Beginner question: EOS 300 with what lens?

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Hi all

I'm a beginner in photography and I'm looking for advice on buying my first camera. I have the EOS 300 in mind. But I'm not sure what len should I get with it. I saw some come with a 28-90 len, some with a ultrasonic len. I've only used point-and-shot camera before so I don't know what I should get. I think I'll be taking landscape (and building) picture more often. I'd be pleased if you could tell me what I should get, or whether the EOS 300 is good for beginner. Any other advice for photography would also be appreciated. Thanks.

-Jon

-- Jon (jonhui@hotmail.com), April 21, 2002

Answers

Yes, the EOS 300 is an excellent camera for a beginner. The 28-80 or 28-90 lenses that come with cameras are generally okay for casual shooting or a non-critical beginner, but you can certainly do much better for a little more money. These 28-80/28-90 lenses are generally of lesser quality. A much better option is to get the EOS 300 as a body only, no lens, and buy your lens seperately if you want a better quality lens that you'll be happy to own over the long run. Such a lens is the Canon 28-105 USM. It's more expensive, but the build quality, optical quality and technology is much better. Plus the zoom range is greater. It has Canon's ring-Ultrasonic motor.

Most Canon lenses are Ultrasonic. That refers to the lens' autofocus motor. Ultrasonic motors (USM) are characterized by their very quiet and fast autofocus. The cheapest Canon USM lenses (such as the 28-80 and 28-90) use the less expensive micro-USM, which does not allow Full-Time Manual focus (FTM). The standard Canon USM is ring-USM, which does allow FTM. FTM allows you to manually override autofocus at any time without having to switch off the autofocus motor. Also, ring-USM is quieter than micro-USM.

-- Peter Phan (pphan01@hotmail.com), April 21, 2002.


Thanks Peter. Forgive my lousy English. It should be 'lens', not 'len'. I've checked the price of the 28-105 lens you mentioned and I don't think I can afford it now. I've read some articles (mainly from photo.net) and it makes it even harder to decide what I should get now. They're suggesting that beginner should get a 50/1.8 lens first. However, I'm not sure this is what I want (or need). I'm planning to take pictures in Europe this summer. I don't know if a 50mm lens is good for taking landscapes and building pictures. My point-and-shoot camera has a 38-70mm lens and I find it couldn't capture as much as I would like. So my question is:

1) is a prime 50/1.8 lens is better than the 'kit lens' in terms of picture quality? 2) if the 28-90 USM lens is not dramatically better than a 28-90 non-USM lens, should I just go with the 'kit lens' first, and get a decent lens later? 3) or should I spend extra $$ and get a 50/1.8 lens now?

Thanks.

-- Jon (jonhui@hotmail.com), April 21, 2002.


It's always so easy giving people advice on how to spend their money. Giving *good* advice is quite as easy. Peter did give good advice though.

You asked:

"1) is a prime 50/1.8 lens is better than the 'kit lens' in terms of picture quality?" - - Yes, definitly.

"2) if the 28-90 USM lens is not dramatically better than a 28-90 non- USM lens, should I just go with the 'kit lens' first, and get a decent lens later?"

That's certainly one way to do it. The Canon 28-90 isn't all that bad, it just isn't very good. A used 28-105 USM would be a much better investment than a new 28-90. The difference between a 28- 80/90 USM and a 28-80/90 non-USM is insignificant. Focusing is quieter but not much (if any) faster.

"3) or should I spend extra $$ and get a 50/1.8 lens now?" - - I would, but this is where it's difficult for *us* to give good advice about spending *your* money. Only you know how much you can afford and how much of a priority photography is for you right now.

-- Jim Strutz (j.strutz@gci.net), April 21, 2002.


That first line should read "Giving *good* advice is *NOT* quite as easy."

-- Jim Strutz (j.strutz@gci.net), April 21, 2002.

Jon, don't worry about getting the 28-80 lens if that's all you can afford right now. Unfortunately, the shortest distance between you and very good optics can be more money than you have in your pocket. Get the EOS 300 with the 28-80 lens kit and enjoy. Then, as your skills increase and your budget permits, upgrade to a better lens later if you find the need. You might also take a look around for a used Canon 28-80 lens since that's the first lens people get rid of when they upgrade.

-- Peter Phan (pphan01@hotmail.com), April 22, 2002.


Thanks everyone. In the end I got the EOS300 kit (28-90mm non-USM) and a 50/1.8 lens. They happened to have the lens in stock so I figured I'd get it as well. I think the next step for me is to get a good book about photography. For the time being, I'll continue to play with my new camera. Thanks for your advice again. I'm sure there'll be more questions coming from me.

-- Jon (jonhui@hotmail.com), April 23, 2002.

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