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Choose A Canon Digital SLR Lens Wisely – Here’s How

July 29th, 2010 gearnut No comments
Canon 17-55mm Lens

Canon 17-55mm Lens

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?

Tamron 17-50mm lens for Canon

Tamron 17-50mm lens for Canon

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.

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Best Lens for Canon EOS Cameras – Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L Could Be It

June 25th, 2010 gearnut No comments
Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L for Canon EOS Digital Cameras

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L for Canon EOS Digital Cameras

Canon is in the Digital SLR market in a huge way. Their commitment to quality has produced many fantastic photography products, including cameras and lenses. The Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L lens may possibly be one of their highest quality products to date. This rather bold statement is based on the reception of this lens by the photographic community, including expert reviews and reviews by professionals and enthusiastic amateurs. They are practically unanimous in their praise.

This remark is typical of the users’ comments about the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 lens for Canon EOS cameras: “…since I got the 85 prime, I haven’t looked back. The 85 1.2L simply smokes the zoom..” The “zoom” he was referring to is the 70-200 f/2.8, which may be the most popular (at least in the top 2 or 3) Canon lens on the market.

When you first see this lens, especially if you are comparing it to a similar one of the same focal length, your first impression would definitely be “Wow”, this is quite a piece of equipment. It is massive and impressive at the same time. You can tell that you hold quality in your hand.

Then, after attaching it to your digital SLR, you will know that your first impression was an accurate one. It truly handles like a professional lens. Your other lenses will feel like toys by comparison.

So, what is it good for – what type of shots are best taken with the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L?

Start with the most popular shots taken by all photographers – people. People in all settings. Family shots will turn out better than you could have imagined. Portraits will have the wow factor that you had always hoped for. Street photography or photojournalism will get better.

Weddings? A huge YES. Reports from wedding photographers have widely praised the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L lens for two reasons.

First, the sharp, high quality images are so much better than the ones from their other lenses. Second, the f/1.2 aperture allows shooting in low light settings better than nearly any other lens available on the market.

Video – Oh my, Yes. The video quality produced by this dynamic lens will give your video a new level of professional.

A Couple of Guys Opening Their New Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L Lens

But sports? Not so much. You will want to stick with a longer, quicker focusing lens for sports. Even though this lens has HSM, it is not quite fast enough to capture shots with the speed you need for sports.

This comment is really great: “I know it is crazy expensive. But go ahead and buy it, cry for 5 minutes, and don’t tell your wife the price. She will love the pictures at the end!!!”

Is it the best choice for every type of shot? Of course not. There is no one lens that can cover the entire gamut of picture taking scenarios.

And price may be an issue for you. But this is one lens that you might consider trading in your teenage son for. It’s that good.
Take a look at the ratings, specs, and a few sample pictures at www.canoneoslenses.org. I think you will agree with all the others who are so impressed with the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L lens.

One more thing. It is compatible with all current Canon EOS digital SLR cameras, including Full Frame and APS-C formats. Just one more plus for this amazing lens.

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Canon Rebel T2i – Greatest Rebel Ever

May 15th, 2010 gearnut No comments
Canon Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

The Canon Corporation has really hit a home-run with its Canon EOS Rebel T2i!

The entry level digital SLR is receiving rave reviews everywhere in the digital photography community. It is being touted as the greatest sub-$1000 camera now in the marketplace.

What on earth is all the hype about? Photography gurus and buyers alike are excited about this brand-new little digital SLR camera… Why?

There is no official data, but it appears that the set of features of the new Rebel is very much like another recent release in the Canon line-up, the 7D, at roughly one-half the cost.

The price discrepancy is not unsubstantiated, but unless you are an really critical professional, it would be tough to tell the discrepancy in images and video between these two digital SLR cameras.

Perhaps the very best reason for obtaining a new Canon Rebel T2i is for the satisfaction that comes from the picture taking experience. The ease of making use of the controls to command your digital camera to get the precise picture you desire. Regardless of whether you want to control the depth of field or get a fantastic action shot of your most popular sport, it is doable with this wonderful Digital slr camera.

Are you moving up from a compact digital.. No more waiting around for the digital camera to make up its mind to finally “snap” the image, seemingly eons after you pressed the shutter button.
Digital SLR buyers are truly fired up about the addition of video. And with this new model, the quality of the video output is greatly superior. Despite the fact that there are several other versions of DSLR cameras that have video, and the first few cameras that had video did not do it that well. Today, with the 550D video has attained a level that is rather impressive. Compact digital camera owners who resisted getting a DSLR camera mainly because of the absence of video are now finding a persuasive motive to finally upgrade.

Another much better component is the low light picture capability. Digital SLR cameras have always been able to create much better pictures than digital compact cameras, especially in low light conditions. Even so, previously the pictures obtained at higher ISO settings (which is necessary in low light) have suffered from high noise levels, especially above the 800 ISO level. Now, the Canon Rebel T2i takes pictures at ISO levels of 3200 or 6400 with really low noise. This is a key plus for individuals who like to take pictures of live shows and various other inside events.

A fantastic method to find out whether a new camera is worthy of your attention is to check with those who have recently actually spent money to buy one. The number of remarks from those people have been growing and nearly all are quite positive.

Here are three comments that seemed particularly relevant:

  1. “Have owned all Rebels except the 500D,and this is easily the best. It’s the best small DSLR on the market by a good bit.”
  2. “I just got the camera (upgraded from the 300D). I didn’t think much of the “Live View” as an option before I bought it. I can see I’ll be using this as an advantage… The “quick control” button is going to be game changer for me also, it is much easier to see what all the setting are at and I can make changes from the screen directly.”
  3. “I’m impressed with the quality of shots in low-low light, this was using kit lens… After parking an older Rebel (film version) for the digital point and shoots, this camera feel like going home after a long absence..is loaded with great features.”

Is it time for you to make the move to a Canon Rebel T2i digital SLR camera? You will have to make your own judgement, but there are very few consumers who have experienced buyer’s remorse with this little gem.

Canon Rebel T2i is truly recognized as the very best Rebel yet.

Find out more at www.digital-photographic-resources.com.

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