NOVICE needing advice (go easy on me)

[abirken]

Go gentle on me photo people of Bogley. I know this is kind of like being in the canyoning section for the first time and asking, "How long of a hike is it to the blue water fall of Main Blue John that I saw in 127 hours" yea.anyhow.:mrgreen:

I need a recommendation and figured starting here would be best. I am in the market for a wide angle lens for a Canon EOS with no clue of what to look for. My focus lately has been ATTEMPTING (learning) night photos, star trails, and outdoor scenery. I currently have the stock lens that came with my camera and really want to branch out.

1. Should I stick with a Canon lens since it's a Canon camera?
2. Are there reputable off brands that are compatible with my Canon? If so, what are they?
3. What's up with the lens attachments on EBAY that I keep finding for 40 bucks?
4. Is there a lens that can do both fish eye and wide angle?

K......thanks for your kind suggestions. :haha:

[CarpeyBiggs]

that's a good question... :nod:

what canon do you have? if it's a rebel or X0D or 7D you will need to get a crop lens. the canon 10-22 is good, but expensive. i've always been partial to the tokina 11-16 2.8, which rocks for star trails and night shots.

canon, tamron, tokina, and sigma are the reputable brands. canon is the best. tokina is probably the second best wideangle. sigma also makes a popular 10-20. could probably find any of those used for a 30% discount.

lens attachments are crap. avoid like the plague.

4 - uh, kinda no? fish eye is kind of a novelty effect. i'd opt for a rectilinear wide angle, given the choice. you can always imitate the fisheye in photoshop if you want. hard to remove it properly though if you want it rectilinear. however, there are zoom fisheyes now that kind of do that, but it's still a circular image, not rectilinear.

i use a 5d and a 20 1.8 for everything else, but that's a full frame camera, and about 4 years old. not enough cabbage to buy the new model yet... :lol8:

[abirken]

Thank you so so much for the info! I have a little EOS Rebel. It's been a great starter camera for me. :nod: Do you have any suggestions of reputable websites where I can find used lenses? I am going to take your list of suggestions and run with it. I've been given some valuable information from Ibenick and Summit on here as far as HOW TO get the night photos going and it's been a lot of fun learning. Quite addicting!

[oldno7]

Dan was the one who talked me into a 11-16. Very good choice, although you have to be careful at times, it is capable of producing serious lens flaring.
It is usually $100 or so less than the Canon 10-22

[ibenick]

I own the Canon 10-22mm and I rented the Tokina 11-16 f/2.8 when I broke my Canon in half and had to send it for repair. Overall I probably prefer the 10-22 but I would be very seriously tempted to go with the Tokina if I were buying a new wide angle. Here are the pros of each from my point of view.

Canon 10-22mm
-lighter, therefore better for long hikes and backpacking, good balance on smaller DSLR’s (XSi, 60D)

-the longer zoom range is nice, 22mm is equivelant to 35mm full frame so if you leave it on most of the time like I do, not every picture has to have that ultra wide feel.
-Wider. It sounds silly but I swear I could tell the difference between the 10mm wide open on Canon vs. the 11mm wide open on the Tokina

Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8

-f/2.8 killer for stars, fixed through the range is also a big plus

-built like a tank (good and bad, much heavier)
-awesome clutch system on the focus ring
-it’s star bursts are WAY better than the Canon (when you’re shooting a bright light like the sun)
- cheaper

[gnwatts]

I have this lens for my EOS 20D. Works well on the smaller sensors, not as well on a full frame. It is pretty small, not heavy, very sharp, and is a pro lens, good dust and waterproofing construction. A good thing to have in the desert.
I get most of my equipment on Ebay.

44280

[IntrepidXJ]

I have the Sigma 10-20....it was a decent lens, but if I had to do it over again I would go with the Tokina for the 2.8 and nice sunbursts.

Those are the two main reasons I spent the $$$ on the Canon 16-35 for my full frame.

