SLR lens set on a budget ?

[Colin Southern]

"The camera needs a trip to the Canon Doctor but the lens is in perfect shape. "

Sorry to hear that - hope that you're OK. How bad was the camera damage? Insurance claim?

Cheers,

Colin

[William W]

A tilt shift lens (Canon's prefix "TS-E") is a very good choice for Architecture, though quite expensive AND, more importantly the widest of the three available being 24mm, actually is quite limited on an APS-C sensor camera ("crop sensor body"). So in that regard, I think you should note, that 28mm is not all that wide for "architecture shots" on the APS-C body, either.

***

A lens baby, IMO, would not allow adequate control, for any serious architecture work.

***

There are several Post Production tools which can be used to correct converging lines.

That said, and taking into account Colin's segmentation into “grades” of Canon lenses: IMO the EF-S 55 to 250 IS, represents very good value for money, as does the EF50mm F1.8MkII.

But do not dismiss the value of the EF-S 17 to 55 F3.5 to F5.6 IS (note: the IS version). The IS version has better IQ than the original EF-S 17 to 55

This lens will give you most of the wide you need for architecture – and other pursuits - and, as mostly for Architecture you can use a Tripod - using this lens at F8 through to F11 should give very pleasing results.

One primary point I learnt about digital very early on is that CORRECT and APPROPRIATE Post Production sharpening is critical to quality image making . . . that tip I have never forgotten, nor the bloke who wrote it.

Do not underestimate the results which can be attained with the two EF-S` zoom lens I mentioned, they seem to me to be the best of that group: it is however necessary to understand the limitations of those lenses - the chief limitation being their slow maximum aperture – and the IQ fall off and mild CA at the limits of there zoom range and when wide open.

The IS feature on both lenses, is quite handy, and it works, too.

WW

P.S. Colin remembered correctly: Partial Metering on the 20D is about 9%, at the centre – that mode can mimic spot metering for most scenarios - I use that metering mode most frequently to meter the gradations of a scene and compute the exposure manually.

[Zephyrize]

Hi William,
Thank you for that informative post and welcome to the forum !

Since you mention it, I received my camera few weeks go along with the 50 prime.
However, the 28-105 mark II I ordered is kind of 'discontinued', so we decided to cancel that order instead of waiting months for the company to order it.

So now I have the chance to look around and carefully choosing the second lens I would have.

I've discussed with the family (since my father will be using it occasionally) and we came to the conclusion that we'll have to buy two more lenses;
One (wide angle) for myself doing architecture and landscapes
and another (zoom) for family use (party, competition, vacations, etc.)

For zoom lens, I agree with you and am looking closely at the EF-S 55 to 250.

As for the wide, I end up noticing that all wide angle are >400-500$...
so I'm tempting for the
Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM

The ratings are good and images I looked at are more than satisfying.
There's a classified ad on my local website of someone selling this lens for 550 CAD (447 USD). He tells me that he used it 4-5 times since he bought it 18 months ago and that it still has 8 years of warranty... a 10 years warranty, is that possible?
I being careful when it comes to S/H lenses..

And btw, a long time I 've been meaning to ask, what defines a 'fast' lens. I read the tutorial page concerning this but didn't quite understand.. it concerns the minimum F-stops, but what does it have to do with the element of speed (I thought speed was attributed to AF) ?

Thanks,
I didn't make a new thread since this is about the same purchase.

[Colin Southern]

And btw, a long time I 've been meaning to ask, what defines a 'fast' lens. I read the tutorial page concerning this but didn't quite understand.. it concerns the minimum F-stops, but what does it have to do with the element of speed (I thought speed was attributed to AF) ?

Hi Zephyrize,

"Fast Glass" means glass that allows you to use a "fast" shutterspeed ie "They let more light in" by virtue of their wide apertures. Canon define fast glass as anything that's F1:2.8 or faster (eg F1:1.2). Nothing to do with AF.

Hope this helps!

[William W]

Gee, it is really nice to be WELCOMED to a forum. Thank you.

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I have not used the Sigma 10 to 20.

My comment is about that lens as part of you WHOLE kit: there is a lot of Focal Length between 22mm and 55mm.

Arguably 20 to 55 would be the MOST used range (on an APS-C sensor body) for general Photography.

That isn't to say you MUST have those focal lengths - heavens my 24mm lens is practically glued to my 5D (that is about a 15mm lens on your camera) and I use that 24mm lens most of the time.

I am just pointing out there is a big gap between 20mm and 55 mm

Thanks again for the warm welcome.

***

HELLO COLIN.

WW

[Colin Southern]

HELLO COLIN.

Hello Bill :-)

Since William W is a bit too shy to introduce himself on the welcome forum ...

... I'll pop right in (being somewhat less shy!) to say that he's a "top bloke", and one I got to know well as a fellow contributor before I changed camps from photo.net.

Knowing Bill's knowledge and experience combined with his considerate and clear posting style, I knew that he could make a valued contribution to many young and young at heart photographers here - so I did my best to "head hunt" him. Seems to be working so far! ... and am very glad to have him on board with us here.

Thanks Bill - good to see you back where you belong! :-)

[William W]

Colin.

I have posetd my thumbnail sketch on the WELCOME THREAD - at least I think it is the correct thread.

Regards,

Bill

[Colin Southern]

And I've posted my reply already :) (You have to get up pretty early for something to happen on here that I don't know about!) ;)