I first started this thread as I had borrowed a neighbours Canon camera and lens and I was so impressed that I wanted advice from the forum members on what lens I should buy. I now have 2 choices that I want to have a look at. The thread has now evolved to include everyones favourite lens be it Nikon, Canon, Sigma or any other lens not mentioned. So if you would like to tell us all about your favourite lens just post away.
In the next couple of weeks I would like to head up to one of my local camera shops to have a look at Canon lenses and bodies. I have not wanted to go to a shop until I learn more as I really don't know what I am talking about and I think I will get lost in the lens jargon and leave the shop more confused. I am between the 7d and the body below but that is not really the problem as it will depend if I like the feel of them. I held the Nikon 7000 through the week which I did not like at all. I want to go for Canon simply because of its popularity and the resell value if I want to upgrade later in life!.
Anyway I was spoiled using the Canon EF Ultrasonic 35-350mm 3.5- 5.6 that I had on loan for a few days so I thought I would look in the lenses and see what my choices are available. Remember I am a complete novice and I am going to take my time learning and choosing the right lens. My gosh there are so many to choose from and the prices vary quite wildly. I have decided on what I want my new camera for and what I would really use the lens for giving me shots like the ones below. Not great but I want to practice this more. I have my fuji big zoom and that still gives me the faraway shots and I could not afford the lens that gives me the equivalent in canon terms. My budget on a lens is £1500 but if I can find a lens less I will obviously be pretty happy. I have also decided I would like to stick to a prime lens as I want quality of detail, sharpness and I really want a lens that will give me lovely "Bokeh!" hope I have the terminology is right. I was hoping that someone could point me in the right direction and suggest a few lenses that I could look at in the camera shop. I would like to have the Canon 350mm that I borrowed but maybe one of you experts could suggest a lens that I would like. I don’t really want to go below 300mm so that might mean a second hand lens. Forgot to add that I want that f. number quite high ie 3.5 ish. "Not asking for much eh!"
EF200ml f/2.8L IIUSM £600
EF200ml f/2L IS USM £1400
EF300mm f/4L IS USM £920
EF 300mm f2.8L IS II USM £4589 sadly cant afford this one!
The prices are just a guide and I am sure if I shopped about I could get them cheaper!
Thanks
Hi Lolly, good luck with choosing a lens as it's a mine field !! I purchased the EF 70-300mm zoom lens (not prime) 4-5.6 l IS USM and have been delighted with it but in hindsight, I wish I had gone for the 400mm zoom instead. The 300mm gives great "Bokeh" and the image stabilisation is a boon as I prefer to hand hold the camera. I wish I could afford the Canon L series 400mm F.2.8 but as it is around £8,000 for this lens, I have to be content with the 300mm. f.4/5.6 unless I get a job working as a journalist and can put it down on office expenses LOL
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Regards, Hazel
Best of luck Lolly and hope the experts on here can guide you in the right direction :) I've just been looking online and drooling over the Canon lenses LOL
lorraine r said:I don't think the 400mm lens is a prime lens..................
A prime lens is any lens of a fixed focal length ie not a zoom.
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LOL @ doggie, the 300mm is enough weight to carry around my walks but would book a few gym sessions if I could get that 400mm f2.8 LOL on my wish list ;)
The larger the f number the more light but the shallower the depth of field. If you shoot everything "wide open" you may find the depth of field too shallow for your subject. Also , most lenses are at their sharpest when stopped down a little.
Yellowhammers and Reed Buntings ? wow, am I jealous LOL !! get photos quick !!!
@ Bob and Alan; am I right in thinking those lenses are minus the Image Stabilisation ? Not sure about Lolly but I think I would need IS as I almost always hand hold camera if I am out and about and there isn't always a fence to balance on, just hubby's shoulder LOL
lorraine r said:I want to go for Canon simply because of its popularity and the resell value if I want to upgrade later in life!.
I can't really help with Canon lens (being a Nikon user) but clicked on this thread out of curiosity.
I find the statement quoted above interesting though - I'm not aware of any significant difference between the resale value of Nikon and Canon cameras and/or lens (depending on spec. of course) so wondered where this idea came from.
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One thing that is worth being aware of, is that you can use most Nikon lens on Canon bodies (with a fairly cheap adaptor), but not the other way around. So if you invest in Canon lens you are then restricted to Canon bodies, but if you go with Nikon you can use Canon bodies if they are better spec. Some people say that Nikon lens are better quality, but personally I don't think there is anything much in it (and Canon do tend to be slightly cheaper + have more variety available).
It is not that unusual to see that the winning photos in competitions such as the "Wildlife Photographer of the Year" have been taken using a Canon body and Nikon lens.
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90% of Nikon users bought Nikon because , rightly or wrongly , they considered Nikon to be better. 90% of Canon users bought Canon because they saw someone else with one. Both brands have excellent and not so good cameras and lenses.
Interesting thread!
The old Canon Nikon debate seems to have surfaced again. Regardless of what will fit with what whether Canon or Nikon you need to choose one. No point arguing about if this will work with that or the other with a cheap adaptor. If thats the case go buy a cheap camera and be done with it. If you're thinking of buying a 7D and then a 1500 pound lens then don't mess about trying to best fit things.
The Canon 7D is a very highly specified camera with a a very customisable auto focus system. It's not great at high ISO but use it within its limits and it's one of the best semi pro cameras out there. Please note I said one of the best. It uses the same sensor as the 650D and 60D so given you get the exposure right and all other things being equal it will produce an image file compatible to those cameras. Where it scores bonus points is its very sophisticated auto focus system, weather sealing and burst rate. If I had the money and wanted either a 650D, 60D or 7D then then the 7D would without doubt be top of my list. Bear in mind however it's high ISO performance isnt good but neither will that of the 650D or 60D be.
Now lenses. Oh this is a mine field. If I remember correctly I think you said you had up to 1500 pounds to spend on a lens. For me given this budget there are three options.
300mm f4.0 plus a 1.4TC
400mm prime
100-400
All canon lenses. Having shot Canon for a while if I had to choose one of the above the 100-400 would win all the time. However note that is only if your main requirement is birds and wildlife.
Anyway, I probably know nothing and I'm sure others with far more experience will shoot me down in flames.
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Lolly dont even think about Nikon on Canon for lenses. Yes with adaptors you can but you wont have AF or camera lens communication. At best a lens that will fit but require manual focus and manual exposure.