Which lens?

[koffiejunkie]

Hi guys,

I'm really pleased with my 24-105 - the image quality is great - but it's a little narrow, even at 24mm (on a 1.6x crop). I'm heading off on some weekend travelling next month, and I know I'm going to want a wider lens.

Right now I'm looking at two options:

1. The kit lens or something similar. So the question here, for those who have a lens like this: do you find 17mm wide enough?

2. A wider zoom. The two options here seem to be the Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM (http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product_Finder/Cameras/EF_Lenses/Zoom_Lenses/EF-S_10-22mm_f-3.5-4.5/index.asp) and Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM (http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3301&navigator=6)

I like the sigma for the price, but having tried both, I like the Canon more for it's feel, focus speed, etc. It's also lighter. But both are digital only (I have film aspirations, OK?). Does anyone know of other options in the same league?

[MadMailMan]

Hey koffiejunkie try a browse at www.jessops.co.uk I have gotten stuff from them when I lived in the UK and they are very knowledgable and have a huge variety of stuff on offer. Find what you want there then try and source it here.

Personally I would go with the Canon purely because of it's speed. What chassis are you planning on using the lense with?

[koffiejunkie]

Hey koffiejunkie try a browse at www.jessops.co.uk

MadMailMan, you haven't been to a Jossops store in a while, have you? I was in one this morning. They had the 18-55 kit lens, which they won't sell without the camera. When I bought the 24-105, I walked in and out of no less than 8 stores. One had a helpful knowledgeable sales assistant, the rest either ignored me or had no clue about the stock they're selling. And none of them had more than a handful of mainstream lenses in stock.

For what it's worth, I tried both the Canon and Sigma wide zooms before, I'm just looking for people's knowledge of alternatives.

[ldmelsa]

Hi guys,

I'm really pleased with my 24-105 - the image quality is great - but it's a little narrow, even at 24mm (on a 1.6x crop). I'm heading off on some weekend travelling next month, and I know I'm going to want a wider lens.

Right now I'm looking at two options:

1. The kit lens or something similar. So the question here, for those who have a lens like this: do you find 17mm wide enough?

2. A wider zoom. The two options here seem to be the Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM (http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product_Finder/Cameras/EF_Lenses/Zoom_Lenses/EF-S_10-22mm_f-3.5-4.5/index.asp) and Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM (http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3301&navigator=6)

I like the sigma for the price, but having tried both, I like the Canon more for it's feel, focus speed, etc. It's also lighter. But both are digital only (I have film aspirations, OK?). Does anyone know of other options in the same league?

I have the 18-55mm EF-S kit lens and 18mm is like 28mm on "full frame".

As you can see from this pic, taken in my lounge, quite wide:

http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/data/500/wide_for_KJ.jpg

I bought one without the camera for R950.

Here is another one: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ldmelsa/2248711385

[ldmelsa]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3156/2334538863_7e4ee00d6f_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ldmelsa/2334538863/)

[bwana]

I have the 18-55mm EF-S kit lens and 18mm is like 28mm on "full frame".

As you can see from this pic, taken in my lounge, quite wide:

http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/data/500/wide_for_KJ.jpg

I bought one without the camera for R950.

Here is another one: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ldmelsa/2248711385IMHO the kit lens has been given a bit of a bum rap - sure, there's a little distortion at it's widest angle angle but 5 seconds in PS and thats history.

I'd get that and then focus (**groan**) on something with some legs on it. :)

[koffiejunkie]

Thanks for the pics - the thing is, if I buy the 18-55, I would like to get the f/2.8 version, which would make sense for an all round lense, especially indoors. But they're pretty pricey. But then, the cheapy one retails for about £110 here, so it's not that bad - it's just not the type of lens one can easily sell second hand.

I just looked at B&H, hoping they would bring the 10-20 to within my budget. Well it's much cheaper, but after adding postage, customs (6,7% on lens) and UK VAT (17.5%), it comes out to the same as the street price here. :(

[koffiejunkie]

IMHO the kit lens has been given a bit of a bum rap - sure, there's a little distortion at it's widest angle angle but 5 seconds in PS and thats history.

