Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Decide on the Right Canon Rebel Macro Lens

Canon Rebel Macro Lens - How To Decide


Getting a Canon Rebel Macro lens that's good for you is a mixture of exactly what your budget is and what the lens is capable of. Exactly which macro lens should you decide upon?
Dragon Fly - Canon Rebel Macro lens shot

Canon Rebel DSLR cameras can be bought in a number of versions. The newest is the Rebel T2i, and the oldest that may continue to be ordered new is the Canon Rebel XSi. There is a reasonable amount of difference amongst the models, but the thing common to each of them is that they are the entry-level digital SLR cameras in the Canon line.

That is necessary to understand when choosing a Canon Rebel Macro lens that is right for you.

The truth is, there are numerous macro lenses that can fit the camera, regardless of whether you have the latest or the most seasoned Rebel. In fact, ALL macro lenses constructed for Canon will fit.

Couldn't be any simpler. Just select one. But hold it. Is it possible that there is a BEST Canon Rebel Macro?

Is Price A Factor?


Now I'm considering that if you possess an entry-level digital SLR, you could possibly prefer to go lightly on the purse.

Assuming you spent about $700 for the camera, might you want to lay out an additional $600 or $900 for a lens that takes macro photos? Those price tags would certainly get you one of the Canon 100mm macro lenses. There are actually two, one of which is an "L" lens, the very best that Canon makes.

Don't forget, if you choose those types of rather expensive lenses, you will get an exceptional portrait lens too. That's due to the fact the 100mm lens is excellent for portrait work... Genuinely great.

Another consideration is a macro lens (with an identical focal length) by third party manufacturers such as Tamron or Sigma. These would probably save about $100.

If you wish to go much less expensive, you could contemplate a zoom lens that includes a macro setting. For example, the Sigma 70-300 features a macro switch on the lens that does some thing to the controls that actually rates it as a macro. Even so, you still can't get extremely close to the subject, and the quality is not nearly as good as the alternative lenses already mentioned. A good thing may be the selling price - under $175. This kind of lens does a reliable task of taking other styles of shots mainly because its key task is not as a macro.

Another option is to go for a shorter focal length. As an example, you will find lenses at 50mm and 60mm that are true close-up lenses. They run about $300.

Do Yourself a Favor and Get a Real Canon Rebel Macro Lens

Something that is really important to keep in mind is that taking shots of very small stuff does require different optics and technology. Obtaining a single focal length allows you to get improved image quality, significantly better than working with a zoom lens. Plus your distance from the subject will likely be shorter having a "real" macro lens.

Choosing the right Canon Rebel Macro lens really should not be hard. Take a few momemts to consider your priorities. What do you need the lens to do, and exactly how much have you got in your spending budget. Maybe you would be more satisfied waiting until you really can afford a more suitable lens rather than purchasing now and being dissatisfied with your choice.

For more about Canon Rebel Macro lenses, visit www.canoneoslenses.org.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

One Of a Kind Canon EF-S Macro Lens - 60mm f/2.8 USM

Canon EF-S macro 60mm
The Canon EF-S Macro is a breed all its own. That's right, there is only one Canon EF-S Macro lens and it's a 60mm focal length. But maybe one is enough; it's a great lens.

Photographers come in all shapes and styles. Not every one is a professional. Of this I am guilty.

But I really like my Canon EOS 30D. And, while my camera is not a pro dslr camera, I have taken some genuinely excellent images with it. I have also earned some honors on different websites as "image of the day".

Searching for lenses for my own Canon dslr led me to take a look at the Canon EF-S macro lens selection. I find that EF-S lenses function extremely good, simply for the reason that they are produced specifically for my kind of camera. In the event you have a Canon Rebel, any specific model, or any of the XXD Canon cameras, you could use these extraordinary lenses on your current dslr camera.

The engineering has been specifically targeted for cameras with a APS-C sensor (this is the sensor that is in the entry-level to mid-level digital slr cameras referred to above).

To my surprise, there is only one Canon EF-S macro lens out there. It is the 60mm f/2.8 USM lens, and it is a specific macro lens. You can take photos of really small objects, bugs, flowers, and all manner of little things. On a personal note, macro photography is the reason I actually moved from a point and shoot camera to my very first Canon Rebel.

So, locating a close-up lens for my Rebel was huge on my priority list. I checked out the complete collection of lenses, some of which have a value as high as the camera alone... too much for my budget.

I settled on the Canon EF-S 60mm lens after examining the reviews and customer comments regarding it.

I have made plenty of mistakes in my life, but this was not one of them. The Canon macro 60mm lens is my most loved by far, not merely because of the macro pictures it creates, but also due to the fact it manages other sorts of pictures well, too. For example, when I want to take a portrait of one of the grandchildren, the Canon EF-S macro lens is my personal pick. It is the perfect focal length to get professional type portraits.

