Newbie needs help --will be very much appreciated

I just received a Canon 40D as a gift with EF-S 17-85mm IS lens. This is all I have. Really. I just switched from point and shoot so I am really "green". I apologize if my question will offend you but I could really use some help from you wonderful people....


I have been reading up on some lenses and I have a budget of aproximately $1,100.00


When I take my camera out to play (this is really what I do right now, I am soooo far away from taking the great images you all great people take, sigh), I feel like my lens is "too short" to catch my husband and dogs when they are in the distance and take nice pictures--well at least aspire to, LOL.


I gather I have what is called a general purpose lens, but is it good enough? I am considering getting 50mm f/1.4 prime for portait or fun pictures inside or just for testing ....but that will happen at Christmas. Unless you recommend otherwise.


So my question is...what should I get? I am not going to shoot insects, I do not care about taking pictures of birds, but trips to the park, backyard, beach, my two bulldogs just frankly not moving much but sleeping 20 hrs a day (I could hire a painter to capture these buggers, not sure I need high speed camera, LOL)... I just want a very good lenses I can grow with when I finally learn how to take pictures (still slaving through manual of my camera and very confused with everything, Ugh). I think when I finally stop obsessing and being scared, I may take interest in taking other kind of pictures and the resources will finally be there to go for a better cameras or lenses. For now I need to take it slow-er in order not to feel overwhelmed.


Please help one very confused woman. You can be as nice or as mean as you want, I can take it and I have no intention to respond impolitely. I will respectfully take EVERYONE's advice to heart. Thanks in advance.

You would do well with a general purpose telezoom like the 70-300or the28-135. These are light weight and fairly small so you should be able to carry them around all over in a small waist pack, or even your pockets.


Enjoy and have fun!

You will get lots of recommendations here. I myself started with a 70-200 F\4L IS USM, $1,100. You can get the non-IS model for $600 from B&H and the 50 F\1.4 for $325.

I agree wholeheartedly with Wes. The 70-200 F4L IS is excellent.


The 70-200 F4L is also good. The 50 mm is a good choice for low light.


Also perhaps consider a 430 EX Flash. Might really be useful indoors with those dogs and kids.

For $1,100, you can *really* expand the possibilities:

• $90 50mm f/1.8
• $550 Canon 70-300 IS
• $270 430EX II Flash

The 50mm f/1.8 will let you experiment with thin DOF, and, at f/2.8 give you images that are as sharp as a tack.


The 55-250 is an inexpensive telephoto with good I.S. and respectable image quality. If telephoto is really important, you might consider the 70-300 IS ($600) or 70-200 IS ($1150) instead.


The flash will really expand the possibilities. Built-in flash cannot be moved and angled like the 430 allows for bouncing flash.


I think the 28-135 is a poor choice (high price, low quality, small range).

I agree with getting the 50 1.8 its inexpensive and great! The 70-200 F4 is also a great lens and is the least expensive out of the "L" series 70-200's.


The camera you have is a great camera, take all the suggestions to heart, and I dont think you have to worry about impolite responses on this forum, I have asked for help many of times, as well as tried to offer help and everyone on here is great.


Just make sure you post some pictures when you get a chance [:)]


Thanks


joel

Thanks Joel for encouragement. I am however just starting and have plenty to learn. When you post a picture here, do you shrink it to some size? I took a few pictures in RAW and to share it with my family, I put it on Flickr in appr. 700X400. Is is too small or too large here?

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Originally Posted by BES

When you post a picture here, do you shrink it to some size?
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Yes - 800X600. And BTW, I'm having a similar problem and you might find my current thread helpful: Buying decisions



I'm watching this thread too [:)]

OK, I am holding my breath and letting you see my first photographs I took. Please have mercy, it is really first time I have SRL in my hands so it is touch and go. I really have no idea what I am doing and neither do my dogs[:)] I hope to learn soon, it is really a lot of fun. Thanks for letting me share. I just joined this forum. I apologize if these photos are awful to you, I am just "crawling"....Maybe one day I will get to be as good as you guys, sigh....


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3008/2592988927_0d3f6297e5_o.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3183/2592950575_b9eb0408fe_o.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3148/2775829747_3c9eba274c_o.jpg

The last photo is great! Keep shooting.

Thank you, I love learning about this camera but it is a complicated piece of machinery for me right now. I do not know soooo much it is scary. I read some postings on various topics and you guys all sound as if you spoke "martian" to me, LOL. When does it get easier? How did you learn so much about photography?

Nice shots BES! [:)]

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Originally Posted by BES

How did you learn so much about photography?
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By reading Bryan's reviews LOL - thanks again Bryan!

I like the contrast in your images, keep up the good work!

