Advice on lenses please?

[Chris Green]

Hello everyone!

first post here, so please go easy on me!

I have recently bought my first DSLR, a Canon 20D Body.

I haven't given myself much of a budget for lenses now, so I would like a bit of advice.

Basically, I have £150, to buy 2 lenses to get me started?

I was thinking of something like a canon 18-55 kit lens to start with, and also a 200mm lens, probably a tamron or sigma? I've seen a Tamron AF 55-200mm F4.5-5.6 Di II LD Macro lens, that retails at about £65? this seems very reasonable to me, telling me that it must have its limitations?

I'd appreciate some help.

Thank you,

Chris.

[G-Kenny]

there are plenty of Kit lens going these days in the for sale section for around 30 quid which would leave you around 120 for your 200mm , i think canon do a 70-200 for around that price, but its always good to keep an eye in the for sale section or put up a wanted post in that section

cheers

O and welcome to the forum

[barbs]

I'm no expert, but after reading and taking everyone elses advice I opted for:

Canon 50mm (nifty fifty) - cost £60 new, always appear on the for sale thread for about £50 delivered. Cracking sharp little lens for the money.

Sigma 70-300 APO - get it used on the forums, usually go for £70-£80. For this money I love it as a zoom.

Bear in mind that I am only learning, but these are two great starter lens for the money and are within yout budget leaving a bit of room for some filters :).

TBH it really depends on what you want to use the camera for - this will dictate the lens you should go for... but if you are like me and just want to try a bit of everything then the two above give you plenty of options.

BTW - I also have the kit lens (18-55) - this is fine but the 50mm blows it away. These usually go for £30-£35. If you are interested I think that my bro is selling his - hardly used and about 2 mths old (let me know and I'll ask him or PM him on here - PD_Barbs).

[andrewc]

With £ 150 I'd hit the secondhand market.

I'd do for an 18-55 kit lens (£ 30ish)
I'd go for a Sigma 70-300 APO (£ 80-100ish)
and if there is any change I'd go for a 50mm f1.8

This gives you a lens to have a stab at most subjects and enough to get you started.

[barbs]

With £ 150 I'd hit the secondhand market.

I'd do for an 18-55 kit lens (£ 30ish)
I'd go for a Sigma 70-300 APO (£ 80-100ish)
and if there is any change I'd go for a 50mm f1.8

This gives you a lens to have a stab at most subjects and enough to get you started.

Good to see that great minds think alike:D

[percymon]

Nifty fifty a good lens, but don;t forget the crop factor od the smaller sensor, so its effectively a 80mm lens. Good fast lens but 80mm might be a bit wide for general use.

|I sold my Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG EX for £165, so if you can stretch to that sort of money its a good option. Still a bit wide for city trips.

To be honest, buy your self a kit lens - you will always get your money back - at 18-55m its good enough for starters, and you can always pick up or trade in against a superzoom, like the Sigma 18-200mm

[Chris Green]

Hello,

Firstly, thanks for all the replies. This sure is a busy forum, which is great.

I'll post a wanted ad for the canon kit lens, plus a 300mm sigma, and start from there.

Barbs, I've sent a pm to PD_Barbs regarding the kit canon lens, thank you!

Thanks again,

Chris.

[Gerods]

Chris I have sent you a PM.

[Chris Green]

after reading about the canon 55-250 IS lens here...

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=66496&highlight=sigma+70-300

I'm wondering if i should get one of these instead. hmm. i dont quite have the budget, but I'm sure I could sort it in a bit of time.

Will the IS work on a 20D? is the image stabilising part of the lens, or does the camera need IS for it to work.

Sorry for the newbie question!

Thanks Gerods, I'll read your pm now!:)

[Gerods]

The IS is only on the lens it will work on your camera.

[PD_BARBS]

Chris

Replied to your PM, let me know if you are interested. As I might stick it on the forum.