Camera lenses question

[jrebel]

If a guy buys a DSLR camera and it comes with a 55-300mm lense, how much zoom does that offer?  I am going to buy a DSLR and want a lense that I can take pics of wildlife at longer range so I need to start figuring this stuff out. 

Maybe another way to ask the question.....will a 55-300mm lense on a dslr have a better zoom than my 20 power optical zoom on my digital point and shoot?


Thanks

Johnny

[Bob33]

It depends on the sensor in the camera, which in turn determins the crop factor.

With most digital SLRs, a "normal" lens is around 35mm. That means a 35mm lens has a magnification of 100%: 1 to 1. A 70mm would be a 2x magnification.  A 300 mm would be approximately a 9x magnification.

Don't get hung up on magnifcation. Primarily because of the difference in sensors, the image quality from a 300mm lens on a good digital SLR will far exceed the image quality from a compact point-n-shoot with 20x zoom.

[jrebel]

Thanks for the information.  Do they make DSLR bodies with better sensors or are they all relatively the same?

[quadrafire]

Jrebel
I just got an e-mail from B&H photo, this was attached. It might give you some information. They have alot of tutorials on their website and a forum that may answer some of your questions too.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/indepth/photography/buying-guides/purchasing-your-next-lens?cm_mmc=EML-_-Holiday-Tues-_-131112-_-Body_Indepth_Buying-your-next-lens-

[Bob33]

Thanks for the information.  Do they make DSLR bodies with better sensors or are they all relatively the same?

It's more a matter of size than quality.

http://www.gizmag.com/camera-sensor-size-guide/26684/

[Wazukie]

My longest lens is a 500mm and I wish I had twice that much.  I think the key to getting quality wildlife photo's, and I think the pro's on here will tell you the same, is to get as close to the subject as possible.

[Alchase]

Do you ever really have enough lens 

I will always have lens envy, white, under F/4 or quicker, over 300 MM 

I never thought I would say this... but short, stubby and fast (as in Macro) would be nice as well 

[popeshawnpaul]

50mm is equivalent to your eye and is 1x.  300mm would be 6x.  with a crop sensor camera, the image produced would be equivalent to 480mm or almost 10x. 

[jrebel]

50mm is equivalent to your eye and is 1x.  300mm would be 6x.  with a crop sensor camera, the image produced would be equivalent to 480mm or almost 10x.

Do all DSLR Cameras come with a crop Sensor? 

[Bob33]

50mm is equivalent to your eye and is 1x.  300mm would be 6x.  with a crop sensor camera, the image produced would be equivalent to 480mm or almost 10x.

Do all DSLR Cameras come with a crop Sensor?

No but most do. It will be listed as a "full frame" camera and will be significantly more expensive if not. They are targeted to professionals.

[jrebel]

50mm is equivalent to your eye and is 1x.  300mm would be 6x.  with a crop sensor camera, the image produced would be equivalent to 480mm or almost 10x.

Do all DSLR Cameras come with a crop Sensor?

No but most do. It will be listed as a "full frame" camera and will be significantly more expensive if not. They are targeted to professionals.

OK, Thanks

[Alchase]

Example of what Shawn said

Canon EOS 6D DSLR Camera (full frame) (Body Only) $1899.00

Canon EOS 7D SLR Digital Camera (crop sensor) (Body Only) $889.95