Maybe i am a little dense, but all that tech stuff is very confusing to me , I just want to take good pictures with my camera, and learn how to use the various settings. But I am learning, mostly by reading and just using my camera. Its fun.

Good evening! I have posted a question before regarding macro lenses. But i have been looking at lenses. I really would like a telephoto lens and pretty much decided to get a telephoto instead of a macro. Also I dont want to spend thousands of dollars for a lens as I am fairly new to serious photography and am really enjoying it. And I am getting older - 70!!! Yikes. I am not sure if I will stay with this hobby and/or stay healthy, so dont want to spend a ton of money at least till I learn more.. Anyway I was looking at lenses on the Adorama site and they have a Sigma lens i am interested in. It is a 18-300 mm F3.5 -6.3 DC Macro Os Hsm for Canon EOS dslr for $399.00 (regular price - $579). Is this a good lens for an old lady excited about photography?? I do mostly photos of flowers , birds, hopefully a hummingbird, landscape. the reviews are really good on this lens. Or should I just get a canon lens? Can I get a decent lens of up to 300 mm for less than $800 . this lens has me tempted but Idont want to waste my money. i am including some pictures I have taken with my camera - a Canon 5i using a 135mm lens that came with the camera. Thanks for any help.
Betsy

Foodie, how did yu do that? I would love to do that with the pictures I have of flowers.

Wow, what can i say??? Wish I could take her here.

Here are some photos i have taken mostly in my yard. I guess Iwould call them close ups.

Awesome! I would be happy with that!

Makes me feel good seeing all you 70 year olds. I am a housewife a little over 70, always had an interest in photography and a long, long time ago got my first SLR - a minolta (film ) and learned a little about taking pictures and f stops and speed. But life got in the way as well as finances. But my daughter got herself a DSLR and made me jealous! So I went and got myself a Canon EOS 5i, and I love it, and it is just about the level I can learn. Idont really need advanced tecnology, but am learning this. We (Hubby and I went to the Grand Canyon and ARches about 2 years ago and Itook so many pictures, but mostly on automatic I tried on manuel, but messed up a few pics, so went back to automatic. Now I am learning more about manuel, and trying to figure out how it all works. I like this forum, and hope to learn a lot. This keeps me busy, Maybe later I will post a few pictures I have taken at the Grand Canyon an also flowers in my yard, which I think are really nice. You guys can let me know how I do!
Betsy

Thank you all so much for the replys and advice. Lots to think about and I have a few months as we are still getting snow in the north east. unless I take a little trip to the Phipps conservatory in Pgh.

Ok, thanks for the info mark

Ok, I will work on it today or next few days.

I am about to go to bed and dont want to take the time right now to lurk around to see if any posts are similar to this. :-0
I would like to buy a macro lens and want to know if anyone has ideas for me. I dont want to spend big bucks , over $500 if possible. I am in my 70's an just dont want to invest mucho bucs in camera equp. But I am loving photography and cant go tramping all around the country taking pictures. ( I want to though!) Its hard physically. Hubby and I went to Grand Canyon last year and I loved it. But I want to take pictures of flowers around my yard or short easy hikes. Anyway i have a Canon EOS 5i and I love it. i dont need a high end very expensive lens. What would be a decent macro lens, and should i stick with Canon lenses or one of the off brands. Should i order on line (B&H or Adaroma) or go to Best Buy?? Can I get a decent one for $500 - $600? Ido have some good picures (in my opinion) of some flowers taken with my 135 lens close up. I just dont know how to post on hereto show you. I dont want a close up filter, but a lens. Thanks for any help/advise.
Betsy

oh my, im just getting started and I am a little over 70! But I have gotten some really nice pics of flowers in my yard. My goal is to get a good hummingbird pictues. And I got some good pics, (Imho) of a chickadee family in a little birdhouse on my front porch. I would post some but dont know how to post a pic here>

thannk you for the welcome

I do have a feeder right outside the dining room window and a lilac bush not far away, so im waiting for warmer weather and plan to sit in a chair outside and try to get some birds either at the feeder and lilac bush. I can also get some from the dining room out the window. Just have to figure out the correct exposure. I dont really want to pay for a 400mm lens but maybe a 300mm Im in my 70's and not sure if I want to go all out for a lens. My hubby and I are both retired. But I am having fun figuring out how to use my camera. Wish I could have done this 30 years ago!! I may be able to get my daughters 300 mm lens as she wants to upgrade hers. A 300 would get a good picture from the lilac bush as it is close enough. I have robins, cardinals, chickadees, titmouse, and woodpeckers. I want to set up a tripod in the dining room and try to stage a place for a good pic. im also looking at you tube for ideas.

I have been doing that, just walked around my neighborhood and took about 60 pics, some of dead or winter tree and a small stream. I thought they were pretty good. Cant wait for the flowers. I can show you some of them but dont know how to post a picture here. Something else to learn. Oh and I love the delete part!