[gnwatts]

Abirken

What are you going to be photographing?
I have no experience with shooting stars and such, but if you are shooting landscapes, cliff dwellings, architecture, rock art etc the Canon 17-40mm or the 16-35mm will be used a great deal. The focal length, not being as wide, will be more versatile, while the 40mm on a smaller sensor will be great for portraits and details. The Canon 16-35 is going to be a sharper lens (not by much) and faster, but more $. Also, with a 10mm focal length you will get distortion, but that may not be an issue for you.
Again, think about what you are going to photograph and where. If you want a dedicated ultra wide angle, great. You will probably need another lens though.
Have fun!

[abirken]

Great to hear feedback! As of right now, I have the Tokina in my "wishlist" on Amazon.com. The price is substantially lower than the Canon.

[abirken]

I have this lens for my EOS 20D. Works well on the smaller sensors, not as well on a full frame. It is pretty small, not heavy, very sharp, and is a pro lens, good dust and waterproofing construction. A good thing to have in the desert.
I get most of my equipment on Ebay.

44280

I will have to check EBAY too!!!! Thanks for the tip.......I will look at this one as well. PS- we are neighbors. I am in GWS. :mrgreen:

[abirken]

I have the Sigma 10-20....it was a decent lens, but if I had to do it over again I would go with the Tokina for the 2.8 and nice sunbursts.

Those are the two main reasons I spent the $$$ on the Canon 16-35 for my full frame.

Great to know! Thinking the Tokina is going to be my purchase. :nod:

[abirken]

Abirken

What are you going to be photographing?


Really I have been loving the night photos/star trails, etc....but also scenic photography as well. Maroon Bells/Crater Lake/Desert views, Sunsets, Mt. Sopris, etc.... :haha: I am heading up Cattle Creek Road tonight to hopefully have some wide open space to play with some star trail photos. :2thumbs:

[gnwatts]

Ahh, I remember. Did you ever visit Polly's Canyon?
I used to live up Cattle Creek, we loved it.
Mt. Sopris is looking awfully fetching right now. Tons of snow, snowboarding in July!

Seriously, there is no reason to pay retail for a lens, unless it is a rare expensive specialty lens. Make sure you can return it, so when you receive the lens, quickly take it out and shoot some test shots for focusing (sharpness), aperture etc. I bought 2 of the Canon 17-40mm lens, and returned one because it was obviously not as good as the other. Same lens, brand new.
Be picky when it comes to your glass. You need your stars to be sharp!
Good luck.

[ibenick]

I like to buy my camera stuff from Amazon. It's way cheaper than retail and you don't have to mess around with used stuff. I like to know I'm the only one who's screwed my stuff up. Oh and the shipping with Amazon prime is awesome. I'm very impatient when a new toy is on the way.

[gnwatts]

I have bought tons of used equipment, on Ebay and elsewhere. Do your homework, get good documentation, and make sure you can return it. Never had any problems, or returns.

[jbdavies]

1. Should I stick with a Canon lens since it's a Canon camera?
You can... if you want. Shooting Canon with Canon has no affect on the quality... per say. With that being said... all I have is Canon equipment. That's just what I prefer. Canon tends to be a bit more expensive than other brands (Sigma, Tokina, etc.).


2. Are there reputable off brands that are compatible with my Canon? If so, what are they?
Sigma is good. Tokina I hear is pretty good. And... I can't think of any others off the top of my head.


3. What's up with the lens attachments on EBAY that I keep finding for 40 bucks?
What type of attachments? Filters? The ones that you screw on to the end of the lens? If so... those are just filters (polarizer, ND (Neutral Density) filters, Color Filters (for fall colors, greener greens, etc.), and UV (Ultra Violet) filters). I have UV filters for all of my lenses. Basically just to protect my glass so that if I drop it, or it brushes against something, it doesn't scratch my actual glass. It's cheaper to replace a $40 filter, than a $1000 lens. :)


4. Is there a lens that can do both fish eye and wide angle?
You could do wide angle with a fish eye... you would just have to crop it... but it might look a little weird. Unless you're a master in photoshop. ;) I have the Canon 17-55 f/2.8 IS. I love it. It stays on my camera 98% of the time. I do want to get the 10-22 though. Just cause it's wider.

