It's a Sign!

 

-----signature-----

So I've decided to put off the switch to Nikon until I force myself to spend more time going out and taking photos, but I'm relatively certain the switch is coming.

For this trip, I think I've narrowed it down to one of two lenses. (For reference, I'm using a Canon XSi.)

Canon 24-105 f/4L IS ($1050)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/397662-GREY/Canon_0344B002AA_24_105mm_f_4L_IS_USM.html

Canon 18-200 f/3.5-5.6 IS ($600)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/582444-USA/Canon_2752B002_EF_S_18_200mm_f_3_5_5_6_IS.html

Leaning toward the 18-200. It's cheaper, faster, and has a larger range. It let's me test whether I'd want a 18-200 lens when I switch brands and feels like less of a waste to invest in when I will be selling it in the near future. I passed on the 70-200 lens because it lacks IS and I don't plan to take a tripod with me.

The 24-105 is a nicer lens and has a wider angle (though I'm not sure if this holds true on compact XSi sensor). Not sure if it's worth the extra $400 though, especially if I plan to sell it soon. Any final input?

 

-----signature-----

24mm isn't very wide-angle on a crop-sensor.


I usually say that 30-50mm on crop is normal, anything lower is wide angle and anything above is tele.

 

-----signature-----

By normal. I mean rougly what you can see with your bare eye. (on fullformat this is around 50mm)

 

-----signature-----

I was basing it on the specifications. It lists an 80 degree view. It's not the 100+ degrees of a Sigma 10-20, but it's actually larger than the 18-200's angle (though I'm not sure if using a full size sensor lens on a cropped sensor drops the view). Maybe I'm reading that specification wrong?

 

-----signature-----

You are.


it's like this:


these are the two lenses, and a tree you want to shoot:


-------------------24mm/80 degree angle

-----------------------\

....................................................................A pretty tree you want to take a picture of!


-------------18mm/60 degree angle

-----------------\


So even if the 24mm has a greater angle, you'll still get more at lesser focal lengths (at the same distance), simply because you won't get as "close" to the object you're photographing.

 

-----signature-----

The 24-105 f4l is an amazing piece of glass.....on a full frame. It will still take great pictures on a crop camera but you will probably want something wider, in the 17mm range.

 

-----signature-----

Thanks, raiztlin. I hadn't considered the "how close are you?" aspect. Well, I guess that settles it. A Canon 18-200 it shall be.

Now to get back into photography to the point that I can justify buying a D300 or 700.

I do love my Canon XSi, though. It's served me well...

 

-----signature-----

On the off chance that anyone still cares about this thread:

I went and played around with some of the higher end Nikon and Canon cameras. I've realized that while I think Nikon's are aesthetically superior (I hate that multi-thousand dollar Canon's have a cheap looking plastic shutter button and the giant black wheel to control things), I found the Canon's more intuitive to use. More importantly, the angle on the shutter button of Canon's (versus the completely vertical shutter button on Nikons) feels more comfortable.

In short, I remembered why I chose a Canon in the first place and think I will stick with them. The good news is I can now justify investing in a good Canon lens to take with me.

 

-----signature-----

got your asbestos suit ready? ;p

 

-----signature-----