So I'm thinking about buying this camera. I also have an Olympus 5060WZ (which I wouldn't mind selling) and a Canon SD850 IS.

My main question is about lenses. I know the better the lens the better quality image. Can anyone recommend a good lens for the money for a 70-200 type lens? Little more/little less range is fine.

For Canon lenses there are many types: EF, EF-S, IS, USM, L. Then of course there are many different manufacturers.

I have a 70-210mm 1:4 EF lens that I'm supposed to be able to use on the 500D, I'm wondering how well it will work and what the actual zoom factor will be.


I'm leaving for a cruise next week and would enjoy a new toy to play with.

 

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Well, as far as lenses are concerned. Canon has 2 mounts. EF and EF-S. All canon SLRs take EF and EF-S mount lenses. Though EF-S mounts are designed for canon cameras that dont have full frame sensors and will generate a nice O shadow on your pic. Heh

IS and USM are abbreviations for Image Stabalization and Ultra Sonic Motor (for fast quiet autofocus). L series designates Canon's top of the line lenses and can produce some of the sharpest images you will come across in photography. THey are also very pricey

 

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Give us a price range to work with.

Canon has a very nice 70-300mm IS lens for around $550. I bought one used for $450 and I love it.

Sigma makes a pretty good 70-300 lens for just over $200.

Kashani posts photos here taken with his Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS L lens that cost right around a million dollars.

So it just depends on your budget.

 

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Well I could spend the $550 for the Canon, but if the Sigma (or other) produces near the same quality for quite a bit less money than that is what I would do.

I guess I'll not figure on getting any L lenses soon.

Looks like I can pick up a Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Telephoto Zoom Camera Lens for $550.00

 

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The Zoom factor will be 3. (210mm / 70mm = 3)

 

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Actually, I believe that on a cropped (non-full frame) Canon sensor, the multiplier is 1.6. So that 70-300 will be equivalent to 112-480mm. The 70-210 will be like 112-336mm.

I upgraded from the Sigma 70-300 to the Canon 70-300mm IS and I'm glad I did. There is a noticeable quality difference.

 

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Agreed, I went from the Sigma 70-300 macro (macro 200-300zoom) to the Canon 70-200 F2.8 L... big difference in quality. BIG difference.

 

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You are correct, it is 1.6.

/e hugs his L series lenses.

 

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is not the same as





Stiger's is not the L like Nakal. I would expect the L to be much better.

But, as Stiger stated, if the IS is that much better than the Sigma, then I will get the IS USM.


Thanks for your replies.

 

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note the lens will have a field of view of a longer lens but there is no magnification.


Also if you ever sell the lens the Canon (especially L lens) will hold there value better then 3rd party lens

 

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