Which lens brand?

E

EssexPuil

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2
Name
Philip
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi Guys,

This is my first post on this forum. It's great to be here.

My situation is that a couple of weeks ago I bought a Canon EOS D500 for general use. My particular likes are macro photography - especially nature subjects - and also at the other extreme astrophotography.

I know that the kit lenses which DSLRs are supplied with are nothing special and in a few of the images I have taken so far I can see noticable chromatic aberration along defined edges.

I'm looking at buying a branded lens in the 18-250 range and wondered whether to go for Sigma or Tamron. I was looking today at an 18-270 unit from Tamron which looked very good. At £450 though I need to be sure that its worth the money.

many thanks in advance
 
As you say you are interested in macro photography that suggests a dedicated macro lens.
Depending on your budget you could go for one of the Canon versions but plenty of people are very happy with the likes of the Sigma range 105, 150, 180. The Tamron 90mm has a lot of dedicated adherents too.

As to astrophotgraphy, Mount Palomar might accept a reasonable offer.
 
Well if you want to avoid CA's (and other types of distortion and aberations) then you will want to avoid the 18-270, 18-200 etc. A zoom range that large is difficult to design and quality is probably going to be poorer than the kit lens (which is very good with the 500D)

Maybe you could use the kit lens for the astrophotography and get a dedicated macro lens, like the 105mm sigma f/2.8. It is very popular and around £300-350 so within budget (have a look in the macro section)

Also canon's DPP and photoshop are very effective in removing most CA's if you are having problems with them because of course they do occur.

p.s welcome to the forum
 
Hi & Welcome :wave:

The Sigma Macro lens is a very good one - depending on what you want to use your Macro lens to photo, can help you choose the focal length you can use - if plants etc, the 50mm is great as doesn't matter you need to be nearer and is the cheaper option, allowing you to spend more on your zoom, alternatively, the 50mm could give you problems with bugs as you may be too near.

Hope this helps :thumbs:
 
Thanks everyone. My main concerns were with some CAs that I was picking up but I've now learned how to correct the worst of these with Photoshop.

I did some comparisons last night between a 70-300 Canon EF-S zoom lens that I got for my 400D some time ago and the William Optics apochromat refractor (F=432mm) which I can attach my camera to with a T mount adapter.

The difference in sharpness was significant with the telescope producing a much improved and more vibrant image.

Anyway I've got some extension tubes for macro use and so for now I'm going to save my money and learn to get the best out of what I have got for now.
 
EssexPuil said:
Thanks everyone. My main concerns were with some CAs that I was picking up but I've now learned how to correct the worst of these with Photoshop.

I did some comparisons last night between a 70-300 Canon EF-S zoom lens that I got for my 400D some time ago and the William Optics apochromat refractor (F=432mm) which I can attach my camera to with a T mount adapter.

The difference in sharpness was significant with the telescope producing a much improved and more vibrant image.

Anyway I've got some extension tubes for macro use and so for now I'm going to save my money and learn to get the best out of what I have got for now.
Click to expand...

Check out the aberration correction facility in Canon DPP (software that came with your camera). It is better and easier than correcting for CA in Photoshop.

You will also note that DPP only works with Canon lenses so that is a steer for you. As others have said, avoid superzooms like 18-250 etc if these kinds of image defect trouble you and as always with these things, a custom-designed lens will always beat an all-roounder, which is the comparison you are making with the astro lens.

BTW Canon doesn't make a 70-300 EF-S lens although they do several around this range. Some of them are much better than others (and priced accordingly).
 
The Tamron 90mm came out the sharpest on test in digital camera this month or last month they stated the best for macro but perhaps a little to sharp for portrait.
 
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