True, but Photoshop is still largely unchartered territory for me :)

Speaking of which, I meant to ask you. Aperture only ever seems to send somthing to Photoshop via a tiff or psd file. Both huge. So even the slightest mods in any of my pictures means now I have a 10MB CR2 file and a 60MB+ tiff for any given image. Is there a better way to do this? Like somehow forcing Aperture to talk DNG?


I'd get that and then focus (**groan**) on something with some legs on it. :)

Well, I just couldn't help myself. Picked up one of these (http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3303&navigator=3) this morning. Hence the somewhat restricted budget... :D

[ldmelsa]

IMHO the kit lens has been given a bit of a bum rap - sure, there's a little distortion at it's widest angle angle but 5 seconds in PS and thats history.

I'd get that and then focus (**groan**) on something with some legs on it. :)

The kit lens performs well for something so cheap.


Thanks for the pics - the thing is, if I buy the 18-55, I would like to get the f/2.8 version, which would make sense for an all round lense, especially indoors. But they're pretty pricey. But then, the cheapy one retails for about £110 here, so it's not that bad - it's just not the type of lens one can easily sell second hand.

I just looked at B&H, hoping they would bring the 10-20 to within my budget. Well it's much cheaper, but after adding postage, customs (6,7% on lens) and UK VAT (17.5%), it comes out to the same as the street price here. :(

Did you know that they are bringing out a new kit lens with the 450d. It's the same as my one, but with IS. Cool, hey?

[koffiejunkie]

Did you know that they are bringing out a new kit lens with the 450d. It's the same as my one, but with IS. Cool, hey?

I thought that was the f/2.8 one (http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product_Finder/Cameras/EF_Lenses/Zoom_Lenses/EF-S_17-55_f28_IS_USM/index.asp) I mentioned earlier? At that price it's almost worth buying a 450D, keeping the lens and selling off the body

[bwana]

True, but Photoshop is still largely unchartered territory for me :) What version are you running? I recently went from CS to CS3 and it was a major jump.
Speaking of which, I meant to ask you. Aperture only ever seems to send somthing to Photoshop via a tiff or psd file. Both huge. So even the slightest mods in any of my pictures means now I have a 10MB CR2 file and a 60MB+ tiff for any given image. Is there a better way to do this? Like somehow forcing Aperture to talk DNG?It depends - what minor modifications are you doing in PS and what are you doing in aperture?

Nice lens - I've got the older 28-300 and I love it.
I thought that was the f/2.8 one (http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product_Finder/Cameras/EF_Lenses/Zoom_Lenses/EF-S_17-55_f28_IS_USM/index.asp) I mentioned earlier? At that price it's almost worth buying a 450D, keeping the lens and selling off the body
nah - my money is on it being the IS version of the current one.

[ldmelsa]

nah - my money is on it being the IS version of the current one.

yes

[koffiejunkie]

What version are you running?

CS3


It depends - what minor modifications are you doing in PS and what are you doing in aperture?

I went to a wedding, and as it happens, I was looking directly into the sun, so I had this irritating stray light all over my pictures. Looked like the image itself was overexposed. I used "auto levels" in Photoshop. I have no idea what sort of trickery goes on behind the scenes, but I couldn't not get the same thing out of Aperture. That might just be my lack of skill though.


Nice lens - I've got the older 28-300 and I love it.

It's still sitting next to me in the box, not even unwrapped. I'm just not getting around to rip it open :(

[koffiejunkie]

nah - my money is on it being the IS version of the current one.

That would be nice. Any ideas when it's coming out? I'm going away next weekend.

