chezzyr

I have used one for still life type things and collectibles. Ripley I believe has been using one for scenic shots. Could be used for portraits too - experiment. It is NOT a zoom lens, it is fixed meaning you can't zoom it in and out like your others. You will have to zoom with your feet.

This was taken with 1.8 These are little plastic cereal toy dogs from the 1970s

DD photographics have that 1.8 lens listed for $134 (they are based in Sydney) not sure what other local places are selling them for. I swear I have seen them for less than $100.

The 18-55 is...... 3.5 to 5.6 The 75-300 is..... 4 to 5.6 basically Id consider them 5.6 lenses, cheapie kit lenses aimed at the beginner. They do ok for most people. I have a friend with those lenses and she is really enjoying photography. The 58mm refers to the diameter (thread size) if you are buying filters for the lens etc. Ripley mentioned a 1.8 lens, that is a NICE little lens.

Have a look at the FRONT of the 18-55 (take lens cap off), anything there?

What lenses have you got, which 'kit' lenses did you get? Anyway, the smaller the number the faster the lens is. So if you have a 5.6 lens, an f4 or f2.8 (or f1.8) would be 'faster'.

Ripley: I would be interested to know how you find it. I never have and looking for something to use on the road - be it LR or elements with the converter. I am in Wentworth at the moment - almost outback! Have been using the tent, motel last night so I could download photos and enjoy a hot shower. Great weather - lots of flies though!!

PC: that horizon might be dodgy but boy what a gorgeous colour on the horse. And lovely weather for the show. Another benefit to 'pods' (monopod or tripod) is that it can take the strain off the neck and shoulders and I will be making sure I use them this trip (actually they were the first thing packed).

Ripley, seriously, your hand holding/long lens technique will get better the more you practice. Now I KNOW you didn't have that lens for long (a little birdie told me) and you didn't have all that much practice with it before you went away. Patience girl I would be getting it out every opportunity, go visit the dobies again, go on a pelagic...whatever (actually a pelagic would sort you out LOL) Spring/summer is a good time to practice IS can also be a big drain on batteries - so I believe.

Ripley: don't get me started on men and lenses. With me the motion sickness came from the 'whirring' and IS mechanism, not the extra focal length of the lens. It was a strange sensation. I shoot all the time without IS (don't have any IS lenses at the moment). But I do keep a monopod in the car if I want to shoot 400mm + in crap weather!

Ripley: if you ever decide to go for a IS, try before you buy! Some can give people a feeling of motion sickness. I have used a Canon 70-300 IS and felt fine, tried a 70-200/2.8 IS and felt sick as a dog :rolleyes:

Have a good trip KJA! We are also off this Saturday, and havent packed/planned yet :rolleyes:

I am more tempted to say "I am interested in your camera, I want to buy it for someone who was going to get one from their friend but the friend pulled the plug!! Also, does it come with the firmware update - I heard there were problems with this model!!!!"

Some lovely creative and yummy shots guys, all so different. I will just have to enjoy sneaking a peek at the moment. I might try enter the next one.

What a naughty friend doing that to you You can always bid on it yourself.

What's the good of ya? We visit Kamarooka atleast a couple times a year (national park area), Elmore is near Raywood, sort of, I think. Anyway we were there a couple weeks ago. Would love to check it out (the herding) when its back on.

Elmore as in near Bendigo, even nearer to Kamarooka?

RachelleBuck: where does the Koolie Club do their training?

Baramewe: I have used a 300d in the past and I loved it. I say go for it. I'd happily have another one in my kit (I found it nice and quiet for bird photography).

Good to see, Rhi. Love that cute happy tongue-hangin-out shot (first one).

The image to ME looks pretty good. The other thing to consider is that the picture might vary across different computer monitors too but that's a whole other issue

Ruthless, is this your lens? http://www.pbase.com/cameras/canon/ef_50_25_macro The following link also lists quite a lot of lenses (you will need to scroll right down on the left til you get to lenses) - it gives sample pictures for the various lenses: http://www.pbase.com/cameras/canon

I'm heading out now but if you want to see some more samples taken with the 50mm/1.8 I can find some later.

How do you find the 17-85 for 'portraits'? Any samples from that? I have used the 70-300 IS in the past so know what that is like.

What are you wanting to achieve? You have a few focal ranges covered there.