Camera lens info wanted

[OwlHoot]

Calling any photography gurus, or moderately well informed photographers ..

Referring to the page here on Canon lenses, and clicking the "Accessories" tab, which lens would be best for:

* general photography, say of people or scenes, in other words the kind of pictures one might take on holiday

* close up detailed photography, say of a document or open book page, to obtain a maximum resolution image.

Please assume I know absolutely nothing about photography and am too stupid and lazy to learn (except that I will be very grateful for any constructive replies to this and will avidly read them).

edit: Also, please assume that money is no object, or at least that I won't quibble over a couple of hundred if it means getting a better or more suitable lens.

[pmeswani]

Calling any photography gurus, or moderately well informed photographers ..

Referring to the page here on Canon lenses, and clicking the "Accessories" tab, which lens would be best for:

* general photography, say of people or scenes, in other words the kind of pictures one might take on holiday

* close up detailed photography, say of a document or open book page, to obtain a maximum resolution image.

Please assume I know absolutely nothing about photography and am too stupid and lazy to learn (except that I will be very grateful for any constructive replies to this and will avidly read them).

edit: Also, please assume that money is no object, or at least that I won't quibble over a couple of hundred if it means getting a better or more suitable lens.

There's a camera shop near Goodge Street station in London. I can't remember the name of the shop off hand... but they do a lot of camera stuff.

[Fred Bloggs]

I reckon-

Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 USM II

and this

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L USM

should cover it nicely. HTH.

To be honest, if money was no object I'd love something like this though-

Camera.

[Gonzo]

Calling any photography gurus, or moderately well informed photographers ..

Referring to the page here on Canon lenses, and clicking the "Accessories" tab, which lens would be best for:

* general photography, say of people or scenes, in other words the kind of pictures one might take on holiday

* close up detailed photography, say of a document or open book page, to obtain a maximum resolution image.

Please assume I know absolutely nothing about photography and am too stupid and lazy to learn (except that I will be very grateful for any constructive replies to this and will avidly read them).

edit: Also, please assume that money is no object, or at least that I won't quibble over a couple of hundred if it means getting a better or more suitable lens.

This is one of Realityhack's areas of expertise.

If you are lucky he might pop by and answer your question. I can't

[OwlHoot]

I reckon-

Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 USM II

and this

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L USM

should cover it nicely. HTH.

To be honest, if money was no object I'd love something like this though-

Camera.

Wow, I'm dehydrated after drooling over that and reading reviews.

Someone pointed out that Canon would probably announce a 50+ megapixel camera within the next year or so, for the same target market of semi-professionals, to trump the Leica S2's 37 megapixels; but apparently Leica do the best optics (or "glass" in photographer's jargon).

(but $30,000 for the S2 is a bit over my head, unless the dollar takes a serious dive against sterling, which is unlikely while Borrown is around)

[crack_ho]

* close up detailed photography, say of a document or open book page, to obtain a maximum resolution image.

Canon EF 100mm f2.8 Macro USM. You will need a copy stand as well.

[sasguru]

You boys should really stop drooling over kit and try to refine your artistic sensibilities and technical knowledge instead. You can buy a £100K camera and your pictures will still be worse than someone who has an eye for a scene and a disposable.

[Peter Loew]

Calling any photography gurus, or moderately well informed photographers ..

Referring to the page here on Canon lenses, and clicking the "Accessories" tab, which lens would be best for:

* general photography, say of people or scenes, in other words the kind of pictures one might take on holiday

* close up detailed photography, say of a document or open book page, to obtain a maximum resolution image.

Please assume I know absolutely nothing about photography and am too stupid and lazy to learn (except that I will be very grateful for any constructive replies to this and will avidly read them).

edit: Also, please assume that money is no object, or at least that I won't quibble over a couple of hundred if it means getting a better or more suitable lens.

I think for holiday / walkaround use the Canon 17 - 85mm f/4-5.6 IS is a good lens to look at.

If you want close up stuff obviously a macro lens is good; otherwise consider a 50mm Prime; they are absolutely amazing and have a very wide aperture to let lots of light in.

[voodooflux]

...otherwise consider a 50mm Prime; they are absolutely amazing and have a very wide aperture to let lots of light in.

WHS - a very versatile lens also good for portraits and indoor shots in low light conditions, best partnered with a good tripod and a remote shutter release for stability.

[realityhack]

From that list:

* general photography, say of people or scenes, in other words the kind of pictures one might take on holiday

Without a doubt the Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 USM II, it's small, light and a good multipurpose telephoto.


* close up detailed photography, say of a document or open book page, to obtain a maximum resolution image.

The Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM will do the job nicely. You'll appreciate a good tripod and/or copy stand, as has been mentioned.