Discount Canon Lenses

Question Canon Lenses?
Ok, I know about SLR's and manual iso, aperature, and shuter speeds, but am really clueless to lenses. What is the difference between a 70 - 200mm lens and a 200 mm lens, also for doing sports photography would you say I absolutely need an IS Lens? In fact doing sport photography such as rodeos, football, baseball, etc, where I will be an average of 40 to 50 yards away from the subject which lens for a canon 30d would you reccomend and do I really need to spend $400 extra just for an IS lens, and please help me understand lenses. Thanks in advance. Josh

Best Answer fhotoace speaks the truth about sports photography. There is a lot to learn and, while I often tell people that their equipment does not matter, this is one area where it really does. At least the 30D might be up to the task, so you've got a start. Just don't shoot in RAW, as the review says this will cut your number of frames to about 10 as opposed to 35-40 for jpeg's. You NEED high speed cards, too, such as Sandisk Extreme III or IV or you will bog down. $$$ Ka-ching! A 70-200 lens zooms from one extreme listed to the other, as is 70, 71, 72, ....... 198, 199, and 200 mm. A 200 mm lens is a 200 mm lens and that's it. See this page for a discussion on sports lenses. http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Canon-Lenses/Canon-Outdoor-Sports-Lens.aspx As far as "IS," you would be well-advised to get this in a lens, as you are going to be using 200 or 300 mm lenses, or more. The longer the lens, the harder it is to hold it still. Okay, a tripod or monopod is a good idea, too, but given that this might not be possible in many situations where you have to be on the move, "IS" will be of great value to you. ~~~~~~ my stock answer ~~~~~~ Image Stabilization - Vibration Reduction This technology is known as "image stabilization," "vibration reduction," "shake reduction," "optical stabilization," and "anti-shake" by the various manufacturers. It is "for real" and makes a visible difference most of the time. If you are using an average point and shoot camera without a monstrous zoom lens, you will see the difference in lower light situations where the camera will be using about 1/60th of a second or lower. If you are using a telephoto lens, the effect will be noticeable at roughly anything slower than the inverse of the focal length, which used to be our standard for deciding when you should use a tripod. If it's a 200 mm lens, you will see the benefit of "IS" or "VR" at speeds of 1/200 or slower. If it's a 500 mm lens, you will see the benefit of "IS" or "VR" at speeds of 1/500 or slower. Actually, you will notice a difference at slower speeds than this, but I'd say that this threshold is where it can be called a distinct advantage. Macro shooting benefits from "IS/VR" also, because any movement will be greatly magnified when you are working at extreme close range with high magnification. Also, I feel that "IS/VR" helps if you are using a point and shoot camera at arm's length as you compose in the LCD monitor. It is much harder to hold the camera still with your arms out in front of you. "VR/IS" would be helpful there, even with the shorter focal lengths. Please understand that "VR" or "IS" (etc) will NOT stop motion in a moving subject. You need to use a high shutter speed and/or pan along with the subject in order to do that. VR is only to minimize the effects of camera movement to give you a better chance at getting a clear picture. It won't work miracles there, either. You have to at least TRY to hold still. You can't go down a bumpy road in speeding car and expect to get great shots. This is a composite I made to demonstrate "vibration reduction," which is also called "image stabilization" and "shake reduction" by various camera and lens manufacturers. For the best results, you should click on "All Sizes" and then "Original" before making your comparisons. I tried to remain consistent for all three shots, but I guess as clouds move in and out, things varied by an f-stop or so. I do not think that depth of field is an issue in this test, though. I did not move my feet at all during the test, so the point of view is identical. All three images were made using 1/60th of a second, which I consider to be the low shutter speed for hand-holding a 60 mm lens. I made a reference shot with my 60 mm Nikon macro lens, since I know this to be a fairly sharp lens. I tried to hold as still as I could, but I did not use a tripod. I then made two more exposures with the Nikon 18-200 VR lens, set at 62 mm. I was trying to match the 60 mm lens, but I did it by just remembering some landmarks and zooming to match. As I used the VR lens, however, I did my best to actually "vibrate" the camera by inducing a tremor in my hands as if I was shivering in the cold. I took one photo with the help of VR and one without. It was extremely odd to look through the lens as I shook my hands. Since the VR was working, even though I knew I was shaking the camera, the image appeared steady in the viewfinder! Okay, compare the shots for yourself. You won't see too much difference in the top two, but the effect of vibration reduction is very obvious when you see how the picture comes out when "VR" is turned off. Nikon D200 - ISO 100 - Nikon 60 mm Macro and Nikon 18-200 VR with and without VR http://www.flickr.com/photos/samfeinstein/511455669/ I realized that the first VR demo (above) may not be a "real world" demo, as I was TRYING to shake during the exposure. Who does that? I was originally trying to answer a question for someone who had a problem with severe tremors, so I was trying to induce tremors in my own hands. Well, I should ask, "Who does that on purpose?" So in this pair, I was trying to hold still for both shots. The white balance is different, as I am trying to learn about that, but I realized that the first shot I took had the "VR" turned off. Everything else is the same, because I didn't move and the shots were made less than 30 seconds apart. The exposures were the same for both shots. I did not do ANY post-processing at all, as that would defeat the purpose of the demo. Nikon D200 - ISO 100 - Nikon 70-300 VR @ 240 mm with and without VR http://www.flickr.com/photos/samfeinstein/755244335/ For a detailed, yet easy to understand explanation, see: http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/image-stabilization.htm