[bwana]

I went to a wedding, and as it happens, I was looking directly into the sun, so I had this irritating stray light all over my pictures. Looked like the image itself was overexposed. I used "auto levels" in Photoshop. I have no idea what sort of trickery goes on behind the scenes, but I couldn't not get the same thing out of Aperture. That might just be my lack of skill though.Stick with Aperture - the levelling is just as good, if not better, than PS. You can also stamp it across to any other shot that might need it.

WRT the flaring - were you using a filter?


That would be nice. Any ideas when it's coming out? I'm going away next weekend.AFAIK that lens has been out for a while (http://www.amazon.com/Canon-EF-S-18-55mm-3-5-5-6-Lens/dp/B000V5K3FG).

[MadMailMan]

CS3

It's still sitting next to me in the box, not even unwrapped. I'm just not getting around to rip it open :(

WHAT?!?!?!? I would give my brother's left testicle for that lense. Sorry to hear about Jessops tho. I haven't been in one since 1996 and that one was in Cambridge. Good guys there.

[koffiejunkie]

WHAT?!?!?!? I would give my brother's left testicle for that lense.

Hey dude, some of us have jobs. If I whip that thing out now there will be a definite productivity concern :D


Sorry to hear about Jessops tho. I haven't been in one since 1996 and that one was in Cambridge. Good guys there.

Haven't had the chance to venture out of London much, sadly. Last year sometime Jessops lost a lot on their share price. I'm not sure what ever happend after that, but they're not my favourite. I can count that times that I encountered a sales person there who knew *something* on two fingers... Same for Photo Optix. I only bought a lens from them today because they had it in stock and they charged only £20 more than the online price. The guys at London Camera Exchange are much nicer - knowledgeable, don't try to BS you all the time, and have good stock.

[bwana]

Hey dude, some of us have jobs. If I whip that thing out now there will be a definite productivity concern :DStill no 50mm? I noticed on bb_matts flickr site that he recently got one and has been putting it through his paces with good results.

RE earlier post and flaring - do you use filters on your lens?

[koffiejunkie]

Still no 50mm? I noticed on bb_matts flickr site that he recently got one and has been putting it through his paces with good results.

I'm wanting to get a 50mm, but it's not at the top of my list. The main reason for liking the nifty fifty is the speed (my 24-105L is as good in every other respect). I would want a really fast lens like that for indoor pictures - social etc. Something like all-round photography which made the 50mm the standard lens on old film cameras. So I'd much rather get a 28mm or something thereabouts for that. I picked up a old Pentax-M 28mm f/2.8 lens and have been playing with it on the K100D Super, and I must say I find it far more useful.

Speaking of the manual lens, for some weird reason I find it far easier to focus it manually than the kit lens. I don't know why, but the best way I can describe it is that with the kit lens (and I find this to be similar on the Canon) the image kind of fades into and out of focus, and it's hard to know exactly when it's completely in focus, especially low light. With the manual lens, the image seems to kind of 'click' into focus. There's a definite, sudden visual change.


RE earlier post and flaring - do you use filters on your lens?

I have a Hoya pro UV, really just to protect the lens. I still need to look into getting and experimenting with some filters.

[bwana]

I have a Hoya pro UV, really just to protect the lens. I still need to look into getting and experimenting with some filters.If you're having a problem with flaring then take it off. You dont really need it anyway.

[koffiejunkie]

If you're having a problem with flaring then take it off. You dont really need it anyway.

Do you mean the flare is caused by the filter, not the lens?

Some feedback on the Sigma.... I haven't really taken any nice pictures with it yet, but a few things are worth mentioning. It's pretty sharp, more than I expected for the money. Also fairly light. It feels solid enough, not plasticky despite being made of plastic, mostly. Some things annoy me though:
- Focus drive feels course, and when you focus on something too close, it will keep trying to focus closer, causing some mechanical noise (which sounds like something stripping to me)
- to manually focus, you have to switch off AF (maybe I'm just spoiled with the L)
- Macro is via a switch, only available between 200mm and 300mm. While it can be engaged with the lens on the camera, I have to physically remove the lens before I can disengage it. Just switching of the camera isn't enough.

