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Thread: Starter Lenses

  1. #1
    Junior Member
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    Lightbulb Starter Lenses

    Hi I'm very new to dSLR's and photgraphy in general. I am planning on buying a Rebel XT (body only) and am looking for a good starting lens. I am looking at a combo consisting of a Tamron 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical Lens and 75-300mm f/4-5.6 LD Lens. Also, I am looking at purchasing a used Canon EOS 35-135mm USM EF Lens.

    Thank you,
    Andy:thumbsup:

  2. #2
    Fluorite Toothpaste poker's Avatar
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    Re: Starter Lenses

    This is what I consider my starting lens. It didn't cost too much and it had a better aperture range than some of the less expensive lenses. The lens you mention have a max aperture of f/3.5-5.6 and f/4-5.6.

    Sigma 28-105mm F2.8-4 DG

    Another great starting lens is the Canon EF 50 f1.8. It's under a $100 and performs well. Here are some samples:

    50mm f/1.8 Lens War Thread

    Everyone that begins to take this hobby more seriously should learn the value of a prime lens.
    Canon 5D MKII & Canon 7D

  3. #3
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    Re: Starter Lenses

    Thanks for the reply, I see that you recommended a Sigma. I was looking at one similar (Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8-4 DG AF Lens) to that one. Is that the same quality, just shorter zoom?

  4. #4
    Fluorite Toothpaste poker's Avatar
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    Re: Starter Lenses

    Quote Originally Posted by andymg
    Thanks for the reply, I see that you recommended a Sigma. I was looking at one similar (Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8-4 DG AF Lens) to that one. Is that the same quality, just shorter zoom?
    It appears so. I think that one is a more recent model.

    I use to get excited about zoom lenses. the second lens I ever purchase was the Canon 100-300 USM. I barely ever used it.

    Currently, my most used lens is a TAMRON 17-50 f2.8.

    TAMRON 17-50 f2.8
    Canon 5D MKII & Canon 7D

  5. #5
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    Re: Starter Lenses

    I think I've decided on the Canon EF 50 f1.8. I'm not sure about the pros/cons to a prime lens but I am interested in low-light/night photography and that has a low aperture.

    I think I'll purchase a lens like the Tamron you suggested once I get comfortable with dSLR's and I recover from my debt. I'm only 17 and the bank's low.

  6. #6
    Iron Horse
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    Re: Starter Lenses

    hey, I'm almost twice your age and funds *still* run low. I was in the same situation and purchased the XTi body only and the 50mm 1.8. The 50 is a great little lens, and with the 1.6x crop on the XTi (and the XT), it actually performs like an 80mm lens, which is the beginning of the portrait lenses. Some quick shots:





    I'll probably be picking up a Tamron 17-50mm next, mainly to use as a walkaround lens. The 50 is awesome, and great for portrait/head shots, but indoors its pretty close. another option you may want to look at is the sigma 17-70 which has gotten amazing reviews and is only in the mid 300 range.

    hope this help!!

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