Canon or Sigma Lenses for Canon 20D

[jt_liu]

<p>I'm looking to get a Canon 20D. There are 2 packages, which one should I get:</p>

 

<p><b>First one has this:</b>

<br>Sigma Lens 28-80mm

<br>Sigma Lens 70-300mm</p>

 

 

<p><b>Second one has this but $110 more:</b>

<br>Canon Lens 28-105mm

<br>Canon Lens 75-300mm</p>

 

<p>Both comes w/ the standard Canon 18-55mm.</p>

[chuck_c_charlottenc_]

JT,

 

My suggestion is to buy neither.

 

Buy the Canon 20D body alone and either buy the Canon 50mm f1.8 or if you can afford it, the Canon 17-40 f4L lens.

 

And then gradually fill in with other lenses from there on.

 

You will evetually be sorry with any of those other lenses that you mentioned above.

 

That's my opinion.

 

//Chuck

[ibcrewin]

I concur.. get the 17-40 f/4 L

[saltcod]

Definately, spend whatever it takes to get a "good one" like the 17-40. I have the 24-85, the sister to the 28-105and it just doesn't cut the mustard.

Get the 20d body, a 50 1.8 and spend the rest on a 17-40 or something else - even some sigmas are supposed to be pretty good.

 

So for me, its a definate no on both of those kits. .....For what its worth, the 28-105 + 75-300 + 18-55 = almost enough to get the 17-40 anyway.

[coolapix]

Canon 28-105 USM is a sharp lens and the 70-300 DG Sigma is liked by its users.

 

Of course you can find better lenses, but it's quite more expensive. With those two ones, you can take pleasure.

[geoffs1]

Do you have a specific reason for wanting something as long as a 300mm lens (480mm "35mm equivalent")?

 

If you don't, I'd suggest taking a moment to think about what kind of focal-length range you'll likely want to start with. Then see what you can afford if you get just one high-quality zoom covering just that range, or go really "old school" nad get a couple of inexpensive primes (the 50mm f/1.8 being the absolute poster-child for that approach). A quick "back of the envelope" calcultion says you have about $560 allocated to the 28-105, 75-300, and 18-55.

 

With that amount of money, you could consider Canon's 28-135mm IS, if your interests are from normal to medium telephoto. If you're more into wide-angle work, you could think about combining the Sigma 10-20mm zoom with a Canon 50mm f/1.8 prime. I'm sure there are other combinations that might be interesting.

 

Also, you might consider saving $175 by choosing a Rebel 400 XTi over the 20D.

 

Good luck; it's an interesting and challenging decision.

 

Cheers,

 

Geoff S.

[brent andersen]

I haven't used the latest versions of the 28-105 or 70-300, but they get good ratings. See photozone.com. Or, get the 17-40L or the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 with the 70-300mm Canon. I would stay away from the 75-300 and the old version of the 28-105 which I am sure they are trying to sell you.

[ci_p]

I worship the 24-70 f2.8. All those other lenses are pale imitations by comparison.

 

Or, more seriously... Get *one* lens, and figure it out from there for yourself.

[mark u]

I'd definitely avoid both packages. There is unfortunately more than one version of each of the lenses you cite - and you can bet that in each case you'd get the worst version. These "cheapies" really aren't worth having.

 

If you could get the body only (i.e. with no kit lens), then a good starting choice would be the Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4.5 DC macro. It's rather better than the kit lens and offers additional flexibility (including close focus capability) while costing rather less than the Canon 17-40 f/4L. The range of focal lengths is also more useful. Here's a review of it:

 

http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/sigma_1770_2845/index.htm

 

In your shoes, I would wait to decide on further lenses. It is all too easy to waste money on something that proves to be not quite right for what you need, or which you find you make very little use of at all. It's better to get some sound advice (of which there is plenty in the archives here) on lenses that are well suited to particular picture taking situations, and choose among those when you have a clear idea of what you are trying to achieve.

[ronaldo_r]

"...Canon 28-105 USM is a sharp lens..."

