Camera or Lens

[igs942]

Hi all,

Have always used an Olympus mju-300 in the past but now thinking about getting a digital SLR. Like gryshnak I am looking at the Canon EOS 350D but was wondering what lens to get for airshows. I have seen some packages for the camera plus an 18-55mm lens for around

[Craig.]

a good portion is down to the lense, You'll need at least 300mm really for airshows.

[Woodlouse2002]

Since all the light enters the camera through the lens to be recorded by the sensor, I'd say the lens is pretty important .........

For proof, try taking a picture without the lense.

[gryshnak]

I've done a frightening amount of web surfing this weekend, looking at camera forums and online reviews of various lenses.  Here's a quick summary of what I picked up:

- The lens is at least as important as the camera, probably more so.  There's no point spending lots of money on the camera body, then attaching a ratty little cheapo lens and wondering why your pictures don't look very good.

- Long lenses (300mm) only come in two varieties: cheap, and very expensive.  The cheap ones are made by Sigma, Tokina and Tamron (there's not much difference between any of them).  Jessops (www.jessops.com) have a Tamron 70-300mm zoom on special at the moment, normally

[gryshnak]

D'oh!

[Craig.]

theres a canon 300mm lense for the same or simmilar price as the sigma, bones bought this one first and his shots were excellent with it. Also much quicker to focus than the sigma, I am thinking of switching to it myself.

[BrittMac]

The suggestion to get the camera package with the lens is a good one.  The 18-55mm kit lens is pretty cheap, but is surprisingly good.  You can only use it with certain EOS models because its an EF-S lens, but if you upgrade later from the 350D to the 20D or 30D then it will still work.  But not with the big expensive Canons.

As for the longer lens........it all depends on how much money you want to spend.  A great majority of shooters on www.Fencecheck.com use the Canon 100-400 L lens.  It's price varies, but is usually around $1400 US.  Of course, across the pond you can get stuck with VAT and pay more.

Myself, I have a Canon 70-200 f4L and am going to get a 1.4 extender to make the lens a little "longer".  My next bigger lens may be a Sigma 400mm lens, because I dont think I can afford a big Canon L lens.

Oh, and the L lens are the better line of Canon lenses.  They are of better quality (contruction and the glass in them) and it really shows.

With the lenses you buy, you want to make sure you cover the whole range of zooms if you can.  For example, my first lens was a 28-135mm lens, then I got the 70-200mm.  So I have from 28mm to 200mm covered (good quality lenses).  Then I will extend the 70-200's focal length with the 1.4 extender when I get that.  

All in all, if you are serious about a DSLR, get the best glass you can afford.  Dont skimp because you will end up paying for it in the end.  Happy hunting.