I also use my 60mm macro for taking a few product-type shots in my home-made light box. In spite of my crude set-up, the results are great.

While the Canon 60mm does take care of many photographic situations, it is not the perfect lens for every occasion. For instance, it is not my lens of choice for landscapes, and on excursions to the zoo, there will be a different lens on my Canon DSLR, however, I think that the Canon EF-S macro lens handles the majority of of my serious work with wonderful final results.

In addition, if I decide to upgrade to a newer camera (the Canon 7D is looking really good, and negotiations on terms with my better half have started), the EF-S lenses will work just fine.

As you can tell, I am a big fan of macro photography. And in my personal experience, I discovered that the Canon 60mm has truly done the job beautifully. It has an superb wide aperture of f/2.8 to produce fast shutter speeds for those elusive bugs and butterflies. It also yields a wonderful blurred background, the objective of a respectable close-up image. The USM (ultra sonic motor) gives speedy focus, again, nailing the bug shots with a pretty good "keeper" rate.

I would not be reluctant to recommend a Canon EF-S macro 60mm lens to virtually any Canon camera user. It is an awesome lens. Go to www.canoneoslenses.org/macro-canon-lens/ for a much better look.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Cheap Digital SLR - Pentax K-x vs Nikon D3000

Nikon D3000 vs Pentax K-x - Both are Cheap DSLRs
Are you looking for an entry-level digital SLR?

Pentax K-x vs Nikon D3000 makes a unique comparison.

What do you think?

Nikon has a fantastic reputation for producing quality digital SLRs. Thousands of photographers think about Nikon first. And the Nikon D3000 is competitively priced as an entry level digital SLR. Let me just throw out this question for you to consider - How much of the "value" of the D3000 is because of their huge marketing campaign?

Pentax seems to depend on just giving good quality and letting the product market itself. Well, not totally, but their marketing is nothing near what Nikon puts out.

So, how do these two entry-level digital SLRs really compare?

There are a few areas where the Pentax K-x dominates with respect to features and benefits:

  1. The first is that image stabilization is IN the camera. For Nikon, you have to purchase lenses with the VR (vibration reduction) technology. Lots of Nikon lenses are being produced with VR (vibration reduction), but many do not have it. However, with the Pentax, you can attach virtually any lens (even older ones - up to 40 years old), and you will have... image stabilization.
  2. Lenses - all Pentax lenses, even lenses made by other manufacturers for Pentax digital SLRs, work on a Pentax K-x. This is not true for the Nikon D3000. It seems like I just said this above, but there is another issue to consider. This has nothing to do with IS or VR. There is a group of lenses that are made for Nikon cameras like the D3000 that only work on the cameras that have a "crop" sensor. Basically, this means that if you eventually upgrade to a high end Nikon, you would have to replace some, or all, of your lenses for the higher end digital SLR Nikon camera.
  3. Video - Yes for Pentax, no for Nikon.
  4. Live View (this allows you to compose your images in the LCD panel in real time) - another no brainer - Yes for Pentax, No for Nikon.
  5. Price - advantage... neither. The price of each is very similar.

In what areas does the Nikon D3000 dominate the Pentax K-x?

Well, there is one. This one point is a point that many photographers think should have been included. It is Auto-Focus points. They are visible in the Nikon D3000 but not in the Pentax K-x. These AF points let the photographer see where the camera is setting its focus point. To some folks, this is very important.

In truth, the Pentax is more of a higher end entry-level DSLR than the Nikon D3000. The Nikon D5000 does have all the missing features that the D3000 does not have when compared to the Pentax. That all the features except the price. The D5000 is much more expensive.

For a side-by-side comparison of Pentax K-x vs Nikon D3000, CLICK HERE? The link will take you to www.digital-photographic-resources.com/cheap-dslr.html 

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Buy a Canon 60D

This is an awesome time for photographers because you can now buy a Canon 60D.
The 60D is a kind of hybrid that will fit nicely between the Canon Digital Rebel T2i and the Canon 7D. Both the feature set and the price are just about half way between those two models.
The Canon 60D has a great video capability that allows the same quality as a dedicated camcorder. For photographers who do video, this is really good news.
There is also a new 3" LCD with an articulating screen. This just means that you compose your shot from some very unique perspectives. You do not have to be directly behind the camera in order to see the LCD screen because you can twist it into viewable positions either up high or down low.
The new 60D is compatible with all EF and EF-S lenses.
It is being targeted toward semi-pro and amateur photo enthusiasts. If you are one of those, you will definitely want to take a peek at one.
They are on sale now at major camera stores.
Order online at Amazon or B & H Photo by using the links below.