Rob Wadsworth
EF5
"...It just may be possible, even with CAD aided design, that lens/camera combinations have become too complicated. Look at the element design for a wide-angle to tele zoom, then add macro focus and auto focus to the mix..." -Gene Moore
I think that is true if a lens Mfg builds lenses that try to cover too big of a range in any one lens. Especially if they build it to the wide-to-telephoto range. It might be true of the 17-55mm f/2.8 - I can't say for sure - because I haven't tried one or owned one. I DO know this lens is supposed to be a clear winner by most of the reviews that I've read and studied. Personally, I have the 10-22mm for the ultra wide-angle to normal range - and a 24-70mm to handle the normal-to-medium telephoto range. I can't see much use for anything more than that for storm chasing. Having a 70mm+ focal length zoom is good for birdie pictures. That is OK if that is what you want to do; but if I were to buy any other lens than the two major ranges - I think I would want a 100mm prime macro. Macro photography is a real kick - too!!!
The 18-55mm (which shares a similar focal range) kit lens is a loser for a number of reasons. I know that for sure because I have one (because I bought the kit deal). The 18-55mm suffers from a terminal/incurable case of a yellow cast in prints, an undamped focus ring, a focus ring that isn't large enough to grip properly (especially if your hands are average or larger), and it doesn't have a fine usable focus anywhere in its range (the lens extends from its casing and WOBBLES at the end!!). And if you put on a cheap UV filter - it becomes unusable JUNK!
I'd sell mine - with a new rubber hood (almost new - hardly used) for seventy bucks. Heck, I'll even throw in the shipping in for free - too. I'd feel guilty to not tell anyone what I thought of it if I did ended up selling it to them. The XSi kit lens has IS in it (w/the same focal range) - I sure hope they improved the optics a whole bunch. Otherwise - IS or not - it is still junk. Unless you are satisfied with mediocre results.
Storm photography demands a lot - I think. Not only does one need good gear and the know-how to use it, but the processing that follows almost rates a degree from a major educational institution. Maybe they should offer a minor degree for it - it does require lots of reading and lab experience. A few hundred hours of such work should be worth considerable college credit. Why not?
Some lens Mfg do make a 10x+ power zoom. Tamron has announced such a lens that boasts of a wide aperture and the wide-ange end (18mm) - and goes all the way to 250mm! Maybe it will work with CAD, good engineers, and some new ideas. Or it will be destined to mediocrity because it won't work well enough within its extensive range to accomplish anything noteworthy or able to be critcally accurate within its range.
I think that is true if a lens Mfg builds lenses that try to cover too big of a range in any one lens. Especially if they build it to the wide-to-telephoto range. It might be true of the 17-55mm f/2.8 - I can't say for sure - because I haven't tried one or owned one. I DO know this lens is supposed to be a clear winner by most of the reviews that I've read and studied. Personally, I have the 10-22mm for the ultra wide-angle to normal range - and a 24-70mm to handle the normal-to-medium telephoto range. I can't see much use for anything more than that for storm chasing. Having a 70mm+ focal length zoom is good for birdie pictures. That is OK if that is what you want to do; but if I were to buy any other lens than the two major ranges - I think I would want a 100mm prime macro. Macro photography is a real kick - too!!!
The 18-55mm (which shares a similar focal range) kit lens is a loser for a number of reasons. I know that for sure because I have one (because I bought the kit deal). The 18-55mm suffers from a terminal/incurable case of a yellow cast in prints, an undamped focus ring, a focus ring that isn't large enough to grip properly (especially if your hands are average or larger), and it doesn't have a fine usable focus anywhere in its range (the lens extends from its casing and WOBBLES at the end!!). And if you put on a cheap UV filter - it becomes unusable JUNK!
I'd sell mine - with a new rubber hood (almost new - hardly used) for seventy bucks. Heck, I'll even throw in the shipping in for free - too. I'd feel guilty to not tell anyone what I thought of it if I did ended up selling it to them. The XSi kit lens has IS in it (w/the same focal range) - I sure hope they improved the optics a whole bunch. Otherwise - IS or not - it is still junk. Unless you are satisfied with mediocre results.
Storm photography demands a lot - I think. Not only does one need good gear and the know-how to use it, but the processing that follows almost rates a degree from a major educational institution. Maybe they should offer a minor degree for it - it does require lots of reading and lab experience. A few hundred hours of such work should be worth considerable college credit. Why not?
Some lens Mfg do make a 10x+ power zoom. Tamron has announced such a lens that boasts of a wide aperture and the wide-ange end (18mm) - and goes all the way to 250mm! Maybe it will work with CAD, good engineers, and some new ideas. Or it will be destined to mediocrity because it won't work well enough within its extensive range to accomplish anything noteworthy or able to be critcally accurate within its range.