I guess that's what you get for buying the cheaper lens.

[bwana]

Do you mean the flare is caused by the filter, not the lens?I usually look at the filter first - it's another piece of glass that's not supposed to be there.

I'm sure you'll get used to the lens and its quirks soon. :D

[arf9999]

Seen this 50mm? looks pretty good.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0803/08031801sigma50mm.asp

[bwana]

Seen this 50mm? looks pretty good.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0803/08031801sigma50mm.aspThat's going to cost a pretty penny me thinks. :)

[koffiejunkie]

The Sigma 30mm f1.4 EX DC (http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3300&navigator=6) goes for about £260* which is less than Canon's slightly slower EF 28 mm f/1.8 USM (http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product_Finder/Cameras/EF_Lenses/Fixed_Focal_Length/EF_28mm_f18_USM/index.asp) (£299*) and much less than Canon's EF 35 mm f/1.4L USM (http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product_Finder/Cameras/EF_Lenses/Fixed_Focal_Length/EF_35mm_f14L_USM/index.asp) at £927*

Given that I think we can expect this one to be cheaper than anything Canon has to offer.

* Prices are all taken from http://www.warehouseexpress.com for the sake of comparison.

[koffiejunkie]

Back to the wide lens issue, what do you guys think of the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 EX DC MACRO (http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3320&navigator=6)?

At f/2.8 and about £279 that looks like a very nice option to me. Pity the new HSM (http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3328&navigator=6) version is not available yet.

EDIT: The Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] (http://www.tamron.com/lenses/prod/1750_diII_a016.asp) is starting to look good too!

[BigAl-sa]

1. The Sigma 10-20 is worth every cent:

http://bigal-sa.smugmug.com/photos/262191832_qdbCL-M.jpg

All pics in this gallery (http://bigal-sa.smugmug.com/gallery/4583695_6YzWK#270233889) taken with it, mainly in the rain (gallery still being built).

2. Throw filters away, they definitely influence the pics, especially with cheaper lenses.

3. The Sigma 18-50 2.8 is a good lens, the Sigma 18-50 3.5-5.6 is a horrible lens.

4. The kit lens is totally underrated (but throw the filter away).

[bwana]

1. The Sigma 10-20 is worth every cent:

http://bigal-sa.smugmug.com/photos/262191832_qdbCL-M.jpg

All pics in this gallery (http://bigal-sa.smugmug.com/gallery/4583695_6YzWK#270233889) taken with it, mainly in the rain (gallery still being built).

2. Throw filters away, they definitely influence the pics, especially with cheaper lenses.

3. The Sigma 18-50 2.8 is a good lens, the Sigma 18-50 3.5-5.6 is a horrible lens.

4. The kit lens is totally underrated (but throw the filter away)./off topic
Smugmug - how are they? They look a bit expensive to me - do they have a free account like flickr?
/On topic
I agree about the filters - unless you're trying to protect the glass from the elements then there's no need imo for a clear one just for the sake of 'protecting the lens'

[BigAl-sa]

/off topic
Smugmug - how are they? They look a bit expensive to me - do they have a free account like flickr?
/On topicCosts $39 pa for unlimited storage for a standard account (which I have). They don't have a free account, but the way they handle the pics is way better than flickr.

[bwana]

Costs $39 pa for unlimited storage for a standard account (which I have). They don't have a free account, but the way they handle the pics is way better than flickr.Pity - I've got 1100 photos up on my paid flickr account so moving would be a major hassle - and the expense! :eek:

Then again - if M$oft buys Yahoo I'll consider it.

[koffiejunkie]

1. The Sigma 10-20 is worth every cent:

2. Throw filters away, they definitely influence the pics, especially with cheaper lenses.

3. The Sigma 18-50 2.8 is a good lens, the Sigma 18-50 3.5-5.6 is a horrible lens.

The filter is on a pretty expensive lens, but OK, I'm convinced: the filter goes :)

Thanks for the feedback on the three Sigmas. I happen to page through this month's Photo Plus Magazone (Canon edition) just now. They had a group test of wide zooms, and the Sigma was the favourite. Not a very scientific review, but at least it's more votes for the same lens.

