out-of-camera sharpening.

If you're not sure you need the L glass but have money burning a hole in your pocket, consider the alternative of buying a wider variety of consumer-quality lenses for more versatility.

[jingai]

Excellent advice, Omae Mona.
It really isn't about the equipment (within reason).

[FG Lurker]

What sorts of issues have made you unhappy with the 24-85?

Nothing really. I am happy with it. I just thought if I can spend a little more for a much better lens maybe I should.

You're already getting bitten by the "L" glass bug!! The 24-85 has a good reputation and is a nice all-round lens. I used one for a long time and kinda wish I hadn't sold it.

Albert - I'm not sure what your level of photographic expertise is, but make sure you really appreciate the difference in L glass before you spend the money. If you can't identify things like chromatic aberration, vignetting, and problems with edge sharpness in your photos, you might not notice anything different except the balance in your bank account.

This is true. However overall L glass will also provide more accurate/vibrant colours and better contrast. L glass is also usually a lot "faster" than consumer glass, allowing more flexibility in bad light & more depth of field options overall.

In the end though and as OM wrote, it comes back to the photographer to a very large extent. A poorly taken photo will still be a poor photo, no matter what the glass is.

I am always amazed at how many dslr beginners on Internet message boards are unhappy with the quality of their photos and make the mistake of buying L glass, just to find that they have the same problems afterwards. Often their problems were actually due to misunderstandings about basic photography principles or problems like camera shake or depth-of-focus, or dslr-specific issues like the need for out-of-camera sharpening.

Agreed 110%.

If you're not sure you need the L glass but have money burning a hole in your pocket, consider the alternative of buying a wider variety of consumer-quality lenses for more versatility.

I'm not sure if I agree with this or not. I would say it is better to have a few really good lenses than have a really wide selection of mediocre lenses. This is a tradeoff of course, and different people value different things.

A couple of further notes on L glass: Besides price, L glass has a few other drawbacks that haven't been mentioned yet and should be considered: Size. Weight. Theft.

Size and weight are important for casual photographers -- you'll think twice (or three times!) about lugging around two or three L lenses if the main purpose of your day is not photography. Large expensive-looking lenses are also more likely to be the targets of thieves.

[AlbertSiegel]

I returned the 24-85mm lens. I am waiting for the local store to restock on lenses.

I am not an expert at all. I am learning how to use the features a digital SLR can offer. It has been many years since I have used any SLR. I have bought some good equimpent so far. I do have a budget and want to get the best I can now rather than learn later I should have bought one over the other. I study journalism and photography is part of that. This will be a carrer for me and I want to make sure the equipment I buy will be good enough.

What lenses should I consider for a budget of $1,500USD?

As of now, I have:
Canon 10D
Speedlite 380EX flash
Shutter Remote
2GB Hitachi Microdrive
Lowepro backpack camera bag
Canon A400 (point and shoot for quick easy snapshot)
512MB SD card

I have borrowed two lenses from my friend for the moment but need to return them tonight.

The lenses I buy will be for work, but I want the most I can get for my budget. I was thinking to do something like this:

28-135mm USM IS 3.5-5.6
75-300mm USM IS 4-5.6
50mm 1.8

--or--

17-40mm L f4
75-200mm L f4
50mm 1.8

--or--

24-70mm L f2.8


What do you think would be best? Have a better idea?

[FG Lurker]

What you need depends on what you will use it for.

Are you shooting sports or concerts? Then you probably need longer lenses. Are you doing street photography? Then you need fairly wide to moderate telephoto. Architecture? Tilt-Shift + wide to normal.

I wouldn't worry too much about buying and selling lenses and bodies. If you do a lot of photography it is part of life really. Also if you are studying now you probably have a lot less to spend than you will once you start working.

Of the lenses you listed the 24-70 F2.8L is without doubt the best lens technically, but it may not be the best lens for you. With the 1.6x field-of-view factor it is not very wide -- 38.4mm effective FOV.

The 17-40 F4L + 70-200 F4L along with the 50 1.8 is quite balanced. However you will at times find that F4 is not fast enough, especially if you are indoors or working outdoors in poor light.

If $1500 is your budget I would strongly suggest you look at 3rd party lenses.

Sigma 18-50 F2.8 EX DC, about US$500
Tamron 28-75 F2.8 XR Di, about US$340
Sigma 70-200 F2.8 EX HSM, about US$850

All of these lenses are very highly regarded and I would not have trouble buying them for myself. I have considered selling my 17-40 and buying the 18-50 to get the extra stop actually...

[FG Lurker]

One other thing... If you don't need the long end then I would suggest considering this too:

Sigma 18-50 F2.8
Used Canon 28-70 F2.8L

You need to live near the used shop so you can test out the used lense before purchase though. Make sure it is sharp at all apertures, both at the corners and in the centre.

In Japan they are running about US$900 for a nice copy. There is no difference in image quality between the 24-70 and the 28-70. Canon added the extra 4mm at the wide end mostly in consideration of the 1D and 1DM2 users.

[AlbertSiegel]

I AM NOW POOR!

I bought the Canon 24-70mm F2.8 "L", Canon 70-200mm F4 "L", and 50mm F1.8.

