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View Full Version : What was your first lens purchase?

kamion
20-09-2006, 19:32
Beside the kit lens (if any), what was your first lens purchase, and more importantly, why? I'm interested in stories cause it will reveal what lenses are suited to which type of photography.

For me, I have the 350D kit lens and have not bought my first lens yet. I'm thinking of getting the Canon 70-300mm IS because I have found at times that I wished I had a longer lens, especially at motorsports events. Also, I thought that since I already have the 18-55mm, I should get a lens that will cover another range rather than upgrading a lens in the range that I already have a lens for.

Having used my friend's Canon 70-300 DO IS today, I found it quite unwieldly. :shrug: Especially when I left the trackside and wanted to capture the ambience behind the paddock area. I didn't want to change lens there as I was a bit scared I might drop my friend's lens or something. :bonk:
Boon
20-09-2006, 19:45
i was lucky i guess, my boss bought me the Canon 17-85 IS USM, which has not been off my camera since then, but all will change in the near future, as i am currently wanting to buy a new lens, but unsure of which one at the moment..
kamion
20-09-2006, 19:56
i was lucky i guess, my boss bought me the Canon 17-85 IS USM, which has not been off my camera since then, but all will change in the near future, as i am currently wanting to buy a new lens, but unsure of which one at the moment..

So the 17-85 IS is pretty good then? :) Will have to keep that in mind when I do upgrade the kit lens.

Well, hopefully the response to this thread will also help you in your decision making, Boon. :)
Dena
20-09-2006, 19:59
The first lens I bought for my 10D (way back when) was the 50mm 1.4.
Waaaay before that I had a 50mm 1.2 as my first lens on my Pentax K. Then a 50mm on my Canon AE-1. Then a 50mm on my Minolta 7. Seeing a pattern here?
kamion
20-09-2006, 20:01
The first lens I bought for my 10D (way back when) was the 50mm 1.4.
Waaaay before that I had a 50mm 1.2 as my first lens on my Pentax K. Then a 50mm on my Canon AE-1. Then a 50mm on my Minolta 7. Seeing a pattern here?

hehe. Yes, I see a pattern! Minolta -> Canon -> Pentax -> Canon! Brilliant. You can't stay away from Canon. :nuts:

So why the 50mm always ur first lens you buy for a camera? :thinking:
Darryn
20-09-2006, 20:02
My first purchase was a Canon 75-300 USM mkIII, bought off ebay for ~£90 when the only other lens I had was the 18-55 kit... The 75-300 was as soft as a soft thing, but at the time I compared to the kit lens and it seemed ok. Only when I tried a 100-400L did I realise what a POS it really was.

It now being loved by my Dad, he bought my 300D, kit lens and 75-300 for £300.
Steep
20-09-2006, 20:11
First was Sigma 70-300 APO followed by Canon 50mm f1.8 then Sigma 10-20 and this week.... Canon 17-85 same as Boons.

Everybody should have a 50mm f1.8 unless they have/want the f1.4 version simply because it's so good and soo cheap.
kamion
20-09-2006, 20:14
Everybody should have a 50mm f1.8 unless they have/want the f1.4 version simply because it's so good and soo cheap.

What's it for? Mainly? :shrug:
whitewash
20-09-2006, 20:18
portraits, low light shots, its an awesome lens, my first lens as well canon50mmf1.8
Boon
20-09-2006, 20:23
First was Sigma 70-300 APO followed by Canon 50mm f1.8 then Sigma 10-20 and this week.... Canon 17-85 same as Boons.

Everybody should have a 50mm f1.8 unless they have/want the f1.4 version simply because it's so good and soo cheap.

hi steep
what did you pay for it, may i ask.. i have just seen one sold on ebay, too cheap i may add.
PM me if you wish.
Steep
20-09-2006, 20:29
NP m8, got it for £320+£10pp from Kerso.
Steep
20-09-2006, 20:30
What's it for? Mainly? :shrug:

...must...restrain...myself...must...oh sod it! "Taking photographs of course! :D
Boon
20-09-2006, 20:31
shooot... £100 on ebay tonight, they got an absolute bargain.
kamion
20-09-2006, 20:35
shooot... £100 on ebay tonight, they got an absolute bargain.

The 17-85? I don't see it in the Completed Items listing search.
digitalfailure
20-09-2006, 20:38
First lens for a dslr was a 75-300 IS

never really got used much as the next lens i bought spends most time on the camera. :)

I keep meaning to post it down to matty so i can have it sold on ebay.....maybe one day i'll get round to it.
dod
20-09-2006, 21:32
Everybody should have a 50mm f1.8 unless they have/want the f1.4 version simply because it's so good and soo cheap.
Can't remember if I've had 3 or 4 50mm F1.8's Never again, keep trying to like it but don't ;)

First lens I bought was a 75-150mm F4 Olympus Zuiko, absolutely lovely lens.
SDK^
21-09-2006, 09:27
The first lens I purchased was the Canon 100-300mm USM for £160 from E-bay.
At the time my only other lens was the Canon 28-135 IS and I needed more focal length.

I had it for about 2 weeks and only used it once before I sold it and got a 100-400L IS. It was quite good for the money but no IS meant using it in the UK (dull weather) was difficult.
InaGlo
21-09-2006, 09:59
My first lens was the Canon 50mm 1.4.
Despite being advised to buy the above, it wasnt the lens I wanted .... no, I wanted a zooooom for my first lens, so I could get snapping EVERYTHING! :lol:
The offer Canon had on at the time made it impossible to get hold of the zoom and so being a total noob and not knowing where to start I took the advice to go for the 50mm & I havent regreted it one bit. Ive taken all sorts with my 50mm .... close-ups of flowers, portraits & landscapes.
My next lens was the 100mm macro, bought with taking pics of fingernails in mind but, Im not opposed to the odd bug either and Ive also used it for portraits.
pxl8
21-09-2006, 10:13
With digital it was the Canon 75-300 from ebay - not long after I switched to the Sigma DG Macro version and sold the Canon for a profit ;)

With film I really can't remember...
Trung_EP3CTR
21-09-2006, 15:39
Mine was the Nifty Fifty. A cheap and cheerful portrait lens:)
Ally
21-09-2006, 15:50
My first was my 85 1.8 and I'm still loving it :D