[koffiejunkie]

Then again - if M$oft buys Yahoo I'll consider it.

Are they wanting to? :eek::eek::eek:

[bwana]

Are they wanting to? :eek::eek::eek:Since the beginning of Feb . . . http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2008/feb08/02-01CorpNewsPR.mspx

[koffiejunkie]

This is worrying.

[BigAl-sa]

Pity - I've got 1100 photos up on my paid flickr account so moving would be a major hassle - and the expense! :eek:

Then again - if M$oft buys Yahoo I'll consider it.Moving is not too much of a problem, one of the clever okes on Smugmug wrote a piece of software called smugglr (http://smugglr.smugmug.com/) to do just that - and you can get a 50% discount if you're a paid up flickr member ;)

[BigAl-sa]

Thanks for the feedback on the three Sigmas.
You want me to talk about my favourite lens too? The Sigma 50-500 is the best thing since sliced bread :p

[koffiejunkie]

You want me to talk about my favourite lens too? The Sigma 50-500 is the best thing since sliced bread :p

The Bigma? Keeping an eye on the Pentax forums I see a lot of praise for it.

[koffiejunkie]

Stick with Aperture - the levelling is just as good, if not better, than PS. You can also stamp it across to any other shot that might need it.

OK, I spent some time playing with it. The auto levelling, at least on these particular photos, doesn't come close to what Photoshop does in one click. But I'll accept that this might simply be down to the content of these particular photos.

I did find that I could do the same by adjusting the levels manually. It takes a while to get it right, but it looks just as good.

[bwana]

Moving is not too much of a problem, one of the clever okes on Smugmug wrote a piece of software called smugglr (http://smugglr.smugmug.com/) to do just that - and you can get a 50% discount if you're a paid up flickr member ;)Does it run locally or is it 100% remote?


OK, I spent some time playing with it. The auto levelling, at least on these particular photos, doesn't come close to what Photoshop does in one click. But I'll accept that this might simply be down to the content of these particular photos.

I did find that I could do the same by adjusting the levels manually. It takes a while to get it right, but it looks just as good.Are you use the Combined, Separate, or both Auto Levelling?

Manual levelling can often bring about better results even in PS but as you've realised once you open it up in PS your 10mb file goes to 40 - start running it though heavy hitting filters and it's level after 40mb level! :eek:

[koffiejunkie]

Are you use the Combined, Separate, or both Auto Levelling?

Either and both. But I find that when clicking on both, the second one undoes the first one. So If I co combined, and then adjust the RGB and Luminance myself - basically just move the white and black points to the edges of the histogram - I get more or less the same result as in PS.

[koffiejunkie]

10mb file goes to 40

Just wait until Full Frame 40MP cameras are the standard - then we'll start off tat that size...

[bwana]

Either and both. But I find that when clicking on both, the second one undoes the first one. So If I co combined, and then adjust the RGB and Luminance myself - basically just move the white and black points to the edges of the histogram - I get more or less the same result as in PS.You might only need to do it once per batch if they were shot under the same conditions - then use the lift and stamp tool.

What do you use to calibrate your screen? It could make a big difference if different apps are using a different profile.

[koffiejunkie]

What do you use to calibrate your screen? It could make a big difference if different apps are using a different profile.

Still need to do that. I see at the Apple Store they sell Huey or something like that devices. Quite pricey though but I guess I need to get that done.

[bwana]

I've got the Spyder2 Express through Amazon which gets the job done nicely.

[BigAl-sa]

Does it run locally or is it 100% remote?As far as I can make out it's a Firefox plugin, so I imagine the instructions are issued from your machine, but the file transfers are done remotely (won't eat up your bandwidth). If you want, I can pose the question on Dgrin.

