All Lens
Tuesday, September 27th, 2011
Which Canon EOS Lens Is Best For A Beginner – 3 Hints For Choosing A Good All Purpose Lens
What do you believe is your beginning consideration as a new digital SLR owner? It should be which lens you want as an all-purpose lens. Believe me, there are plenty of folks who have agonized over this decision.
There are many really superior lenses to consider as walk around lenses. It’s kind of like buying a compact point and shoot camera, though. What zoom range are you looking for?
For the purpose of this article, it shall be assumed that you are searching for a zoom lens rather than one with a fixed focal length. Most, though not all, new owners opt for the Canon “kit lens” as their first lens. While choosing a kit lens may make sense to you now, you will likely not be happy with the lens down the road. You either think you will just wait and purchase a better lens later, or you don’t even think about a different lens.
That is not my view. You should get the very best glass(lens) that money can buy rather than spending money on an inferior kit lens. After all, you will want to upgrade fairly soon, anyway, so why not get more bang for your buck right up front.
There are several things to consider about the lens you are planning to buy.
First consideration is focal length. In general, a focal length of about 18-24mm on the short end and 55-75mm on the long end will give you a very useful range. Keep in mind that these numbers are not critical. There are also some excellent quality lenses that have about 105mm at the long end.
Canon, Sigma, and Tamron have recently released some pretty good lenses in the super-zoom category. These have focal lengths of 18mm at the short end and 200-270mm on the long end. They have gotten favorable reviews, however just keep in mind that the image quality will not be as good as those lenses with less zoom capability.
Second consideration is aperture. The best lenses will have a constant aperture of f/2.8 across all focal lengths. You can almost always save money by getting a lens with a variable aperture, such as f/3.5-5.6, but they will not give you the same performance in all situations, especially when lighting is a challenge.
The final thing to scrutinize when buying your first lens is price. For some, this may be the first thing to consider, but with DSLR photography, it really needs to follow the other two factors. Rather than getting the cheapest lens on the market just to have one, it would be far better in the long run to save enough money to start with a good lens. Don’t make the same mistake that so many who have gone before you. If good image quality is something you take seriously, you will not be satisfied with a poorly constructed lens. It is very frustrating to try to take great pictures with poor quality lenses.
Now, you can save money by using Canon EOS lenses from third party manufacturers. Some third party lenses are top-notch and less costly than a Canon lens that is identical in capabilities.
A word of warning. Camera forums can be very informative, and they are full of well-meaning photographers, but they can also be very confusing. This is because the folks in those forums are very passionate about their opinions. They can mislead you by bashing certain cameras and products. While this is not always the case, if it happens to you, it could cloud your thinking and mess up your research.
User opinions on the Canon USE camera manufacturer site are much more helpful. Then there are other sites that will guide you as well. These are FredMiranda.com and online stores like Amazon.What do you believe is your beginning consideration as a new digital SLR owner? It should be which lens you want as a all-purpose lens. Believe me, there are plenty of folks who have agonized over this decision.
There are many really superior lenses to consider as walk around lenses. It’s kind of like buying a compact point and shoot camera, though. What zoom range are you looking for?
For the purpose of this article, it shall be assumed that you are searching for a zoom lens rather than one with a fixed focal length. Most, though not all, new owners opt for the Canon “kit lens” as their first lens. While choosing a kit lens may make sense to you now, you will likely not be happy with the lens down the road. You either think you will just wait and purchase a better lens later, or you don’t even think about a different lens.
That is not my view. You should get the very best glass(lens) that money can buy rather than spending money on an inferior kit lens. After all, you will want to upgrade fairly soon, anyway, so why not get more bang for your buck right up front.
There are several things to consider about the lens you are planning to buy.
First consideration is focal length. In general, a focal length of about 18-24mm on the short end and 55-75mm on the long end will give you a very useful range. Keep in mind that these numbers are not critical. There are also some excellent quality lenses that have about 105mm at the long end.
Canon, Sigma, and Tamron have recently released some pretty good lenses in the super-zoom category. These have focal lengths of 18mm at the short end and 200-270mm on the long end. They have gotten favorable reviews, however just keep in mind that the image quality will not be as good as those lenses with less zoom capability.
Second consideration is aperture. The best lenses will have a constant aperture of f/2.8 across all focal lengths. You can almost always save money by getting a lens with a variable aperture, such as f/3.5-5.6, but they will not give you the same performance in all situations, especially when lighting is a challenge.
