cheap but not rubbish

jenbrads

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morning!
I know this question has prob been asked a million times but Im gonna ask it again!!
I've jus got into photography and have brought a 400d. It came with the standard 18-55 lens but I want another zoom lens. The problem that I have is that I havent got endless cash. Therefore I am looking for a cheap lens but has a good quality. I know that quality wise you get what you pay for so the more money you spend, the better it gets. However I just wana know what people would buy if they were on a budget? thank you x:shrug:
 
morning!
I know this question has prob been asked a million times but Im gonna ask it again!!
I've jus got into photography and have brought a 400d. It came with the standard 18-55 lens but I want another zoom lens. The problem that I have is that I havent got endless cash. Therefore I am looking for a cheap lens but has a good quality. I know that quality wise you get what you pay for so the more money you spend, the better it gets. However I just wana know what people would buy if they were on a budget? thank you x:shrug:
What FL are you looking for?
 
Sigma have some super lenses and are cheaper than Canon , also Tamron are not bad either
 
Can't help with the query directly, but it might help if people knew what your budget is, as it's a very subjective thing!!

Also, an idea of what focal length(s) you are after, or what you hope to do with said lens.

One thing I will say is that you are 100% right - and generally you get what you pay for... However there are some cheaper lenses (Sigma, Tamron etc) which offer good value, but you might find that you lose a little quality over the manufacturer's (Canon/Nikon etc) items.
 
ok, I guess anything up to £400 would be about the max. I wana do landscapes and animal photography really because I live on an island we have some lovley cliffs etc and lovley wildlife.
 
I'm in a similar situation and I've been looking at the sigma 10-22mm for landscapes which is about £250-£300 and the canon 55-250mm (Image stabilised) which is £150-£200. I'm still saving!
 
Up to £400 is a reasonable budget.

Take a look here Camera Price Buster for an idea of prices, you might like to consider a 70-200 f4 L - cracking lens, you could also consider second-hand and maybe even pick up the version with IS.
 
The kit lens isn't that bad for landscapes. Get a tripod, set the camera to Av and f11 and try a few shots - you might be surprised. If you are new to (d)SLR photography your best initial investment is learning composition and how to use the camera fully and not need auto modes. Once you are in control you can get better results and judge better for yourself what more you want from a new lens.
 
Best budget telephoto is the Sigma 70-300 APO DG Macro. No IS or anything fancy, but it takes great shots given enough light. Depending on the range you want, you could up that with either a 70-200 f/4, with better build quality, constant f/4 aperture but a shorter range, or you could go for Canon 70-300 IS which is comparable to the Sigma IQ wise but has IS for slower shutter speeds at longer range.

The options are yours. I'd recommend going into a shop and trying all 3 out on your camera, taking some images out the door and then comparing them at home.
 
Thanks for the info. ok one more, if you had only £300 what would you buy and why? again for landscape and general photography?
 
For landscapes you really want to have something with a bit of width, for wildlife you really want something with a bit of length. So really you are looking at both ends of the focal length spectrum. You could consider something like this for wildlife http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=50674

Sigma are pretty good and ebay is a veritable shopping trolley.

happy shopping.
 
robertp.........your photos are magnificent....i would just love to have the ability to take photos like those!!! jackie
 
The kit lens isn't that bad for landscapes. Get a tripod, set the camera to Av and f11 and try a few shots - you might be surprised. If you are new to (d)SLR photography your best initial investment is learning composition and how to use the camera fully and not need auto modes. Once you are in control you can get better results and judge better for yourself what more you want from a new lens.
:agree:

The kit lens is fine for landscapes.
 
robertp.........your photos are magnificent....i would just love to have the ability to take photos like those!!! jackie

Thankyou for the compliment :)

I understand the settings and the theory for a good composition but don't have the artistic eye of some that post here.
Keep reading here and absorbing and you will see your own pictures improve in no time.
 
The kit lens isn't that bad for landscapes. Get a tripod, set the camera to Av and f11 and try a few shots - you might be surprised. If you are new to (d)SLR photography your best initial investment is learning composition and how to use the camera fully and not need auto modes. Once you are in control you can get better results and judge better for yourself what more you want from a new lens.

Couldn't agree more! Was out on Saturday at a local park which was holding a fair and I was using a Canon 20mm prime, Tamron 70-300 and the Canon Kit lens and actually got the best shots from the Kit lens!
 
Both taken with the kit lens

2354955318_5a651346a7.jpg


2285935382_0519b8e772.jpg


What do you think?
 
Love the pics. I do like the lens but I just want something more, bigger etc
 
Sigma 28-70 f2.8 is a nice lens.

It is indeed - mine spends a heck of a lot of time on the camera. The AF is a little noisy, but it's pretty fast to lock on and the constant aperture is nice. handy to have something with such close focusing capabilities too.
 
Up to £400 is a reasonable budget.

Take a look here Camera Price Buster for an idea of prices, you might like to consider a 70-200 f4 L - cracking lens, you could also consider second-hand and maybe even pick up the version with IS.

:agree:

the 70-200F4L complements the kit lens nicely (its what I've done :D)

also look at Kerso (http://stores.ebay.co.uk/FLASH-CAMERA_W0QQsspagenameZL2QQtZkm), he's listing it at £350, and there is £40 cashback on the 70-200F4L at the moment
 
A little bit more range then the Sigma 28-70 F2.8 which is a great lens but as too is the Sigma 24-70 F2.8 :woot: nice and sharp :thumbs:
 
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