Team-BHP - The DSLR Thread

An update on my lens search. I have got my hands on a Nikkor ED 70-300mm f/4.5 lens with AF. I am currently trying to evaluate it. The operation of the lens isn't very smooth (perhaps because it's AF?). The price quote is ~6-7K. Is a similar lens available cheaper?

To give the background, I am using a 35mm film SLR (Nikon FE, manual focus) and my stock lens is a 35-70mm Nikon. This plus a Vivitar flash was bought used from a pro photographer who wanted to get rid of the film equipment. The whole kit cost me ~7K.

Hi Experts, after having used a Canon Digital Elph point & shoot (7.1MP, 5.8-17.4mm focal length, non-IS) for over 3 years, made a migration to a Canon EOS 1100D with the 18-55 IS lens kit. The IS lens sure helps, atleast to me.

Need advice on choosing a lens that I plan to make a purchase in future:
1) Tamron AF 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD LD Aspherical IF Macro Zoom Lens with Built in Motor for Canon DSLR Cameras
OR
2) Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC AF OS (Optical Stabilizer) Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
OR
3) please suggest anything appropriate.

Thanks in advance.

Thanks Rudra Sir for your Guidance.

For many of us DSLR Newbies, purchasing a correct lens is always challenging.
To make matters worse there are just too many variables such as Prime Vs Zoom, Canon/Nikon Vs Third Party, Crop Vs FF, significant price variations etc.
Identifying the correct focal length is I guess the key for an amateur like me.

Another tendency I noticed as a Newbie is my excessive focus on the equipment rather than technique. Plethora of equipment forums on the net and marketing gimmicks by Canon/Nikon to sell the newer stuff are partly to blame for this.

As a newbee I also bought my previous lenses just because they were cheap. Specially my zoom lens 55-250 IS is wast of money for me. I did use it only once. I like shooting landscape and 55-250 mm is not for my use. Most of the time I use 16-35, 50mm and for macro 100mm.

Today I will get my Raynox 250 macro adaptor, I will put it on my 100mm macro lens. This weekend I will test it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudra Sen (Post 2331418)

But yes, I’ve been playing around with cameras and lenses for a very long time. So I do have the right to make some suggestions here. :D Please bear with me:

I am all ears for you and also very sure am not in a company of one!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudra Sen (Post 2331418)

> Even so called best body/lens combination can’t give you what exactly you want sometimes. Spend some quality time on image processing. It can take your capture to a different height.

A small request on this subject. It would be very helpful if you can start a thread for absolute beginners in image processing. I for one have been overwhelmed by the amount of information available on the net that I am unable to understand where to begin!!

Just got myself a Canon 50mm F1.8 EF lens. Bought it to find out the actual benefit of a fast prime (and it is the cheapest lens on offer from Canon :) ). Here's a sample image taken with it. Pretty happy with the small DOF.

I have quick question on Nikon d3100 and d5100

The difference is on both cameras is that of the ISO (higher in d5100), flip of the screen, 2MP difference, a little color depth and Mic option.

For me the major difference is that I cant use high range of ISO and I guess that would be more useful for night photography. Which I do it rarely. (correct me if I am wrong here)

Do I see any other difference here, please let me know in layman terms.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979 (Post 2332212)

D5100 has a better dynamic range, and less noise at higher ISOs. Infact, noise at moderate ISO settings such as ISO 800-1000-1250 is negligible

Is my understating on ISO correct here.

ISO is something to do with the light sensitivity of the camera. The setting allows you to adjust this sensitivity so you can shoot in different lighting conditions. Higher ISO (eg. 800) is good for low lighting whereas low ISO (eg. 100) is good for bright lighting.

Hence I guess early morning, evening and night shoots will be great in d5100.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ranjith.rajaram (Post 2332240)

ISO in a film is sensitivity to light (higher ISO achieved by larger crystal - thus giving you a grainy look).
ISO in a digital sensor = amplification gain factor (higher ISO achieved by amplifying the signal, therefore the higher noise).

Better sensor will give you less noise at higher ISO settings.

Now the only reason why you would require a higher ISO is when you have low lighting - but you cannot increase the exposure time (because of movt usually).

If you are not into that - then its not much of use.
Remember - in film era ISO 800 was fast!

In digital era - because of regular sensor improvements you are able to achieve high "noise free" gain = high ISO.
(and our poor ISO-800 becomes normal - compared to 25600 etc)
Doesn't mean you have a use of it.

On the flip side - it does give you a flexibility.
Say you do intend to capture high speed action in low light.

Quote:

Originally Posted by prasadee (Post 2331728)

I am torn between these two lenses. Actually the Sigma 150-500 and the Canon 100-400L. The build quality of the L series lenses are second to none. Also the compatibility with a canon camera that may come out in the future, is a plus for Canon lens.
I have read reviews where certain earlier serial numbers of Sigma lenses have had trouble focussing. (slow) But then the pricing, good reviews, and the added reach of 500mm is attractive as well.

I am borrowing a 100-400 from a friend to try it out before I take the final plunge.

I have used the Canon one though, just wanted to see how it is compared to the Sigma. It really kicks a**. The sharpness at 400 is rated as one of the best. Priced around 1L as compared to 60k for Sigma.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979 (Post 2332851)

Class 6 is more than sufficient. Having a card faster than the camera won't make it faster.
Get the transcend class 6 SDHC. The best VFM card out there today.
Instead of 16GB, buy 2 or 3 8GB cards

Yes, I had the same plan but there is hardly any difference between class 6 & class 10 cards from Transcend :)

I am planning to get one or two 8Gb Transcend cards for now.