The final thing to scrutinize when buying your first lens is price. For some, this may be the first thing to consider, but with DSLR photography, it really needs to follow the other two factors. Rather than getting the cheapest lens on the market just to have one, it would be far better in the long run to save enough money to start with a good lens. Don’t make the same mistake that so many who have gone before you. If good image quality is something you take seriously, you will not be satisfied with a poorly constructed lens. It is very frustrating to try to take great pictures with poor quality lenses.
Now, you can save money by using Canon EOS lenses from third party manufacturers. Some third party lenses are top-notch and less costly than a Canon lens that is identical in capabilities.
A word of warning. Camera forums can be very informative, and they are full of well-meaning photographers, but they can also be very confusing. This is because the folks in those forums are very passionate about their opinions. They can mislead you by bashing certain cameras and products. While this is not always the case, if it happens to you, it could cloud your thinking and mess up your research.
User opinions on the Canon USA camera manufacturer site are much more helpful. Then there are other sites that will guide you as well. These are FredMiranda.com and online stores like Amazon.
About the Author
I love photography and all things related to it. Cameras, camera gear, and image editing software fascinate me, so I am either buying the newest piece of equipment (or software) or researching my next purchase.
You can also find a short list of Canon EOS lenses that are really good for all-purpose or “walk-around” use at www.canoneoslenses.org.
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Vivitar 28-200mm F/3.5-5.6 Lens For All Sony DSLR Models (Licensed By Minolta) $40.00 |
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LOMO DIANA F+ CAMERA CANON EOS DSLR ADAPTER ALL LENSES $147.00 |
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Motorcycle Blinker Signals Mini Arrow Ceflar Body Clear Lens Set Of 4 $11.50 |
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Motorcycle Blinker Light Chopper Mini Bullet Clear Pair $11.50 |
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Motorcycle Turn Signals Chopper Mini Bullet Clear Pair $11.50 |
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Motorcycle Turn Signals Chopper Mini Bullet Amber Pair $11.50 |
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Motorcycle Blinker Light Chopper Mini Bullet Amber Pair $11.50 |
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pentax pk k lens rear lens cap for all pentax K k10d k20d k100d k200d k5 k7 km x $0.54 |
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DV-s Screw Mount 30mm camcorder Lens Hood with Cap for all 30mm digital video DV $4.89 |
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Minolta 28 mm-80 mm F/3.5-5.6 Lens fits all sony alpha dslr camera $50.00 |
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Replacement Lens All Star Goggles Global Vision Smoked $11.99 |
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NEW 58mm Snap-on Front Lens Cap + cap keeper for all Canon 58 Lenscap LC-58 $2.99 |
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Lens Cap Keeper For All Canon Nikon Sony Pentax Fuji Olumpus Pentax Sigma Lens $0.99 |
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5IN1 LENS CLEANING PEN+BRUSH LENS CLEANING KIT for ALL DIGITAL SLR CAMERA $7.65 |
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Metal Lens Cap 49mm Fits All DSLR Universal Generic $7.87 |
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Lens Cap 34mm Plastic Fits All DSLR Universal Generic $3.41 |
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Objective Len for all kind of microscopes / L Plan 100x $340.00 |
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DV-s Screw Mount 58mm camcorder Lens Hood with Cap for all 58mm digital video DV $4.89 |
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rear light lens – all Volvo 122 from 196 onwards $45.00 |
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92-95 Honda Civic all models Clear Lens Fog Lights LH RH Driving Lamps Assembly $40.99 |
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Novoflex Adapter All Nikon Lens to Canon EOS Digital DSLR “NEW” $199.99 |
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DV-b bayonet Mount 52mm camcorder Lens Hood with Cap for all 52 digital video DV $4.89 |
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49mm center pinch Snap-on cap cover for all Lens filter $1.94 |
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52mm center pinch Snap-on cap cover for all Lens filter $1.89 |
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55mm center pinch Snap-on cap cover for all Lens filter $1.94 |
