lens faq's: Can we start a thread for us newbies?

I'm a photographer, so I will offer what I can.

I don't like lenses with a wide "range". For instance, a 18-200mm is going to not be so hot on the "extremes". Meaning, you would really only want to use it for like 28-150mm. So, just buy a 28-150mm.

When lenses say, 18-55mm f/4-5.6 it means at the widest point, 18mm, you can go 'down' to f/4. As you zoom in to 55mm, you can only "go down" (sometimes called "opening up") to f/5.6.

Sorry about that confusion, by the way. It is so hard to explain aperture to people for the first time when you refer to F-Stops as "opening up" "closing down" "going down" "going up" "pinching off" "widening out". I hate that about photography sorry.

Some lenses will have 'hard stops' at the ends of the focus points, (macro and infinity) and some will just spin all day. If you're going to be marking focus for this video work we're all buzzing about, it'd be nice to have stops. Because if it spins for days, your marks are out the window.

I like primes. They are sharp and lightweight and small. You film nuts won't be zooming "live" in your shots anyways I guess so they're fine. However, people always say "you'll have to get a SET of primes". I donno... I rock my 50mm week after week of shooting. Maybe if you got something like a 20mm, a 50mm, 100mm, 200mm, you'd be set.

I shoot a
Canon 50mm (almost all day everyday, all the time)
I choose to do this because it's sharp, lightweight, and trustworthy.

When I have "special needs" it doesn't make sense to pour those special needs out with 25 prime lenses. These needs are rare and do not call for $10,000 in special glass just so everythings "all nice and sharp". My sharpness for all my shooting comes from my lovely 50mm.

I have three lenses plus my 50mm.

Tokina 12-24mm f/4
Canon 24-70mm f/2.8
Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS

This way, if you notice, I can go from 12mm to 200mm easily. With constant aperture throughout my zooms, (besides the f/4 low). Also note I only pulled IS for the long lens. I don't need it on short stuff. You might not either.

I love this lens setup. I really really love it.

There is my opinion, which doesn't matter, from a Photog standpoint.

I love this community. thank you all!
 
how is that Tokina 12-24mm f/4 I was looking to get the 11-16 becuase I heard the 12-24 has bad distortion like a fisheye...?
 
oh it distorts alright. HAHAHA

But THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I WANT!

Dont' let that word "distort" getcha. It's 12mm, it's going to look goofy... HAHAHA

I suppose it's "distorted" I donno. Go listen to people who know what they're talking about. But, yes, it's 12mm, so it looks FUNKY. When my 7D arrives in the morning, I'll actually shoot with the 12-24mm some to show ya'll. It's a weird lens that won't show up much on here so it'll be fun. :D
 
Cameron thanks so much for your detailed reply--

I for one would LOVE to see what you shoot, and if you have the time to do some comparison shots with your different lenses (video) i would be mucho appreciative!

I'm definitely going to start with a 50mm and probably save my pennies for the canon 17-55 as a walk around lens to get started.

thanks!
 
Does anyone have a zoom lens with IS that has a smooth zoom? I use the 70 - 300 Canon but the zoom is super choppy (yes I have it on manual mode).
 
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