This completes my camera needs and then some. I am now poor, but happy. After using the 24-70mm lens, I am sure this is the same lens GOD has on his camera. I have never seen such a sharp photo. It blows the hell out of any lens I have ever used.... and I tried quite a few on my camera. The lens hood is nearly as big as the lens! Fits well into my bag, but now everything is way heavy. Oh well, I guess that's quality.

Do you guys have any tips for me? Any advice? Thank you so much for helping me pick out the perfect lens. I could not be more happy (or poor) with my lenses.

[FG Lurker]

I AM NOW POOR!

I bought the Canon 24-70mm F2.8 "L", Canon 70-200mm F4 "L", and 50mm F1.8.

What happened to the budget?? Oh, I see it, that smoking ruin over there in the corner...

This completes my camera needs and then some.

If only I had a dollar for every person I have heard say that... It's just the beginning Albert!!

After using the 24-70mm lens, I am sure this is the same lens GOD has on his camera. I have never seen such a sharp photo. It blows the hell out of any lens I have ever used.... and I tried quite a few on my camera.

It is indeed an awesome lens -- probably the best zoom lens that Canon makes and one of the best made by anyone.

As for God...Well, if He is using a Canon SLR I can nearly guarantee you He will use the following lenses:

Canon 35mm F1.4L
Canon 85mm F1.2L
Canon 135mm F2L
Canon 200mm F1.8L

...among some others, but all primes.

The above 4 are generally considered Canon's absolute *best* lenses. They will stand up against the best that any other company has to offer. The problem of course is that they cost a fortune.

The lens hood is nearly as big as the lens! Fits well into my bag, but now everything is way heavy. Oh well, I guess that's quality.

An unfortunate tradeoff. My camera bags get very heavy too.

Do you guys have any tips for me? Any advice? Thank you so much for helping me pick out the perfect lens. I could not be more happy (or poor) with my lenses.

Yes...Don't look at any more equipment for awhile. Stay out of camera shops!! Get out and shoot like crazy.

[ketchupkatsu]

thinking of joining the digital slr group.

Was wondering if anyone had experience with the Pentax *ist D.

The reason I was thinking of this camera is because I have a ton of pentax lenses.

Any opinions?

[FG Lurker]

thinking of joining the digital slr group.

Was wondering if anyone had experience with the Pentax *ist D.

The reason I was thinking of this camera is because I have a ton of pentax lenses.

Any opinions?

Yes, the *ist D has received good reviews. The newer *ist DS seems to be even better though, as well as being less expensive.

Rather than the raw number of lenses you have I would consider their condition, quality, and how much you will use them. You may wish to stay with Pentax in any case, but if you do not have hundreds of thousands of yen in glass you may want to look around and compare what else is out there.

[nullpointer]

Since you guys seem to know your stuff when it comes to cameras....

I bought a Nikon D70 3 months ago. It was working fine till last week. Since I am new to using a DSLR, I was mostly shooting in 'Auto' mode. Now all of a sudden the speedlight does not work. It pops up when the camera detects that external lighting is low but it does not fire.

Any clue?

[FG Lurker]

I'd check the custom functions in the camera, especially any that are flash-related. If you're not sure, there should be an option in the camera menus somewhere to reset all settings to the factory defaults. I'd try that and see if it helps.

Otherwise....not sure. If you still live near where you bought the camera I'd stop by the shop and see if they have any ideas. If not, perhaps you have spent money in a camera shop where you live now? If so they might be willing to check the settings for you too.

Hope it gets worked out quickly!

[nullpointer]

I'd check the custom functions in the camera, especially any that are flash-related. If you're not sure, there should be an option in the camera menus somewhere to reset all settings to the factory defaults. I'd try that and see if it helps.

I have reset the camera to the default factory settings twice but no change. I bought it from Bic-Ikebukuro. I really can't go the same shop again but if I take it to any other bic-camera then they should be able to check, right? I hope they don't insist that I go the place I bought it from.

[FG Lurker]

I'd check the custom functions in the camera, especially any that are flash-related. If you're not sure, there should be an option in the camera menus somewhere to reset all settings to the factory defaults. I'd try that and see if it helps.

I have reset the camera to the default factory settings twice but no change.

That's unfortunate. I am a Canon guy so I don't know a whole lot about Nikon stuff, but if resetting everything to factory defaults didn't work then it may need to go back to Nikon.

I bought it from Bic-Ikebukuro. I really can't go the same shop again but if I take it to any other bic-camera then they should be able to check, right? I hope they don't insist that I go the place I bought it from.

You should be able to take it to any Bic. I don't hold the Bic camera-area guys (aka part time sales droids) in very high regard though, hopefully the shop near you is better.

[nullpointer]

Thanks. Will take it to a bic near my home this weekend. I hope they are able to fix/replace it

[FG Lurker]

Thanks. Will take it to a bic near my home this weekend. I hope they are able to fix/replace it

I think I'd still check out all the custom functions though. They might not get reset with the other settings, and that could be what is doing it...

[nullpointer]

I went to the Bic-camera near my office today in lunch break. They guy fiddled around with the settings for a while and then replaced the body of my D70 with a new one. He only looked at the warranty card, not even a receipt. Maybe he did not want to get into a long explanation/argument with a gaijin. Well, works for me. My camera looks good as new. Thanks a lot for helping out!