2nd lens advice

counterculture

counterculture

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andy
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im a beginner still, but i feel ive become fairly competent with my camera but feel im becoming limited with my 18-55 lens, and would like to get a lens that will help me progress, i dont have anything specific im capturing, stylewise, i just snap what i like the look, recently spent the weekend in fort william at the Downhill World Cup taking lots of photos with some decent results but feel i could do with a little more from my camera, more zoom perhaps, so ive been thinking an 18-200 lens, will this provide me with a little more range in shooting.

are there other lenses i should be considering?

thanks in advance
 
As you've already got an 18-55, there's no sense really in replicating that focal range with another lens when you can just switch as you need to. :)

Do Canon do a 55-200mm lens?
 
agree, go for the 55-250mm :D
 
I don't agree, if it's a general purpose lens that is wanted here, an 18-200mm could be an excellent idea. Mine certainly was, it gives plenty of flexibility without having to start faffing about changing lenses, or carrying more kit when you're out for a wander.
 
Canon 55-250 would be my suggestion. Really good lens for the money.

18-200 will give you much more range than you've got, but it is replicating the short end you already have, it's expensive, and is a heavy lump to carry around when you don't need the full range. Very convenient though, obviously.

If you also want a step up in quality too, the the Canon 70-300 IS is excellent.

Edit - get to handle these lenses. They might do similar things on paper but they're actually quite different in your hand.
 
As a second lens I've generally recommended to people the 50mm f/1.8 II.

It doesn't give the extra zoom requested, it sits right in the focal length range of the existing kit lens.. but it's cheap as chips, it's a fast prime and it offers the best bang for your buck when it comes to a lens to learn and improve with after you've got hold of the basics with the kit lens. It will also hold most of it's value (almost all if you buy secondhand) when you decide you've outgrown it.
 
The magazines highly reccomend the Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM AF Zoom Lens. From what I have seen it gives great image quality and it retails for arround £360ish
 
Bear in mind that the more zoom range in a lens, there will be a compromise, usually in image quality, weight and cost.

For me, the whole point of a DSLR is the adaptability to allow you to get the best picture quality. So, I would rather get something in the standard zoom range (17/18 to 50/55mm, which you already have) and something in the telephoto range (55-200, 70-200, 70-300 or similar).

When I first purchased my DSLR, the first lens I got was a fast standard zoom (18-50mm f2.8), and then a 50mm f1.8 prime lens. The 'nifty fifty' is a cheap (about £90) and light fixed length lens, with a large aperture which lets in more light and allows a shallower depth of field. It is great for low light and indoor photos without flash, aswell as portraits. It helps you think more about composition (because it doesn't zoom) and also weights about 130g!

After that, I purchased a cheap telephoto lens (Tamron 55-200mm f4-5.6) but shortly after, came across a bargain Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 for £350 used, which is excellent so that replaced the Tamron. If you can afford that much, it is a great lens (if a little heavy) and picture quality is excellent.

Just my thoughts, hope this helps!
 
Shine On said:
I don't agree, if it's a general purpose lens that is wanted here, an 18-200mm could be an excellent idea. Mine certainly was, it gives plenty of flexibility without having to start faffing about changing lenses, or carrying more kit when you're out for a wander.
Click to expand...

I totally agree, I have a Canon 18-200mm IS and it is on my camera most of the time. I do have many other lenses but this is so convenient for everday use.
Albeit on a higher spec body it may not give as good a result as you would wish, it is certainly ideal for my 40D and I would have thought the 400D as well. If you are considering a higher megapixel camera then you may want for something a little better.
 
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