Tryin to learn digital...
Feb 8, 2012 14:21:11 #
I just recently got back into photography after about a 25 year hiatus. Wasted alot of film back in the day with my trusty 35mm Minolta Slr. I have a pretty good grasp of exposure,shutter speed, iso and such but the digital age kinda intimidates me altho it is a wonderful new world. To point...I have a Canon D500 Rebel Ti1 along with an EFS 18-55mm kit lense, an EF-S 55-250mm and a 50mm 1.8, all Canon. Most of my shoots are at church, b'day parties, parties, pets with a few walkabout nature shots. This March I'm going with some of my grandkids on vacation to some theme parks, water parks, a river walk, a safari park, a zoo.....you get the picture. What walkabout lense would you kind folk reccommend that I only have to carry 1 lense everywhere without having to visit the bone doc afterwards. I'll take my other lenses but not on my person....
Feb 8, 2012 14:26:13 #
I have similar experience. I had over 30 years ago, a Minolta SRT 101. In fact, I still have it, and still use it from time to time, just for fun. I shot a lot of 35mm film over the years.
About 4 or 5 years ago, I made the leap into digital.
Since you didn't ask a lot of questions about the digital world as far as processing, settings, etc, I'll assume you have that figured out, or are able to google and get the information.
So to your question about lens, I'd go with something with a flexible range. I have a 50-200mm f/3.5-5.6 Sigma that I used a lot up until I recently got a 70-200mm f/2.8.
I highly recommend something similar to the 50-200mm, and with the cropped sensor, if you can find something like what some people have, that is an 18-200 or 24-135mm, something like that, it would be ideal for good all-around shooting.
Of the lenses you have already, the 55-250mm would be what I'd choose.
About 4 or 5 years ago, I made the leap into digital.
Since you didn't ask a lot of questions about the digital world as far as processing, settings, etc, I'll assume you have that figured out, or are able to google and get the information.
So to your question about lens, I'd go with something with a flexible range. I have a 50-200mm f/3.5-5.6 Sigma that I used a lot up until I recently got a 70-200mm f/2.8.
I highly recommend something similar to the 50-200mm, and with the cropped sensor, if you can find something like what some people have, that is an 18-200 or 24-135mm, something like that, it would be ideal for good all-around shooting.
Of the lenses you have already, the 55-250mm would be what I'd choose.
Feb 8, 2012 14:28:07 #
I'd say just take your 18-55. It's not the worst lens in the world and that is quite a useful range also.
Feb 8, 2012 15:57:37 #
Are you looking for a new lens or going to go with what you have?
If you are looking for a new one, whats your budget?
Erv
If you are looking for a new one, whats your budget?
Erv
Feb 8, 2012 17:23:25 #
Either or.....just tryin to see what the best alt would be...however I am on a pretty limited budget.....$400 to $500 maybe....less if applicable. I really haven't graduated into fancy big money glass ...yet. Would love to but...you know how it is...
Feb 8, 2012 17:28:19 #
Since you're going to the safari park, I think the 55-250mm will give you the kind of reach you'll be happy with, and shooting at the 55mm in most cases will be wide enough for closer things (and if not, you can step back a little to get the shot).
Feb 8, 2012 17:33:15 #
Well then I would take what you have and play with them. Get a good backpack to carry your stuff in, maybe a monopod or tripod. And if you don't have one a good flash for the low light parties and the grandkids playing in the house. A flash will get you pictures you can't get with your lenses in low light. And if you bounce it off the ceiling or walls, It will do pretty good.
Erv
Erv
Feb 8, 2012 17:53:40 #
Personally, and I know you only want to carry one lens, if it were me, I'd have the 55-250mm on the camera, and then carry one of the shorter lenses in a pouch on my belt or something like that.
On a trip like that, no lens will be ideal for every occassion.
In the morning of your safari visit, I'd mount the 55-250 on the camera. On the other days, I'd consider pulling a shorter lens from my luggage and mounting that instead. But truthfully, the 55 end of the 55-250 might be wide enough of an angle, depending upon how close up you're going to be to your subjects. Only you know the answer to that.
On a trip like that, no lens will be ideal for every occassion.
In the morning of your safari visit, I'd mount the 55-250 on the camera. On the other days, I'd consider pulling a shorter lens from my luggage and mounting that instead. But truthfully, the 55 end of the 55-250 might be wide enough of an angle, depending upon how close up you're going to be to your subjects. Only you know the answer to that.
Feb 8, 2012 19:07:37 #
Thanx guys. You have inspired some thought. Maybe I need a holster and belt with a lens pouch. Anyone no where to find some setups like that??
Feb 8, 2012 19:21:33 #
Take a look at this folks. I have one of theirs. Did a lot of hiking with it last year.
http://buy.cottoncarrier.com/
Erv
http://buy.cottoncarrier.com/
Erv
Feb 8, 2012 19:31:39 #
Dale Fiorillo
Loc: Seattle
THINKTANK. Their stuff is very high quality, and the company attitude is, well, professional. For day tripping I like the speedbelt/holster with one lens fitted, and a second lens in a pouch. If I think I'll need more I use their slingbag. I have been trialing it in preparation for a European vacation. I personally prefer a wider lens to get an image I can crop later. Kids move so fast that the better depth of field of a wide lens will help insure a shot that the autofocus might miss.
Feb 8, 2012 22:11:28 #
I'd take the 18 to 55mm if I had to chose only one lens to take. Remember, the Rebel has a 1.6 crop factor sensor. That means that an 18mm would be the equivalent of a 28mm lens that you would remember from your film days. At the 55mm end that's equivalent to 88mm on a 35mm or what's called a full frame camera. That range is probably the best for indoor shots and anywhere you can't back up to get everything/everybody in the frame. If I could take more then, the 55 - 250mm would be a big help at the zoo and on Safari. I have a 10-22mm and I am amazed at how versatile it is. I have used it extensively on tours in Europe and it is wonderful to be able to get the entire cathedral in the frame without having to walk a quarter mile back. For interiors it is outstanding with tremendous depth of field and at f/3.5 fast enough for use without flash in most churches and museums which usually prohibit flash photography.
Feb 9, 2012 08:26:37 #
I went to Disney World in September and took my 18-55 and my 18-105 and my 55-200 with me....I ended up just using my 18-55...its light and it was perfect...
Feb 9, 2012 08:30:43 #
overthemoon
Loc: Wisconsin
My 18 250 sigma is for my canon 50d has been awesome great for close ups and telephoto
Feb 9, 2012 22:16:13 #
Welcome!!!! You will have so much fun taking pics of the grandkids and making memories!!!
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