Newbie DSLR Help: Which lens?

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low.pfile

Newbie DSLR Help: Which lens?
« on: 23 Aug 2008, 12:57 am »
Spurred by the recent posts by those entering into DSLR photography I wanted to pass along a few online resources for those who may have the question: Which lens should I get....? Seasoned photographers likely already know about these but new DSLR users may not.

Personally, I really like to look at photos taken with the lenses rather than specs alone. Granted I do realize that many factors contribute to the image (camera movement, post processing, etc.--as well as photographer's skill level). But all the sample images give me a better overall feeling for what a lens is a capable of for color, sharpness, bokeh (character of blur), and angle of view.

Image databases with lens model categories (with helpful exposure information or exif)

1. P-Base: http://www.pbase.com/cameras
  - select a camera or lens brand and scroll to find the lens
  - mid page will show some samples from members
  - to refresh the samples Click the "more" link at the right of the Section heading
     (e.g. Random Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D AF Samples from 14219 available Photos more)

2. Motley Pixel: http://www.motleypixel.com/
  - Easy interface....
  - Just select brand and lens

3. Pixel Peeper: http://www.pixel-peeper.com/lenses/
   - I just found out about this site. The term  "pixel peeper" is usually derogatory but I guess they use it anyway.
   - This uses Flickr images but presented in a different way allowing an easy search by specific lens

4. Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/cameras/
   - Difficult to sort by specific lens but possible
   - Use Search menu
     >>Type in lens and brand as keywords (e.g. "50mm" "Canon")
     >>Choose "Tags only" >>may have to weed through the find out if the lens is the correct model.
   - Or choose camera or lens brand (lenses are in "See a list of all brands" pulldown)


Of course for those who are spec hounds or like reviews here are some of my top sources other than the manufacturer (....there are tons of others)

1. Fred Miranda's site: http: //www.fredmiranda.com/  Great Great site.
2. Luminous landscapes: http: //www.luminous-landscape.com  good side-by-sides compros
3. The Digital Picture, for Canon and 3rd party lenses: http: //www.the-digital-picture.com  A very well done site! Samples in Gallery
4. Bjørn Rørslett site for Nikon:  http: //www.naturfotograf.com/lens_surv.html
5. Ken Rockwell: http: //www.kenrockwell.com

Lastly, seeing other photographers use the same lens that one already owns sometimes helps you understand the capability of that lens. Which usually means that if one is finding fault with their own images then some other things need to be addressed rather than the gear. That's what I got out of my research anyway.

Cheers,
Ed

Edited 01-24-10 to correct problem with too many links. From Fred Miranda link down remove space from link and paste the URL.... work arounds! ;)
« Last Edit: 25 Jan 2010, 06:47 am by low.pfile »

Randy

Re: Newbie DSLR Help: Which lens?
« Reply #1 on: 24 Aug 2008, 04:04 pm »
As one of those newbies, I thank you for your post. One lens I lust after is that Nikon lens that will compensate for wide angle distortion. Trouble is, it costs over a thousand dollars.

JohnR

Re: Newbie DSLR Help: Which lens?
« Reply #2 on: 31 Aug 2008, 06:34 am »
Good idea - nathanm, could you sticky this thread?

A site with lots of measurements and (usually) sample photos: http://www.photozone.de

Nikon lens specifications: http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/specs.html

Lens reviews (and some tests): http://www.slrgear.com/

[Edit: test edit]
« Last Edit: 25 Jan 2010, 06:08 am by JohnR »

jqp

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Re: Newbie DSLR Help: Which lens?
« Reply #3 on: 24 Nov 2009, 03:28 am »
For Nikon DX format DSLR cameras (Nikon D40-D300) the 35mm prime lens is basically equivalent to a 50mm prime lens for film cameras.

low.pfile

Re: Newbie DSLR Help: Which lens?
« Reply #4 on: 25 Jan 2010, 06:06 am »
Odd... the body text does not show up for me in my original post-it is blank. But it is visible in the edit window and I can't edit it.

Can anyone see the text in the OP?

JohnR

Re: Newbie DSLR Help: Which lens?
« Reply #5 on: 25 Jan 2010, 06:08 am »
That is, indeed, extremely odd.....

low.pfile

Re: Newbie DSLR Help: Which lens?
« Reply #6 on: 25 Jan 2010, 06:16 am »
That is, indeed, extremely odd.....

John,

I am wondering if there is a block on one of my links?

When I paste the original text in an new message it will not appear BUT as a test, I am pasting in paragraph at a time and they are working. I may find the culprit yet....

ed

JohnR

Re: Newbie DSLR Help: Which lens?
« Reply #7 on: 25 Jan 2010, 06:33 am »
OK, I figured it out. It's because the site software won't let you mention Ken Rockwell any more.

Ah hah hah  :D Actually I think it may be that there is a limit to the number of links in a post now, to slow down the spammers, however it seems that it's applied when the post is displayed, not when the post is actually made. I'll go looking for it.

low.pfile

Re: Newbie DSLR Help: Which lens?
« Reply #8 on: 25 Jan 2010, 06:38 am »
John

seems like a limit of 4 HTML links?

I edited my OP to break the links by adding a space after "http:" for the original links towards the end. Seems to have worked.

JohnR

Re: Newbie DSLR Help: Which lens?
« Reply #9 on: 25 Jan 2010, 07:02 am »
It seems a little more tricky than that, unfortunately, as if I put back the Rorslett link it's OK but not if I put back the Fredmiranda link. Would you mind adding a post to Open Site Software Issues? This will ensure that it's not lost. Thanks for pointing this out :thumb:

Jon L

Re: Newbie DSLR Help: Which lens?
« Reply #10 on: 6 Apr 2012, 07:51 pm »
After doing some lens microadusting on 5D III, I thought I would do some test shots with Canon's cheapest to most expensive lenses to see if "it's worth it" in real life use. Spot AF with all lenses stopped down 1/3 stop from max aperture.

Canon 35mm f/2


DZ3C1116EF35F2 by drjlo1, on Flickr

Canon 35mm f/1.4L


DZ3C1128EF35F1.4 by drjlo1, on Flickr

Canon 50mm f/1.4


DZ3C1119EF50F1.4 by drjlo1, on Flickr

Canon 85mm f/1.8


DZ3C1122EF85F1.8 by drjlo1, on Flickr

Canon 85mm f/1.2L


DZ3C1126EF85F1.2 by drjlo1, on Flickr

Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5 MkII to mix things up


DZ3C1131TSE24 by drjlo1, on Flickr

thunderbrick

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Re: Newbie DSLR Help: Which lens?
« Reply #11 on: 6 Apr 2012, 10:48 pm »
As one of those newbies, I thank you for your post. One lens I lust after is that Nikon lens that will compensate for wide angle distortion. Trouble is, it costs over a thousand dollars.

What lens is that, and what do you mean by WA distortion?

'brick

tanchiro58

Re: Newbie DSLR Help: Which lens?
« Reply #12 on: 11 Sep 2012, 07:35 pm »
I was at the "Dark Side" which is Nikon and switched to Canon several years ago and still own one Canon 5D Mk3 and 2 lenses one is Tamron 24-70 VC and Canon 100 f2.8L macro/portrait lens.
In your situation I guess you need to buy a used body either Nikon or Canon for first time with your preferred lens or lenses. That way you save a lot and sell back without loosing money.

tanchiro58

Re: Newbie DSLR Help: Which lens?
« Reply #13 on: 11 Sep 2012, 07:38 pm »
What lens is that, and what do you mean by WA distortion?

'brick

WA or WUA always costs more then normal focal length (not telephoto lenses).