What is your opinion on zoom lenses that reach 200-300mm, when it comes to canon vs. sigma lenses as far as quality, I am not so much interested in the wide angle aspect (may eventually get a seperate lens for that)...but I do use zoom quite a bit, and Olly, you have said in past threads that the sigma lost some of its quality at full zoom, but better at wide angle....how about the canon?

Thanks!! :D

I had the same dilemma and i finally bought a Canon 70-200 4L.First because the Sigma is much heavier than the Canon and i was sure that i couldn't handhold it and take unshaked photos and second i was sure for the quality of the canon lens
Sigma has the advantage of the f2.8,but it's something that i don't need for outdoor shooting here in Greece,on the other hand i needed a lens that will give a nice bokeh because most of the time the sun it's really harsh here and i'm very happy with the Canon
You can see how good the bokeh is on this photo,even if i had put the extender on the camera http://www.megapixelworld.com/photography/showphoto.php?photo=727&cat=500&ppuser=3

Thanks again Sophia, that helps a lot!! ;)

Maggie, when I wrote about the Sigma it was about the 18-200 compared to the Tamron 18-200. There is no comparaison possible with a Canon as Canon does not produce a 18-200mm lens yet.

Now if you compare the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 to the Canon 70-200 f4, both will be very good at full zoom :)
Living in (cloudy) London, having a constant f2.8 is an advantage compared to a f4, but the Sigma is almost twice heavier than the Canon (and it is a pain after carrying it during a whole day).
I too like the bokeh effect (blurry background) that is easy to do at full zoom:
http://www.megapixelworld.com/photography/showphoto.php?photo=481
http://www.megapixelworld.com/photography/showphoto.php?photo=482
http://www.megapixelworld.com/photography/showphoto.php?photo=467
http://www.megapixelworld.com/photography/showphoto.php?photo=635

Thanks Olly, I have been trying to do as much research as I can before I buy, so that what I am buying is truly what I want the first time....made this mistake too many times before :p .....I bought a book on digital photograhy to learn what I am reading with the descriptions of the cameras and lenses, and how to use the camera to full potential, but still very confusing...

I live in Florida, even though its considered the sun shine state.....thats not always so true....in fact hurricane wilma is passing through as I type :rolleyes: So your feed back does help with the sigma.....and thank you for the examples!! :)

There are sooooo many different package deals its just mind boggling, I am trying to do what will be the best price for what I want......if you look on ebay, they have these packages that comes with everything, and will say something like $2500-$3000 value in extras...lenses, etc. Then I will take the info on the lenses and try and find info on them and they turn out to be real cheap or low quality lenses.....more than less.

I like the the idea of having one general lens, like you mentioned before, with the sigma 18-200....I also love the macro lens sophia has 100mm F2.8 canon.

I have found a good price on the rebel XT canon at....
http://www.bestpricecameras.com/215535-312322-1-Canon-Eos-Digital-Rebel-XT-.html

Thanks for your input! :D

....in fact hurricane wilma is passing through as I type
I heard that on the news,it's so scary!Hope everyone is safe

......if you look on ebay, they have these packages that comes with everything, and will say something like $2500-$3000 value in extras...lenses, etc. Then I will take the info on the lenses and try and find info on them and they turn out to be real cheap or low quality lenses.....more than less.

If i were you,i would buy the body alone and a good quality lens alone too.

yeah, thats what I was thinking too......I am soo attracted to gadgets...I love them..lol...so when I see all that stuff I am just oooohhhing :D ...

but your right, it would be better to buy the camera alone!

I heard that on the news,it's so scary!Hope everyone is safe

Thank you, yes, where I am here, everything is ok, just some gusts of winds, a lot of rain, we are right on the outer bands.....most people stayed home and a lot of schools were canceled, and the amuzement parks closed until it passes through......it did hit hard though on the west coast...I always feel for those people over there and the keys....they have had an active year with the hurricanes!! :( Weird season though, started earlier than normal and is lasting longer than normal too! :rolleyes:

The price you found is excellent! I think members from Europe here must be dreaming about that price :)
For the Sigma 18-200, it is a good "does it all lens" but keep in mind you won't have the best. It is always a question of compromise. For my use (just as a hobby) it is fine. It would be a shame to buy a slr and not to have better (=specialized) lenses though!

I still need to get a good macro lens (like Sophia's 100mm) and a good super wide angle :)

yeah, thats what I was thinking too......I am soo attracted to gadgets...I love them..lol...so when I see all that stuff I am just oooohhhing :D ...

but your right, it would be better to buy the camera alone!

I heard that on the news,it's so scary!Hope everyone is safe

Thank you, yes, where I am here, everything is ok, just some gusts of winds, a lot of rain, we are right on the outer bands.....most people stayed home and a lot of schools were canceled, and the amuzement parks closed until it passes through......it did hit hard though on the west coast...I always feel for those people over there and the keys....they have had an active year with the hurricanes!! :( Weird season though, started earlier than normal and is lasting longer than normal too! :rolleyes:

I just came across this site too, it was kinda helpful in determining the difference in canon lenses...what to look for etc. :)

http://photonotes.org/reviews/ef-lenses/

I am soo attracted to gadgets...I love them..lol...so when I see all that stuff I am just oooohhhing :D
me too :D

Here is also a good site to look for lenses http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/index.php

It is always a question of compromise. For my use (just as a hobby) it is fine. It would be a shame to buy a slr and not to have better (=specialized) lenses though!


I understand, it is a hobby for me too, so I don't want to go too crazy.....and do want something to at least start with.......but I do just love the macro lens......the cheapest I have found that one is $469.00.....I forgot the web page now, I can put the link up later if anyone wants.....I also saw it on ebay (used-which makes me a bit leary) bid at about $350.00, with a few days left.

Thanks for the link too sophia, I put in my favorites :)

.but I do just love the macro lens......the cheapest I have found that one is $469.00.....I forgot the web page now, I can put the link up later if anyone wants.....I also saw it on ebay (used-which makes me a bit leary) bid at about $350.00, with a few days left.

The macro Sigma or Canon are great lenses for portraits too.I use mine a lot,it's almost the same quality with an L lens.

The macro Sigma or Canon are great lenses for portraits too.I use mine a lot,it's almost the same quality with an L lens.

WOW...yeah, I am excited about that one, I think I will stick with the canon macro, the one that you have.....I have read nothing but good reviews on it :D

Sophia, do you have this one

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=33&sort=7&cat=2&page=2

or this one

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=47&sort=7&cat=2&page=3

I am not Sophia but I can tell you Sophia has the second one (100mm f2.8) :)

Olly

thanks Olly! :)

I have a review from Chasseur d'images (largest European camera magazine and one of the most reputable) about that macro lens and it is very well rated :)
I say that because some of the online reviews or ratings are done by people who are not necessarily professional photographers etc.

thanks...yeah, I noticed that too on a lot of the reviews.....I just found this site, doesn't say much but has some really nice photos using that lens :)

http://www.pbase.com/catson/canon_100mm_f28_macro

Beautiful photos!
Actually on pbase you can do a search per camera and per lens from http://www.pbase.com/cameras
Happy surfing :)