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Help, I want to but a SLR camera, but not break the bank...

Discussion in 'Anything goes' started by 93Devil, Nov 2, 2009.

  1. The Big Ragu

    The Big Ragu Moderator Staff Member

    If you are talking about the f/1.8 50mm prime lens (Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II), man I am with you. It cost closer to $100 new than $75, but even so, it is an amazing lens, especially at that price. Apparently 50 mm lenses are not difficult to manufacture, which is why they can do it so well and cheap. That particular lens is the fastest lens I have in my bag (I can shoot indoors with it without a flash, by stopping it all the way down -- comes in handy in places where flash photography isn't allowed) and prime lenses tend to take better photos than zoom lens. Also, because you can stop it down so far, you can do neat things like create the "blurred background" effect on a subject.

    It also has taught me a ton about framing shots, because you have to physically move your feet to get the shot right, rather than turning a knob.

    Here are some examples of photos I have taken with that 50 mm, just screwing around.

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    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 15, 2014
  2. 93Devil

    93Devil Well-Known Member

    Ragu, I thought I had my mind made up!!!

    So get a Canon Rebel (a lot more than the Nikon) but save by buying the 50mm prime lens?
     
  3. The Big Ragu

    The Big Ragu Moderator Staff Member

    93, Nah. I really can't speak for Nikon's cameras, but I am sure the sensors in the camera bodies are similar. 99 percent of what I get with that 50 mm lens is the lens, not the camera body. I'd see if Nikon has a similar lens, if you do end up going Nikon. A good place to read reviews of lenses is www.fredmiranda.com. Click on the button up top that says, "reviews." They have thousands of detailed reviews and ratings from photographers about just about every lens made. I have found it really useful.

    Again, only reason I went Canon is it was what I learned about because I work with so many pro photographers who shoot with Canon equipment -- especially the sports shooters. But my camera body (300D) is old and antiquated at this point compared to what they are putting into the newer models, so it isn't anything special. It takes nice pictures, but it has its limits. It's only 6 megapixels and it shoots relatively few frames per second. I would never try to use that camera to shoot action. But for walking around and putting it on a tripod to try to create cool effects, it is a good camera for an amateur.

    Here are some photos I have shot with other lenses than that 50 mm. All any of these photos should tell you is that when people look at the picture, they won't be thinking about the camera you used. My camera is actually old and outdated a bit at this point. But all that matters in the end is the actual picture, not how you took it. I'm really pretty amateurish, but I have experimented a little with the same 3 or 4 tricks and gotten down. Like I can blur out backgrounds well and actually get the shot I envisioned. And I play with leaving the lens open a long time to get intense lights at night and a glassy effect when I shoot water. On the Statue of Liberty shot below, I left the lens open a ridiculously long time, and that blur below the statue is actually a boat that was ambling by really slowly. I tried to time it so it would get right past the statue half through the time the lens was open and just missed.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 15, 2014
  4. 93Devil

    93Devil Well-Known Member

    Moving the feet is a great comment.

    I never zoom with the point and click I currently have. I move my feet.

    Maybe get the package and add the 50 mm lens?
     
  5. The Big Ragu

    The Big Ragu Moderator Staff Member

    Any prime lens--doesn't have to be 50 mm--will accomplish that. But he beauty of that particular Canon 50 mm lens is that it just takes killer pictures and is fast as all hell. It's f/1.8, which is fun to play with for an amateur and as ADodgen said, it costs less than $100. It is easily the best value I have found. I'd see if Nikon has something similar--my educated guess would be that they do have the comparable lens and it takes beautiful photos, too. I didn't just happen on that Canon 50 mm lens. I talked to enough people who said, "It's less than $100 and it takes these amazing photos and it is faster than any other lens you will be able to afford. ..."
     
  6. ADodgen

    ADodgen Member

    Two quick comments on the 50mm.

    I shoot primes whenever possible, just personal preference. I have a 24-70 I use for work, because it's more convenient, but the rest of the time, it's all primes.

    Ragu, you're not "stopping down" you're "opening up". Stopping down refers to having a smaller aperture (higher number).
     
  7. The Big Ragu

    The Big Ragu Moderator Staff Member

    Thanks ADodgen. I knew that. Not sure why I kept writing stopping down, when I really do understand aperture. I knew larger number-smaller aperture and smaller number-larger aperture. As I said, I am an amateur, which is why I screw things like that up when I talk about them. Even though I have played and figured out a few things that work, sometimes in going from my head to my tongue I turn things around. But I frequently shoot on aperture priority, and of course I knew I am opening up the lens to do what I am talking about, in order to let in more light (i.e. why you can shoot indoors at the small f stop).
     
  8. Inky_Wretch

    Inky_Wretch Well-Known Member

    We bought a Sony Cybershot DSC H20/B based on the advice of one of our desk guys, who totes about $10,000 worth of photo equipment shooting for fun.

    We've gotten some spectacular photos with it. Professional quality (if I do say so myowndamnself).
     
  9. ADodgen

    ADodgen Member

    I could tell you understood the concept. I think it's the teacher in me insisting on the right vocab. :D
     
  10. Madhavok

    Madhavok Well-Known Member

    I have had the first Canon digi Rebel (300D) as well as a the 40D. Love both as they were used for my department back when I was a sports editor. Regardless, I brought both with me and usually had my 75-300 on the 40D and my wide angle on the 300D. I only had one good flash - 550EX - and it was freaking amazing. I wish I still had all of this equipment, really a bummer when I think about it. But, when you're trying to move across the country, the extra bucks helped.

    Unless you're crazy about fps, you can get away with a lower end Rebel. Check out B&H Photo's sale/clearance section or the used section, some really good deals here and there. I'm going to try and get the 40D again if I can find it for under $700 anytime soon, but since Canon doesn't make it anymore (and the 50D isn't as good IMO) it might be hard.

    My friend has the Nikon D40 he wants to sell and I offered him $175 for the body and the stock lens and I think he's going to go for it..maybe. It certainly doesn't have half the bells and whistles my Canon did, but for just some simple action shots and landscape/artsy shit it'll do.
     
  11. 93Devil

    93Devil Well-Known Member

    I spoke with my daughter's best friend's dad (who shot the above pics), and he has a Canon. I think that is the way I am leaning unless I am convinced otherwise.

    As always, great advice from SportsJournalists.com.
     
  12. txsportsscribe

    txsportsscribe Active Member

    i'll second the recommendation for b&h and the canon rebel. as for lenses, tamron and sigma do have some decent ones that work with canon for a lot less than the canon lenses. also, at b&h, don't be afraid to go with one not originally marketed for u.s. consumers.
     
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