 - Susan Jane Allen  Contact Susan Jane Allen Susan Jane Allen's Gallery |
Sigma vs Same Brand? Fixed focal length vs...? I've finally decided to buy the Canon Rebel XT as my first DSLR and am now contemplating what lenses to buy with it. My only fear (horror) is if I get one of the lemons with the dust problems sometimes mentioned (warranty is a problem in Hong Kong). Will only be able to buy one lens for a while, so it's got to be good and serve a number of purposes. I've often read that one should stick to a same brand lens rather than going with Sigma---but then, even in some of the questions and answers posted here this moment, I hear high praise and satisfaction with, for example, the Sigma 105mm Macro lens, which is what I have my eye on. My priorities in macro photography are crispness and getting more of the subject into focus. The latter problem is driving me crazy with my Canon Powershot SD300. So, what's the deal---why do some pros strongly advise not buying same-brand lenses, and is it really such a big issue in terms of the two priorities above? While browsing I also just stumbled onto the news that the Sigma 105mm is a fixed focal length lens. I'm not too sure what that means. I remember reading about it once and mentally making a note that I didn't want fixed focal length, but don't remember why. Could anyone tell me how that would impact the shooting experience? Does it make it much harder to use? I know you can use this lens for "normal" shooting too---does normal shooting mean decent distant landscape photos? Haven't done much of that, but would like to start to try. One more question is: I'm going the "body-only route". What exactly does one HAVE to buy when purchasing one's first DSLR and about how much are these extra things going to add to the cost (don't want any rude surprises when I walk in to the shop thinking I have enough--I live across the border some hours away)? Don't need a camera case--too much of an invitation to steal abroad. Don't need a battery grip--small hands. Is a lens cleaning kit an absolute necessity? I'll need memory and battery, which I think will cost about $100 total and allow approx 1000 high quality photos. Anything else that I'll need to plan for? Thanks for any help!
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- Bob Cournoyer Contact Bob Cournoyer Bob Cournoyer's Gallery  |
I use a digital rebel (not xt) and have the sigma 105ex 2.8 macro. It's a great/sharp lens, at least for me. Fixed focal length, no zoom, 105mm 24/7. I'm just now taking a BP macro class to learn about macro....currently if I can get the face of a dime in focus I'm happy,...:-) For the lens I use one of those fat pencil looking things with a brush on one end and a flat eraser on the other. For the interior of the camera, it's the plain old turkey baster or green snot-sucker.
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- Susan Jane Allen Contact Susan Jane Allen Susan Jane Allen's Gallery |
You've got some lovely macro in your gallery---much nicer than a dime! Encouraging...!
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John G. Clifford Jr |
Many people choose the brand of camera they purchase based upon the manufacturer's line of lenses. For example, if you like Nikon glass then you need a Nikon camera to use their lenses. Having said that, third-party lenses often are as good or better than the manufacturers' lenses and you can save some money. Take, for example, Sigma. This company has been in business for several decades and their lenses compare favorably to the major manufacturers at the same price points. I have a Sigma 50mm/2.8 EX macro and it is one sharp lens. I also have the 70-200/2.8 EX and it is again very sharp and contrasty. Sigma's EX line is their top-of-the-line and you won't be disappointed by their lens performance. I've owned two of the Sigma 'kit' lenses (less expensive lenses meant to be part of a kit with camera body). The 18-50 DC 'kit' lens is very compact and offers surprisingly good performance. It's not up there with the EX lens but it costs 1/3rd as much and shooting at f/5.6 and above covers a lot of sins. I wasn't as happy with the 55-200 DC kit lens, and sold it -- it was decent but the 70-200 is much better (although much larger, as well). In short, I think you will be perfectly satisfied with the 105mm/2.8 EX macro. Certainly no one will be able to tell from your pictures that you aren't using a Canon lens. BTW, 'fixed focal length' means exactly that; the lens only has one focal length, i.e., 105mm. These lenses are also referred to as 'prime' lenses (they have one focal length). A zoom lens can be set to any focal length that lies within it's range, i.e., a 70-200 zoom can shoot at 70mm, 105mm, 150mm, and 200mm. Prime lenses are usually much sharper and more contrasty than zoom lenses, i.e., your 105mm macro lens should produce a sharper, more contrasty print than a 70-200 lens set to 105mm. People choose zooms, giving up image quality to get flexibility.