 

There are two 28-105 Canon lenses. One is newer, cheaper and nastier.

[jim_moloney1]

If you can get a few extra bucks together go for the Canon 24/70L f2.8 it a grate all round lens you wont be sorry and when you get a few more bucks together later on Canon 16/35L If you want a long lens at fair price Canon 70/300 USM IS

[jt_liu]

Thanks for all the advice.

 

I'm just starting off so I was looking for an inexpensive package with low end lens and other equipment. Not sure what kind of photography I want to specialize in that's why I was a bit of everything.

 

I found a package on ebay that has everything (www.ebay.com item#: 300031797502)

 

I would prefer to spend less but that package at $1488 seems like it has all the toys to play with for now. What do you think? Since I need all the toys buying it as a package will save money and shipping cost.

[chuck_c_charlottenc_]

JT,

 

I checked out that package on EBay. My evaluation is that you'd be making a large mistake to buy the package.

 

There's seems like there is a lot of pieces of equipment, but from what I can tell there isn't anything of quality except for the Canon 20D. They give you the impression that the 20D has a USA Warranty, but I'm not sure I would trust them.

 

You solicited opinions from people here on Photo.Net and you've received many wonderful comments with lots of information. And if you've done any reading within this site on quality retailers and scam retailers, you would be very apprehensive about buying from any retailer other than highest rated like B&H Photo, Amazon, or Adorama... and a few others.

 

Do what you want, but I wouldn't buy this package.

 

I hope things work out for you.

 

//Chuck

[dogbert]

Get the 20D with the 18-55 kit lens to start and maybe a Canon 35 f2.0 prime or if you find yourself shooting a lot at the long end maybe get the 50 f1.8 (for $75).

 

Don't buy anyhting else until you feel you know more about what you like and until you feel you can take decent phoots with what you have got. If you can't take a good pick with a 20D and a Canon 35 f2.0 or the kit lens, more lenses are not going to help.

 

Packages are often put together with 75-300 zooms becuase beginners think they need a to cover a big range. The cheap 75-300 zooms are difficult to use and get good photos out. They have a slow aperture, need to be stopped dwon to get good sharpness but also need fast shutter speeds to avoid camera shake (which is a problem the longer the lens is). All of these factors are working against each other.

 

I have a bunch of lenses and my 75-300 zoom is one of my least used.

[john_schwaller]

You don't say what you want to spend, but since you are looking at these packages I suspect cost is a significant consideration.

 

First, if possible, I would pass on the 18-55. It is a $100 lens, which is worth $50.

 

Were I you, I would seriously consider the Canon EF-S 17-85 IS. It is basically the 28-135 modified and improved for crop camera and kinda covers the "sweet spot" range for the crop camera. It is not as sharp as the EFS 17-55 2.8 IS, but has better range and much lower price. I had the 17-85 on my 20D until I upgraded to the 5D and was very happy with it...as is my friend who both both from me.

 

Unless you are sure you will have a need to shoot longer or wider, I would delay a decision on other lenses until you better understood what you needs will be....then ask here again. Current offerings to consider would be the EFS 10-22 and/or the (newer) EF 70-300 IS.

 

My 2 cents....JOHN

[yakim_peled1]

Do not buy any packages. Go with Chuck's first advice: 17-40/4 + 50/1.8. Want to add something? Add the 430EX.

 

Happy shooting,

Yakim.

[jt_liu]

I'll do some research on getting just one high quality lense. Ideally I would like to spend $1300, get the body, a good lense, a hotshoot flash, and a 2GB memory card at least.

 

Is this possible? What flash should I be looking at?

[mark u]

At B&H a new body is $990 though they are currently offering a used one for $820 (you'd need to check that it came with all accessories supplied with a new body). The Sigma lens I suggested is another $390 - all the other suggestions are more expensive. You may be able to find a good deal on CF cards that's a bit cheaper than B&H - unless you plan to do a lot of high speed burst shooting, slower cards e.g. 40x from reasonably reputable suppliers will be perfectly adequate. Make sure you have a card reader if you don't already have one.

