Help Choosing a New Lens

[meganwebb]

I am interested in getting a new lens for my camera, i currently have the canon rebel xs with the kit lens 18-55mm and a 70-300 mm lens both are canon brand.
I want a lens that can take landscape photos , wildlife photos and possibly macro photography with the speed and precision of the kit lens. i find my 70-300mm lens is really slow auto focusing and such which is really a nuisance so it hardly gets used because it causes me to miss out on wildlife opportunities.
Any ideas ?

Also looking at getting the Kata 321 go 20 Camera Bag anyone know if this is a good bag?

[Wicked Dark]

woah. all that in one lens? and you want quality? not gonna find it, I'm afraid. when you try to put so many optical conditions together in one lens, quality always suffers. it's like the cork screw in a swiss army knife, yeah it'll do the job, but there are better tools out there. a good macro lens will never be a good long telephoto. a good wide angle lens will never be a good macro. to design an excellent lens for a single purpose, you cannot make it an excellent lens for something else.

a better idea is to analyze your photographs and pinpoint two things; what kinds of photos do you want to take that you can't now, and second what is wrong with the photos you do take...is it the lens's fault or yours?

[Andrew]

Megan, if you find that lens let the rest of us know where you got it. Ditto what Ms D. said. You indicate "possibly macro" which sounds like you're not too committed so let's throw that one out for now. Your remaining two lenses are of a range that are pretty good for your remaining two, wildlife and landscape. Sounds like you're just after better results than what you're getting. You need to answer if it's technique or equipment. There's lots of people here to help so post some shots in the critique queue and let them fire away.

[Realist]

I was actually looking at canon lenses a lot lately. The 15-85mm IS USM f/3.5-5.6 would probably be what you're looking for. It gets pretty wide for landscape, and It also focuses for macro. It's almost L class, but will never be because it's AF-S lens. All this does come with a price though, around $800 American.

[meganwebb]

I am uploading some of my work there now,

[Kawarthabob]

Buying a lens brings up many questions. Which you have already asked yourself.And i have to agree with WD , you wont get all you asked outta one lens. I too have the Canon XS with the lenses you mentioned. I too want to add lenses to my gear ( all the time ,just like the rest of us). If you want your camera body to "click click click" like a pro model you have to know first what it's capable of and understand the theory of "light" coming in through what you have. The longer a lens the more shake will appear and your photos will be blurry. Get yourself a tripod and you will see a difference. I have a fishing buddy that advised me once after i wanted a new rod like the pros, " a thousand dollar rod wont make ya catch bigger fish if ya don't know how to use it". The people on this sight are great for tips and from learning from. My photography has gone up way better since i've been a member here. We all want the top of the line equipment.

[Richard]

This site (http://www.pixel-peeper.com) lets you view sample images taken with most lenses and cameras.

[meganwebb]

http://www.photography.ca/Forums/f2/critique-wildlife-photography-13948.html#post97913

[Matt K.]

I am interested in getting a new lens for my camera that can take landscape photos , wildlife photos and possibly macro photography with the speed and precision of the kit lens.

Also looking at getting the Kata 321 go 20 Camera Bag anyone know if this is a good bag?

Better open your wallet and get three lenses: Sigma 10-20 for the landscape would be good - nice wide angle, Sigma 120-300 with teleconverter for wildlife, and a 80 or 100mm macro lens. Not familiar with Canon (I live on the dark side and shoot with Nikon) lenses that much, but I have found that using thrid party lenses gets you away from the high price of the "brand" lens and I am very happy with my Sigmas.

If you are considering the Kata bag, I'd opt for the 30. It will hold your camera body with a long lens easily and has many other features. I am very happy with mine. And it is stuffed to the brim (not only lenses, but also teleconverter, flash and what have you....)

[Andrew]

I have the 10 and it's a great bag for daily carry. (could use the 20 though) I use a larger Lowepro bag for anything other than a quick stroll. One thing you will find with all bags is that very soon you'll want another.

[Hillbillygirl]

Hello Megan:I also shoot with Canon and have acquired quite a collection of lenses, and have used, sold, bought, very many over the years, so I will answer in the best way I can to help you. You have quite a feat you are asking of one lens only. I would agree with all that it is not all possible with only one lens.
What is your main interest right now and what direction can you see yourself heading as for subject matter photography wise? This will have the main influence on what I would ever recommend for a lens as of this moment. Also, what are you talking as in budget, as this will give us a good idea on what is available towards a decision.The 70-300 that you are shooting right now is an excellent lens as long as you shoot around f8-f11, as that is its sweet spot for sure. I am talking from past experience with that exact lens .
You DO NOT want to cheap out on lenses if you see yourself getting into this more seriously in the future. The lenses are an investment, as they will last a very long time if taken care of, and they keep their value very well as compared to bodies.
There are a lot of years of experience on this forum, along with loads of good people. So feel free to pick everyones brains on any subject you like and I am sure you will find the answer you are looking for.
As for the Kata bag, we have one, and it is also the 30 which I would HIGHLY recommend. You might as well buy the biggest one now as you will be buying it later anyways. This bag is light, comfortable, and tough. We hike quite a bit with our gear and this bag is amazing for sure.

[meganwebb]

I mostly use the kit lens , because i mostly take scenery pictures, its more of a relaxation method for me than a job choice, im not into portrait photography because i dont like posing people and i find it looks unnatural, i mostly take picture sof wild animals and scenery.

Some of my work can be viewed here :http://www.photography.ca/Forums/members/meganwebb/albums/photography/

by no means am i a professional but i have a strong interest in photography and learning more about it.

My price range prob is not more than around 300 dollars seeing as i am attending college soon. so its not much to work with although i only paid about 150 for my 70-300mm from CAMETA CAMERA on ebay.