Question Canon lenses?
I need some good canon lenses for around $100 Its for a Canon digital rebel XT i want to use the lenses for events and also have a good capture because i bring it 2 base ball games and family events (day and night) I also want (need) a good zoom my lens right now are 18-55mm with macro of 0.28/0.9ft

Best Answer $100 is going to severely limit the lenses available. You already have the wide to normal zoom range covered so you are really looking for a medium to long telephoto lens like the 70-300mm lens but it will be out of your price range new. Look on ebay if you want Canon glass. Another option would be to go with an off brand like Sigma. Check out this lens. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/163662-REG/Sigma_509101_70_300mm_f_4_5_6_DG_Macro.html Great lens if you have a decent amount of light. It's not a very fast lens though so in dark situations you will absolutely need a flash.

Question How can I tell if my Canon lenses will fit a digital camera?
I have a Canon Elan 7 and was planning on purchasing the Canon 50D. I have a few Canon lenses to go with my camera and did not know if they would be compatible with the digital camera I was getting. How can I tell if I can switch the lenses between digital and film? So I know if I need to buy a lens to go with the camera or not. Thanks! I am open to any other feedback about the camera too.

Best Answer Yes they are all compatible. The only Canon lenses that are not compatible with the new digitals are the manual focus FD mount made prior to the advent of auto focus. These lenses will all have been made prior to 1987. The new digital only lenses which are marked EFs are not compatible with your Elan or the full frame digitals like the 5D and above. There really is no reason to have more than 1 or 2 of these though. The EFs 10-22mm in my opinion is the only EFs lens that you need to have. This is because there isn't a EF lens that is wide enough on the crop sensor or APS-C sized sensor of the low to mid range Canon cameras. The only other EFs lens you may want would be the 18-55mm lens that comes with the Rebel cameras. There are however better EF models that cover this range like the EF 17-40 F4L for example. Bottom line though is they will work just fine.

Question will my generic lenses for my canon AF work on a new digital body?
OK, i currently have an Canon Elan 7. for that camera i have a few lenses.. but not canon lenses. they are by manufacturers such as sigma, tameron, etc.. i have read that Canons auto focus lenses will work on the new digital body cameras(i am looking at getting a 20D), but they never say anything about the non-mfg lenses. does anyone know if they will work as well, or is this not a clear cut answer? Thanks!

Best Answer There's not a clear cut answer. In general, most will work or can be made to work. However Canon doesn't support third party lenses, so they leave it up to the lens manufacturer to rechip a lens if it doesn't work with newer bodies. Go ahead and get the 20D and if a lens doesn't work, contact the appropriate manufacturer and get a price for rechipping the lens to make it work with the newer body. Since the 20D has been out for several years, you can search to see if there are any known incapability problems with a particular third party lens and the 20D. Unfortunately, this is a price you sometimes have to pay by getting a third party lens. Physically it will mount on the camera no problem, but electronic communication may not take place as the mount is reversed engineered since Canon doesn't license (at least I don't think so) their EF spec.

Question What are some starting lenses for canon DSLR cameras?
Hey, i'm looking for canon lenses that for beginner photographers who came from point and shoots. Any suggestions? Also, i am thinking about getting a canon XSi. The lenses i am looking for are mainly going to be used for landscape/structures and some group shots. Thanks in advanced.

