What Lens to buy my wife ??? [Archive] - The-Digital-Picture.com Community

TheBigO

05-26-2009, 05:02 PM

My wife has had a canon digital slr camera for about 3 years ( dont know which model) and has been content taking snapsof family holidays etc but now she wants to take up wildlife photography and is complainig that she needs a different lens. Any suggestions that wont break the bank but will leave me smelling of roses. thanks

Colin

05-26-2009, 05:05 PM

Telephoto.

For affordable, I'd say

EF-s 55-250mm

or

EF 70-300mm f/4-f/5.6 IS USM

If you really want to be nice to her,

EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

or

EF 400mm f/5.6L USM

alexniedra

05-26-2009, 05:29 PM

If you REALLY want to be nice to her, Canon 500 f/4 L IS USM.

Alternatively, consider getting a solution for those super long distance scenarios:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/800622963-USE/Canon_2527A001_Super_Telephoto_1200mm_f_5_6L.html

[:D]

On a more serious note, I would suggest the same as Colin - Both the 55-250 IS and the EF 70-300 IS USM are great lenses. Also, if you are considering the EF-S 55-250 IS, make sure that the camera body she has is EF-S compatible (50D, 40D, T1i, Xsi, Xti, Xt, etc..).

Good luck with your search!

- Alex

Daniel Browning

05-26-2009, 05:56 PM

I also second Colin's recommendations: spot on.

Don Burkett

05-26-2009, 09:37 PM

Whatever lens she wants and forget the bank.

And while this may seem like a glib answer, give it some thought. There is some shortfall with any single lens you can pick. Too long, too short, to heavy, too expensive, too cheap. While an informed selection now might buy you some short term contentment a wise decision will buy a lifetime of peace. Which end of the next round of complaints do you want to be on? [:D]

peety3

05-26-2009, 09:44 PM

I've recommended the 50mm f/1.8 multiple times, and the guys who have listened have been well rewarded. The 50/1.4 is a better choice if you feel that the budget is there.

Chris White

05-26-2009, 09:58 PM

peety3, 50mm for wildlife???[^o)]

jeffersonposter

05-26-2009, 10:11 PM

Making an assumtion that the camera is a 1.6 crop body (EOS Rebel, XTi, etc.) and she wants to shoot wildlife you migt want to check the 400mm f5.6. This glass does not have image stablization, but most often you would start with a tripod or monopod, then work up to hand held. Learning to shoot hand held without IS would be a great benefit later on. It helps develop skills. The 400 f5.6 is L glass and is known for sharpness. It is around $1200 at B&H and can be reviewed on this site.It will be the the equivelant of 640mm on crop bodies. Just the thing for wildlife and this glass will be a keeper, at least till you win the lotto.

JeffersonPoster

Colin

05-26-2009, 10:36 PM

Even if I won the lotto, I would keep the 400mm f/5.6. Sure, I'd like an arsenal of the big guns from 200-1200mm, but if you consider the quality and reach you get in such a portable, dinky package... I'll never give it up, unless an IS version comes out.

I haven't been able to afford a lens I couldn't comfortably carry, but weight is important, particularly when you've got a backpack full of lenses. Between a 100-400 f/4.5-5.6, a 70-200 f/2.8, a 180mm f/3.5 Macro, a 80mm f/1.2, a 35mm f/1.4, a 24-105 f/4, a couple of bodies, and a laptop, it gets heavy walking around.

I can only imagine trying to travel with a 400 f/2.8. I wouldn't complain, but.... [:)]

peety3

05-26-2009, 10:40 PM

Sorry, asleep at the wheel.

clemmb

05-27-2009, 12:22 AM

jeffersonposter

05-27-2009, 12:51 AM

I don't know any women that like the smallest anything they can get. That said the 400mm 5.6 is not heavy and is not large for a 400. The 100-400 is large (when extended,again what women like) and heavy. If you want wildlife (again back to women), the 400mm 5.6L is the ticket. LARGE return on investment! Sorry, too much ale and wildlife. What do I know, I'm single and probablly for a reason.

JJphoto

05-27-2009, 01:48 AM

what about the 70-200mm/f4.0L, lighter(for woman), cheaper(one of the cheapest L), check out the reviews.http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-70-200mm-f-4.0-L-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

Fred Doane

05-27-2009, 10:00 AM

I have the 70-200 2.8 and wouldn't suggest it for wildlife photography. Even on a crop body it just doesn't have the reach. I would recommend the 100-400 for versatility or the 400 5.6 for weight and price. Both are L series so she'll be happy with the image quality.

Fred~

BES

05-27-2009, 10:06 AM

From a perspective of a woman...but not one who wants to soot wildlife, so take it with a grain of salt...

We want the best IQ in the lightest package unless you are going to carry it for us [:)]

I would not do that to my husband, so I went for 70-200 f/4 IS as a zoom but this one fits my needs. Guys here recommended it for me and they were so right!

You have received some great advice from guys who know what they are doing, they are experts here, I love their advice and they are just so nice.

Here is what I would recommend: Get her one of the lenses recommended here, preferably in local store where she can exchange it for the one she wants if you do not get it just right, and do not sweat it, your gesture will be greatly appreciated and you will score huge brownie points anyway. Good luck!

Colin

05-27-2009, 02:19 PM

You know, perhaps, a good idea would be to make the present an event...

Set aside half a day, tell her that it's time for her birthday present, take her out to a nice lunch, and then tell her that you need her help.

Take her to a camera store that you've verified has all the lenses youthink she'll like and will let her try them, and when you arrive, tell her that you'd appreciate her help selecting a gift for the most wonderful woman you know. How much you spend may be potentially sticky, particularly if she wants something you don't want to pay for. If she feels sheepish about spending the money, and you don't, that's a much easier hurdle. Still, being married, it is a joint expense, possibly a good investment in your relationship showing that you value her interests, and an opportunity for you to show your selflessness and generousity, regardless of what the price tag is. But, I'd say, to NOT let he go for anything cheaper than the models mentioned. If you end up buying something that she won't be happy with ultimately, you're just thowing money away.

If you then had a quick getaway planned the next day or two that would allow together time in a serene wildlife setting, that'd probably be major bonus points. I'm no relationship expert, though generally speaking, it seems that women appreciate it when you make an obvious show of effort [:)]

Good luck, regardless.

TheBigO

05-27-2009, 03:28 PM

Many thanks for all your help i can now give it some considerated thought and hopefully come somewhere near the mark