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58mm center pinch Snap-on cap cover for all Lens filter $1.99 |
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62mm center pinch Snap-on cap cover for all Lens filter $1.99 |
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67mm center pinch Snap-on cap cover for all Lens filter $2.17 |
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72mm center pinch Snap-on cap cover for all Lens filter $2.01 |
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77mm center pinch Snap-on cap cover for all Lens filter $1.99 |
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82mm center pinch Snap-on cap cover for all Lens filter $2.99 |
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pentax pk k lens rear lens cap for all pentax K k10d k20d k100d k200d k5 k7 km x $0.99 |
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3000K HID 96-98 Honda Civic all models Clear Lens Fog Lights LH RH Driving Lamps $68.99 |
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1941 Plymouth (all models) BLUE DOT (center) Tail Light Lens NIB MoPaR $39.99 |
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49 MM 49MM UV Ultra-Violet FILTER ALL LENS+FRONT CAP+CLEANING PEN+HOOD+KEEPER $8.79 |
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1978 LINCOLN MARK V DIAMOND JUBILEE VISOR VANITY LIGHT LENS 4 IN ALL INTACT $30.00 |
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Miller 770237 LENS COVER,IN 4-1/4IN X 2IN (ALL) Pkg = 5 $6.80 |
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Esprit Fashion Sunglasses Various Colors of Frames and Lenses All Style 9457 $29.99 |
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Esprit Fashion Sunglasses Various Colors of Frames and Lenses All Style 9457 $29.99 |
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Esprit Fashion Sunglasses Various Colors of Frames and Lenses All Style 9457 $29.99 |
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Esprit Fashion Sunglasses Various Colors of Frames and Lenses All Style 9457 $29.99 |
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T2 MOUNT Lens to all Pentax PK mount adapter for K10D K20D K30D K200D K300D $0.99 |
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4-1/2″W x 5-1/4″L Large Lens Welding Helmet Safety Welding Grinding All-Purpose $21.49 |
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GE-E1035 3X OPTICAL ZOOM 10.1MP ASPHERIC ALL-GLASS LENS DIGITAL CAMERA $139.99 |
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TAG Heuer Eye Glasses Transition Lens All Complete Box, Magnetic Case, etc $100.00 |
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NEW Lincoln 1955 All -DIAL Face Lens Set Upper & Lower $75.00 |
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NEW GENUINE MERCEDES NLA ALL RED RIGHT TAIL LIGHT LAMP LENS W108 W109 $149.90 |
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1999-2004 FORD MUSTANG ALL MODEL EURO CLEAR RED LENS TAILLGIHTS PAIR $84.95 |
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NOS Fiat 9922560 USA All Red Right Tail Light Lens 1971 124 Spider $195.00 |
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NOS Fiat 9922561 USA All Red Left Tail Light Lens 1971 124 Spider $195.00 |
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NOS Fiat 9918890 USA All Red Right Side Tail Light Lens 124 Spider $245.00 |
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Large 360 Big Round Flexible Frame Clear Lens Oversized Glasses ALL Colors $12.99 |
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Large 360 Big Round Flexible Frame Clear Lens Oversized Glasses ALL Colors $12.99 |
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Large 360 Big Round Flexible Frame Clear Lens Oversized Glasses ALL Colors $12.99 |
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Large 360 Big Round Flexible Frame Clear Lens Oversized Glasses ALL Colors $12.99 |
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Large 360 Big Round Flexible Frame Clear Lens Oversized Glasses ALL Colors $12.99 |
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RETRO READING GLASSES HOT NEW SMALL ROUND LENSES LENNON STYLE ALL POWERS $8.50 |
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RETRO READING GLASSES HOT NEW SMALL ROUND LENSES LENNON STYLE ALL POWERS $8.50 |
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RETRO READING GLASSES HOT NEW SMALL ROUND LENSES LENNON STYLE ALL POWERS $8.50 |
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RETRO READING GLASSES HOT NEW SMALL ROUND LENSES LENNON STYLE ALL POWERS $8.50 |
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RETRO READING GLASSES HOT NEW SMALL ROUND LENSES LENNON STYLE ALL POWERS $8.50 |
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RETRO READING GLASSES HOT NEW SMALL ROUND LENSES LENNON STYLE ALL POWERS $8.50 |
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DRAGON VENDETTA CLEAR ALL WEATHER DUAL MOTOCROSS REPLACEMENT LENS ANTI FOG $28.21 |