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- Ken Smith Contact Ken Smith Ken Smith's Gallery |
I asked a very similar question--see my thread: http://www.betterphoto.com/forms/qnaDetail.php?threadID=18478 Bottom line, I purchased the sigma 105 macro and have no complaints. I also replaced the "cheapie" kit lens that came with my rebel with a nicer Canon 17-85mm lens, the EFS 17-85mm with image stablizer. I'm very happy with this lens. For my 3rd lens (and last one that I own), I have the Canon EF 70-200mm F4L USM.
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Jon Close |
>>One more question is: I'm going the "body-only route". What exactly does one HAVE to buy when purchasing one's first DSLR and about how much are these extra things going to add to the cost (don't want any rude surprises when I walk in to the shop thinking I have enough--I live across the border some hours away)? Don't need a camera case--too much of an invitation to steal abroad. Don't need a battery grip--small hands. Is a lens cleaning kit an absolute necessity? I'll need memory and battery, which I think will cost about $100 total and allow approx 1000 high quality photos. Anything else that I'll need to plan for?<< The Digital Rebel XT (body only) should come with the following items packed in the box from Canon: Walk away from any dealer that tells you any of these items is not included and tries to sell them separately. In addition you will need at least one lens, and a CF memory card. Camera/lens/memory card are all you need to start. You do not need an extended warranty. You do not need a lens cleaning kit, though the Lens Pen described earlier is a good one, a blower-brush, or simply fogging the lens with your breath and using a very clean microfiber cloth. You do not need any filters, but if you choose to you could get a UV filter to use as lens protection, and a polarizing filter is a useful tool. You do not need any color correcting filters such as FL-D or warming filters with a digital camera. This is handled far better with the camera's white balance controls. Nice to have, but not necessary:
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- Susan Jane Allen Contact Susan Jane Allen Susan Jane Allen's Gallery |
Thanks so much Bob, John, Ken and Jon! Your information has been incredibly useful. The list is very useful because this weekend a friend is going to Hong Kong and they're going to check into prices for me at one of the few absolutely reliable dealers there. I think I read somewhere that the battery and memory cards that come with it allow for about a 1000 photos, but I'll have him ask. I usually don't need to shoot more than that on an afternoon outing, so hopefully extra ones can wait. Do I understand from the above that the lenses don't come with a lens cap, or is it that it doesn't protect it well enough? And a lens hood, I think, is something that you can use to help eliminate glare? I have a tripod that I use already with almost every shot---due to your earlier advice, Jon! Wherever my camera goes, it goes. (By the way, finally got some good shots of the nightbloomer, due to your and the others' advice. They are the first three in my gallery.) I'll also have him ask about the prices for the Lens Pen or a blower brush and the two filters. And then I'll be all set when I venture off to buy. Thanks everyone. BP is so great!
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Jon Close |
Canon includes the battery in the box, but not a memory card. Some dealers will add a memory card with the camera at a package price. Yes, lenses come with lens caps which protect the lens when stored, but a UV filter will protect the lens (from finger smudges, blowing sand, etc.) when in use. A scratched/broken filter is much cheaper to replace than a ruined front lens element.
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- Susan Jane Allen Contact Susan Jane Allen Susan Jane Allen's Gallery |
Again, very useful advice. I wouldn't have thought of this at all until arriving home and using it. I'll get a filter!
