Need help choosing lens for vacation

[GingeRRRBeef]

I'm going to HK next month and I was wondering if y'all can help me choose a lens that would be appropriate for vacation photos.

I currently have the 18-55mm lens kit. I'm not sure if I should get a wide angle or be better served getting a telephoto lens.

Also, is it a good idea to pick up a second hand lens in HK?

[Bukka]

Have you looked into the 18-200+ zooms?

Image quality out of them isn't quite top notch, BUT you do have the added benefit of never having to change your lens because you'll have a zoom range to cover everything you might encounter.

[clem24]

Originally posted by Silver_SpecV
I'm going to HK next month and I was wondering if y'all can help me choose a lens that would be appropriate for vacation photos.

I currently have the 18-55mm lens kit. I'm not sure if I should get a wide angle or be better served getting a telephoto lens.

Also, is it a good idea to pick up a second hand lens in HK?

W... I... D... E... Telephoto is overrated. Manufacturers push tele but they're starting to recognize that what people really want is WIDE!!! Of course I am biased cause I love wide. But on my last few trips, I found I never used the Tele.

A great kit would be something like the Tokina 12-24 and 18-200VR. But of course, if you could only have one, pick the wide, and go with the kit lens, or pick up the 18-70 (fantastic lens) or even one of the VR 18-105 VR for really cheap.

[rage2]

If you're taking pictures of big things, wideangle. If you're taking pictures of small things or far away things such as animals, telephoto.

I can live with just my 17-40 on vacation haha. When are you going to be in HK btw? I'm there soon too... beyond meet!

[FiveFreshFish]

Originally posted by clem24


W... I... D... E... Telephoto is overrated. Manufacturers push tele but they're starting to recognize that what people really want is WIDE!!! Of course I am biased cause I love wide.


It's about time manufacturers are figuring this out.

[GingeRRRBeef]

Yeah, I've been reading a lot of place and they usually suggest wide. But since I'm a lens n00b, I just want to ask again.



Originally posted by rage2
If you're taking pictures of big things, wideangle. If you're taking pictures of small things or far away things such as animals, telephoto. I can live with just my 17-40 on vacation haha.


I'm guessing I should probably get wide then eh? Since, I'm going to be taking pics of buildings and traffic and people. If you're ok with a 17-40, then I should be fine with a 18-55??? Altho, mine's a cropped sensor and yours is probably full-framed.



When are you going to be in HK btw? I'm there soon too... beyond meet!

I'm going to be there July 10 - 27. U?

[KKY]

Lots of good quality second hand stuff in HK. But you really need to shop around. I wouldn't necessary recommend buying from 2nd hand stores though, as their prices aren't that good. If you plan to buy 2nd hand stuff in HK, you should look for private sell.

July is going to be extememly hot in HK. I don't think you'd want to walk around with heavy gear. The 18-55 should do fine. But if you really want to buy a lens, an ultra wide would be nice. I used my wide angle zoom mostly when I went back in January. Rarely did I take out my tele zoom.

You're welcome to check out some of my Hong Kong pictures on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kennethkwan/tags/2009januaryhongkongtrip/). I still haven't had time to go through all of them yet.

[GingeRRRBeef]

Originally posted by KKY
Lots of good quality second hand stuff in HK. But you really need to shop around. I wouldn't necessary recommend buying from 2nd hand stores though, as their prices aren't that good. If you plan to buy 2nd hand stuff in HK, you should look for private sell.

Yeah, I think I really need to do my homework in terms of which models to buy, features etc. Do you know what types of things I should look for when buying 2nd hand? I need a flash too. Are there features you can recommend for a flash too?

[lint]

Check out Tin Cheung (http://www.tincheungcamera.com.hk/home.php?currency=USD&language=en) when you're in HK. I found that for accessories (tripods, filters) the prices were really good and picked up my gitzo and polarizer from there. For lenses, the prices are good, but you need to be careful about warranty. I don't believe you get warranty coverage from Canon Canada for a lens you buy in HK, so purchasing local may be a better option.

The 10-22 is a great walk around lens for HK. I traveled with the 10-22 and 24-105 and I'd say the 10-22 was on the camera > 80% of the time. Unless you're shooting wildlife, go wide.

[clem24]

Originally posted by Silver_SpecV
I'm guessing I should probably get wide then eh? Since, I'm going to be taking pics of buildings and traffic and people.

Yup there's your answer... Wide is the way to go. Wait.. Do you shoot Canon or Nikon? If Canon, go with the Canon 10-22. If Nikon, go with the Tokina 12-24. If you can find the Sigma 10-20 for cheap, then that is ok too, but I've started to dislike using variable aperture lenses...

[KKY]

Yes, Hong Kong warranty usually only applies in Hong Kong, Macau and China. There is something in the Canon T&C that says warranty can be transferred outside of the 3 places, but I'm not sure what the details are.

Maybe it's just me, but warrenty is probably one of the least important factors when I buy 2nd hand.

Just make sure you check everything thoroughly before you pay. There is generally no return in HK. In case you're buying a flash for example, ask if you can test it with your body.

If you're buying new, Tin Cheung is a reputable shop, so are Wing Shing and Man Shing. Tin Cheung has grey market goods. For accessories, you should checkout Ying Kee (http://www.yingkee.hk/) on Apliu Street.

So, do you have a nikon or a canon?

[GingeRRRBeef]

I have a Canon XSi

[KKY]

I had the Sigma 10-20 and really liked it. It's a lot cheaper than the Canon 10-22.

[Trini]

As I am in the same boat as the OP.

with regards to the Sigma 10-20mm, where do you guys recommend to purchase it?

These are the prices I've gotten from online:

Sigma AF 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Canon
Vistek- $739.95

Sigma 10-20 mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM - Canon Mount
The Camera Store- $698.38

Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
Amazon.com - $479.00 USD

Sigma EX 10-20mm DC Lens Canon - EXDC1020C
Saneal Camera- $699.99

Sigma Zoom Super Wide Angle 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Autofocus Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
B&H Photo -$479.00 USD

Sigma 10mm - 20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Autofocus Zoom Lens for Canon EOS Digital SLR Cameras.
Adorama- $479.00 USD

[bigboom]

highly reccomend the 10-22 for the canon. I took that on my trip to europe along with the kit 17-85 and then a 70-200IS and the 10-22 was on for at least 85% of the time.

[HiSpec]

will the warrenty be still good for us if we purchase online?

I just read that, Sigma will be introducing a new 10-20mm constant f3.5, maybe better to wait a bit?

[lint]

Originally posted by HiSpec
will the warrenty be still good for us if we purchase online?

Which one? Canon or Sigma? I believe canon still has a NA warranty

[dragonone]

isn't the canon > tokina 11-16 > 12-24 > sigma 10-20?

[INeedBoost]

I used a Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 recently on a trip to China. The range isn't the best but the 2.8 aperature was handy for some handheld night shots and interior shots (museums and such). Very sharp lens too.

I was also travelling with a 18-70mm and didn't find the 16-18mm missing range a problem. Either way, inside the city the 11-16mm stayed on on the time.

[soupey]

tamron 28-75mm f2.8

[car]

i also have a 18-55 kit lens on my own camera
but i use an olympus 11mm at work, and all i do is document buildings and sites (which is probably similar to what you will be doing in HK, just more exciting things) and now using my kit lens... feels totally inadaquate, so id say go for the wider