Lens selection

AK_Stick · 05-22-2005, 23:21

Hey all,

I just bought the Canon Rebel XT 350D. I have the 18-55mm lens it came with, and another 75-300 that my friend who works at BB threw in to make a package. I was wondering about other lenses, as I'm pretty new to cameras, this is my 2nd digi.

What exactly are the benefits of a telephoto, the wide angle, ect. I looked on the canon page, but I'm camera stupid, could someone put it in simple terms for me?

hwyhobo · 05-23-2005, 01:14

Just curious, did you try zooming in and out while looking into the viewfinder?

Forby · 05-23-2005, 19:00

Here it goes from a 20 year pro photog.

Wide angle lenses (wider than normal for your chip size):
Things appear further away from each other than they actually are. (think hotel brochure showing big room that actually small))
Things closer to the lens look bigger (i.e. think porn movies).
Things further away look smaller (think passanger side view mirror)
You get a wider field of view. (get the whole family in the photo)
Greater Depth of Field. (more in focus)
Noticeable barrel distortion (people on edges of frame look fat)
These lenses could be hard to focus and don't require high shutter speeds.

Telephoto lenses (longer than normal for your chip size):
Things appear closer together than they actually are. (think sports illusrated)
You get a narrower field of view. (think binoculars)
Less depth of field. (less stuff in focus for any given aperture setting)
No distortion (people look prettier and noses look smaller)
These lenses focus easier and require higher shutter speeds.

The normal lens for your camera is the diagonal measurement of the chip or film size.

A zoom lens is any lens that has a variable focal length.

Spend more money on your lens than your camera- If it costs more, it's better!

Lenses with a small maximun aperature are preferred. F/2.8 or better

Hope this helps!!!

AK_Stick · 05-23-2005, 19:20

Quote:

Originally posted by hwyhobo
Just curious, did you try zooming in and out while looking into the viewfinder?

;Q

I was talking more about how they'll tell you you can blur the background, and focus on a certin subject with one lens, and things like that.

More like the difference between a telephoto and a standard zoom. That sort of thing.

hwyhobo · 05-23-2005, 19:43

Quote:

Originally posted by AK_Stick
;Q

I was talking more about how they'll tell you you can blur the background, and focus on a certin subject with one lens, and things like that.

More like the difference between a telephoto and a standard zoom. That sort of thing.

Before you roll your eyes, please assume others cannot read your mind.

64ti · 05-23-2005, 21:08

a fast lens with aperature of low number like 1.8 or 2.8 with a large filter size to make your pictures blur on the back end. These are the expensive lenses you can buy. A canon 24-85 lens you can shoot at the long end with open aperature of 4.5 and far closer in to minimize the area in focus. Go to the yahoo forums and look up Rebel XT forum and they ask a lot of questions and answers also. Roy

AK_Stick · 05-23-2005, 21:58

Quote:

Originally posted by hwyhobo
Before you roll your eyes, please assume others cannot read your mind.

;Q

Think Posthole.

sideways

hwyhobo · 05-23-2005, 23:51

First you ask people for advice, then you insult them when they try to help you. Keep it up. By the time you grow up, everyone will avoid you.

Oh, don't bother with more smart-alec replies. You've been killfiled.

AK_Stick · 05-25-2005, 00:26

I asked for advice, not some smart ass remark. Yeah, you can dish it but not take it eh?

I think thicker skin would be a requirement for a mod. Brains sure dont seem to be.

64ti · 05-25-2005, 06:19

what do you want to know? From reading your entire tirade here it seems you need schooling on many topics besides cameras. I suppose you carry a candle every night and paint your face and rejoice from the news on cnn when US soldiers are killed by islamo fanatic terrorists. Hope you see the light one day. Probably a real bright one when they pop a dirty one over here. What will you do then? The people we liberate over there are grateful. I have seen them and talked with them. I have seen some of the torture for minor infractures of the taliban law. Terrorists should die. Over there is better than here.

AK_Stick · 05-25-2005, 20:37

yes, yes I do.

Sure looks like I do my share of it.

AK_Stick · 05-25-2005, 20:42

Dont assume you know me. Especialy dont assume you know me because of one line of my sig that was goofed and extended too long. You dont know who I am, what I do, or how I feel. Your obviously not even smart enough to look at my profile and see my job. I sure hope you own a good flash, because its the only bright bulb in your house.

I asked for help, not some smart ass remark from a mod. And I realy didn't ask for you to try and jump my tail for somthing you know nothing of.

You know the old addage of what happens when you assume?

spober · 05-30-2005, 12:03

you have all the lenses you need for a while!maby for ever!