Thank you daniel, but it is pure accident, I really do not know what I am doing yet. I have EVERYTHING to learn. I am so impressed by all the knowledge you all share. I am trully impressed by all of you.

Great shots! my favorite is the last one. As a fairly new digitalphotographer (can count how many years on one hand) I have to say that its alittle slow at first but then the ball starts rolling. Also the "martin" talk we can help with translation for now and then you will soon be fluent in "martin" as well.


I hope the advice helps, and you were right about the dogs, it does look like a painter could capture the image as well.


thanks


joel

I get most of my good pictures by accident. Don't knock it [:)]


Most of the pictures I take I think will be good, though 15 minutes later my judgement usually kicks in.


I'd second Daniel's lens suggestions. A 70-300 (or is it 75-300)IS will round out your existing lens nicely, with a little overlap in range, and give you some nice features and performance. It's true that it's not as nice as the 70-200 lenses, but if you're comparing models with IS (which is really handy), it's also a lot cheaper. The 50mm prime is a no brainer for value. I can't speak to the flash, as I'm pretty inexperienced with flash, but I'd take his word for it. I still haven't gotten to playing with thelineup of flashes, umbrellas, and stands thatSean put together, very kindly. That's going to be fun. I want to see if I can make my dog look creepy [:)]

I would say go for the 70-200 F4 IS. It fits in your price range and it is an excellent walk around lens. It has a very good IS for indoor pictures. And the lens takes excellent pictures outdoors. You will not regret buying it.


By the way, to clarify Colins doubt, they are two different lenses and 70-300 is better than the 75-300. But then both of them are not good enough. You will want to replace them in a few months of buying them :)





Cheers!


Dev

[:D]


that is correct, they are very patient with me, I can at least practice forever on them....in different light as they will stay motionless for 20 hours if no food is present, LOL.


Thanks for kind comments, I have so much to learn and I am really happy I have found this website.

<span style="font-size: 9pt; color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"]Your Pictures are nice, the only comment I have is that the allimage is in focus, there is no blur.<o:p></o:p>


<span style="font-size: 9pt; color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"]This is due to the focal length of your zoom, and to the f opening you are using. <o:p></o:p>


<span style="font-size: 9pt; color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"]I agree with Dev, and with everybody suggesting the 70-200L F4 IS, or 70-200L F2.8 (non IS), also in light or your shooting program to walk around and shoot people. In this case a zoom is a lot more versatile then a fix lens.<o:p></o:p>


<span style="font-size: 9pt; color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"]Thesearelenses you will not regret in the future, all others are not even close to this one in quality for 1.100 $. Both are very sharp wide open, color and contrast are great at all focal lengths.<o:p></o:p>


<span style="font-size: 9pt; color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"]You should choose between them with the following criteria: If your subject is not moving, F4 and IS produce the same speed of F2.8 without IS. If you shoot action IS will not stop movement, so F2.8 will produce a faster speed, to stop movement.<o:p></o:p>


<span style="font-size: 9pt; color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"]Also F2.8 is a better portrait lens in my opinion producing a nicer blur. F4 is lighter and smaller than f2.8.


<span style="font-size: 9pt; color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"]


<span style="font-size: 9pt; color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"]One last choice, (out of budget 1.600 $) 70-200 F2.8 IS in this case you have everything, a little heavier and bigger than f 4. The best solution is to read Bryan review of these lenses, and to watch his pictures.


<span style="font-size: 9pt; color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"][url="http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-Zoom-Lens-Reviews.aspx]http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-Zoom-Lens-Reviews.aspx[/url]<o:p></o:p>



<span style="font-size: 9pt; color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"](sorry for my English, I hope I am clear enough [:P])<o:p></o:p>

I have to concede, IF you're going to keep doing this, you won't regret either of the 70-200 IS zooms. They're expensive, but they're SO much fun.


My suggestion on the 70-300 IS was based on you just getting into it, and trying to maintain a budget, which allows you to get a 50mm prime and possibly a flash, as previously suggested. If that was your budget for the near future, I'd stick by sticking by the previously suggested combination.


However, yes, if you're looking for a long term purchase, and the bug has bitten hard and won't let go, the 70-200 zooms are undeniably great investments. Using my 70-200 f/2.8 IS is a giddy experience at times. If people aren't moving too fast, and you're steady, it can even be useful indoors. Sometimes the blur of one person going totally emotive, contrasted with the clarity of somebody listening, can be pretty cool too!

Gian, thanks for your comments.