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- Ken Smith Contact Ken Smith Ken Smith's Gallery |
Susan, I echo what Jon said. A UV lens is a must. Also, you might consider an extra battery. I always leave one charged up. You'd hate to have your battery go dead, unexpectedly. Also, I recommend at least a 512MB card, or maybe even 1 GB card. I also shoot at the highest resolution. It's overkill for displaying pictures on the monitor, but if you want to crop and/or print, higher res is better. And memory cards aren't expensive.
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- Susan Jane Allen Contact Susan Jane Allen Susan Jane Allen's Gallery |
Hi Ken. I just realized that I hadn't looked at your gallery--I thought I had, but guess I got it mixed up with Bob. It's amazing! I love the sharp colours and clarity of the farm scenes and that latest of the fence is marvelous. But I saw no info about what lenses you were using. Would be interested to know what lens you used, for example, for the bridge with the bright red roof. But about your comment above... I have two memory cards, a 512MB and a 128 MB which can give me about 400 shots of the highest resolution (always shoot at highest resolution). Does the Rebel XT use these same cards? However, high resolution on my camera will not be the same as on the XT. I looked at the Rebel XT that my friend has and saw that it doesn't seem to take the small lithium batteries that can go into my Powershot SD300, and from what I could see from one website the battery packs it does take cost like $70, but according to Jon, one should be included: the NB-2LH Battery Pack. I think my friend said that this can last through about 1000 high resolution photos. Is this so? He says the regular AA cell type batteries die after a few shots, so don't want to bother with that. I'll have to look up UV filter and see what it does. I've read about the polarizing filter in BP discussions and already had that down as an eventual buy. Thanks guys, Susan
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Robyn Gwilt |
:) Hey Susan, glad u getting your Digital at last - some good advice here - I have Sigma lenses, but nothing below F3.5. I think I'm going to spoil myself with that Sigma 2.8 macro - not sure what the difference is between the 50 and 105 - both 2.8, what is EX? I'm also getting more & more into macro. I have the 18-200 Sigma, and its a great 'all round' lens, with a 'macro' facility, but obviously not as macro as a true macro lens. I also advise to get the following: Extra Batter Extra CF Card (512mb or 1G) If u get the 1G, the d/l time to your computer, as well as capture to camera time is slightly slower, so it might be worthwhile to spend a little more ( I know, I know) and get the Series II - sightly faster. But if you're not taking pix of racing cars etc., then don't bother.Definitely advise a UV filter to protect your lens, and a polariser. You need to decide what lens you're getting, work out the diameter, and then get your friend to get the correct diameter UV filter (screws on and stays there), and polariser also screws on. The Sigma lenses come with a lens cap and hood - very handy Its a great camera - let me know when you post your first pix! You are the Night Bloomer Queen on BP! You have some lovely new uploads. Go well - Robyn
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- Susan Jane Allen Contact Susan Jane Allen Susan Jane Allen's Gallery |
Can anyone answer Robin's question? <> John above said this about it: < As to my Rebel XT...er...actually, it's a slow process---just making the final decision what exactly to buy so I can set specific goals; the actual buying won't be possible for a couple of months of bread and water... But will let you know and thanks for the kind comments! Ken Smith, in an email, has suggested that since the budget is tight now, to get the kit lens to begin with, as I need a kind of normal lens for the flexibility and then use that, getting used to working with aperture, etc, and then decide about a better lens. It will still be MUCH better than what I'm working with now. Think it's sound advice, but am still now making a decision on what that next lens will be so that I can set goals. Looking at his gallery and the shots he takes with the Canon 17-85mm F/405.6 Image Stabilizer has me drooling! But macro is also a priority...
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- Susan Jane Allen Contact Susan Jane Allen Susan Jane Allen's Gallery |
Very strange. Somehow the things I pasted in disappeared and everything else appeared in italics. Re the above, Robin's question was: "I think I'm going to spoil myself with that Sigma 2.8 macro--not sure what the difference is between the 50 and 105--both 2.8, what is EX?" And John said: "Sigma's EX line is their top-of-the-line and you won't be disappointed by their lens performance."
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