[BigAl-sa]

I've got the Spyder2 Express through Amazon which gets the job done nicely.
I also use Spyder2 Express. Got it from my favourite shop (http://www.outdoorphotoshop.co.za/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=S2E100).

[BigAl-sa]

The Bigma? Keeping an eye on the Pentax forums I see a lot of praise for it.What's nice about it, you can take a shot like this

http://bigal-sa.smugmug.com/photos/271062762_r7AgG-M.jpg

then this

http://bigal-sa.smugmug.com/photos/271060623_yZLBY-M.jpg

without changing lenses. My BiL, on the same trip, had a Tamron 200-500 and a Canon 70-200 2.8 and kept having to change lenses/swop cameras.

[koffiejunkie]

Nice!

[bwana]

What's nice about it, you can take a shot like this

http://bigal-sa.smugmug.com/photos/271062762_r7AgG-M.jpg

then this

http://bigal-sa.smugmug.com/photos/271060623_yZLBY-M.jpg

without changing lenses. My BiL, on the same trip, had a Tamron 200-500 and a Canon 70-200 2.8 and kept having to change lenses/swop cameras.Not a worry for me - I find myself with two 400D bodies :D

Awesome shots btw!

[ldmelsa]

Not a worry for me - I find myself with two 400D bodies :D

Rub it in! :rolleyes:
:D:D:D

[bwana]

Rub it in! :rolleyes:
:D:D:DGot a wedding to go to tomorrow so will only be bringing the one body/lens - I'm leaning to the 50mm more than anything so far . . .

[koffiejunkie]

So I got the Sigma 10-20 (amongst others) in the end. Here's one early quick&dirty snapshot (click for the bigger version):

http://gallery.blxm.info/images/small/BM_small.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/koffiejunkie/2377345725/)

[arf9999]

Is that the Chinese exhibition in the reading room? How was it?

...oh yeah, nice pic!

[koffiejunkie]

Is that the Chinese exhibition in the reading room?
Yes


How was it?
dunno, I couldn't get in. They're not taking on-line tickets any more and only releasing 500 tickets a day. Apparently people queue up at 07:00 in the morning to get tickets when it opens at 09:00. I've got Thursday off, will try to get in early enough


...oh yeah, nice pic!

Thanks. I thought the kind of twisted lines in the view would play well against the lens' barrel distortion.

[BigAl-sa]

I thought the kind of twisted lines in the view would play well against the lens' barrel distortion.It's a really nice lens considering the price. To minimise the distortion, try to hold the lens parallel to the ground.

Nice shot btw!

[furnic]

So I got the Sigma 10-20 (amongst others) in the end. Here's one early quick&dirty snapshot (click for the bigger version):

http://gallery.blxm.info/images/small/BM_small.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/koffiejunkie/2377345725/)

dude, that is really one cool photo!

I recently purchased my first digital SLR but I'm very scared of it.
Once I figured out all the buttons and thingys then I will also have to play the lens game but at the moment I am so nervous of this thing..

[koffiejunkie]

dude, that is really one cool photo!

I recently purchased my first digital SLR but I'm very scared of it.
Once I figured out all the buttons and thingys then I will also have to play the lens game but at the moment I am so nervous of this thing..

Thanks! Mine is still intimidating too. My last SLR (Pentax K1000) had one knob, one button, and two levers (for winding the film the film both ways). The new one has 18 buttons, one knob, three wheels, and one joysticky button, and on top of that the lenses have their own assortment of switches and buttons too. :eek: I discover new things every day...

[koffiejunkie]

Is that the Chinese exhibition in the reading room? How was it?!

Well, I was there at 07:45 this morning and got a ticket - I was number 282 out of 500! :eek:

Anyway, I have mixed feelings about the exhibition. On the one hand I'm a little disappointed - it was much smaller than I expected. They had, I think about 10 full soldiers and a few pieces, plus some other articles found. Very well organised, and good value for money, but I was really expecting something bigger. On the other hand, what I saw was simply a teaser for the real thing. Now I *have* to go!

