beginner here...want to buy new lens...i only have the 400d kit lens which i can't get desired results..i want to upgrade a bit.....which i can also use for everyday photography...night pictures, low-light,zoom,portraits???...any suggestions and why?

i really appreciate your replies...

What is your budget? What "desired results" do you want?

You mentioned portraits, night photos, low-light and a zoom. I'd suggest the 24-70mm focal length lenses by Sigma, Tamron and Canon or the 24-105mm f4 IS of Canon.

If you're on a budget, go for the Sigma or Tamron. If not, go for the Canon. The reason for my choosing this lens is because of its focal length and its constant wide aperture of 2.8.

Since you want to take photos in low light using a zoom, this lens is the way to go. Hmmm, by "night pictures", do you mean nightscapes with all the lights and stuff? You'll be needing a tripod for that.

Since you have a 1.6 crop factor camera, the 50-70mm range of this said zoom covers portraits well (50 x 1.6 = 80); 80mm and up is ideal for "regular" portraits wherein facial features are not distorted. Wider angles would sometimes make the nose larger due to distortion. I also think this said zoom is wide enough for portraits wherein you want to show the background/location of the subject as well.

As for my mentioning the 24-105 f4 L IS of Canon, get this lens if you have the budget and if you will not be taking action-packed photos in low light. IS will help for more stationary subjects in low light but it will not stop action.

i agree with melvin,, if you want a replacement to your kit lens,, go for the canon24-105 f4 L IS,, it's around 57k at henrys or if you are in a budget go for canon 28-135 IS it's around 23k at mayer's

hope this helps

cheers

Hmm, good point on the 28-135 IS Darryl, I forgot about that lens.

28-135, 16-35 :d

Ditto. Depends now on your budget. L lenses give a sharper image. Definitely worth the investment.

i agree with melvin,, if you want a replacement to your kit lens,, go for the canon24-105 f4 L IS,, it's around 57k at henrys or if you are in a budget go for canon 28-135 IS it's around 23k at mayer's

hope this helps

cheers

Since you want to upgrade a bit, I could suggest the Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4.5 macro if your on a tight budget. For less than 20k (hidalgo) you get a lens that is pretty sharp, Macro function(1:2), focal range is not bad and it starts on 2.8. Well if budget is no issue for you, then its a no brainer for you to get the L's.... hehe

Ditto. Depends now on your budget. L lenses give a sharper image. Definitely worth the investment.

not all.....

Thanks everyone...i think i might go for the SIgma 24-70mm or tamron...as a real beginner i guess i wont go that deep in my pockets yet for more expensive lens. That was really helpful of you guys....

Thanks everyone...i think i might go for the SIgma 24-70mm or tamron...as a real beginner i guess i wont go that deep in my pockets yet for more expensive lens. That was really helpful of you guys....

good choice..in that range, i personally tried tamron and it was very very good. (also read good feedbacks on tat lens)

dont forget the 50mm 1.8 guys...:)which gona cost you around 4-5k though its not a zoom lens i think you can use this for low light situations and for portraits..:)

Have you canvassed how much the Sigma 24-70mm will cost bro?

Ako naman looking for a cheap 70-200mm hehe.

hmmm....

IMO lang huh....maximize mo muna yung EF-S 18-55....since you are beginning pa naman. im interested to know the "desired results" which you cannot achieve with the kit lens. im not saying you shouldnt buy a fine piece of glass, but just giving thought to the fact that maybe you havent yet exhausted the kit lens to its full potential. dont go abandoning the kit lens just yet. its a great lens stopped down. especially with the 400D's good iso 1600, it should suffice for indoor/low-light shots at f/3.5. ive seen people do professional work (and get paid well) using this lens. heck, my first "paid" photo was with the kit lens!

having said that, if you are into low-light portraits, then the 50mm f/1.8 should be on top of your list.

I agree with Jay on that point...

I got a EF 22-55mm F3.5/4 USM for about P4000, ok na ba yun for general photos ng anak at wife ko? hehe.

Ive got the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 on my 400D and it works like a charm... but I could not let go of my kit lens since it gives good results on adequate lighting, plus I need the 18mm sometimes.

Hi Chris!

Highly recommend the lenses in chronology:
1. Canon 24-70L f/2.8 - Close your eyes when paying. Image and build quality will overcome all other factores with this lens. Good for sports, wedding, portrait. P55K HK price.
2. Canon 10-20 - Landscape Wideangle shots, Architecture, Group Photos (Wedding, Events - blow your mind away landscape shots.
3. Prime Lens - 135 f/2.0 (the best) or 85mm f/1.8 (if budgeted),
4. Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS USM - save up on this instead of the non-IS, second hand even. A must for weddings.

Hi to all! It's my first time to post here. anyway I'm using kit lens for my canon 350d, this was the lens I used when I got a photo gig in hongkong for tv promo.clients were very happy so i guest kit lens works well it depends how you use it. Right now i'm planning to upgrade to ef 28-135 IS or Sigma 24-70 2.8.

