Vagueness and the Aftermath - A sporadic diary

[RED-DOG]

jessops is a good call. it's staffed by camera nerds. one of very few high street brands where the staff are employed based on their interest in and knowledge of the products on sale

The trouble is, they think everyone who comes into the shop is a camera nerd too.

[tikay]

Really appreciate all the advice, though I have mixed feelings that I am hijacking Red's Diary. Still, at least it is raising the usual rather insensate standard here. 

Now, these lenses.

55/250, 18/55, 75/300.

What do those numbers mean, please?

Ideally, yes, I'd prefer a "one size fits all" lens, but if I'm bird-watching, as long as the same lens works whatever, fine, ditto aircraft photography, I don't mind several lenses as long as I don't have to keep swapping them between shots.

[RED-DOG]

Really appreciate all the advice, though I have mixed feelings that I am hijacking Red's Diary. Still, at least it is raising the usual rather insensate standard here. 

Now, these lenses.

55/250, 18/55, 75/300.

What do those numbers mean, please?

Ideally, yes, I'd prefer a "one size fits all" lens, but if I'm bird-watching, as long as the same lens works whatever, fine, ditto aircraft photography, I don't mind several lenses as long as I don't have to keep swapping them between shots.

Basically, the bigger the number, the closer it takes you, but its a trade-off. The closer you get, the harder it is to hold the camera steady and the less light it lets in, (meaning the shutter has to stay opel for longer to record the scene and also recorg ant movement you might inadvertently make).

The smaller the number, the easier to hold, the faster the shutter can close, and the wider angle you can see.


55/250 is a good al rounder for wildlife.


Have a look at this...


http://mansurovs.com/telephoto-lens-focal-length-comparison

[tikay]

Tom, posting from my phone, so cannot quote, nut....

Yes, thanks, that makes sense, but there are TWO numbers, why, what does each number mean? They must, presumably, have different meanings, rather like blood pressure readings.

[RED-DOG]

Tom, posting from my phone, so cannot quote, nut....

Yes, thanks, that makes sense, but there are TWO numbers, why, what does each number mean? They must, presumably, have different meanings, rather like blood pressure readings.

Yes. These are 'Variable' lenses if you will. the big number is how close it will make something appear, the small number how far away.

It's like looking at this page, if you zoom in you can see a bit of text close up, if you zoom out you can see all of the text but from further away.

[RED-DOG]

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/focal_lengths.shtml

[RED-DOG]

Don't worry about hijacking btw - it's better than being moribund.

[RED-DOG]

Wiiiiiiii   

Done binked me a seat in the €190 + 10 €30k Gteed on Laddies.
 

On the money bubble. (€300 if I make it) Oh the tension.....

[Tractor]

Regarding the lens sizing: say 55/250 for instance.
You have to remember unless you get a camera with a full frame sensor you will be looking at multiplying those figure by 1.6 (i think).
So on a cropped sensor a 55/250 will be 88/400 which would be fine for wildlife etc, so you would probably want another lens 18-55 to cover the other end of the scale.
Those two lenses would be a great start.

[RED-DOG]

Wiiiiiiii   

Done binked me a seat in the €190 + 10 €30k Gteed on Laddies.
 

On the money bubble. (€300 if I make it) Oh the tension.....

Kerching!   

Click to see full-size image.

[RED-DOG]

Ooh! Misread. It's actually €378 

[Karabiner]

Can you get me one of them there epiphany thingamyjigs please?

Well done on the cash now go for the big stuff.  

[RED-DOG]

Can you get me one of them there epiphany thingamyjigs please?

Well done on the cash now go for the big stuff.  

I'm out Ralph.

Laggy big stack button to my bb. he sets me in with    and I call with  .


Still, I got lucky with 55 v KK earlier so mustn't grumble.

[tikay]

Don't worry about hijacking btw - it's better than being moribund.

Payback for insensate, imo.

I thought insensate was rather good, actually, & oh so apt.

[tikay]

Can you get me one of them there epiphany thingamyjigs please?

Well done on the cash now go for the big stuff.  

I'm out Ralph.

Laggy big stack button to my bb. he sets me in with    and I call with  .


Still, I got lucky with 55 v KK earlier so mustn't grumble.

Good effort Tom, well played.