[chuck_c_charlottenc_]

JT,

 

As Yakim just suggested, buy the Canon Speedlite 430EX. It sells for $240 at B&H Photo.

 

Have you considered the new Canon XTi. It sells for $800 (body only).

Going with the XT1 instead of the 20D will save you $190. Now you can apply that $190 to buy the Canon 17-40mm f4.0L.

 

And if you can swing it, also buy the Canon 50mm f1.8 for $80.

 

You can find a 2GB Compact Flash card for around $60. But starting with a 1GB CF card would be adequate for around $30 and then you could wait for a better deal on a 2GB card for maybe less than $50.

 

You don't have to have everything at once and, in fact, it would be better to ease into buying this camera equipment when you know more about the "Sport" and what type of photography that you will find yourself interested in. All of this will dictate what lenses you will need or desire. But, both the 17-40 and the 50/1.8 will always be a "staple" pair of lenses for almost all photographers.

 

You should seriously consider the new Canon XT1, the 17-40, the 50/1.8, and a 1GB CF card. This all adds up to around $1590 at B&H Photo.

 

Go to a brick and mortar store like Circuit City and play with the Canon XTi. I did and think it's a wonderful camera.

 

This would be a fantastic entry level Digital SLR setup... seriously!

 

Take your time, don't rush into this decision.

 

And please buy your equipment from a reputable dealer.

 

And, you can delay buying the 430EX... just use the camera's popup flash for now. The 50mm f1.8 and jacking up the ISO will allow you to take photos without a flash in resasonable indoor light.

 

I hope this helps. I know you've been bombarded with alot of information through your post, but again, take your time.

 

//Chuck

[geoffs1]

> Ideally I would like to spend $1300, get the body,<br>

> a good lense, a hotshoot flash, and a 2GB memory <br>

> card at least.<br>

<br>

That price-point may be tough to meet with the 20D.<br>

<br>

I'd suggest the first thing you should consider is the body. If you're just getting started in photography you don't really need the improvements the 20D brings (tougher shutter, more AF points, slightly faster burst speed, etc.). I'd seriously suggest you look at both the new Rebel XTi and the older XT (aka 400D and 350D). Both are <b>very</b> serviceable cameras. The sensor and basic electronics in the 350D is the same as the 20D, so the image-quality is identical. With the release of the 400D/XTi, the <a href="http://www.adorama.com/Refby.tpl?refby=rflAID062012&sku=ICADRXTB">350D/XT is now a real bargain at around $610</a> (about $350 less than <a href="http://www.adorama.com/Refby.tpl?refby=rflAID062012&sku=ICA20D">the 20D at $975</a>). The <a href="http://www.adorama.com/Refby.tpl?refby=rflAID062012&sku=ICADRXTIB">400D/XTi runs around $800</a>; it has a few more pixels, more AF points, and a bit bigger buffer, but I doubt you would notice the difference in picture quality over the 350D or 20D.<br>

<br>

Cheers,<br>

<br>

Geoff S.

[geoffs1]

JT,<br>

<br>

I couldn't agree with Chuck more, especially the advice about giving some thought to this. I just went through the process myself (twice!) in the past year as I switched from my old Olympus film gear to digital. I spent a huge mount of time reading reviews and playing with cameras in my local shop.<br>

<br>

If you can leave some money over after your first purchase that would be a great idea, so you can take what you've learned about your shooting style and desires after you've taken some shots and expand your gear collection. One possibility is the choose a body you like and buy the $85 Canon 50mm f/1.8 (or even the 18-55mm kit lens) and put off your first "real" lens purchase until after you've used the camera a bit and have more understanding of where you want to go.<br>

<br>

However, at some point you'll have to decide, buy something and start making photos! The (really) good news is that if you stick with half-decent stuff it's hard to go too far wrong! Any of the bodies mentioned in this thread are very good (from the 350D to the 20D). Any of the over $200 lenses are also quite good; even the 18-55 lens isn't terrible (I use mine every now and then when since I've been concentrating on long-telephotos).<br>

