Cameras-n- Stuff

Once you have decided on the right Canon EOS camera, your decision making process is not over. Now you must choose the right Canon Digital SLR lens.

It was probably a research and decision process just to decide on the correct Canon EOS camera, right? As you consider the situation, you perceive that there is a vast potpourri of lenses, literally hundreds of them. And you are not limited to just Canon lenses, there are others who create lenses for Canon EOS cameras as well.

You have to pick one.

It’s possible to avoid this whole issue and go with the package deal that includes the kit lens. And, yes, there are even package deals that have two or more kit lenses. Then there would be no choice to make.

But getting the lenses for your digital SLR is half of the excitement of owning a camera like this.

There are those who make a science out of this piece of the selection process, taking long periods of time to research and evaluate. If you go online to some of the camera forums, you will see how totally involved some photographers are in lens selection. Sometimes it is a bit extreme.

At the end of the day, you want this decision to be the right one. The one that gets just the right lens onto your camera.

This brings up the question, “Why not just go for the kit lens?” The answer is a simple one. You could purchase the kit lens and be quite satisfied with it. Lot’s of do that. But it just is not best lens manufactured for a Canon EOS digital SLR camera. Its purpose is to get a lens on that camera so you can get started taking pictures right out of the box. You may want to consider what lots of new camera owners do. Get the camera body only, without the kit lens. Then you have the freedom to get a lens of your own choice separate from the kit lens.

Here are some questions that will aid you narrow the field.

1. What’s in your wallet?

Once you answer this one, you may not have to answer any of the ones that follow. If your budget simply includes the camera and a kit lens, then you are done. If, however, there is some cash allocated for a lens, you can think about the remaining questions. A limited budget of $500 or less will put you in one area, whereas $1000 will give you much more flexibility in your final decision.

2. What is your favored photographic category?

Most photographers tend to move toward a particular favored genre. Most photographers establish a favorite style even before they buys to their first digital SLR. For shooting photos of family and friends or vacation, the focal range of 18-70mm (or something within those parameters) will be perfect. You will have to regard a different main lens if your photographic focus is on nature, or sports, or even portraits.

3. Will you be purchasing more than one lens for this new Canon Digital SLR camera?

Buying more than one DSLR lens is really the second reason why most photographers move into Digital SLR photography, the first reason being their desire to get a more sophisticated camera. If you budget allows for another lens or two, then the first lens choice can focus more on getting the best image in the 17-75mm range. Your second lens should be one of the 70-200mm or 70-300mm lenses.

4. The final question is this: Which Canon EOS camera did you decide on?

Depending on your answer, you may not be able to get some of the Canon or third party lenses simply because they will not work on your camera. Oddly, there are more choices for the cheaper, entry level digital SLRs. All of the Canon lenses and third party lenses will fit on your camera. If, on the other hand, you buy a more professional “full frame” camera, you can not get any of the lenses that are designated at EF-S lenses, as they are for only the crop frame models such as the Rebel series.

The choice to move to a DSLR camera is an exciting one, but it is not without its exploration and challenges. You really need to do your homework before making this buying decision.

The worst case scenario is that you have a low budget, and you make the wrong choice for your first Canon camera lens.

Fortunately, there are resources available to help you decide which Canon digital SLR lens is right for you.

Go to www.canoneoslenses.org to continue your quest for the best lens for your Canon EOS camera.

Don’t you love macro photography? It is quite rewarding, and it gets your photography juices flowing. But you must have a great macro lens. Sigma Macro lenses are well worth your consideration when going for a new close-up lens.

Something happens when you use a macro lens on your digital SLR camera. You witness things you never suspected were in the photo when you were setting it up.

You have to really experience this to know the feeling, but when it happens, it’s very cool.

This article is about Canon EOS cameras using a Sigma macro lens, but if you are a Nikon or Pentax user, the same lenses are available to you.

Why would you use a Sigma macro lens? Wouldn’t it just be better to get a Canon macro lens? Another question, can’t you just use any lens for macro photography?

Good questions, indeed, and they have some very definitive answers.

