New to SLR

12 years 2 months ago #206928 by Shiggy
Good morning :)

I currently have a Canon SX30 Is but am looking to change to an SLR. I have been looking at various bodies and makes but my question is, what are the basic lenses that I would need?
I currently take mostly nature/landscape photos but like to know what I would need to cover most bases - e.g. Portraits and macro as well. Any guidance would be much appreciated


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12 years 2 months ago #206945 by mattmoran
I would start with this article .

DSLR (and mirrorless) systems are very flexible. What you need is determined by what you want to do.

-Matt
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12 years 2 months ago #206990 by KCook
Unless you just have $$ to burn, I don't recommend starting off buying up a big collection of lenses. Get comfortable with the normal zoom lens that comes with the kit first. You will get interested in other lenses soon enough. But that interest will take different directions for different photographers.

Kelly Cook

Canon 50D, Olympus PL2
kellycook.zenfolio.com/

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12 years 2 months ago #207003 by Darrell
:agree:

You will not be judged as a photographer by the pictures you take, but by the pictures you show.
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12 years 2 months ago #207014 by Baydream
I have a "kit" 18-55, a 70-300 and a 50 for my Canons. When I got my 60D it came with an 18-200, an excellent walk-around lens. I still use the 50 in low light and the 70-300 for a lot of wildlife but the 18-200 has stopped me from having to carry 2 bodies all the time. (I hated missing shots when changing lens back and forth.
Next for me may be a dedicated macro but in the meantime a set of extension tubes is working out well.
None of these are "monster dollar" lenses. Once you REALLY learn to use that DSLR, that is the time to consider faster $ glass.

Shoot, learn and share. It will make you a better photographer.
fineartamerica.com/profiles/john-g-schickler.html?tab=artwork

Photo Comments
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12 years 2 months ago #207022 by McBeth Photography
For nature and landscape, normally a wide zoom or prime is recommended but I've found a lot of situations that a tele-zoom can be very useful as well. I would suggest that you look through the PT galleries and check out lots of photos and find a few images that "say" to you, "This is what I want to do!" Then pm the shooter and ask questions, you might find out that it is more than just having the right lens.

I am not with the majority regarding the recommendation of kit lenses. Not that kit lenses are bad, because they aren't, I tell people to look for deals at KEH and B&H on used pro lenses because when you are ready to go a different direction with your gear, if you've taken care of your pro lenses, you will have the same resale value or maybe even better....and all the time while you are using the the used pro gear you will have the ability to shoot at least two stops faster than kit lens users who will eventually sell their kit lens for less than 50% of the purchase price. :)

It is what it is.
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12 years 2 months ago #207026 by KCook
Why sell the kit lens? It can still be useful as a loaner or for dicey situations where the lens is at risk.

Kelly

Canon 50D, Olympus PL2
kellycook.zenfolio.com/

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