hooked another one...

So I finally decided to get a digital camera. I've decided that (1) basic DSLR prices won't drop much in the foreseeable future - there's really no incentive for them to, and (2) there's not much point in waiting to see whether one is better than others in terms of Q&R - they all have issues, pretty much to the same extent. So I might as well get one and stop spending money on film.

As for which one, although I'm not really invested in a lense collection, I figured it'd be nice to be able to share lenses between my digicam and film cam - which, coupled with my budget, clinches it for the Digital Rebel. Make some space for me on that bandwagon, will ya?

(Actually, I played with the Digital Rebel at a store a couple of months back. My gut said, ohmigod, this is what I need. My mind said, not so fast, let's sit on this for a while.)

One decision yet to be made is which basic zoom lense to get, since I don't think the kit lense will give me the zoom I want. I'd like one in the 28mm-105mm or 28mm-135mm range. I'm trying to decide between:
- Canon 28-105mm 3.5-4.5 II USM
- Sigma 28-105mm 3.8-5.6 UC III
- Sigma 28-135mm 3.8-5.6, which has semi-macro ability (9.4" focus distance) at the tele end

Opinions would be appreciated.

Rest of my shopping list:
- Two 256MB cards: SD 256MB Ultra II (is there a point in a Lexar 40x if the camera doesn't support WA?); mem card reader; mem card wallet
- Extra battery pack (Power-2000 version; any advantage in a genuine Canon?)
- The Phase One s/w for Digital Rebel RAW processing
- A couple of Tiffen Haze-1 UV filters to sit on both the kit lense and the other lense
- Carry case: Yet to figure this one out...

And maybe, if I have the gumption:
- Circular polarizer to play with
- LCD screen protectors (or is this a scam?)


- Yaron

I have the 28-105 f/3.5-4.5 II USM lens, I use it on my film camera and now on my 10D. The first thing I noticed with this lens on the 10D is that I miss the wide end. I am now in the market for a 17-40 f/4L to recover the wide end. If I were to purchase the 28-105 again I would get the Canon 28-135 IS, for the IS feature. All that being said, I think the 28-105 or 28-135 would be a perfect starter lens for a Drebel. If you never had that 28mm wide angle you won't miss it as much. The 28-105/135 is a perfect gap lens for when you do fill in the wide end with a 12-24, 16-35, or 17-40.
I have a Lowepro Computrekker for my gear and I am pretty happy with it. It is basically a Mini-Trekker with a padded laptop sleeve in back. It has a flip out tripod holder, a huge front pocket, and an AW cover. I am currently carrying a 10D with 28-105 attached, 80-200 f/2.8L, 300 f/4L, Canon G2, and an EOS 3 body. Also I carry filters for the lenses(polarizers, 81a's, and split ND 1 and 3 stop, with adapter rings for the lenses). I have to do some arranging to find room for the future 17-40 f/4L and a 550ex. Right now what I have in the bag takes up a lot of the space of this bag. It is also very heavy fully loaded up. I find it nice though for an extended trip to have my laptop with for downloading and reviewing shots(ugh, more weight). On day trips I leave the laptop at home.
I don't see any reason to get the LCD protectors, I haven't had my 10D very long but I find the LCD is never really in the line of fire. I owned an S30 for a while, and the LCD did get scratched, but it really didn't hurt it, I still could see the info I wanted clearly.

Yaron,

Look at the Canon 28-135 IS f/3.5 - 5.6 lens as an option as well. I have it, I love it and use it with my film body as well.

The one thing I have found with digital cameras, I have a 10D, is the crop factor of x 1.6 with lenses, you need to get a good understanding of that when you are purchasing lenses. If you need to have a wide angle lens and you are using digital, then you will need something like a 17-40 lens, not necissarily A Canon f4/L lens althought that is considered an excellent lens.

I have been toying with the idea of LCD protectors as my nose is always smudging it and I have to clean it with a hankie more times than I would like and I have been a little concerned about scratching it as well. Although it is fairly simple and reasonably priced to change the cover of the LCD screen. Remember it is only a plastic cover over the LCD display.

I have a Lowepro Magnum Pro bag contains everything I just about have and yes is a little heavy but I have what I need when I need it.

Thanx for the advice so far.
Couple of quick notes:

- Not too concerned about the wide end. I currently (w/ my film cam) find myself zooming in much more than out. The kit lense should cover my wide-angle needs.

- Not so interested in IS. I have a rather steady hand (or so I think), and use a tripod as necessary.

- Any opinions about the Sigma lenses? I hear two camps, one saying, "For a Canon camera you should get only Canon lenses," the other saying, "Sigma's fine, maybe a little slower, but otherwise about as good as Canon." Remember I'm talking basic lenses here, not L stuff. (Note: I'm not overly concerned about speed. Most subjects I like to shoot - other than my cats - have been there for a very long time and will continue to be there, barring natural disasters or terrorist activity.)

- Yaron

When I started buying EF lenses, one of the first lenses I bought was a Sigma 28-200, I thought I was paying an awful lot for this lens. After all it cost almost as much as the EOS Elan II I was buying at the time. The build quality was marginal at best and the image quality was just adequate. I eventually traded it for my current 28-105 usm II. I bought the L glass after that and I am hooked, I want more. I understand that Sigma has come a long way in image quality and build quality with their EX pro lines with their HSM motors. I still have a Canon bias though, created by my earlier experience with Sigma. I have been considering the Sigma EX 12-24 for my wide end, but for the same price I keep coming back to the Canon 17-40L. I had the hardest time getting over the idea that a body is just a fancy light box, other than features they all do the same thing: get light to the film(sensor). The lens is the important part, they cost a lot more than the body, and are the major determinate in image quality. http://www.photodo.com has quite a lens test library, although the MTF tests are very scientific and are not the end all to lens quality.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by EOSThree

When I started buying EF lenses, one of the first lenses I bought was a Sigma 28-200, I thought I was paying an awful lot for this lens. After all it cost almost as much as the EOS Elan II I was buying at the time. The build quality was marginal at best and the image quality was just adequate. I eventually traded it for my current 28-105 usm II.

---

I resisted the temptation to get a 28-200 based on the advice in the following thread on this forum (one of the first), titled, "Lense recommendation":
http://forums.photographyreview.com/...read.php?t=150

As well as info from fora on other sites. Perhaps your negative experience with this lense is simply b/c with such a big zoom range you inevitably lose quality...

- Yaron