Digital SLR Question

[dmw16]

I have really wanted a digital SLR for a while now and I am thinking about taking the plunge. I've seen some really good prices on the more basic cameras (like the Pentax *Ist and Samsung model that is based on the Pentax).

Anyway, if I were to buy just 1 lens, what is the best focus range to get? It seems like 18-55 the norm and I have seen the ones for the Pentax for $150. If I want to stay in the sub $200 lens, what is my best bet?

Thanks.

 

[ElFenix]

if you're getting cheap zoom lenses you might as well stay with a compact.

if you want to get some quality new glass for the money you're pretty much limited to 50 mm prime lenses, which is like a moderate telephoto on a crop body (75mm).

if you don't mind getting used stuff, pentax glass can be had on ebay (though the prices have been going up because of all the *ist DLs and K100Ds that pentax sold over the last year. search ebay for either smc or takumar and you'll get a decent list.

 

[vi edit]

Depends on what you value. Wide angle, telephoto, speed, sharpness, ect.

There are compromises to be had in any lens.

And with your price range, you will *REALLY* be making a lot of compromises. A fixed 50 is pretty cheap and provides outstanding sharpness and speed for the money, but no wide angle or zoom feature.

You won't be getting into anything really worth considering until you start getting into the $300 range.

And even then you are still going to be cutting corners in some way or another. A 28-75 f2.8 or similar would be a decent walk around lens. 28 is a bit cramped on the short end though with the crop factor found on most DSLR's.

That's really why I suggest people go for the dirt cheap kit lens with it's 18-55 range. It's light, cheap, wide, and won't leave you crying if you drop it

 

[dmw16]

thanks for the info. I have seen a few w/ at least 1 lens on ebay for under $350. I know the Pentax aren't the best out there, but for the price...

 

[TheChort]

I'm in the same boat as you. I'm planning on buying a Canon Rebel XTi, but I don't want to stay with the kit lens. Seems like the only time it's worth getting a zoom lens is if you are willing to pay $300+ for it. Otherwise go with the fixed "Prime" 50 mm lens.

here's the thread I started on this

 

[John P]

I always recommend a lightweight 28-200 for your first "walkaround" lens. That pretty much covers most situations you'll find yourself in and give you that extra reach when you need it. Decent ones can be had for around $300.

This one works for me:
Tamron Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto AF 28-200mm Super Zoom f/3.8-5.6 XR Di Aspherical IF Macro Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: John P.
I always recommend a lightweight 28-200 for your first "walkaround" lens. That pretty much covers most situations you'll find yourself in and give you that extra reach when you need it. Decent ones can be had for around $300.

This one works for me:
Tamron Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto AF 28-200mm Super Zoom f/3.8-5.6 XR Di Aspherical IF Macro Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS

So you never shoot wider than ~42-44mm?

 

[Nyati13]

Originally posted by: John P.
I always recommend a lightweight 28-200 for your first "walkaround" lens. That pretty much covers most situations you'll find yourself in and give you that extra reach when you need it. Decent ones can be had for around $300.

This one works for me:
Tamron Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto AF 28-200mm Super Zoom f/3.8-5.6 XR Di Aspherical IF Macro Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS

Tamron also makes a 28-300 as well, but the f-stop goes to 6.3 once it's past 220mm or so.
I have one, and it's light and compact enough that it never gets in the way, and the long zoom comes in handy. I just wish it had a bit more bottom end. 18 or 20mm for the bottom end would have been perfect.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: TheChort
I'm in the same boat as you. I'm planning on buying a Canon Rebel XTi, but I don't want to stay with the kit lens. Seems like the only time it's worth getting a zoom lens is if you are willing to pay $300+ for it. Otherwise go with the fixed "Prime" 50 mm lens.

here's the thread I started on this

Just to point this out...

A $300 long zoom is a "budget" lens. $300 might get you a nice 28-75 F/2.8, but that's nowhere near the range you're looking at (even though it's one of my favorite focal lengths and a great lens).

Every now and then you can get a deal on a used lens, but my and large, $300 is the minimum for a short zoom to be good, and a longer zoom (like a 70-200) will be in the $800 range minimum for a new lens.

ZV

 

[John P]

So you never shoot wider than ~42-44mm?

Not sure what you mean. I use the Tamron 28-200 as a walkaround lens, Canon 50mm f1.8 for indoor sports, and my Sigma 70-200 f2.8 for outdoor sports.

I assume you are talking about the 1.6 multiplier on the DRebel making the 28 a 42? Then no, I haven't ever ran into a situation where I needed wider than that.

The Tamron lens I linked works great for the everyday schmoe like myself. There are better lenses to be had but the Tamron is pretty good bang for the buck.

 

[slatr]

Originally posted by: dmw16
thanks for the info. I have seen a few w/ at least 1 lens on ebay for under $350. I know the Pentax aren't the best out there, but for the price...

I got an *ist DL late last year. I would argue that Pentax does have some of the best products.

I picked up a used 1.4 50mm lens on Ebay. The lens is VERY sharp. Some would argue is brings out too much detail for portraits ect..

 

[Yreka]

Awesome thread on lenses if you haven't seen it yet. It has helped me out quite a bit.

 

[arrfep]

If you haven't bought into a particular system, you might consider Olympus. Their current intermediate dSLR, the E-500, routinely sells in a kit with two lens for under $700. I don't have any experience with the Olympus system, but their "kit" lenses are supposed to be quite good. And you can cover pretty much your entire useful focal range with the two lenses that come with the kit.

 

[Mrvile]

I personally think Canon and Nikon offer the most impressive lens bases. For someone who is going to stick with a kit-grade lens the rest of their life, essentially using the DSLR as a point-and-shoot, any brand will do, but for those absolutely serious about using the DSLR as it should be used should always consider the available lens options over the features of a particular camera model.

 

[mrrman]

I paid $100 for my 75-300mm zoom off craigslist...practically new and 28-135mm was $350

 

[kami333]

I have been pretty much using a SMC-M 50/2 exclusively with my DL since August. Depends on your style of shooting but I was finding that I was almost never using the wide end.

The 18-55 kit lens is a pretty good lens, I actually like it better than the 16-45/4 (which is also another good option, optically it compares very well to Canon's 17-40L). The DA 50-200 is also pretty good, would make a good starters kit with the kit lens.

Canon and Nikon's lens lineup is impressive but for every Canon and Nikon user I've seen with a collection that actually takes advantage of it, I've seen 10 others that are just using the kit lens or another consumer zoom.