Rebel XT350 Canon

[Tomas67 0]

I'm getting Rebel XT350, whats the best lens to buy ? thanks

[ltdiver 3]

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I'm getting Rebel XT350, whats the best lens to buy ? thanks

Try these: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=search_results&search_forum=forum_7&search_type=AND&search_string=which+lens

ltdiver

Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

[skysurfcam 0]

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1766967;#1766967

Brother Wayward's rule of the day...
"Never ever ever go skydiving without going parachuting immediately afterwards."
100% PURE ADRENALENS

[LukeH 0]

'the best' depends on your criteria...

There are a number of factors that should be considered:
1) Is fisheye ok or not?
2) Is fixed focal length ok or would you like zoom?
3) Weight
4) Cost

Here is a list of the most commonly used wide angle lenses on Digital SLRs for skydiving, their weight and their cost from B&H (imports can be cheaper) this list excludes the kit lens:


---Fixed-Fisheye
Sigma Fisheye 15mm f/2.8
.81lbs
$499

Canon Fisheye EF 15mm f/2.8
.73lbs
$579.95 (Before $35 Rebate)

Zenitar 16/2.8 fisheye
.6lbs
$120-$150 (not available from B&H)


---Fixed-Aspherical
Sigma Super Wide Angle 14mm f/2.8 EX
1.44lbs
$899

Canon Super Wide Angle EF 20mm f/2.8 USM
.89lbs
$420


---Zoom
Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM
.85lbs
$689.95

Sigma Zoom Super Wide Angle 10-20mm f/4-5.6
1.03lbs
$499


here is a list of what people seem to be using:
http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=2228784

[jimoke 0]

the kit lens ain't too shabby, either.
jimoke

The ground always, remembers where you are!

[vdschoor 0]

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the kit lens ain't too shabby, either.
jimoke

I agree...

As I've heard someone say about camera and settings "which settings do you use? all of them"
Same thing goes for lenses.. all lenses will work for you.. its what you want to shoot that makes what lens you are going to need..

I've shot with 8mm all the way to 100mm lenses, just whatever was needed for the shot I wanted.

Read, and then read, and read some more.. then start experimenting with your camera and figure out what settings work best for you.
now to answer your question:
As several people on here already said..
the kit lens (keep that one if you got it with the camera)
the Sigma 15mm F2.8 (my all time favorite all around lens for freefall stuff)
the Canon 15mm F2.8 (on my wish list if my sigma ever dies.. )
the Canon 20mm F2.8 (another one of my favorites)
the Canon 28mm F2.8 (although on the 350 / XT that won't work all too well, but it was and still is my favorite on my film body)

Personally.. I stay away from EF-S type lenses, since they will not work on my film body, and occasionally I still shoot film / slides so those lenses are worthless on the film / full frame body.

Hope this helps!!
Happy shooting..
Iwan

[Costyn 1]

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---Zoom
Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM
.85lbs
$689.95

I'm using the 18-55 kitlens on my 350D at the moment, at 18mm for all skydives. I figured if I'm gonna get a fast lens for skydiving, I might as well get a prime lens, and the difference between 18 and 20 isn't that much, which is why I'm saving up to buy the Canon 20mm.

However, I'm still having doubts as to if I perhaps should save some more and go for the 10-22. I don't think I would use the 10mm setting much, it's way to wide for most shots. And I think I'd rather get used to shooting at 20mm then having the option of zooming between really wide and not so really wide.
Any other helpful suggestions whether I should get the 20 or the 10-22? I'm leaning towards the 10-22, now that I write it all down.

Cheers,

Costyn.

