camera advice

[jham]

Camera folks, I need your help...

Based on needs and budget, I've decided to purchase a Canon T1i. However, I have read on here that it would be a better use of money to buy the body only and purchase a few lenses and accessories that would meet my needs.

My main shooting focus is usually people.
I have five Africa trips planned in the next year.
Africa trips consist of village trips, lots of dust, dirt, rain, etc.
I shoot lots of candid shots and on-the-fly "pose" shots. No planned studio portrait stuff.
Stateside, I am usually walking around a city or hiking a mountain taking artistic shots.
Lots of my shots are in low-light situations.


Instead of spending all of my money on a D90 kit, I chose to buy a lower model camera and buy more lenses and accessories like filters and such. Based on my needs list, what would you guys suggest for lenses, filters, etc. Armor a good idea for the Africa trips? All equipment will be in Pelican cases for transport.

Attached are some (downsized quality) sample shots from previous trips around the world so you can see my usual style. These pics were with a canon EOS 1n 35mm.

 

[nwoods]

With the Canon's, the "L" lenses are the best in quality, and most of them do not telescope the lens housing or rotate the outer ring when you zoom in/out. This is good for several reasons, but one I like is that it doesn't pump dust in like a bellows like other lenses do. Also, if you are running a filter on the end, it stays aligned as intended!

With your "people oriented" shooting, I think a nice 24-105mm lens is the way to go for your walkabout lens. Then think about wide, then long.

For wide, the non "L" lens, but similar to L lens quality 10-22mm is terrific. I just shot this the other day with one.

For longer stuff, the 70-200 F2.8 is a world class lens, one of the sharpest available. However, I would think that for a safari animal watching excursion, it's going to be a bit short. Here is an example. You can see the radio collar on the Lion, but just barely. The MUCH bulkier 100-400 F4 L is a very nice lens, but not easy to transport. Here are two examples of the range and sharpness of the 100-400. So, in the interest of portability and decent throw, you might consider the 70-300 DO lens. Great reach with this lens, very compact in travel mode, but it does telescope out to shoot the zoom ranges, so dust awareness is important. It's a fairly respectable lens optically, but not as good as L glass.

Hope that Helps

 

[Safado]

Instead of spending all of my money on a D90 kit, I chose to buy a lower model camera and buy more lenses and accessories like filters and such.

So did you also switch to Nikon?

 

[jham]

So did you also switch to Nikon?

I've decided to purchase a Canon T1i.

No. I wanted a Nikon D90, but my entire budget right now before my first Africa trip is about $1k. I would rather have a mid level camera with a few lenses to fit my needs, filters, case, etc than one D90, a kit lens, and nothing else.

I also shoot 35mm with a Canon EOS 1n, so I can use my new lenses for that as well.

 

[jham]

Nathan, great advice, but each of those lenses cost over my entire budget for this kit.

50mm prime is first on my list. My last lens decision is up in the air. I'm combing through the various telephotos.

 

[nwoods]

If photos are important to you, and you are spending major dollars to go to Africa, I think the cost of a lens is fairly justifable. However, the potential loss of your gear is something that might be a deal killer also. Maybe you should just go with an All in One, like the G11?

However, if you stick with the SLR, the 70-300 DO lens is a pretty good swiss army knife kind of lens. I strongly suggest you rent the lenses on my list and play with them for a weekend.

 

[SeaRubi]

Nathan, great advice, but each of those lenses cost over my entire budget for this kit.

50mm prime is first on my list. My last lens decision is up in the air. I'm combing through the various telephotos.

My understanding is that canon's regular usm primes are as sharp as their "L" series zooms. The 50mm f/1.4 prime is supposed to be a fantastic lens, as is the 85mm f/1.8. I can't say for sure myself, because I'm trying to sell all my crappy USM zooms at the moment to trade in for these primes :elkgrin:

Looking through your sample photographs, it seems like a 50mm prime would be a great walk-about lens. Especially for villagers who aren't accustomed to being confronted by a huge zoom lens, a slim profile prime might seem much less intimidating.

cheers,
-ike

 

[nwoods]

Agreed! Primes are great, and brilliantly sharp, but they do tend to add bulk to the kit bag -). The "Nifty Fifty" is an amazing lens for the money. You can bring a spare!

If you are willing to save some money and buy used lenses, THe canon specific http://photography-on-the.net/forum/ is an excellent forum. I have bought a sold a few lenses there, and have had excellent success, much like trading items here on ExPo. Same kind of people. In fact, sometimes even the exact same people!

 

[jham]

I strongly suggest you rent the lenses on my list and play with them for a weekend.

Good idea. The next trip to Uganda is only a week. I might actually rent a few for that trip.

 

[nwoods]

Good idea. The next trip to Uganda is only a week. I might actually rent a few for that trip.

Wow, where in Uganda? I am working with an NGO that has operations in Fort Portal.

 

[jham]

Wow, where in Uganda? I am working with an NGO that has operations in Fort Portal.

This next trip we're going between Kampala and Gulu a lot. We're doing a lot of work with former child soldiers in Gulu and Northern Uganda.

This summer will be mostly focused on the Jinja area.