Camera Lenses for SE Asia

Old Jul 3rd, 2014, 12:22 PM
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Camera Lenses for SE Asia

Hi All,

Heading to Vietnam & Cambodia later this year and am due for a new camera. (Mine is 7+ years old, was used through college and has been all over the world)

I currently have a Canon Rebel, with a 75-300 lens, 18-55 lens, and a macro lens (the cheap one... can't remember the length)

If possible I'd like to keep the lenses and just get a new base, but have heard some lenses don't transition base-to- base- is this right?

Which base would you recommend for someone who loves photography, but is not well educated with it(I play with settings, but its more luck when something turns out right). Budget I'd say is ~ $2k.

Should I get a wide angle too? People rave about 'fixed lenses' 50mm? What benefits do those have?

Thanks so much!
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Old Jul 3rd, 2014, 01:46 PM
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There's a "photography" tag under the general heading "Travel Tips & Trip Ideas" where you might get more interest and what this is really about, rather than Asia.
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Old Jul 3rd, 2014, 03:54 PM
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A 50mm will usually be the most affordable large aperture lens. A large aperture will allow for a shallow depth of field and better low light performance.

On an APS-C camera, a 50mm equates to an 80mm, because of the smaller sensor. This, along with the shallow depth of field, would make for a great portrait lens. But, how many portraits does an amateur photographer really take?

If you stick with Canon, and stick with the APS-C sensor, you can keep using your existing lenses.

Their latest offering, the 70D, is APS-C. Assuming you live Stateside, it sells for just about $1,200.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/70d.htm

One of my favorite lenses is my Canon EF-s 10-22. This wide angle zoom can pull in a lot of subject from a small space. It also does great landscape shots. However, the 10-18 STM may be a better choice.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/1022.htm
http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/10-18mm.htm

New body and lens, and extra battery, and a few SD cards can come in under your $2,000 limit.

Personally, I have never found a need to pack a macro lens while traveling.

Here's a bonus link:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/how-...ide-lenses.htm
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Old Jul 3rd, 2014, 05:20 PM
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I rather invest in good lenses and if you shoot in RAW - a good developing software. If you can I suggest you sell all the equipments that you have listed, most of your lenses are probably "EFS" lens which will only work on the APS-C cannons. Use the proceed and your $2,000 budget to buy a good used full frame Canon like a 5D mk 2 or 3 or a brand new Canon 6D.

The ideal lens for travelling anywhere is a good quality zoom, for canon that will be the "L" lenses and I highly suggest the 24 - 70 L F2.8 mk 1 or 2. These zooms will yield the result of almost the same quality as prime lenses. If the need require, like for example going on a safari in Africa, then you can rent a longer range"L" lens zoom.

Going full frame with a good lens will be ideal for the best possible pictures.
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Old Jul 7th, 2014, 07:39 AM
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Hanuman- what difference will I be seeing between a full-frame and a lens that I have now? Thanks!
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Old Jul 7th, 2014, 08:27 AM
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A few years ago when I made the switch, from a Canon 20D (APS-C sensor) to a Canon 5D (full frame sensor), I found that my pictures from the full frame camera were much more vibrant in colour, depth of field and the colour gradient were more realistic. The ability to use wider angle lenses with the full frame and the noticeably less "noise" when shooting at high ISO or low lights.

To be fair, back when I made the switch the 5D was much more advance technologically than the 20D. However, my current equipment is a 5D mk 2 and I also have a 7D as a backup and both uses pretty much the same processor (DIGIC 4). The image, depth of field and the colour of the photographs on the 5D are much more to my liking.

Kindly note that I am only an amateur photographer and that my knowledge of photography is not that great so my opinions are based on my actual experiences.
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Old Jul 7th, 2014, 05:18 PM
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The biggest advantage of the full frame sensor is the noise factor. However, unless one is shooting mostly in low light, or is making large, substantially cropped prints, the crop sensor results are fine for most. If you plan large prints of most of your photos, full frame might be worth the investment. Full frame would be a definite choice for a commercial print photographer.

Saturation and many other attributes can be adjusted with in camera settings and/or post processing. Noise can also be tamed.

This is about a 50% crop, taken with a 7D (APS-C), through a Sigma 17-70 lens:
http://www.imgclik.com/images/03290992023594428366.jpg

Because of the low light, and the crop, this is where some shortcomings should manifest. Personally, I think it looks fine. (But then, I am a bit biased!)

Full frame will render your existing lenses obsolete. You will be starting from scratch. Unfortunately, selling all your old equipment won't bring in much money. Trading it in will bring even less.

In any case, whatever route you take, start buying lenses compatible with the full frame cameras. Canon's EF and STM lenses will work on either sensor. The EF-S are restricted to crop sensor.

Disclaimer:

I, too, am simply an avid amateur, with a budget.
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Old Jul 7th, 2014, 10:03 PM
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That photo example is only useful if there is another photo of the same subject taken under the condition and settings with a full frame sensor camera to compare with. If it's just to show your photographic skills then well done.
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Old Jul 8th, 2014, 12:44 AM
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That photo example was to show that an APS-C sensor is not a handicap. I was comparing it to nothing. Therefore, no comparison is needed.

Unless you can show me where a full frame sensor would have eliminated the noise, or overcome the crop sensor's shortcomings.

Bottom line is that, in her other post in the photography section, she stated that her Rebel doesn't result in the quality of photos that her boyfriend's 50D produces. Because of that, I believe she would probably benefit simply by purchasing better lenses, which one might imagine her boyfriend possesses. I doubt dropping a wad on a whole new system is necessary.

And remember, it's not the hammer; it's the carpenter .....
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Old Jul 8th, 2014, 07:17 AM
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Curt and Hanuman, thank you both very much! I do like some big prints, but so far I've had success with my Rebel taking quality enough photos for 16x20 canvas prints, so from what I'm understanding is that I probably don't need a full-frame (unless I hit the lotto!!), but that a higher quality base may be a good idea!

Thanks so much again, really appreciate the time you took to respond!
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