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Best Lens for Canon 40D (or 30D, or Rebel)
By admin | May 18, 2007
EF 100mm f2.8 Macro USM - I love macro photography and will be looking to continue honing my skills with the addition of this lens. The only real decision to face when picking a macro lens is what focal length. Anything shorter than 100mm (when shooting 35mm, or full frame) puts your lens too close to the subject - the shadow of the lens can be cast on your subject, or you can scare your subject away (insects, butterflys). If I were picking a lens for a Canon 5D, I would have a very hard time picking between the 100mm macro and the 180mm f3.5L macro. For full frame, 100mm is a tad on the short side for getting pictures of insects - too close for their comfort. The downside is that the 180mm adds considerable cost and bulk over the 100mm. If you are picking a lens for an APS-C sensor camera (like I am), the choice is very easy - go with the 100mm. 100mm gives you the equivalent of 160mm, separating you from the subject. The lens is very reasonably priced, lightweight, and is one of the sharpest optics available by Canon. The only possible downside for this lens compared with the 180mm is that with the extra distance afforded by the 180mm, you can better isolate your subject from the background - producing a more pleasing Bokeh. I think this difference would be very small to see and using careful technique and framing, it should not be hard to isolate a subject with the 100mm macro.
EF 70-200mm f2.8 IS USM - I have never had a lens longer than 105mm (35mm equivalent), so this lens is a whole new world for me. It is very sharp and the 2.8 maximum aperture lets in plenty of light to freeze action. On a APS-C camera, you get the added benefit of an extended (virtual) focal length - similar to an extender, but with no loss of light. This lens is essentially a 112-320mm lens, allowing you greater reach for a tighter perspective. The only disadvantage I can see for using this on a Canon 30D is that the widest focal length (effective 112mm) is a bit long and I am afriad will limit its usefullnes in some situations. I think this small sacrifice is worth it when you consider the added reach on the long end.
I can’t think of any lenses that I would need for a 40D, 30D, or Rebel other than the 4 listed above. They cover a very wide range of focal lengths, add image stabilization for much of the range, and offer a great macro lens to boot.
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Topics: Canon |