Lens Dilemna

17 years ago

Ok first of all I have to say that I am not terribly smart on the technical parts of photography and am still learning quite a bit, but I need some advice on a new lense. I use a Canon EOS Digital Rebel with a 15-55mm lens and a 75-300mm lens. I scratched my 300 a while ago and am looking into getting a new lens with a better zoom. So I found this 500mm lens for only 115 bucks and figured it had to be either a complete piece of junk or I am not understanding something about it...my 300 was 150 bucks new and while I know it wasnt the best it worked just fine for me, but I didnt know whether this one was good or not...here is the link:

500mm lens

I just wanted to hear some input on what others thought or what I am completely missing about it here are some shots I have taken just to throw some stuff in...as you can tell I am mostly a reptile and amphibian photographer, though I want this lens mainly for mammals and birds.

{{gwi:2111204}}
Timber Rattlesnake

{{gwi:2111205}}
Eastern Racer

{{gwi:2111206}}

Cave Salamander

Thanks,

-Andrew

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

ralphv
17 years ago
First of all, nice images you've posted even though I don't like snakes.

The 500mm lens you ask about is probably worth the price but keep in mind it's a very slooooow lens with a fixed f stop of 8. That means you must either use a slow shutter speed or set your camera's iso pretty high. If you go with a slow shutter speed on a 500mm lens then you either will have to use a tripod 90% of the time or accept blurred images due to movement of the lens during long exposures. If you go with a high iso setting that introduces a lot of digital noise into the image.

This sort of lens is really a specialty item and not for every day use. Of course with shooting snakes the focal length is great and it very well may suit exactly your special needs. It's also not from one the better manufacturers of lenses so don't expect stunning results or a long life, assuming you intend to use it routinely.

You also mention that you scratched your other zoom. Was it a scratch to the lens surface? If so, I can't recommend strongly enough using a UV or skylight filter on your lenses. They will protect the front lens element from just about everything except major accidents (dropping the camera, a fast, hard object hitting the lens, etc.).

Here is a link that might be useful: My photo galleries
ralphv
17 years ago
Something else I forgot to pass along.....

Sigma makes a 50-500 zoom lens that comes in a Canon EOS mount. I've seen some mighty good images come from this lens so it may be something to consider.

Here is a link that might be useful: My photo galleries
Related Discussions
Closet lights - fluorescent, halogen or LED??
Q
Comments (8)
Per NEC section 410.8(B), the only types of luminaires allowed in a closet are: (1) A surface-mounted or recessed incandescent luminaire (fixture) with a completely enclosed lamp (2) A surface-mounted or recessed fluorescent luminaire (fixture) Also, per 410.8(D), there are the following restrictions on location: (1) Surface-mounted incandescent luminaires (fixtures) installed on the wall above the door or on the ceiling, provided there is a minimum clearance of 300 mm (12 in.) between the luminaire (fixture) and the nearest point of a storage space (2) Surface-mounted fluorescent luminaires (fixtures) installed on the wall above the door or on the ceiling, provided there is a minimum clearance of 150 mm (6 in.) between the luminaire (fixture) and the nearest point of a storage space (3) Recessed incandescent luminaires (fixtures) with a completely enclosed lamp installed in the wall or the ceiling, provided there is a minimum clearance of 150 mm (6 in.) between the luminaire (fixture) and the nearest point of a storage space (4) Recessed fluorescent luminaires (fixtures) installed in the wall or the ceiling, provided there is a minimum clearance of 150 mm (6 in.) between the luminaire (fixture) and the nearest point of a storage space I note that "storage space" is defined in 410.8(A). I doubt that track lighting is considered "surface-mounted luminaires." In any case, it is rare for a track fixture to be "fully-enclosed."
...See More
No pics, but wanted to say I fell in love ....(dilemna?)
Q
Comments (14)
Since we are just talking about dots here, you would think a computer program could take a three or four MB pic and up convert it to 8 or 12 fairly decently to print off larger prints. But, I've never seen one. Of course, I've never really looked for one. And, I'm sure for enough money there has to be one. But, if it was economical or very effective, you'd think some of the picture printing places would have it. Most consumer photo prints aren't exactly looking to add crucial details to spy photos. I can't quite see why a computer can't extrapolate and "fill in the dots" to blow up low res picture fairly accurately. The outlines and colors are already there. I've got some nice 3 meg shots I'd like to print off in larger sizes, but, get the same from the printers, 'they won't blow up well from that size'. Just venting a little.
...See More
looking for help/suggestions from the group
Q
Comments (54)
g'day marion, she is quiet comfortable her problem causes more confoundment to her at present as she is still in denial so isn't prepared to look at her own situation and work out the organic causes for her stresses and strains. i wouldn't be shy to attend a university or anywhere for that matter introverted isn't one of my fortes chuckle, just where i am here it is very isolated and there is no way i can get into town to do anything. there simply isn't any help for people like myself in rural areas. that i was able to get someone to pick me up once a fortnight to do grocery shopping took a lot of doing, my main push has been trying to get e/mail pen pals or msn chatters to fill those hours. at present my mind is on bev a lot of the time, and our main aim is to sell our place so i can be closer to her, so my head is pretty full of all that for now just need to fill the many lonely hours i guess. thanks to all her for the very many suggestions. len
...See More
Lantana Bugs
Q
Comments (9)
Greathawks the problem always is someones prized garden plant maybe a weed elswhere. A weed = a plant out of place. I agree with you Kris. The lantana bugs are working well at least at one place near Wellington Point, east of Brisbane, but have not killed out the vigorous red lantana yet. Some lantana survival may be useful so the bugs survive. They have not done much damage to the Durantas yet but we hope they will because we have about 50 metres of Duranta at the local school planted by a 'misinformed' as a good idea at the time and only 5 years ago. They need removal and replacement! What lillypilly (Syzigium) variety, 1 to 1.5 metres high do you suggest? We need to phase out hedge trimming for maintenance cost reasons.
...See More
rhinds
17 years ago
I'm a little late responding to this post but I will anyway. I would recommend that you purchase the Canon 100 mm Macro lens. This is one of the sharpest, non Pro, Canon lenses. With a macro lens you can get much closer to the subject which helps a lot with smaller species. I use the Canon 400mm f5.6 L lens for birds but I always carry the 100mm in case I come across a frog or snake etc.

Lens Dilemna

Comments (3)

ralphv

ralphv

Related Discussions

rhinds

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US