Needing a new lens for my XTi...

[cdr116]

So i'm looking for a new lens for my canon rebel XTi, probably a standard zoom. And i'm looking at the 28-105 f3.5 USM, any better ideas or comments on that lens? Hopefully i'll be getting it for christmas. And also the BG-E3 battery grip, anyone use it?

Thanks a lot!

[TheWengler]

I know nothing about the performance of this lens but it's not a constant f/3.5 lens. This is more of a preference but 28mm at the wide end on a 1.6x crop doesn't seem that attractive unless you already have a wide option.

[coldrain]

You will have to explain what you expect from your new lens first. I guess you have the 18-55 kit lens now?

Are you looking to totally replace it? Do you then never use the 18-28mm range? If not, and you long for a bit more tele reach, the 28-105 f3.5-4.5 USM II may be a good very affordabel solution. It has nice colour and contrast and is a pleasant lens to use.

But if you do want to replace the kit lens, and you do use the wider end, the 28-105mm will not go wide enough. It is "standard zoom" for a full frame SLR... not for an XTi. On an XTi it is more like a portrait range zoom.

If you want sharper, the newer 18-55 with IS may be a better very affordable solution.

And maybe both lenses will not be what you expect from a new lens... so, what are you actually looking for in the new lens?

[fractalgfx]

I have a knock off battery grip. The knock offs are sold under a variety of names, mine was by Opteka. Allegedly, the knock offs come off the same assembly line as the official Canon grip.

Beware, some of these knock offs do not have working buttons or dials. So read the description carefully.

[GaryS]

My question would be the same as Coldrain's. What are you missing now that you feel a new lens is required?

Do you want more range? Just wider angles? Just more zoom? Shallower DOF? Constant aperture? Faster? Sharper?

Let us know what lens you have, and what features you want in the new lens and we'll try to help! :)

[cdr116]

Well I have the kit 18-55 and a terrible quantaray 70-300 (i bought it before i knew anything about photography, just for the long telephoto) and i want a lens with more range than the 18-55 so i don't need to switch lenses as often, and for some photojournalism I do for a school paper. My main need is range. Thanks for all your help!

p.s. anyone with the canon battery grip?

[DonSchap]

p.s. anyone with the canon battery grip?

If you had a 20D, a 30D, or even a 40D ... the bottom of my GEAR LIST says I'd be talkin' to ya ... XT, 'fraid not

[coldrain]

Don't mind Don much... he has something against the XT and XTi, even though they are better cameras than the Sony A100 which he has.

So you want more reach. I read you hate the AF of your 18-55? What do you hate about it exactly? I found the AF of the 18-55 to be very fast and also silent.

And what is your budget?

[Honest Gaza]

.... And also the BG-E3 battery grip, anyone use it?

Thanks a lot!

Mine hasn't been taken off the body since the day I got it :)

[michaelb]

I had the grip on my XT and I loved it; I've yet to get one for my 40D though.

I had the 28-105 f/3.5-4.5 and I must have had a bad copy, because every one of my lenses proved to be much sharper, even the 18-55. Many others love this lens though. If you don't care about the wide end and need reach then this is a good budget lens.

The 24-104 f/4 IS is much more expensive, but offers IS and L optics/build quality.

[cdr116]

yeah there is no way i can afford L series, and i'm looking for lenses in the $300's preferably.

Right now i just want a standard zoom with more range, and I don't like the 18-55's focus ring because it turns, I like the USM for when I want to use filters.

[michaelb]

yeah there is no way i can afford L series, and i'm looking for lenses in the $300's preferably.

Right now i just want a standard zoom with more range, and I don't like the 18-55's focus ring because it turns, I like the USM for when I want to use filters.

In that price range, it sounds like the 28-108 may be your lens. Its well built, has USM and the front element doesn't rotate. And its under $250 ($236 on Amazon).

Another lens to consider is the 17-85 IS. It often gets poor reviews because of barrel distortion at the wide end and CA, but most people say its very sharp at the long end, plus it offers IS. You can buy one used on FM or POTN for as little as $350.

I have the Sigma 17-70 which is a great lens, but the focusing isn't as fast as USM, especially in low light.