Best Answer Many DSLR cameras have the option as a kit to come with a short zoom and I am certain that is true of the Canon Rebels. I see the with 18-55mm IS Lens offered with the XSi Rebel for about $565. I would go with that lens to start, shoot a whole bunch of photos and learn what else you need or desire. I teach photography and I have had many students discover they wanted a macro lens but had no idea until they started shooting and learning. Some some a telephoto zoom lens because that can be helpful for certain needs (sports and wildlife often for example). So wait and discover as your learn and create. I included some links to some dealers so that you can try and get the best price. Some dealers have some some nice extras, free shipping is very common, and sometimes they are offering a free memory card and/or camera bag. Sometimes you have to click in the “add to cart” button to see the actual price. Hope this helps. Good luck. Mark

Question I am about to buy a canon rebel, but it comes with Sigma lenses. Is Sigma as good as Canon lenses?
Also, I know a basic camera package usually starts you out with a 18-55mm lens, and this kit comes with a 28-70mm lens and a 70-300mm lens. I want to have a good basic lens, and also have one that has a good zoom. (I do a lot of action shots at rodeos. Which means I am often times far form the action.) Any suggestions of the best lenses, and whether or not Sigma lenses are as good at Canon.

Best Answer Why don't you get the basic XTi with its own 18-55 mm lens, and just get the 70-300 zoom lens by Sigma separately. There are a lot of old school photographers that would stay away from Sigma, but from what the reviews I have seen so far, Sigma seems to be better built now a days. The 28-70 Sigma lens, is almost 4 years old, that's why you should get the Canon lens for the Canon - it's not that much difference anyway. Here's an Amazon site for the 70-300 lens - it doesn't have an image stabilizer so, hopefully you have a steady hand or using high speed shutter or ISO. http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-70-300mm-4-5-6-Telephoto-Cameras/dp/B000ALLMI8

Question can I use older canon lenses from a manual camera with the newer digital SLRs?
I have two Sigma lenses made for Canon, that were bought in 1981. Will they work on the Canon 40d or 50d?

Best Answer The distance to the focal plane is what determines the ability to use a lens with an adapter and still have the full range of focusing. The EF lenses used by EOS have a distance of 44mm while the FD lenses have a distance of 42mm. This is why the other responder is saying that a non-optical adapter would mean you could not focus to infinity. That can be either entirely or somewhat (depending on the lens) circumvented by using the depth of field provided by stopping down a couple of f-stops so while it is an inconvenience it does not have to be a show stopper. Here is a $50 optical adapter from Adorama that has the required optical element and doubles as a macro extender with the optical lens removed. http://www.adorama.com/CZFDEOSA.html

Question How can I use my Canon lenses on my Olympus camera?
I have a Canon Digital EOS Rebel XT and have purchased an Olympus Evolt E-300. Is there something I can use to be able to use my Canon lenses on the Olympus? I purchased the body only, so would rather use lenses I have than buy all new, obviously. Thanks! I have been able to find an adapter that goes the other way -- in other words something that will let me use Olympus lenses on my Canon. Doesn't it follow that there should be one that goes the other way?

Best Answer If you've found an adapter for Olympus lenses to Canon bodies, I would expect you CAN'T find an adapter to go the other way. You can also fit Nikon lenses on a Canon, but not visa versa. Apparently, Canon lenses sit closer to the sensor than with other brands. So when you want to use other brand lenses on a Canon, they should sit a bit away from the Canon lens mount - which is precisely what you need to squeeze in an adapter ring.

Question Can old lenses from the 70s fit on to the Canon EOS series?
My dad has old canon lenses from the 70s and I was thinking I'd get him a DSLR, specifically the Canon Digital Rebel XTi. I heard that the old lenses do fit the EOS series but I have no idea if that's true or not. Is there anyway I can tell by looking at the lenses themselves? A model number or something?

Best Answer If you have old manual focus Canon lenses from the 70's, they won't fit a modern EOS digital or film autofocus SLR. When Canon moved to autofocus, they totally changed the mount so that the older manual focus lenses won't mount and meter. There are adapters, but they have severe limitations, like an inability to focus to infinity and no metering. So, forget the old lenses; they aren't going to work. Just get him the camera with a new lens and look forward.

Question What are good starting lenses for a Canon XTI SLR camera?
Should I buy just canon lenses or are there other brands that are worth buying?

Best Answer I’ve owned my XTI for one year and have already gone through 6 lenses. I think the hard part initially is to decide what you primarly shoot. Me, I hike a lot and camp a lot so I wanted a good wide angle. Our first was the CAnon 17-85mm IS. It’s a great lens, I especially liked the IS compared to the 18-55, the big drawback for us on this lens was the barrell distortions at 17mm. It almost looks like a fisheye. We just barely purchased the CAnon 17-55mm IS and we love it. WE love having a fixed 2.8 aperture, it is very helpful when trying to shoot indoors or in darker settings. The other lens that we have that we absolutely love is the Canon 60mm macro. That lens is amazing sharp! I mean amazingly! We’ve had a lot of fun taking macro’s of things in the wild and what not. So here’s my recommendation Everday shooting 17-55mm IS Macro 60mm If you need a telephoto I’d go with either the Canon 70-300IS or if you can afford it the Canon 70-200L IS