It made perfect sense. English is my second language as well. To be honest, I have no idea what I am doing so I have ro practive with adjusting zoom and f opening and given that I only have one lens right now and absolutely no skills...well, this is going to be one Sisyphean challenge, LOL. That's OK, my dogs are quite patient and a perfect medium to take pictures of for me at least[:D]


I do have a question...70-200L F4 IS sounds nice because it is lighter and for me it will be one of those things where if it weighs a ton I will abhore carrying it. I do not know enought (well, nothing really) about the faster speed so I am not sure what decision to make. I need help here...If it makes sense to save and wait for F2.8, then I will do it, but I would hate to do that if I was not using it enough....I do not plan at this point making a living out of these lenses, just want to have a really good quality lens to take great pictures with. At home I am fine with what I have (17-85 IS) and I will be getting 50/1.4, but for walks outside, street, beach, travel pictures...what would be a better option for me? Any advice? Most people agree with 70-200L F/4. What is your take?

Hey BES. To be honest, since you keep saying that you still don't even know what effect the f/number has for example, I suggest that before you are making any buying decisions, spend a bit more time both on this site and with your camera. Read the Bryan's reviews here, read this: http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials.htm


and don't forget to ask all kind of questions.


Lastly, I want to warn you... even though what I said, once you'll know all this stuff better, not only that it won't be easier for you to decide, but it'll actually be much much **MUCH** harder [:P]

Oren, that is a wonderful link. Thank you. The weird coincidence is, a year before, my friend had emailed me PPTs from his Photography diploma school, which now seem to be a copy + paste of the website you have mentioned and they charged tons of money for it!


By the way I dont know what the policy for referring external links is for this forum but hope that Bryan won't mind helpful links like these?[:)]


Cheers!


Dev

<span style="font-size: 9pt; color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"]BES,<o:p></o:p>


<span style="font-size: 9pt; color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"]If you can try the 50 before to purchase it, or just shoot with your 17-85 blocked at 50. You will see that specially at the beginning a zoom is much easier to use. Prime deliver a better IQ only if you do not need to crop the image to resize your picture. If you want to shoot in lower light I recommend a flash rather than a faster lens. This will open another area where you can manage the light.<o:p></o:p>


<span style="font-size: 9pt; color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"]You will see that even indoor the 70-200 L F/4 IS is a great lens if you have a single subject like your dog. Your pictures will be much nicer. This is a great lens very sharp vide open. The 2.8 in not better in all area, is heavier, less sharp specially on cropped sensor in my experience. I think if you go for the f4 IS you will be very happy.<o:p></o:p>

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Originally Posted by Oren

Hey BES. To be honest, since you keep saying that you still don't even know what effect the f/number has for example, I suggest that before you are making any buying decisions, spend a bit more time both on this site and with your camera. Read the Bryan's reviews here, read this: [url="http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials.htm]http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials.htm[/url]


and don't forget to ask all kind of questions.


Lastly, I want to warn you... even though what I said, once you'll know all this stuff better, not only that it won't be easier for you to decide, but it'll actually be much much **MUCH** harder [img]/emoticons/emotion-4.gif[/img]
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Agree 100%. I am very new at this and I need all help I can get. I am very confused but I keep reading up like a fiend. The problem sometimes is with (please do not laugh) trying to understand complex technical concept of photography in english with camera settings in english when english is not my first language. So I suck a bit at this technical stuff untill I get comfortable with lingo. I think it is going to be simply like learning another language. Once I get used to vocabulary, I hope it will all come together, like with everything else. But at this point I am making a very s-l-o-w progress as I have to stop and think what the heck I am reading and to translate it in my brain into something that makes sense in "real" world". I may need to look for a forum for morons, LOL.

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Originally Posted by Gian Luca

<span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; color: black;"]BES,


<span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; color: black;"]If you can try the 50 before to purchase it, or just shoot with your 17-85 blocked at 50. You will see that specially at the beginning a zoom is much easier to use. Prime deliver a better IQ only if you do not need to crop the image to resize your picture. If you want to shoot in lower light I recommend a flash rather than a faster lens. This will open another area where you can manage the light.


<span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; color: black;"]You will see that even indoor the 70-200 L F/4 IS is a great lens if you have a single subject like your dog. Your pictures will be much nicer. This is a great lens very sharp vide open. The 2.8 in not better in all area, is heavier, less sharp specially on cropped sensor in my experience. I think if you go for the f4 IS you will be very happy.



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Thanks, I will try that with my lens.

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Originally Posted by Colin

I get most of my good pictures by accident. Don't knock it [img]/emoticons/emotion-1.gif[/img]


Most of the pictures I take I think will be good, though 15 minutes later my judgement usually kicks in.
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Well, but at least you know" how to take" good pictures. YOU make a decision what is good or not. Not your camera. Right now, not so much in my case, LOL. I have so much to learn, but it is sooo much fun. I love it, love taking pictures so I hope I will eventually learn how to do it right.