[gary6969_wong]

Hi Expert,

I am a beginner for DSLR. I am considering to buy Canon 400D either with kit lens or Sigma AF 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC. Is it worth to spend $1200 to buy this Sigma lens. For comparison of this two lens, how big difference are between these two lens other than Sigma has longer zoom range?

Thanks a lot,
Gary

[beancurdbean]

Kit + Sigma 70-300 DG macro if you really need tele

[gary6969_wong]

Thanks for your advice.

I don't really need tele at this moment. I just want a better lens than kit lens with reasonable price and have a little bit longer zoom range for traveling.

[K_C]

gary6969_wong,

I also considering the choice you mentioned, where you get the price of 18-125mm? really $1200?? My suggestion is:

400D body + Sigma 18-125mm + can0n 50mm f1.8 II

Suitable for the price and my purpose. ^.^

[gary6969_wong]

Hi K C,

The price of Sigma lens is about $1800 while the kit lens worth about $600. I meant to spend $1200 more buy that sigma lens.

[K_C]

gary6969_wong,

Oh I see, so when will u buy 400D? and where to buy?

[bb1032003]

Depends on what you want if you have limited budget even the kit len is not so bad (price to quality) and if you only print 3R it is more than enough.

The Sigma one is longer in range so that it is a one len for a trip don't expect too much from quality because the zoom ratio but it is acceptable if you don't print too big photos.

I also agreed with KC that 50 mm f1.8II is a good choice (price only HK$ 650) use f2.8 upward. There is some focusing problem for my one with my 300D but it is 'good' (consider with price as the 50 1.4 is $ 2580) even 1.8 if you can have a right focus. (may be the problem of my 300D)

[K_C]

bb1032003,

Well noted and thanks, but do you mean that once print 4R, the quality of kit lens may not good? normally, 4R is common now.

Also, I seldem use PS for photo edit, is it right choice for 400D when print it out directly without modify?

[bb1032003]

Sorry, I mean for normal printing not for poster etc. is OK. No PS edit is necessary for normal use.

When you use 400D you can use RAW + Jpeg so that you can either direct print from jpeg or use the RAW to have some edit if you want.

I own 300D and also considering to buy 400D but wait for it price down as my 300D is quite OK in fact, I just brought the 1.8II three weeks ago.

I also borrow one 18-125 from my friend to have a test, I also want to buy this one as well for tour.

Don't listen to anybody just ask yourself what you want and check from this site

http://www.photozone.de/active/news/index.jsp

for a detail len test.

[Hyperlite]

If I only print 4R, than the quality of sigma AF 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 is it enough? because I will also use it for travelling, if I take too many lens, I think is too heavy! I also want it to zoom and macro.

[bb1032003]

Actually, most of the DSLR len should be able to achieve what a 4R printing requirement, as normal print will require a 300dpi so my 300D have 6M resolution already be able to handle that.

I have just been Korea in early Nov this year for a trip, as I know the weather is bad from the internet I did not bring my 300D to go instead I brought my Ixus 750 (CCD size only 1/1.8") and those photos are good enough to print 3R in my case ( old guy used to 3R). So if you compare the len and sensor of a small compact with any DSLR you will not worry about any normal print.

[K_C]

bb1032003,

You made me more understand what I need, thanks so much!

honestly, I am not professional in photo taking but just have some experience about it, I just concern whether I buy 400D body only or kit set becasue some of the guys said that the kit lens is.....bad, but someone also said that the kit lens is acceptable, so.....very confused!! But I think that I will choose kit set instead of body with other lens first.

The homepage you provided is very very details for all kind of lens, great!!

[bb1032003]

K C

you are welcome for sharing any view but becareful of the range for the kit lens you better go to Canon image 2 centre in TST to have a look, you won't be sale by anyone as you can't buy thing there just a showroom of Canon.

The range of the kit len may not be long enough for one len purpose but it is cheap. Check the Canon site for the address, go to have fun before you buy, you pay for it when you buy Canon don't waste this is your right.

[K_C]

bb1032003,

I visited the showroom before, there is a very useful place for the player who want to buy canon's product. I tested the 400D, light and suitable for me at this moment, of course, if I have more budget, I will consider to buy 30D , hee hee hee!!

the kit len is only covering norrow range, but considering the price, nothing to say la. As canon's len is costly, so I may shift to the sigma or tamron when I buy aittional len in future.

By the way, what kind of len you have?