Originally posted by hollywoodhr Your photos are beautiful!
When I want a new lens, what features should I look for to determine a good one? Like, when I'm going to buy a new lens or a tripod or whatever (that's expensive), I would rather invest in something more expensive then have many cheap ones and which really don't even work the way I want, you know. I takes time to save up money for those things, so that is why...
A tripod has many things to consider:
1) Weight - a heavier tripod is generally sturdier, more durable, and gives more height without giving up balance. But a heavier tripod is harder to bring around. I suggest getting a cheap $50 or $60 dollar tripod like,
Sunpak 6600DX Tripod with Pistol Grip Ballhead (Black) 620-660PG, and then using it to understand what to upgrade to. Never get something expensive at first - reviews don't take into account your personal preferences.
2) Head type - tripods can come with various heads: simple screw types, ballheads, super technical fancy heads that I've never used. I chose a ball-head with a pistol grip (the link above) because I wanted something I could use very quickly. The downside is that it isn't very accurate, so my framing is always a little off, and it's not super steady (build quality is meh) - so now I know what I need to upgrade to.
3) Leg locks - Leg locks are REALLY important. Simple friction tab locks are the norm, while the rotating locks are less common. Friction locks can wear away pretty quickly, if you aren't careful. That's why I want to get a tripod with rotating locks.
4) Misc accessories - Tripods with hooks on the bottom for hanging weights allow you to use your bag for additional tripod support. Some expensive tripods can open up completely, and let you bring the head to floor level. Some tripods have a lot of visible level markers, some have them located in stupid places. So I really suggest getting a cheap solid one (like the link I linked) and learning from there. I had the benefit of seeing and feeling that tripod in store, so my last advice is - if you have a big photography store nearby, go there and check out those tripods.
Lenses:
There is so much to learn about lenses, that I'm not even sure I know enough after a year of photography. To select lenses, I suggest you follow the below:
1) Determine what you need the lens for. The use of the lens is the most important thing - and try to be specific first, before broadening. For example, I needed a lens for shooting dark gaming events where I am in the audience. This tells me:
- I need medium range, and most likely a zoom if I don't get the same seats at each event.
- I need it to be large aperture (fast). Something like a F2.8 professional zoom.
- I need it to be sharp at F2.8.
- I need it to be somewhat light - maybe lightest in class if possible. Tripods aren't viable in event seating.
Make a list like that. When I say specific, before broadening up, it is to say - I want this lens for a specific task, but it can also do other things (shoot wildlife, portraits, etc). But if I don't define my specific intent, I'll have too many lenses to compare.
2) Determine your budget. I put budget after need, because budget before need skews your results. Maybe there is one perfect lens for your need, and you might just splurge. Budget, however, is still important. Knowing your upper limit will help narrow the choices down.
3) Weigh image quality against features. Some lenses have fantastic fantastic image quality, but lack features. An example is Tamron's 70-200 (which I have). It was as sharp, or sharper than any 70-200 of it's time, and was only exceeded then by the Canon 70-200 Mk2. However, it doesn't have silent motor, quick shift, weather sealing, terrible AF-MF switch, etc etc. To me, however, I wanted pure image quality. And it was the lightest 70-200. So that made the decision for me. However, if I was shooting physical sports, I'd get the Sigma 70-200 HSM - faster focus, and better locking focus. If I was shooting waterfalls and rainy days, I'd get the DA*60-250. Weather sealed.
So weigh image quality against features.
4) To find out accurate information on lenses, you'll have to be very very impartial and investigative. I have, over a year, found multiple sites with information on a majority of the Pentax lenses in production. I have also scoured Flickr, this forum, DPReview, and tons other resources for pictures from these lenses. I have also read individual reviews, with a grain of salt, to see user results. It was long, arduous, and it taught me tons of things about lenses that I wasn't looking for before.
My suggestion is: Follow the first three steps to find your potential lens candidates. This forum has become more and more geared towards providing accurate information for users like you. Similarly, Flickr is fantastic for finding sample pictures, while providing exif information. Review sites and lens testing sites can be skewed or difficult to peruse through. User reviews can be very biased as well. Look at pictures - they will tell you the most.