First, about macro lenses. These are special lenses dedicated to close up photography. They are manufactured carefully for this purpose. The lens glass (actually the number of elements varies) is placed differently inside the lens barrel to get a macro image.

A macro lens gets these close up photos with much better quality than any “conventional” lens. Dedicated macro lenses have only one focal length, such as 105mm. Those lenses that actually include the word “macro” in their title, but they are zoom lenses, are not going to give you the high quality image you desire in your macro photography.

Next, consider using a Sigma macro lens versus a Canon macro lens. Some photo enthusiasts won’t even consider it. If you are one of these, you may as well move on. However, there may be a valid reason to think about it… dinero (money).

Usually Sigma Macro lenses for Canon digital SLRs are less money than Canon macro lenses. Photo quality is really good with either choice. Most likely, you can’t tell the difference in image quality between the two. It would take a forensic scientist to tell which is which.

Third party manufacturers like Sigma have made a commitment. They understand that if they don’t get the quality right in their macro lenses, they will not get any of the buyers. They put lots of time and research into getting it right. What they ended up with are great engineering and great lenses.

There are four dedicated macro lenses if you decide on Sigma. The focal lengths are 50mm, 70mm, 105mm, and 150mm. The 105mm macro lens is the lens of choice to start with.

There are two great reasons for this, and it is not because the others are not good. First, it is a true 1:1 macro lens, the right reason for buying macro in the first place. And the second is that it is an excellent portrait lens as well. Many portrait photographers use a 100mm lens for the lion’s share of their work, and this one will do the job.

Sigma macro ratings are very high. You actually should check ratings before buying any piece of camera equipment. In this case, you will discover that many consider Sigma an equal to Canon in the macro category.

Close up photography is really rewarding. The beauty and intricacies of nature make you realize that there is a Creator, and He did not hold back, even in the most minute details.

More about these great macro lenses at www.canoneoslenses.org/sigma-macro-for-canon/.

SIGMA APO 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM

Currently, Sigma offers a 70-200 f/2.8 without Optical Stabilization at about $800. This new lens promises to rival the Canon version with the same specs. Users will have to decide.

This just in from Sigma:

The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the new Sigma APO 70-200 F2.8 EX DG OS HSM.
This large aperture telephoto zoom lens incorporates Sigma’s original Optical Stabilizer function. The lens covers focal lengths from 70mm to 200mm and has a large maximum aperture of F2.8 throughout the entire zoom range. Two FLD (“F” Low Dispersion) glass elements, which have the performance equal to fluorite glass, and three SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements provide excellent correction of color aberration. High image quality is assured throughout the entire zoom range and an optimum optical power layout provides superior optical quality in all shooting ranges from close-up to infinity. The OS (Optical Stabilizer) function offers the use of shutter speeds approximately 4 stops slower than would otherwise be possible. For Sony and Pentax mount, the built-in OS function of this lens can be used even if the camera body is equipped with an image sensor shift anti-shake system. As compensation for camera shake is visible in the view finder, the photographer can easily check for accurate focus and ensure there is no subject movement. Super Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghost. This lens incorporates HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor), ensuring a quiet and high speed AF as well as full-time manual focus capability. The lens has a minimum focusing distance of 140cm(55.1″) throughout the entire zoom range and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:8. The rounded 9 blade diaphragm creates an attractive blur to the out of focus images. This lens is equipped with a Petal-type hood. For digital cameras with an APS-C size image sensor, a dedicated hood adapter, which expands the length of the lens hood, is supplied.

Specifications:

* Lens Construction 22 Elements in 17 Groups
* Maximum Magnification 1:8
* Angle of View 34.3-12.3 degrees
* Filter Size Diameter 77mm
* Number of blades 9pcs (Rounded diaphragm)
* Lens Hood Petal-type hood (LH850-02) supplied
* Minimum Aperture F22
* Dimensions f86.4mm×197.6mm / 3.4in. × 7.8in.
* Minimum Focusing Distance 140cm / 55.1in.
* Weight 1430g / 50.4oz

Price

About $ 1699