alanrockwood
Member
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2006
- Messages
- 2,185
- Format
- Multi Format
Hi everyone!
I just bought a almost new Canon EOS Rebel T2 (called 300x here in Europe), after considering several small light AF SLRs for me. I've been shooting Olympus OM-2n and 35 RC for several years now and I wanted something like a p&s with controls. I almost bought a Nikon N75, but after much thought, I took the Canon.
I hope I made a good choice! I'm thinking about getting a 40mm 2.8 STM or a 50mm 1.8 STM, haven't decided yet. Any advices concerning the lenses?
Would you share some of your experiences with this camera, please? Metering, viewfinder, seize and weight? Do you like it?
Thanks a lot!
Lenses: One that everyone recommends is the 50mm f/1.8 "nifty fifty". The older version with the metal lens mount is considered a little more desirable than the mark II version, which has a plastic mount. There are several listed on ebay for under $100. A more recent version, designated STM has gone back to a metal mount and claims are made for "improved design".
You can get a chinese knock-off (Yongnuo brand) of the 50mm f/1.8 for about $50. It gets a lot of pretty good reviews.
The Tamron 45mm f/1.8 is good because it has image stabilization and it focuses quite close. At least some reviews rate it as sharper than the nifty fifty, though the nifty fifty is generally considered to be a sharp lens. The street price runs about $400. I have one and use it a lot.
The canon 40mm f/2.8 is a good lens, especially for travel because it is so compact. Used prices run about $100. New, about $180.
Not to be ignored, the canon 50mm f/1.4. Considered better than the 50mm f/1.8, but somewhat fragile with respect to shock... it's the focusing cam that is fragile. (Ask me how I know.)
The prizes of the "normal" focal length bunch are the Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4 and the Zeiss 50mm f/1.4. They are expensive.
For portrait lenses, the Canon 85mm f/1.8 and 100mm f/2 lenses fraternal twins are well-regarded. I wish I had one. the 85mm is more popular. Personally, I would lean toward the 100mm. Tamron, Sigma, and Yongnuo make some competing lenses at various price points.
For zooms, at the high end, Canon makes nice lenses in the 24-100 f/4 and the 24-70 f/2.8. At lower price points, the we have the 24-85, 28-105, and 28-135. They have more modest apertures than the first two, and less reputation for sharpness, but they are actually pretty good everyday shooters if your requirements are modest. The 28-135 is real popular and has image stabilization. The focal range covers most of your shooting needs. It's modest aperture is the main drawback, though image stabilization makes up for at least part of this. I have one and use it a lot. Get one.
For wide angle lenses, I have no suggestions.
For a not too expensive one-lens kit I suggest the 28-135.
For a not too expensive two-lens kit I suggest a nifty fifty (or the Yongnuo version) and the 28-135. For a step up in price and quality substitute a 24-105 or 24-70 for the 28-135, or going in the other direction, substitute a Tamron 45mm f/1.8 for the nifty fifty. If portraits are your main thing then go with the 85mm or 100mm in place of the nifty fifty.