If, for whatever reason you go the Sigma route, I would suggest not buying on-line. I would go to a store and try out their lenses, as Sigma's QC tolerances are so loose that the lenses vary greatly in image quality. They may back focus, front focus & even have a tilted plane of focus. Yes, the back focus & front focus problems can be compensated for in higher end bodies, but not every DSLR has this feature. Sigma & Tamron are notorious for this.

The G/F just got a Canon EOS and was looking for good zoom lens. I saw this one bestbuy and was wondering if this would be a perfect starter lens for her?

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde...2&catid=26562#

shes going to use it mainly for nature/Animal(bird) shots.

I was deciding between that one and the 18-200. I'm glad I bought the 18-200 because it has an awesome range for carrying it around. If you're going to bring one lens for everyday use, it's perfect.

http://www.bccamera.com/index.php?ma...oducts_id=3944

Got mine for $669 more than 2 weeks ago! Should have waited and saved myself over $100.

She may find it a bit lacking in the sharpness and contrast department, depending how picky she is. It's not bad, but it's not great. Depending on your or her budget, the 70-300mm f4-f5.6 IS USM is a much better lens.

not exactly a lens, but I didn't want to start another new thread...

I'm in the market for my first flash - this will generally be used indoors to bounce some extra light off the ceiling etc...
I'm looking at getting a used Canon 420EX speedlite for my Rebel T1i - is this a good choice for my budget? (I'm looking at sub $200 on my measely student wallet)

EDIT: he is willing to let it go for 175

go at least 430

or maybe look on strobist and read about the lp210 they advertise

I'd go for it. The 420EX isn't a bad flash...should be great for 90% of your usage.

Agreed, the 420EX is a good flash (I have the same one), but the one thing it's missing that I wish I had was more manual control. It works with the E-TTL flash control through the camera, but there's no way to use it fully manual or manually set the exposure control like on the 430.

Now that said, it WILL be a great starter unit for you, and it will work as a slave with other flashes like the 580, should you upgrade in the future.

isn't manual control important once you feel adventurous enough to go beyond a single flash?

dragonone go to sleep :D
Anyways i think i an going for the 420. I took a look at the 430 but the price difference is pretty steep, since 175 is already pushing my boundary. Thank for the input guys!
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Hehe I just got the 420EX, gonna have fun with it once it starts getting a bit nicer out

Nice...

Anybody have any thoughts on the 100mm f2.8 macro with IS from Canon? I just purchased it but want to know some thoughts from fellow RS'ers. The optical quality is excellent but the range may not always be useful on a crop camera. Deciding on whether to keep or return at this point.

I have a D3000 with the 18-55mm lens, I'm not looking to put out a lot on a real fish-eye lens. But I'm considering a fisheye lens adapter, I've looked into it a bit and see that the quality won't be as good but it'll do for 90% of the shots I want. Anyways, just wondering if there is a certain fisheye lens adapter that any of you guys recommend. Doesn't have to be from a local source. Any info you guys could give me on these would be helpful.
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any canon users here that have zeiss lenses on their dslrs as primes?
i thought about the 85mm f/1.4 since it's an attractive aperture/range. i don't see other lenses in this range/aperture combo, save for the vivitar series 1 85mm f/1.4 as well

Canon 85mm f1.2?

i thought about the canon 85/1.2, but something about the zeiss just attracts me to it even if it is fully MF

I'd pick the Zeiss, too.

Found on CL
Nikon 50mm 1.8D Prime Lens $120

Is this any good?
I'm a canon guy and know absolutely nothing about nikon lenses, it's a gift for a good friend of mine who wanted a prime lens, uses a D90, brand doesn't matter

You're giving a used lens as a gift???

^I'd take a used lens as a gift... better than NO lens, especially if I'm not paying for it!

For $120 used, you're better off buying new for $140, especially if it's a gift. At least they get 5 year warranty. I wouldn't pay more than $100 for a used 1.8.

Actually more interested to find out whether this lens is any good LOL
and any other primes that are good not just the nikon 50mm

If they are a DX user, try the 35mm 1.8, that's less than $300. Else the 50mm 1.8 is hard to beat, provided that their Nikon camera has a built in focusing motor.

Another lens note: Just got myself an used twin ring Nikkor 80-200 F2.8 AF-D. Looking for a teleconverter. I've read the Tamron/Kenko 1.4x, 1.7x are the best that will work with this lens and still provide full functionallity. Anyone have experience w/ the 1.7x? Does it scarfice too much IQ or would it be as good as the 1.4x?

Hey guys, I'm a newbie here with a D40. I'm looking to buy a decent all around lens and I'm wondering what do you guys think about the Nikon 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S VR DX Version II? http://www.bccamera.com/index.php?ma...ptokjve9vcge63

I was also looking into the Sigma 18-200mm f3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM but after reading some reviews online and in this thread that might not be the best route to go. The Sigma looks to be similar in specs but it's cheaper than the Nikon so I know we're obviously not comparing apples to apples here.

I've tried playing around with the Nikon 18-200 lens when my cousin let me borrow it. Due to the weight (or lack of), the D40 it tends to be a little heavy towards the lens side. Other than that I just wanted other opinions about it and whether or not I should look elsewhere.

Upgrading my body will also be something I want to do in the future so if there's a better choice out there I'll save up and buy the lens and body together later on and just make the best of the gear I have now. Thanks.