Sadly, no photography was allowed. I enquired about photography passes, but the answer remained a firm NO. I did take a few in one of the other exhibitions, but nothing spectacular :)

[ldmelsa]

So I'd much rather get a 28mm or something thereabouts for that. I picked up a old Pentax-M 28mm f/2.8 lens and have been playing with it on the K100D Super, and I must say I find it far more useful.

Then just use that one. :confused:

[ldmelsa]

Still no 50mm?

He has 50mm.


I'm really pleased with my 24-105

:confused:

[bwana]

He has 50mm.I think by now he knows precisely which 50mm I'm referring to - his next post confirms it.

I'm wanting to get a 50mm, but it's not at the top of my list. The main reason for liking the nifty fifty is the speed (my 24-105L is as good in every other respect).But then you've already knew that - you just quoted that very same post. :)

[ldmelsa]

I think by now he knows precisely which 50mm I'm referring to - his next post confirms it.
But then you've already knew that - you just quoted that very same post. :)

You're still here! :eek:

[ldmelsa]

The filter is on a pretty expensive lens, but OK, I'm convinced: the filter goes.

It can go if you can see a deference in the shots. ;)
Otherwise, it's very good protection for your lens.

[koffiejunkie]

I picked up a old Pentax-M 28mm f/2.8 lens and have been playing with it on the K100D Super, and I must say I find it far more useful.

Then just use that one. :confused:

It doesn't fit on my Canon? The K100D is about to get shipped off to my old man, I'm just waiting for the last items to arrive (I'm sending him the camera with all the accessories he's likey to need - cards, card reader, remote trigger, filter, flash, etc.).

I'm keeping the Pentax-M 28mm f/2.8 through, I still want to get myself a K1000 again - almost did yesterday. I got the EF 35mm f/2.0 (http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product_Finder/Cameras/EF_Lenses/Fixed_Focal_Length/EF_35mm_f2/index.asp) for the Canon though. So far I'm pretty pleased with it.

[bwana]

It can go if you can see a deference in the shots. ;)
Otherwise, it's very good protection for your lens.What do you think the most likely cause was then for the flaring?

A lens hood is even better protection . . . and so is insurance ;)

[BigAl-sa]

What do you think the most likely cause was then for the flaring?

A lens hood is even better protection . . . and so is insurance ;)Agree. My BiL was trying to take pics of the setting sun with his 24-105 and kept complaining about flare. I told him to take the filter off. Gone flare...

I never use protective filters unless I'm going somewhere where I expect to have problems. I was a believer in protective filters until I saw the influence they can have on IQ.

[bwana]

Agree. My BiL was trying to take pics of the setting sun with his 24-105 and kept complaining about flare. I told him to take the filter off. Gone flare...

I never use protective filters unless I'm going somewhere where I expect to have problems. I was a believer in protective filters until I saw the influence they can have on IQ.I consider throwing one on if I'm going to the beach and the sand is flying around but apart from that I rarely do anymore - lens flare and ghosting is a pain to remove.

[ldmelsa]

What do you think the most likely cause was then for the flaring?

It's not my lens. :confused:

[bwana]

It's not my lens. :confused:Obviously :confused: but you can still offer an opinion - even if it is purely speculative - cant you?

[ldmelsa]

Obviously :confused: but you can still offer an opinion - even if it is purely speculative - cant you?

Maybe it's the UV filter. I think he should take it off and try again.

[wmongie]

I agree. I find the kit lens very useful when I'm not sure where I'll be shooting or going sightseeing. Useful indoors and outside and you don't have to worry about looking after it too much.

[wmongie]

Having said that, I bought a Canon 50mm 1.8 (Nifty fifty) when my son was born and didn't take it off my 20D for about 18 months! What incredible value for money.