[Rhys]

So i'm looking for a new lens for my canon rebel XTi, probably a standard zoom. And i'm looking at the 28-105 f3.5 USM, any better ideas or comments on that lens? Hopefully i'll be getting it for christmas. And also the BG-E3 battery grip, anyone use it?

Thanks a lot!

I have the BGE3 and it's never off my XT. I hear the copy manufacturers don't produce copies that are as good as the Canon original so stick with Canon.

In terms of lenses there are a lot to choose from.

I'd go with the 17-85 for a standard lens. I use it and I'm very happy with it. There are other routes however. I recommend that whatever lens you buy, you buy only a lens with USM and IS. They both make a huge positive difference.

[michaelb]

...I'd go with the 17-85 for a standard lens. I use it and I'm very happy with it. There are other routes however. I recommend that whatever lens you buy, you buy only a lens with USM and IS. They both make a huge positive difference.


Here's one for sale on FM for $365 shipped!

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/592570

[griptape]

p.s. anyone with the canon battery grip?

I'll never shoot without it again. I would say a good 85% of my shots are portrait orientation, and I can't even describe how much more comfortable it is to have the vertical shutter release.

[TheWengler]

I'll never shoot without it again. I would say a good 85% of my shots are portrait orientation, and I can't even describe how much more comfortable it is to have the vertical shutter release.

Maybe similar to comfort of shooting in landscape orientation? I'm going to go ahead and consider it described. :D

[griptape]

Maybe similar to comfort of shooting in landscape orientation? I'm going to go ahead and consider it described. :D

Similar, but it's actually even more comfortable, as my pinkie isn't hanging off the bottom of the camera, and I still have a place to grip with my entire hand.

[Rhys]

Here's one for sale on FM for $365 shipped!

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/592570

But for $500 you can get it brand new from B&H. The saving is so minimal that it's just not worth the risk of buying secondhand.

[Mark_48]

I have a knock off battery grip. The knock offs are sold under a variety of names, mine was by Opteka. Allegedly, the knock offs come off the same assembly line as the official Canon grip.

Beware, some of these knock offs do not have working buttons or dials. So read the description carefully.

Some unfortunately don't work at all right out of the box. Got the Opteka through Amazon/47st Photo and it only intermittently powered up the camera up. With the cost of returning it and a possible restocking fee of 47th St Photo even for something defective, I just took it apart and did some "mods" that got it to work reliably. There is a small circuit board inside with a surprising amount of electronics on it.


Mark........

[moneypenny02]

I just took it apart and did some "mods" that got it to work reliably. There is a small circuit board inside with a surprising amount of electronics on it.


Mark........

I go the Opteka grip from the same seller, but they forgot to send me the batteries so I haven't really tried it out yet, but if I have any issues, I'll definitely be calling you! I can't believe you just took it apart & figured out how to make it work. Thats definitely a talent right there!!

[Turn]

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/

is your best friend!

I like the look of this one Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM, price I don't know
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-24-105mm-f-4-L-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

[JTL]

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/

is your best friend!

I like the look of this one Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM, price I don't know
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-24-105mm-f-4-L-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

It's a great lens. Bokeh is not the best...but a small price to pay.

You need to join the dslr ranks already! We've been waiting for you! :D:):D

[Spookonthe8ball]

Cdr116, if you ever get a interest in macro, maybe the Canon 100mm will intrest you. It isn't just for insects:p
Close look at prairie grass with wind.
Spook

[cdr116]

Cdr116, if you ever get a interest in macro, maybe the Canon 100mm will intrest you. It isn't just for insects:p
Close look at prairie grass with wind.
Spook

Yeah i'm considering the 100mm, i'm going to look at a review for it now. Right now i need a better range of standard zoom, but next I want either wideangle or macro, and since my XTi has the 1.6x crop factor, i think i'll go for the macro...

[Turn]

It's a great lens. Bokeh is not the best...but a small price to pay.

You need to join the dslr ranks already! We've been waiting for you! :D:):D

a small price indeed

yeh I know, my poor 18 year old self sigh :(

I plan to get a 350D with the Canon 50mm f.14 but first I need to save save