[abirken]

Thanks again ya'll for all the information. I see many parallels in opinions so I guess I asked the right group of people. And I agree......love Amazon.com mostly because it's quick shipping with many choices of merchants. So while my "chosen lens" sits in my wish list on Amazon.com, I am still going to get out tonight with my boring old lens :ne_nau:and play. Forecast calls for clear skies! And YES to Momma Sopris....last night she was looking PEACHY at sunset. Gorgeous! We may get up Cattle Creek earlier in the evening and possibly I can capture some sunset pics of her. I don't know about snowboarding in July though??? HAHA! I prefer camping Thomas Lakes and hiking her in July. :mrgreen:

[akavalun]

KEH is a very reputable site for used equipment, and they also sell new stuff too. Looks like your lens is cheaper there than amazon.....

[maxpower]

I have been able to find good deals on Amazon in the past on both new and used lenses.

[gnwatts]

I don't know about snowboarding in July though??? HAHA! I prefer camping Thomas Lakes and hiking her in July. :mrgreen:

Not this year. Maybe late July. We have boarded Sopris in mid-june on a normal snow year, I don't think this is a normal snow year.
X2 on KEH, just got a beautiful used lens from them, their ratings on equipment are pretty accurate.

[jdgibney]

KEH is a very reputable site for used equipment, and they also sell new stuff too. Looks like your lens is cheaper there than amazon.....

Seconded (or thirded!) this. I've used KEH for a LONG time, and bought my first pro body (used Nikon F5) and lens (new 35mm f/2.0) from them 12 years ago, and ever sense then, I've been a loyal customer. keh.com for used gear and bhphoto.com for new stuff for the most pat for me (Adorama.com has also been good to me)

[jdgibney]

Not this year. Maybe late July. We have boarded Sopris in mid-june on a normal snow year, I don't think this is a normal snow year.
X2 on KEH, just got a beautiful used lens from them, their ratings on equipment are pretty accurate.
I've found they usually grade harslhy, which is great... I've seen stuff listed at 'bargain' (really good deals) that would probably go as 'good' on other sites... and 'good' stuff that might go as 'like new' elsewhere.

[arindam]

Abirken,

If you need to upgrade your kit right now, you don't have to read any further.

If not, my suggestion would be to wait. With the recent disaster in Japan, there has been severe manufacturing bottlenecks. Prices of new equipment are quite high (if available at all) and so are used items. I keep a close watch on used gear at several online retailers (adorama, bhphotovideo, keh) and prices are up significantly. For example, just a couple of months back, I had seen a used Canon camera for $1199. That same camera (in identical condition) is now listed at $1499. This should give you an idea of the extent of recent price hikes.

arindam

[ratagonia]

I have been able to find good deals on Amazon in the past on both new and used lenses.

Cheaper than B and H? Am I just too old-school?

AB: what lens do you have? I love my Canon 10-22, and use it a lot. Many shots in the last two years:

http://www.canyoneeringusa.com/rave

Tom

[abirken]

Cheaper than B and H? Am I just too old-school?

AB: what lens do you have? I love my Canon 10-22, and use it a lot. Many shots in the last two years:

http://www.canyoneeringusa.com/rave

Tom

Right now I have the stock lens with the Canon 18-55. It's been great for most shots but I REALLY need to branch out. Love the look of the Wide Angle lens and I definitely need some more ZOOM in my life. I have also been told by another camera pro to look into the 10-22 but the price is a few more pennies than I can spend right now. :lol8: After reading the above posts, it sounds like I should also check out the KEH place. So Tom- I assume B and H is another site I should check out as well??