Hi sa lahat! first time ko lang magpopost. anyway ako gamit ko kit lens, eto ginamit ko nung napunta ako ng hongkong para magshoot ng isang tv promo,natuwa naman ang client sa mga shots ko. okay ang kit lens ng canon, ngayon gusto ko naman mag upgrade to ef 28-135 IS or yung sigma 24-70 2.8 isip ko kung ano mas gusto ko.tight din ang budget ko. hehe

in english... please. read the forum rules.

Hi Chris!

Highly recommend the lenses in chronology:
1. Canon 24-70L f/2.8 - Close your eyes when paying. Image and build quality will overcome all other factores with this lens. Good for sports, wedding, portrait. P55K HK price.
2. Canon 10-20 - Landscape Wideangle shots, Architecture, Group Photos (Wedding, Events - blow your mind away landscape shots.
3. Prime Lens - 135 f/2.0 (the best) or 85mm f/1.8 (if budgeted),
4. Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS USM - save up on this instead of the non-IS, second hand even. A must for weddings.

HAHAHA close my eyes ba when paying....by thinking of it...nilalagnat na yung wallet ko!..hahahhaha!...thanks!
Since dito naman ako nakatira sa HOngkong...so i could get cheaper lens siguro instead from Pinas?right?

1. tamron 17-50 f/2.8 (won the EISA award for best consumer lens for 2006)

2. Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4.5 macro ( focusing distance of 20cm,with an impressive maximum magnification of 1:2.3. at all focal lengths)

3. canon kit lens - the best for newbies like us

hmmm....

IMO lang huh....maximize mo muna yung EF-S 18-55....since you are beginning pa naman. im interested to know the "desired results" which you cannot achieve with the kit lens. im not saying you shouldnt buy a fine piece of glass, but just giving thought to the fact that maybe you havent yet exhausted the kit lens to its full potential. dont go abandoning the kit lens just yet. its a great lens stopped down. especially with the 400D's good iso 1600, it should suffice for indoor/low-light shots at f/3.5. ive seen people do professional work (and get paid well) using this lens. heck, my first "paid" photo was with the kit lens!

having said that, if you are into low-light portraits, then the 50mm f/1.8 should be on top of your list.

it's not wide enuff for the views i need to take...and low light photography is my main interest and portraits... i saw your work...they're really impressive...esp making the waters look so clam and getwild photo shots...WOW!...yung mga night shots mo is great...i can't even utter words out when i saw it...There's a lot of pic there u mentioned u were using kits lens....u really MAXed it out!...Great Profolio!

it's not wide enuff for the views i need to take...and low light photography is my main interest and portraits... i saw your work...they're really impressive...esp making the waters look so clam and getwild photo shots...WOW!...yung mga night shots mo is great...i can't even utter words out when i saw it...There's a lot of pic there u mentioned u were using kits lens....u really MAXed it out!...Great Profolio!


hi chris.

i see. we're on the same boat...i really want a wider lens...the 10-22 is my main priority. hmmm....right now, im only using the kit lens and the 50mm f/1.8. for all the night shots and landscapes, i work with the kit lens (usually stopped down to f/8). for the getwild shots...predominantly, it has been the 50mm (almost always used wide-open because i abhor flash).

goodluck and keep us updated with whatever lens you get! thanks pala for appreciating the photos :)

hmmm....

IMO lang huh....maximize mo muna yung EF-S 18-55....since you are beginning pa naman. im interested to know the "desired results" which you cannot achieve with the kit lens. im not saying you shouldnt buy a fine piece of glass, but just giving thought to the fact that maybe you havent yet exhausted the kit lens to its full potential. dont go abandoning the kit lens just yet. its a great lens stopped down. especially with the 400D's good iso 1600, it should suffice for indoor/low-light shots at f/3.5. ive seen people do professional work (and get paid well) using this lens. heck, my first "paid" photo was with the kit lens!

having said that, if you are into low-light portraits, then the 50mm f/1.8 should be on top of your list.


Hi Jay...Diego here ( a greenhorn in DSLR) Visited ur website..got amazed withit...especially the vistas and"the get wild" ( nice model too!!!) U know how to pick ur model and ur camera!!! Tell me...what brand and model is the camera U r using? I plan to buy a Nikon D40 ( entry level for greenhorns like me). Im interested in low lite potraits, indoors and niteshots...but i dont want to carry tri-pods and use flash (it spoils the ambience). pls share me ur secrets ( if OK with U) Can I download some of Ur pics ( especially Angela pics.he..he...he!!!) Merry Christmas...Hope to hear from U soon!

_____________
A FOTOGRAPHERS DICTUM:

You can have my wife;
My dog.....maybe;
My camera...NEVER!!!

Good Q Chris, I'm also on the same level. Ain't quite satisfied with the lens kit. Thanks for the replies y'all!

how much is a 28-135 nowadays? brand new and 2nd hand? =)