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Originally Posted by pretzelb /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I would disagree with this advice. I didn't read up on HighLife's interests but the nifty fifty is hard to pass for the price of around $75.
My new philosophy on this topic is unless you have a specific need for a zoom lens, you should look at prime lenses first. Not only do you save money but in many cases you get better image quality. So if you're not trying to take pictures of your child playing sports while you sit on the sidelines, the limits of focusing with your feet or not having a super zoom are really not that big a deal imo. Of course tons of people get cameras JUST to shoot their children so a zoom does suit many people. But I think people try to talk themself into the need for a zoom and then pay the price in the wallet and in the results.
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I would disagree with this advice.
For me, I would hate to have only primes! Goodness, that would limit me so much.
See, I go out photographing for a whole day at a time. I'm a college student. I'll put my 18-200mm zoom on my camera in the morning, and that'll last me the whole day. It means I take a MUCH smaller camera bag, and it's much lighter! Also looks more inconspicuous! It should be noted that I walk around a large campus, I don't drive, so carrying the least amount of gear is a priority !
Once in a blue moon i'll feel inspired to attach my 50mm on the camera, but throughout the day I'm usually feeling like I missed a few photo ops that would have been real nice.
Also, with a large zoom, I'm not missing photos while changing between fixed focal length lenses.
"Ok, i'm taking a picture of this nice flower...... oh but wait, what a lovely sunset. :sigh:, let me dig around in my bag, change my 200mm for my 20mm, then put everything away... and .... oh no, the wonderful colors are gone!!!"
Instead, I'll take the convience of: "what a nice flower, oh look at that sunset!!! *Drew moves the focal length ring*, Click!"
Ya know? Who cares if the image is a little bit softer, if it means I get the image, that's the important thing!
Yup, I'd start off with a mid range zoom, and a tele zoom. I would also consider the off brand ultra zoom too, if it was any good.