Costyn van Dongen - http://www.flylikebrick.com/ - World Wide Wingsuit News

[LukeH 0]

i hear a lot of people say they would never use the 10mm setting in the air. and they are probably right because it is really wide, but just because you aren't going to use the entire range of the lens doesn't mean it's a waste!

i use mine usually between 14mm and 20mm in the air, and i like having the option to change. even if you just use it at 15mm and 20mm it's still cheaper than buying 2 fixed lenses. you can change it on the plane, and less changing of lenses is better - reduce wear and keep things dust free.

the fixed lenses are not significantly lighter, but they are a little bit shorter. probably only an issue if you are front mounting.

as for the fixed lenses being faster, yes they are, but do you really want to use wider than f3.5-f4.5 in freefall? only if your want a shallow dof...

[Costyn 1]

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i hear a lot of people say they would never use the 10mm setting in the air. and they are probably right because it is really wide, but just because you aren't going to use the entire range of the lens doesn't mean it's a waste!

i use mine usually between 14mm and 20mm in the air, and i like having the option to change. even if you just use it at 15mm and 20mm it's still cheaper than buying 2 fixed lenses. you can change it on the plane, and less changing of lenses is better - reduce wear and keep things dust free.

Okay, you've convinced me. I'll get the 10-22 (eventually, when I save up the money).

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the fixed lenses are not significantly lighter, but they are a little bit shorter. probably only an issue if you are front mounting.

I'm not front mounting, so that really isn't much of an issue.

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as for the fixed lenses being faster, yes they are, but do you really want to use wider than f3.5-f4.5 in freefall? only if your want a shallow dof...

Hmmm good point. It was just that I wanted to invest in a sharper lens, and I thought a prime lens would be a good candidate since I think I wouldn't really be changing the zoom much. I guess I used the wrong word: I really meant sharp, not so much fast, because yes, I won't be using it wide open in skydiving situations.

What about the fact that it is an EF-S lens? If I ever get an full-frame camera, I wouldn't be able to use this lens on it. There's still debate on the internet if the future is gonna be with full frame or 2/3's frame camera's. Apparently Nikon is sticking with 2/3's. Dunno what Canon is gonna do. Even so, I guess I should be able to sell it if that's ever the case. Bob Atkins doesn't worry about it, so I guess I shouldn't either.

Cheers,

Costyn.

Costyn van Dongen - http://www.flylikebrick.com/ - World Wide Wingsuit News

[LukeH 0]

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What about the fact that it is an EF-S lens? If I ever get an full-frame camera, I wouldn't be able to use this lens on it. There's still debate on the internet if the future is gonna be with full frame or 2/3's frame camera's. Apparently Nikon is sticking with 2/3's. Dunno what Canon is gonna do. Even so, I guess I should be able to sell it if that's ever the case. Bob Atkins doesn't worry about it, so I guess I shouldn't either.

this is another nugget i hear a lot. people seem to forget that if you switch to fullframe there in no longer a crop factor. so if you were happy with your fixed XXmm on the APS-C format sensor it will now be 1.6 times wider, (15mm will be wider than the 10mm on APS-C). so you will probably be buying new lens(es) anyway.

i don't know if canon are intending on retiring the APS-C format sensors in 1, 5 or 10 years, but i suspect they will be keeping them around for at the very least 3-5 years (but probably much longer). they have developed a few lenses for this format (as have Sigma) so for now they seem committed.

the main reasons i bought the 350D and not the 20D is that it is smaller, lighter and cheaper, so for me it's better suited to helmet mounting. i would MUCH prefer to have the 20D or 30D for use on the ground, but as i'm only getting back into photography i figured i'd make do with the 350D on the ground for now. the same logic applies to the even bigger, heavier and more expensive full frames. eventually i'll probably buy a full frame, but i think i will continue to use the 350D or it's replacement in the air. the picture quality is good enough for most tasks. i wouldn't like to stick 3k worth of heavy camera body on my helmet unless i was getting paid (and i don't mean for a tandem!)

so i reckon i'll get good value out of the 10-22 over it's lifetime. as it is such a nice lens i'm sure there will be a decent second hand market for it too.

if you were to always 'what if' about technology you'd never buy anything!