Simviation Forums

I'm getting an entry level DSLR here
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830120278
At the bottom of the page there's a deal with a free bag/tripod and discounted lens. However, the lens that it comes with does not have IS and it's similar does have IS but is $100 more.
IS or no IS? I would be using a tripod and probably using max zoom at some points.

Thanks.

From what I can tell, for an extra $120, it looks like the the combo deal comes with the normal 18-55mm IS lens, PLUS the 75-300mm NON-IS lens, a case, and a tripod.

Either way, you are still getting the 28-55mm IS lens, but the combo deal comes with the additional telephoto non-IS lens.

If you have lots of money, you could just wait untill you get a more expensive telephoto lens with IS. I was given a 100-300mm non IS lens last week, and I've been messing around with it a bit. It seems to work just fine with higher shutter speeds, but if you start using lower shutter speeds, you may need to use a tri-pod.


But then again, I'm still a newbie to DSLR photography, and others here will know more about it than me...

Well what are you shooting?

Please stay away from the 75-300 mm lenses, they are soft from 200 mm on. In other words, the image quality isn't good.

If you need a sharp, budget friendly tele, look for the EFS 55-250 IS lens. Often offered as a kit with the 18-55 IS kitlens.

This will set you up to learn and you can always upgrade to better lenses in the future...

Please stay away from the 75-300 mm lenses, they are soft from 200 mm on. In other words, the image quality isn't good.

I wouldn't agree with you there Kris.....I got loads of nice pictures out of my canon 75-300 non IS....it's a perfect lens for a beginner....you really have to learn its limits and it helps you develop your photography until you can afford something more expensive

All photos taken in 2007 here were taken with a 400D and 75-300

.mic

Hmmm.
Well I think I'm going to go ahead and get it because I won't have money for a better lens until the holiday season or later and I really want to get some good shots over the summer. I think it looks like a great entry level deal and in the future I will most likely upgrade! I'll be taking portaits and some aircraft photos. My definition of a "soft" is probably much different than you experienced users and I'm used to taking 20+ shots with my current camera to find one that is actually decent and won't burn the eyes! Also, I will probably invest in a macro lens more likely than a nicer telephoto because I only shoot macro and portraits as it is now. With the telephoto lens I hope to get a couple decent aircraft shots. I spoke to my photography teacher and was told that it looks pretty good for me. (My teacher has the Canon EOS 5D Mark II I want that one.... )

Thanks for the help everyone If the tripod doesn't seem good when I get it I'll probably find a new one because I don't like trusting a piece of plastic for $650 worth of equipment!

Please stay away from the 75-300 mm lenses, they are soft from 200 mm on. In other words, the image quality isn't good.

I wouldn't agree with you there Kris.....I got loads of nice pictures out of my canon 75-300 non IS....it's a perfect lens for a beginner....you really have to learn its limits and it helps you develop your photography until you can afford something more expensive

All photos taken in 2007 here were taken with a 400D and 75-300

.mic

I don't have the 75-300, not the 55-250 IS, but on Belgium Digital it's told over and over again... The 55-250 IS shoots the other one out of the water, without costing heaps as it is a kitlens. I'm not talking about the 70-300 IS, nor L stuff...

But hey, nobody has to do as I say, lol, I only offer my 2 cents...

Maybe Wii should go to a shop where he can test both lenses so he can make up his own mind about what he needs...  ;)

After a bit of research I've decided to skip the deal and just get the camera and get the 55-250mm IS lens instead. I saw the two (75-300mm no IS and 55-250mm IS) compared and the picture quality at full zoom between the two was significantly different. I already have a camera bag and tripod and will probably get a good tripod sooner or later.

Thanks for the help everyone!

One more question: do you typically use a tripod for aircraft spotting? I wouldn't think so because you can hold the camera at any shutter speed generally faster than 1/60th of a second.

Thanks again!

I'm used to taking 20+ shots with my current camera to find one that is actually decent and won't burn the eyes!

20 shots is nothing, I took 1000 one day and only liked 5 of them.  ;)

My teacher has the Canon EOS 5D Mark II I want that one.... )

Who doesn't!  :o

Good luck with the purchase! I look forward to seeing some shots!

I'm used to taking 20+ shots with my current camera to find one that is actually decent and won't burn the eyes!

20 shots is nothing, I took 1000 one day and only liked 5 of them.

After a bit of research I've decided to skip the deal and just get the camera and get the 55-250mm IS lens instead. I saw the two (75-300mm no IS and 55-250mm IS) compared and the picture quality at full zoom between the two was significantly different. I already have a camera bag and tripod and will probably get a good tripod sooner or later.

Thanks for the help everyone!

One more question: do you typically use a tripod for aircraft spotting? I wouldn't think so because you can hold the camera at any shutter speed generally faster than 1/60th of a second.

Thanks again!

I applaud your choice!  I don't know anything about it but I like the mm range for sure. And IS is always a nice addition.

Most people don't use tripods for spotting, but monopods are fairly common. I've seen a few people use tripods but I personally think they get in the way, it's all personal preference.

As a general rule of thumb for shutter speed and hand held shots is to shoot at the inverse of your mm setting. Ex. if shooting at 250mm its best to shoot at 1/250 sec shutter speed to eliminate camera shake. However with IS you can push that figure something like 1 or 2 stops slower, maybe someone can confirm or correct me.

If you can hand hold a 1/60 shutter speed at 250mm I would be very impressed, even with IS

After a bit of research I've decided to skip the deal and just get the camera and get the 55-250mm IS lens instead. I saw the two (75-300mm no IS and 55-250mm IS) compared and the picture quality at full zoom between the two was significantly different. I already have a camera bag and tripod and will probably get a good tripod sooner or later.

Thanks for the help everyone!

One more question: do you typically use a tripod for aircraft spotting? I wouldn't think so because you can hold the camera at any shutter speed generally faster than 1/60th of a second.

Thanks again!

I applaud your choice!

Morning and dusk are best, not because of the risk of overexposure, but beacuse of the harshness of the light in the afternoon. The nice morning and dusk light just is visually pleasing. After a few shots you'll see a what I'm talking about.

Anyway, the best time to go spotting is when the flights are most active  

IS or no IS? I would be using a tripod and probably using max zoom at some points.

Nobody seems to have mentioned that IS is no use with a tripod.

Totally missed that.


Hey, IS is of no use with a tripod!