[ratagonia]

Right now I have the stock lens with the Canon 18-55. It's been great for most shots but I REALLY need to branch out. Love the look of the Wide Angle lens and I definitely need some more ZOOM in my life. I have also been told by another camera pro to look into the 10-22 but the price is a few more pennies than I can spend right now. :lol8: After reading the above posts, it sounds like I should also check out the KEH place. So Tom- I assume B and H is another site I should check out as well??

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

Generally, the best price on photo gear. Perhaps that is changing. Ultrareliable - no problems for me in 15 years.

I tried shopping photo gear on EBay, but generally the prices would get up higher than buying it new from B and H. Except tripods.

I use the "kit lens" Canon 18-55 a lot, because it is light and fits in my waterproof-almost case well, and it is cheap so if I lose it I will not cry too much. The 10-22 is a good complement to that, as they do not overlap too much.

The better question is, do you want to work on your photography skills? That would make an interesting forum topic.

Tom

[ibenick]

I find B&H, Amazon and most of the other reputable online retailers to be pretty much the same in pricing. Some variances here and there but nothing significant. It seems Amazon usually drives the others down and they are forced to match. I mostly just like how fast I get my stuff from Amazon vs. B&H. That and Amazon isn't closed for every obscure holiday on the calendar.


Abirken,

If you need to upgrade your kit right now, you don't have to read any further.

If not, my suggestion would be to wait. With the recent disaster in Japan, there has been severe manufacturing bottlenecks. Prices of new equipment are quite high (if available at all) and so are used items. I keep a close watch on used gear at several online retailers (adorama, bhphotovideo, keh) and prices are up significantly. For example, just a couple of months back, I had seen a used Canon camera for $1199. That same camera (in identical condition) is now listed at $1499. This should give you an idea of the extent of recent price hikes.

arindam

I've noticed this lately too. For example, my Canon 10-22 used to go for between $710-$750 on Amazon brand new. Lately everyone is selling it for closer to $850. I think I could almost make a profit selling mine used right now since I got it for $705.

[gnwatts]

The better question is, do you want to work on your photography skills? That would make an interesting forum topic.

Tom

I agree.
That's what makes a good forum, I think, where you can get constructive input.

[abirken]

I agree.
That's what makes a good forum, I think, where you can get constructive input.

AGREE! I will get there soon. I am self teaching at the moment and I am desiring to add some "tools to my kit" that's why I am asking advice about lenses. I have had wonderful luck with my "kit lens" and I use it frequently.:mrgreen:

[Deadeye008]

I had a Tamron 17-50 2.8 non-VC version. When I went to a full frame camera I sold it to buy a Tamron 28-75 2.8. The Tamron is very and a nice lens. Very sharp. You can get them for around $400 new I believe. Definitely the best bang for your buck that I know of. I bought a Tokina 10-17 fisheye a few months back and it lives on my Canon T2i. It's really fishy at 10mm but not very fishy at 17mm which is nice and easily correctable in post processing. Onyl downside is the 3.5-4.5 aperture. If you are looking for a used lens, I have bought from people on Fred Miranda Forum and the Canon Digital Photography Forum.

[CarpeyBiggs]

dang. i typed out a long response only to lose it when i submitted it. suck!

short of the long - 16-35 and 17-40 lenses, while very good, are not very wide on a rebel sensor. focal lengths in the 10-12 range are what you are looking for. 2.8 aperture is a plus, especially for night shots.

KEH is ho-hum. for best prices on used gear, go to places like fredmiranda.com or other "reputation based" classifieds. KEH has to markup their stuff to make a profit... buy straight from another user, and you cut out the middle man. should be able to find stuff for 30 percent off retail, generally.

BH used to be the big player for new gear. it is all about buying power and being able to set prices. amazon is now a big player, so is adorama. however, on lenses and cameras, usually there is only 1 or 2 percent difference in price, the manufacturers keep it pretty regulated.

[Rob Newbould]

I've been very happy with Tamron. Great lenses for the price.