frostywolf
TPF Noob!
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2008
- Messages
- 2
- Reaction score
- 0
Alright, so I'm new to DSLRs. As in, my first one (a 30D) will be shipped out next week. Before I get into what I need help with, let me fill you in on my photo background and what I want to do.
I use my cameras for 3 main purposes. (1) I take lots of pics of pets. (Mine, but also at the veterinary hospital where I work etc.) Nothing too serious, just for message board sharing. My P&S is fine for this purpose, so that's not why I'm moving up. (2) I am live music junkie. I see between 20-30 concerts/year (not including my vacation which is a music festival on a chartered cruise ship). I have really taken my Canon S2 IS as far as it will take me on this. Obviously, for bigger name concerts, I won't be taking in the new camera, as SLRs typically aren't permitted. But most of mine are in smallish nightclubs and the like. Quite a few of my friends are musicians, also, and I'd like to capture them better. So this is a big reason for upgrading, but not my #1. (3) This is where I've been the most frustrated. Nature/birding. I go on day hikes frequently, and I always pack my S2 IS. Every time I go I wish I had a DSLR for it. I really need the reach of a telephoto for wildlife/birds.
That being said, I am getting my Canon 30D soon, so I need to outfit myself with at least a couple basic lenses. I don't have a ton of money (hence the starting with a used but decent body). Also, I need funds for other basic accs. like CF cards, bag (since I know I'll be hiking I think I'm going straight for a backpack style) and I will want a tripod/head. So my funds are a bit limited.
Okay, here's what I'm definitely getting to start with:
Canon EF 28-135mm IS
Canon 50mm f/1.8 II
I intend to use these as my 'learning' lenses, as they are very reasonably priced and from reading this and other forums, many people are satisfied with them. I didn't want to start out with lenses that I will soon 'grow out of' and never use again.
Because my main reason for upgrading is to shoot wildlife/birds, I need a lens with better reach. I know many people would say to hold off and learn the camera first, but I'd rather not have at least one to try out.
So, I've narrowed down to 3 choices
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4-5.6L IS USM
Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM
Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM
I feel like I should start with the zoom, since if it's my only one, the zoom would be more practical. But the primes are less expensive, and they will be very useful for a long, long time. But I'll be a bit limited in the beginning. I can't afford to go any more expensive than these, and I don't want to go for a lower quality lens and feel the need to replace it later. And I can only afford (for now) one of them. So, what would you suggest?
I use my cameras for 3 main purposes. (1) I take lots of pics of pets. (Mine, but also at the veterinary hospital where I work etc.) Nothing too serious, just for message board sharing. My P&S is fine for this purpose, so that's not why I'm moving up. (2) I am live music junkie. I see between 20-30 concerts/year (not including my vacation which is a music festival on a chartered cruise ship). I have really taken my Canon S2 IS as far as it will take me on this. Obviously, for bigger name concerts, I won't be taking in the new camera, as SLRs typically aren't permitted. But most of mine are in smallish nightclubs and the like. Quite a few of my friends are musicians, also, and I'd like to capture them better. So this is a big reason for upgrading, but not my #1. (3) This is where I've been the most frustrated. Nature/birding. I go on day hikes frequently, and I always pack my S2 IS. Every time I go I wish I had a DSLR for it. I really need the reach of a telephoto for wildlife/birds.
That being said, I am getting my Canon 30D soon, so I need to outfit myself with at least a couple basic lenses. I don't have a ton of money (hence the starting with a used but decent body). Also, I need funds for other basic accs. like CF cards, bag (since I know I'll be hiking I think I'm going straight for a backpack style) and I will want a tripod/head. So my funds are a bit limited.
Okay, here's what I'm definitely getting to start with:
Canon EF 28-135mm IS
Canon 50mm f/1.8 II
I intend to use these as my 'learning' lenses, as they are very reasonably priced and from reading this and other forums, many people are satisfied with them. I didn't want to start out with lenses that I will soon 'grow out of' and never use again.
Because my main reason for upgrading is to shoot wildlife/birds, I need a lens with better reach. I know many people would say to hold off and learn the camera first, but I'd rather not have at least one to try out.
So, I've narrowed down to 3 choices
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4-5.6L IS USM
Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM
Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM
I feel like I should start with the zoom, since if it's my only one, the zoom would be more practical. But the primes are less expensive, and they will be very useful for a long, long time. But I'll be a bit limited in the beginning. I can't afford to go any more expensive than these, and I don't want to go for a lower quality lens and feel the need to replace it later. And I can only afford (for now) one of them. So, what would you suggest?