<br>

If you decide to buy it, you will probably never regret getting the Canon 17-40mm L lens; it will likely remain as a centerpiece of you lens collection <b>forever</b>. Most people don't start off with a lens anywhere near that nice. Unless you have immediate plans to shoot something specific where you will need a longer or shorter lens, I'd keep it in mind as a starting point.<br>

<br>

With that said, you would likely be pretty happy with the performance of any lens in the 17-100mm range that costs above $200 and comes from a good manufacturer (ex. Canon, Sigma, etc.). I'd suggest you check out as many reviews as you can find (if you're not already, you'll become very adept at weeding out the useful ones from the useless).<br>

<br>

Here are some reviews you might helpful:

<ul>

<li><a href="http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=3&sort=7&cat=27&page=1">FredMiranda.com (FM) on the Canon 17-40L</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=222&sort=7&cat=27&page=2">FM on the Canon 17-85mm IS</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.photo.net/equipment/canon/digital_rebel_xt/">Bon Atkins (BA) on the 350D XT</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.photo.net/equipment/canon/digital_rebel_xti">BA on the 400D XTi</a></li>

<li><a href=""></a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.photo.net/equipment/canon/efs18-55/">Bob Atkins pretty careful review/comparison of the 18-55mm kit-lens</a></li>

</ul>

I quickly ran through <a href="http://www.adorama.com/Refby.tpl?refby=rflAID062012">Adorama's web-site</a> (B&H and KEH are just as good, I just happen to be more familiar with the Adorama site organization) and tossed a minimal collection of stuff into a shopping cart and came up with:

<ul><table border=1>

<tr><td><a href="http://www.adorama.com/Refby.tpl?refby=rflAID062012&sku=ICADRXTB">Canon 300D XT body</a></td><td>$610</td></tr>

<tr><td><a href="http://www.adorama.com/Refby.tpl?refby=rflAID062012&sku=CA1740U">Canon 17-40mm f/4L</a></td><td>$680</td></tr>

<tr><td><a href="http://www.adorama.com/Refby.tpl?refby=rflAID062012&sku=MMHXDCF">SanDisk 1 Gb Ultra II CF card</a></td><td>$45</td></tr>

<tr><td><a href="http://www.adorama.com/Refby.tpl?refby=rflAID062012&sku=ICADRXTB">USB CF Card-reader (Mediagear)</a></td><td>$13</td></tr>

<tr><td>Total (w/ shipping):</td><td>$1366</td></tr>

</table></ul>

Swap the XT for and XTi and the 17-40L for an 17-85 IS and it's almost the same.<br>

<br>

Cheers,<br>

<br>

Geoff S.

[chuck_c_charlottenc_]

JT,

 

Here's another great Lens Information/MiniReview Site by Bob Atkins.

 

This would provide you a quick reference to many lenses.

 

http://www.lensplay.com/lenses/lens_list.php

 

//Chuck

[jt_liu]

Thanks everyone!

 

Lots of good information. Looking into a Rebel XT. What's the difference between 300, 350, and 400?

[chuck_c_charlottenc_]

JT,

 

Here are links of reviews from DPReview on the three camera bodies.

You can also do Google searches and see what Steve's DigiCam has to say about each body. Example "Canon 350D Steve's".

 

DPReview of Canon 300D:

 

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos300d/

 

DPReview of 350D:

 

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0502/05021704canon_eos350d.asp

 

DPReview of 400D at Photokina:

 

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0608/06082416canoneos400drebelxti.asp

 

DPReview Forum comparing the 300D & 350D & 400D:

 

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1031

 

My opinion: Go for the Canon XTi / 400D !

 

I hope this helps.

 

//Chuck

[jt_liu]

thanks Chuck.

 

Do lenses depriciate quickly? Should I buy an expensive one now or buy a beginner one then upgrade to a bigger one?