Lens Reference Info

[CmazzJK]

Now that I have started to read up on digital photography, or really photography in general. I realize its not as simple as I thought it was going to be. Atleast its not for the quality of images I want to have the skill to acquire... So I'm hoping someone could point me in a general direction of a good lens reference, maybe literature on different lens and their purposes/what lenses work best for different shot types. I get the gist, would like to better understand the specifics.

 

[480sparky42 42]

In a nutshell:

Fisheyes: Scientific, creative-angle photography.
Ultra-wide angles: Architectural, landscape.
Wide-angle: Landscape, large groups in small rooms.
Standard: All-around general use.
Short telephoto: Portraiture.
Medium telephoto: Sports.
Long telephoto: Wildlife.
Macro/micro: Close-up.
Tilt-shift: Architectural.

 

[Derrel]

Here you go. As so many people claim, Canon's EF lenses are the world's best. Here is Canon's book about how awesome their lenses are, available in multiple on-line .PDF files.

Canon Europe - EF LENS WORK III EN

THis book is also available printed in hardcover for around $22.

 

[CmazzJK]

Thanks for the replies thus is what I was looking for

 

[bratkinson]

Here you go. As so many people claim, Canon's EF lenses are the world's best.

I hereby rescind my 'un-like' comment about Derrel a couple of days ago!

Bruce

 

[CmazzJK]

I'm really hoping my wife lets me buy a 70-200 F:4L with OUR tax return.

 

[bratkinson]

Sparkys' comments describe the typical uses for each category of lenses.

My concern, though, is for a newbie to photography. Deciding what you would like to do the bulk of your photography in, say, sports events, you may purchase something like a 70-200mm telephoto lens for your camera and stop there. Only to discover days/weeks later you REALLY want to get some pictures of your toddler running around the house and outdoors and find that with that lens, only the childs left hand nearly fills the picture indoors and you have to back up into the neighbors yard to get a shot of him outdoors due to the narrow field of view with a crop-sensor camera.

In other words, don't go out and buy an Indianapolis 500 race car and attempt to learn how to drive a car in that. I think the OP would be better suited to getting a 'starter kit' of camera and lens and become reasonably proficient in photography before spending lots of money one something only to end up sitting in a closet, unused.

 

[CmazzJK]

I have a Canon T3 w/kit lens. I am looking to get something more suitable for my needs. I spend most of my camera time in the woods/parks and was looking for ideas for a quality lens that won't break the bank for wildlife photography.

 

[KmH]

Camera Lenses

• Understanding Camera Lenses: Focal Length & Aperture
• Using Wide Angle Lenses
• Using Telephoto Lenses
• Tilt/Shift Lenses: Using Shift Movements to Control Perspective
• Tilt/Shift Lenses: Using Tilt Movements to Control Depth of Field
• Macro Lenses: Magnification, Depth of Field & Effective F-Stop
• Macro Extension Tubes & Close-up Lenses

Lens Characteristics

• Camera Lens Flare: What It Is and How to Reduce It
• Camera Lens Quality: MTF, Resolution and Contrast

Camera Lens Filters

• Choosing a Camera Lens Filter: Polarizers, UV, ND & GND
• Understanding & Using Polarizing Filters
• Using Graduated Neutral Density (GND) Filters
• Using Neutral Density (ND) Filters

 

[vimwiz]

I have a Canon T3 w/kit lens. I am looking to get something more suitable for my needs. I spend most of my camera time in the woods/parks and was looking for ideas for a quality lens that won't break the bank for wildlife photography.

The 18-55 EF-S? I do the same sort of thing, wanted more zoom, and so found the 55-250 IS f/4 to be very good (about the same as a 90-400 if it was a full-frame lens afaik). I paid about £135 quid or so (only got it as the 18-135 was double the price).

The 55-250 was an *excellent* second lens for me, to complement the kit one for longer shots.

 

[CmazzJK]

[/QUOTE]The 18-55 EF-S? I do the same sort of thing, wanted more zoom, and so found the 55-250 IS f/4 to be very good (about the same as a 90-400 if it was a full-frame lens afaik). I paid about £135 quid or so (only got it as the 18-135 was double the price).

The 55-250 was an *excellent* second lens for me, to complement the kit one for longer shots.[/QUOTE]

I am looking at either the Tamron 70-300, Sigma 18-250, Canon 55-250, or just spending the money on a Canon 70-200 F/4L. Its gonna be a couple weeks/month or so before I get anything so, I am trying to do some research and get some opinions and will probably rent a lens or two from my LCS to get a better idea of what I want.

 

[CmazzJK]

Thanks KMH for the link