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DRAGON MDX GENUINE AMBER ALL WEATHER DUAL MOTOCROSS REPLACEMENT LENS ANTI FOG $28.21 |
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DRAGON VENDETTA AMBER ALL WEATHER DUAL MOTOCROSS REPLACEMENT LENS ANTI FOG $28.21 |
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97-02 FORD EXPEDITION SPORT SUV ALL RED LENS FULL LED 3RD BRAKE LIGHTS LAMPS $75.99 |
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1959 Oldsmobile all 88 lamp lens new $19.99 |
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2x/x2 TELEPHOTO LENS FOR ALL 58mm 58 DIGITAL & FILM SLR $19.95 |
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49 MM 49MM UV + CPL POLARIZING FILTER ALL LENS + FRONT CAP + KEEPER + HOOD $10.99 |
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3X TELEPHOTO TELE LENS FOR ALL 27mm,30mm,37mm CAMCORDER $34.95 |
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VINTAGE CHINON CM-3 COMPACT 35MM SINGLE LENS REFLEX CAMERA & ALL EXTRA LENS ETC. $45.00 |
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Tifosi Jet Magnesium Sunglasses with All Terrain Green Lens $39.99 |
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52mm DSLR Lens Cap+CPL C-PL Filter For All 52 mm Lens $6.64 |
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ALL BLACK OLYMPUS OM SYSTEM OM-2 + ZUIKO 50mm F/1.8 LENS $15.50 |
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Mamiya 105mm DIAMETER FILTER (for all 105mm filter/diameter thread lenses)! $85.00 |
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THE BEATLES All You Need Love LENS CLEANING CLOTH $7.83 |
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Filter Lens Case Bag Holder Pouch UV With 6-Pockets for 25mm—82mm All Filters $6.25 |
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Mamiya RB 100-200 F5.2W Telephoto Zoom Lens for all Mamiya RZ67 Cameras, EC $249.00 |
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SIGMA 17-70mm f/2.8-4.0 DC MACRO OS HSM Camera Lens for all Nikon DSLR Cameras $469.00 |
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New APC Lens Rare All-Clear Front Bumper Parking Lenses 92-93 Accord / 402005BL $27.00 |
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49 MM 49MM CPL POLARIZING FILTER ALL LENS POLARIZER+CAMERA LENS PEN $7.69 |
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Mamiya Pro 55-110 F4.5 ‘N’ Series Zoom Lens for all Mamiya 645 Cameras, EC $199.99 |
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Mamiya RB67 127MM F3.8 ‘C’ Lens for all Mamiya RB and RZ67 Camera Systems, AS IS $22.50 |
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90-93 TOYOTA CELICA DEPO FRONT SIDE CORNER SIGNAL LIGHTS LAMPS CLEAR LENS 91 92 $31.99 |
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Mamiya RB67 90MM F3.8 ‘C’ Lens for all Mamiya RB and RZ67 Camera Systems, AS IS $30.99 |
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49 MM 49MM UV CPL FILTER ALL LENS+FRONT CAP+CLEANING PEN+HOOD+KEEPER $12.79 |
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Mamiya RB67 50MM F4.5 “C” Wide Angle Lens for all Mamiya RB and RZ67 Cameras $152.55 |
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Mamiya RB67 250MM F4.5 Telephoto Lens for all Mamiya RB & RZ Cameras, VGC $78.75 |
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99-00 Honda Civic all models Clear Lens Fog Lights LH RH Driving Lamps Assembly $35.99 |
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49 MM 49MM CPL POLARIZING FILTER ALL LENS POLARIZER+CAMERA FRONT CAP $7.12 |
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67MM Graduated Color Filter Lens Kit for all Canon Nikon 67MM $40.84 |
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62mm Lens filter kit CPL UV FLD for all Nikon 62 mm $13.21 |
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Replica Antique Desktop Magnifying Glass Hand Lens All brass & Wood $24.99 |
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Wide Angle w/ Macro + 2X Telephoto Lens + UV Filter for All Digital Camera 58MM $35.14 |
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Nerd Raver Poser Clubbing Clear Lens UV400 Dork Wayfarer Glasses (3 Pack) 9013 $14.95 |
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Nerd Raver Poser Clubbing Clear Lens UV400 Dork Wayfarer Glasses (3 Pack) 9013 $14.95 |
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Nerd Raver Poser Clubbing Clear Lens UV400 Dork Wayfarer Glasses (3 Pack) 9013 $14.95 |
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49 MM 49MM CPL POLARIZING FILTER ALL LENS+FRONT CAP+CLEANING PEN+HOOD+KEEPER $10.99 |
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43mm lens hood + cap + UV filter For Panasonic NV-GS500 camera all 43 mm camcord $17.95 |
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43mm lens hood + cap + UV For Panasonic HDC-DX1P,SD1,PV-GS500 all 43 mm camcorde $17.95 |