Also i need a backpack style bag because most of my work is done outside so i do alot of walking with my camera and such, i like the kata because it has the rain sheild and lookking at the reviews the 20 seems to be big enough for me . seeing i only have one body and im comfortable with the body i dont feel like its old technology , to me it gets the job done if you get what im saying..

[Hillbillygirl]

It looks like, (from your original post), you are quite happy with the kit lens, and if so, this would definitely be sufficient for your landscape, scenery shots.
As for finding a better lens for wildlife, than what you already have, for $300, I don't think you will. Check review here,( Canon Lens: Zooms - Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM (Tested) - SLRgear.com! (http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/253/cat/11) ). I think you really need to get out and use it more and get comfortable with it. I know it is not super fast focusing, but it can be "L" class sharp in some instances. All lenses have their sweet spot, and you will do best to get out and use it, LOTS, and post pics for critique with exif data for others to give advice.
If you are looking at replacing your wider angle lens, the newer Sigma 17-70 OS is a super sweet third-party lens that also works fine as a macro.
The Kata bag in which you have decided will definitely work for your needs, and you won't be disappointed.

[meganwebb]

Thanks for your help
The link i tried to post before didnt work so, if you were interested in viewing my photos there in the album on my profile on this website, the albums clled photography

[asnow]

I think one more suggestion would be a good tripod. Taking pictures with a tripod and using the sweet spot f8-f11 will bring out the maximum sharpness in the lens you have.

[Norotso]

Well I will attempt to comment on the Kata 3n1-20 since I just got mine. The main reason for my purchase is 1. It had some great reviews on-line, 2. I like the option of being able to convert it from R side sling to L side or backpack, 3. Its big enough to grow my equipment and still carry a few personal item, yet small enough that I should be able to carry it all day. I have not had a chance to take it outside and use it as I just received it the other day but have worn it around the house. I did order mine with the tripod holder.

Review 1 (http://www.cambags.com/bag-type/slingbags-menu/kata-sling-bags/item/387-kata-3n1-20.html)
Review 2 (http://www.cameratown.com/reviews/kata3n1/)

[Marko]

If you are considering the Kata bag, I'd opt for the 30. It will hold your camera body with a long lens easily and has many other features. I am very happy with mine. And it is stuffed to the brim (not only lenses, but also teleconverter, flash and what have you....) Just curious Matt - will a laptop fit in there nicely with all that gear? and can I bring the bag on a plane or is it too big?


I've had my eye on a Kata bag for a while now. I've seen most of them up close. Very solid and creatively designed. Here's the links for the 30,20 and 10
the kata 3N1-30 - http://www.kata-bags.com/product.asp?Version=photo&p_Id=433
the kata 3N1-20 - http://www.kata-bags.com/product.asp?Version=photo&p_Id=432
the kata 3N1-10 - http://www.kata-bags.com/product.asp?Version=photo&p_Id=431

My Lowepro Fastpack 350 (http://products.lowepro.com/product/Fastpack-350,2087,14.htm) is AWESOME but just slightly too small. Might be time to put it on Mr. Craig's list.

[Andrew]

Marko, try the 33.

Kata 3N1-33. Slings & Torso Packs Backpacks Rolling bags (Kata Bags) (http://www.kata-bags.com/productFRM2HS.asp?p_Id=19773&Version=Photo)

[Norotso]

Just curious Matt - will a laptop fit in there nicely with all that gear? and can I bring the bag on a plane or is it too big?


If you need room for a laptop then you need the 11 (http://www.kata-bags.com/product.asp?p_Id=19771&Version=Photo), 22 (http://www.kata-bags.com/product.asp?p_Id=19772&Version=Photo) or 33 (http://www.kata-bags.com/product.asp?p_Id=19773&Version=Photo) series versus the 10,11 or 30s

[Gremlich]

Here's what I have in my lens stable that may be useful to you in determining what lenses to look at (not Nikkor specifically, just categories). I suspect that the others may have similar lenses in their kit:

Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 (love the f-stop)
Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED (great travel lens)
Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 (a "meh" lens)

awaiting a Nikkor 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED

Nothing really for macro, though the Tamron can be used as such and nothing for wildlife (really).

[boomstik]

Do yourself a favour and get a fast prime lens. You'll have the world of possibilities open to you. You'll be able to shoot in low light conditions, get great depth-of-field, and practice your portrait skills. A 30mm f/1.4 Sigma is a wonderful lens, and very versatile (I've been using the Nikon mount version for almost 4 or 5 years now, and it's one of my favourite lenses ever). There are two things that make a better photographer: a fast prime lens, and a nice tripod.
The reason I mention 30mm, is that it's wide enough for some landscape work, yet not *too* wide, and fast for some amazing natural light portraits.
If you're more interested in macro than landscape, then go for a 60mm f/1.8 macro lens (again, there's a Nikkor Micro one, I don't know what's the Canon equivalent). This will let you also do wonderful portraits at slightly longer distance, as well as great macro.
If you really do want a wide lens, get a Tokina 11-16 f/2.8. It's very wide, and a lot of fun - not only for landscapes... but it is more limited in its versatility.

To recap: GET A FAST PRIME. You'll thank yourself for that in a year. Plus, a really nice fast Canon 50mm pancake can be found for less than $150 used. Prime lenses GROW good photographers.

PS: I've got the Kata 30 bag, love it.

[boomstik]

Also, you mention you don't like posing people for portraits... Don't! with a fast prime, you can just snap candids without a flash, and you'll find that people come out best in those photos.
So anyway, my recommendation: 30mm (or 35mm, as someone else mentioned), prime. There. :)