Equipment

Canon EOS 550D with 18-55mm IS

After using a 400D for more than 2 years I finally bought a 550D. I noticed a huge improvement in the images. This camera is really good. with 18megapixels you can get bigger prints.

The support for IS lens is alos a big help, especially in low lighting conditions, when your exposure is not fast.

The 18-55mm IS lens which came with this kit is really good, and I am using this for most of my snaps now.

Quick specifications

– 18 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
– DIGIC 4 processor with ISO 100-6400 (Expansion to 12800)
– Continuous shooting at 3.7fps
– Full HD movie recording with manual control and selectable frame rates
– 7.7cm (3.0”) 3:2 Clear View LCD with 1,040k dots
– iFCL metering System with 63-zone Dual-layer Metering Sensor
– Quick Control screen to change shooting settings
– Exposure compensation +/-5 stops (although viewfinder scale is still +/-2 stops)
– Select maximum value for Auto ISO
– External Microphone socket
– Movie crop function
– Eye-Fi connected functions compatibility

Review: Digital photography review

Canon 50mm f1.8

Real cheap and shoots great snaps with natural blur. A must have in your lens set. The only problem is that its a fixed 50mm lens, hence you have to move yourself accordingly, to frame the view correctly. The body looks cheap too and I am sure a small fall would break open this lens.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens

This lens is the best general purpose lens from Canon. Its build quality and optical output is superb! Having IS (Image stabilization) is a big advantage, however it lacks a wider aperture that Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L Lens has. Decide between these 2 lens before you make a final purchase.

Review by The Digital Picture

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L IS USM Macro

One of the best macro lens Canon has to offer. Not only is image quality is outstanding but having Image Stabilization and a wider aperture of 2.8 really help. It delivers the usual 1:1 macro. I prefer the 100mm over the 180mm only because with the 100mm and IS I can take snaps without the tripod, and can use it for portrait snaps, however although 180mm would provide better distance between macro subjects (an important feature if you dont want to scare away your subjects), the use of a tripod becomes mandatory.

Review by The Digital Picture

Tokina AT-X Pro SD 12-24mm F4 (IF) DX

At some point one needs a wide angle lens, as the standard 18 mm has just too much zoom to it, and its painful at times that one cannot capture a landscape completely. Wide angle lens also include the fish-eye ones but I consider these bit irritating, they totally change the perspective. Tokina lens has been reviewed to be shaper than its alternatives like the Sigma 10-20mm. I have been able to capture few good shots with this lens, however I must confess this is the least used lens in my kit. Its limited range (12-24mm) is just not good enough for carrying it around on trips and I have used it only for very special shots.

View images clicked by Tokina AT-X Pro SD 12-24mm F4 (IF) DX

Review at Digital Photography Review website

Tamron AF18-200mm

A pretty decent zoom lens although it works best in good lighting conditions. It gathers dust really fast. I have given it for cleaning twice already.

Specification: Tamron website

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