Lenses... Help me understand...

[VisualOddity]

200mm?


I am wanting to buy a lens (not to expensive) that has a decent zoom. For things like candids at a distance, concerts, photojournalism, ect... I saw a post on here talking about concert photography, and there was a comment about just sitting at the bar with a 200mm lens and grabbing shots. I wasn't sure what size lens I would want, but this makes me think a 200mm might be good. Is there any way to describe to me what 'mm' lenses zoom what distance....?

I know, I'm dumb...


The thread I was speaking about... :)
http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ad.php?t=20190

[AjP]

there are many lenses and most of the time you need several lenses to cover what you mentioned..
like: for candits on distandce you need at least 70-200, PJ anything like 16-35, 17-40, 24-70, 70-200, for concerts same as PJ but you better have 16-35 2.8, 24-70 2.8 and 70-200 2.8... 2.8 lense are not cheap

if you going toward Canon lense it will cost you $$ alternative Sigma or Tamron but those lenses even so can get close in quality to Canon still not the same.

Hope its helpful

[RandySmith]

HPS -

Not sure if you've visited DPReview or not. But here's a couple of links, showing some comparisons of photographs taken with different lenses, etc., and camera review of that camera.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/spec...on_eos350d.asp

http://www.dpreview.com/gallery/canoneos350d_samples1/

I don't know anything about your defense system, but I suspect if you asked 100 people which one of those was the "best" you would get a lot of answers too, all probably beginning with "depends ... " so I'll bet you'll get similar responses here for lenses too. I shoot alot of sports, the 70-200mm is my friend, when I'm shooting portraits 50mm and 85mm are my pal's, however, the 200mm can add an interesting perspective on someones face too.

As someone here in this forum mentioned in another thread, ..."don't forget about the sneaker zoom" .... meaning, sometimes you just have to physically get close.

Not a solid answer to your question, but hope it helps a little.
Randy

[VisualOddity]

Thanks for the help understanding it, I really appreciate it... :)
So just to make sure, when looking at lenses, the "Xmm" or "Xmm - Xmm" is refering directly to the distance it can zoom, correct?

[RandySmith]

HPS -

I did a google search and found the following that might help make this a little clearer for you.

http://www.paragon-press.com/lens/lenchart.htm

[VisualOddity]

Awesome... Thanks a ton...
I know they are dumb questions, but I'm serious about photography, and gotta learn somehow lol... :)

[Jake]

First off, these are not "dumb questions". There are probably a lot of people that have the same questions but don't want to ask because they think these are "dumb questions".

Anyway, I think a 70-200mm is a must have lens. It can be use in many situations. There will be time when it's too long or too short but I would not go without one.

[RandySmith]

I whole heartedly agree with "thejakestir" .... everything we learn are just stepping stones for more information that we don't understand .... I only try to share what I can, to help repay all those people that have helped me along the way with the "dumb questions" I have asked, and may continue to ask. I hope this forum will continue on the level it has where people are really sincere to help each other. You could pose the same questions in another forum and be really emotionally defeated let's hope the moderators continue to prevent that from happening here.

Best of luck, keep posting questions, really the worst can be that someone really doesn't have an answer.

Randy

[johnastovall]

I see you have a Canon dSLR. May I suggest you get a copy of "The Eyes of EOS". It will not only give you an idea of Canon's lenses but is an excellent tutorial on Lenses and Lens terminlogy.

[Holly]

I second John's "Eyes of EOS" recommendation...great book.

[VisualOddity]

Awesome... Thanks a lot guys. :)

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by Holly

I second John's "Eyes of EOS" recommendation...great book.

The only problem with it is, it leads to lens lust.

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by HPS

Awesome... Thanks a lot guys. :)

Oh, Like the user reviews on lenses at the Fred Miranda site. They come from not just one test but many users.

Not a bad personal defense system. Mine's John Mose Brownings second greatest design. Ma Duce was his greatest but it doesn't conceal well.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Sometimes for concert work it is better to have a faster prime than a zoom. A good 50mm 1.8 or even 1.4 can come in real handy if your trying to use stage lighting, then an 85mm 1.4 and then a 105mm 1.8.
Hard to find zooms faster than 2.8 without breaking the bank while you can get primes faster than that.

[mcjeff]

Follow this link and click on the box that says "EF Lenses 101". There is some good information and a focal length comparison. It may help you make up your mind on which zoom you need.