trying to find a lense

[etta325]

I need a new lense for my rebel XTI for racing/surfing/random crap because my other one got messed up and need something really good though. it is going to be a chirstmas present to me that I get to choose so I am looking for a good one. Not too much but any suggestions?


and also what is the differences in F/__'s f-stops what ever they are called. Like if I am trying to get a really good looking picture like better focus on the subject in the picture would I want a lower number or higher number??
like would I want lower then f/4 or higher?

[DCColegrove]

You want the lowest f number you can afford.

For action stuff I use an 80~200 f/2.8 AFS Nikkor that's constant 2.8 through all the zoom (I'm a Nikon Shooter).

The lower the f stop the "faster" (and clearer) the lens

[Stephen]

You want the lowest f number you can afford.

For action stuff I use an 80~200 f/2.8 AFS Nikkor that's constant 2.8 through all the zoom (I'm a Nikon Shooter).

The lower the f stop the "faster" (and clearer) the lens

^agreed, go as low as possible.... You'll have more flexibility...

And if you can get the f stop low while zoomed, thats even better.

I use sony alpha [gasp] now, so i cant recomend any one lens in particular

[speedminded]

I need a new lense for my rebel XTI for racing/surfing/random crap because my other one got messed up and need something really good though. it is going to be a chirstmas present to me that I get to choose so I am looking for a good one. Not too much but any suggestions?


and also what is the differences in F/__'s f-stops what ever they are called. Like if I am trying to get a really good looking picture like better focus on the subject in the picture would I want a lower number or higher number??
like would I want lower then f/4 or higher?

What's the budget? That will pretty much narrow it down to just a few lenses...

When I was searching for a quality telephoto, before purchasing the 300mm f/4L, I was looking into the Sigma 50-500mm F/4-6.3 "BIGMA". Here's a thread I started on POTN with examples of what that lens is capable of, for a budget telephoto it's not bad at all...

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=304958

You can also just search "BIGMA surfing" on google images.

[speedminded]

As for the f/stop, the lower the number the more capable the lens will be in darker situations. An f/4.0 is fine for motion shots during the day, especially surfing and motorsports, but you'll have problems with it during early dawn or late dusk to night. Once it's dark the f/4+ is really only good on a tripod at night for static shots.

[CorvallisBMW]

^ all very good advice. Really, we need to know your budget range. The Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS is an excellent lens, but used copies are over $1K. Can you give us some more information?

[etta325]

What's the budget? That will pretty much narrow it down to just a few lenses...

When I was searching for a quality telephoto, before purchasing the 300mm f/4L, I was looking into the Sigma 50-500mm F/4-6.3 "BIGMA". Here's a thread I started on POTN with examples of what that lens is capable of, for a budget telephoto it's not bad at all...

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=304958

You can also just search "BIGMA surfing" on google images.

thanks alot man I think i am going to look into that

^ all very good advice. Really, we need to know your budget range. The Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS is an excellent lens, but used copies are over $1K. Can you give us some more information?

i am looking for (now that I know about the f stop) something that is lower the f/4 that is like between 500 and 900 bucks.
anything that you can tell me from that price range?

[etta325]

what is the f stop on the stock cannon rebel xti lense?

[CorvallisBMW]

thanks alot man I think i am going to look into that



i am looking for (now that I know about the f stop) something that is lower the f/4 that is like between 500 and 900 bucks.
anything that you can tell me from that price range?

I bought a used 70-200 f/2.8 non-IS for $900

what is the f stop on the stock cannon rebel xti lense?

I think it's f/3.5-5.3, but I dont own one so I can't confirm.

[speedminded]

thanks alot man I think i am going to look into that

i am looking for (now that I know about the f stop) something that is lower the f/4 that is like between 500 and 900 bucks.
anything that you can tell me from that price range?

Click:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/shop/8454/for_Canon.html

Good God I didn't know this thing existed, lol!! 200-500 f/2.8 on sale for $22k

what is the f stop on the stock cannon rebel xti lense?

18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

[lylefk]

With Canon, you have 4 core choices for a quality zoom telephoto:

70-200 f/4L $579
70-200 f/4L IS $979
70-200 f/2.8L $1044
70-200 f/2.8L IS $1549

They are listed in order of price and desirability, so pick what you can afford. Unless you are shooting in low light a lot the f/4 lenses should be fine. The first one is a great lens, don't rule it out. Doesn't sound like you would be shooting in super low light, so I would take a long look at the first two...hope that helps.

f/stop has nothing to do with sharpness, simply how much light it will potentially let in, allowing you to use it in lower light situations without a tripod or flash.

Oh. One thing to consider. If down the road you think you'd add an extender to get more zoom, you'll probably want to go with a f/2.8 lens now. You lose f stops when you add extenders.