What lens?

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Smulan

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Linda
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Hello guys

I'm a complete newbie at advanced photography but have always had a strong interest. The time has now finally come for me to invest in my first digital SLR and from reading on the forum here, it appears as if the Canon 40D might be a good purchase. However, being a complete novice, what kind of lens should I start with? I want to be able to experiment a bit with what I first get since it'll take me some time to be able to afford a second lens.

Sorry if this has already been asked a multitude of times before but I don't know how this all works since I've never posted on a forum before and I can't find a search function to try and find what I'm looking for. :(

Thanks in advance for any replies!!
 
Hi,

Welcome to TP - you certainly came to the right place for some advice - everyone here has an opinion!

I think that whether you go for Sony, Canon or Nikon is irrelevant. Decide how much you wish to spend, go to a good camera shop (else Jessops) and just hold them one after the other. That will probably tell you which one you want.

A good range lens is possibly the best option - something like (Nikon) 18-70 or 18-135 and decide what sort of photographs you wish to take from there. I think that it is pointless buying more than one lens initially.

All the modern DSLRs are great. Take it slow, enjoy the steps. It is a great hobby.

Chris

PS. Whatever I said earlier, Nikons are best ;)
 
Hi Smulan & welcome to the forum.

As far as a lens is concerned, take a good look at your hobbies outside of photography. What interests you? Nature? Sport? People? Once you've answered this, then if you can combine the photography with something you already have an interest in, it will help to determine the type of lens you will get the best use of.
 
Sound advice so far, best advice I can give you is do your homework, try out the camera's at your local camera shop, and start small, body and a good walkaround lens.

Unlike P&S, there isn't one lens that will do everything for you with a DSLR, thats why there's so many different lenses to choose from.

Personally if you've never used a SLR before, the 40D isn't one I would recommend for a complete beginner, I would go with a 350D/400D/450D from canon or Nikon D40x/50/60 (personal opinion), these bodies are just as good, but are designed specifically for the beginner entry level and you'll save yourself abit extra cash for that lens.

Peter
 
pete.rush said:
Personally if you've never used a SLR before, the 40D isn't one I would recommend for a complete beginner, I would go with a 350D/400D/450D from canon or Nikon D40x/50/60. peter
Click to expand...

As a newbie and a 450D owner, :agree:
 
it may also be worth considering a camera from the sony alpha range,who offer a lot for the money.the only setback if you can call it one is that sony's range of lens' is not as prolific as canon/nikon,but there are lots of great minolta lens with the A mount fit that sony have(well,sony did buy KM's camera division),and are quite cheap,plus the likes of sigma and tamron make a very good range of lens' to fit the sony alpha.

agree in general though,go to your local camera shop and try them out to see what you prefer..afterall you're gonna want to use it right :thumbs:
 
Hi again

Thank you so much for your very helpful and quick replies! I'm very impressed...! :)

I've spent quite a few hours on the net now browsing around and I think I'm going to take your advice Peter and start out with perhaps the 450D since I am a beginner and probably won't need the extra features and weight (!?!) of the 40D considering how much more expensive it is. Sorry Chris but I think I'll go for a Canon since I can then borrow and try out some of my ignorant brother's gear - tried to get some help from him with my purchase but he seems even more clueless than myself...

So if you don't mind, could you please advice me if any of these seem to be a good deal:
Canon 450D with EF-S 18-55mm IS f/3.5-5.6 non USM Lens for £448
Canon 450D with EF-S 18-55mm IS f/3.5-5.6 non USM Lens and EF-S 55-250mm IS f/4.0-5.6 lens for £619
Canon 450D with Canon 18-55mm IS lens and Tamron 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 lens for £579

I realise I probably won't need a second lens to start out with but perhaps it's a better deal if I buy two now in a bundle? As well, I can't help but to feel that it would be better to go for Canon lenses rather than Tamron but then I don't know anything about any of this so maybe I'm just being too Canon brand snobbish now!?!

Thanks again for your help and I will definitely take all of your advice to go and try them out before I buy. I just want to have a few ideas of what I'm supposed to be looking for so I don't come across as a complete noob in the shop, which of course I am but they don't need to know that!! :)

Linda
 
18-55mm is good to start with.

If you are interested in macro photography, I have Sigma 105mm Macro for sale, just let me know.
 
Smulan said:
Hi again

So if you don't mind, could you please advice me if any of these seem to be a good deal:
Canon 450D with EF-S 18-55mm IS f/3.5-5.6 non USM Lens for £448
Canon 450D with EF-S 18-55mm IS f/3.5-5.6 non USM Lens and EF-S 55-250mm IS f/4.0-5.6 lens for £619
Canon 450D with Canon 18-55mm IS lens and Tamron 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 lens for £579

I realise I probably won't need a second lens to start out with but perhaps it's a better deal if I buy two now in a bundle? As well, I can't help but to feel that it would be better to go for Canon lenses rather than Tamron but then I don't know anything about any of this so maybe I'm just being too Canon brand snobbish now!?!

Linda
Click to expand...

Personally the bundles are not great, it may look good value for the money, but in most cases you are getting bargain basement lenses. The 55-250 is very much a budget lens which shows up in its performance, personally if you had the cash look at the 70-200mm f4 (non IS) a stella performer but will set you back £450, but stick with just the 450D and single lens for now and save the penny's for your next lens.

The 450D and kit lens will get you started, personally go for the updated version of the 18-55mm if you can (look for version II), some shops might still be selling the older version, you want the IS version of this lens, it's not bad and is a good starter lens. Unless you have the money now, worry about the second lens later on.

Peter
 
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