buying ELAN 7. Help me with the lens, please...

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Dear all,

I decided to buy canon Elan 7. Though not professional (not even intermediate level photographer), but willing to seriously "dive" in the photography (mainly macro). Since I'm in a post-soviet country, I asked my friend who is in the US, to buy the camera for me there.

Now, It appeared that the dealer advises us not to invest in Canon 28-90mm USM lens which comes with the body (total of 450 USD), but to take something else (same 28-90mm but by Sigma i.e. for 550USD). As a result I got the dilema: what to do??? I have checked some foras and got the impression that either I'd take body with standard 28-80mm (therefore the price will not exceed initially planned 450 USD), or to take Canon 28-105mm USM, but I don't know how high the price may jump and whether these lenses are good or not.

I would appreciate very much if some experienced people could help me out in taking decision. It's a bit urgent, 'cause my friend leaves the States in 10 days... Thanks in advance

Zura

-- Zurab BURDULI (zureal_74@yahoo.com), June 04, 2002

Answers

Hi Zura I have also been looking for a canon SLR for myself and my last month's research in this area has led me to beleive that 28-90 lens that comes with ELan 7/7e is not desirable and most pro and amateurs would rather have 28-135 IS USM lens. this lens has more versatile and has very good feedback. I am not sure if this fits your budget but a good bargain may be helpful. Best prices on Elan7e are at onecall.com and for lens the best priced shops are 17photo.com and bhphotovideo.com However you can lookup one for yourself Hope this helps

-- Sanjay (ssangwan71@yahoo.com), June 04, 2002.

First decision is to decide whether you want zoom or prime. Considerations: zoom--flexibility but poorer optical quality unless you are willing to spend lots of money; prime--superior optical quality but without flexibility of focal length. Some Canon primes, such as the 50 1.8 offer excellent quality at minimal price (under $100).

As far as I know, none of the Canon zooms will work as macros (I think Tamron has a 28-200 macro, though). The 100 mm 2.8 USM macro is excellent, though if it is your only lens, you may find yourself a bit limited.

If I were you, I would get a 50 mm lens (the 50 1.8 sells for about $80; the 50 1.4 USM is about $350; the 50 2.5 macro is about $260). All offer excellent quality and would be a great place to start. It might be helpful to explore general photography, learning what you need to learn and developing skills, before diving into something specialized like macro work.

Good luck!

-- Preston Merchant (merchant@speakeasy.org), June 04, 2002.


Lose the Sigma and the EF 28-90 or 28-80: they're not that good and you'll want to upgrade soon. Spend a bit more and get the Canon EF 28-105 3.5-4.5 USM II. It is much better optically and in terms of features and build quality. The EF 28-135 IS USM is also a fine lens but is more than twice the price of the EF 28-105 3.5-4.5 USM II and sports nearly the same optical quality (some claim slightly better). Of course it has a little more reach and "IS," but is on the large and heavy side. The petite EF 28-105 3.5-4.5 USM II is about $225 in NY vs $450 for the EF 28-135 IS USM.

-- Puppy Face (doggieface@aol.com), June 04, 2002.

Get the 28-105; it is a good lens and not as expensive as the 28-135 IS. The 28-90 is a marginal lens.

-- mwb (pookeybookey@aol.com), June 04, 2002.

Zurab:

Since your main interest is or will be in macro photography, get the Canon EF 50mm/f2.5 Macro lens. It is an excellent lens that will also serve as a standard lens for your non-macro photography. None of the zoom lenses mentioned in the other posts offer the same image quality or magnification as the 50 Macro. Ignore the dealer recommended Sigma lens. That lens will earn the dealer a larger profit than the regular Canon zoom lens! There are other Macro lenses in the market, but a Canon EOS Elan 7 along with the Canon 50 Macro will give you an excellent macro setup. Tell your friend to buy everything from B&H Photo-Video in New York City. The other dealers all have pretty bad reputatio

-- M Chishty (applemac97@aol.com), June 05, 2002.



If you want macro, buy the Canon 100/2.8 macro. It will give you much more distance to your subject than the 50/2.5 macro. If your budget allows, go for the USM version. If not, buy a second hand non-USM one. Optically they are the same. B&H and Adorama are very big and honest. They will give you a great service and will not rip you off.

-- Yakim Peled (yakim.peled@orange.co.il), June 05, 2002.

For a novice, primes offer more than zooms. In addition to better optical quality and better low light work, their nature will teach you a lot about perspective. The 28/2.8, 50/1.8, 85/1.8 USM and 135/2.8 SF all offer very good performance at relatively low cost. If you insist on a zoom, the 28-135 IS will give you more if you can afford it. If not, go for the 28-105.

-- Yakim Peled (yakim.peled@orange.co.il), June 06, 2002.

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