Newbie Friendly Lenses

KingdomSeekerKingdomSeeker Registered Users Posts: 48 Big grins
edited March 31, 2012 in Accessories
I bought a Canon Rebel 3 which is to arrive today. This is my first DSLR camera and while I have a descent understanding of photo techniques, I haven't had a lot of experience in adjustments. I also ordered a macro lens as I love taking macro shots. I was wondering what lenses you would recommend to get the best shots. I'll be mainly using it for nature scenes, animals, architecture, macros and of course the grandkids. I use a tripod most of the time and bought a remote control. I don't have a huge budget but not afraid to buy good used lenses I can pick up for $200 to $300. What do you all suggest?

Also, are lenses mostly proprietary or will the interchange? Thank you.

Comments

  • PupatorPupator Registered Users Posts: 2,322 Major grins
    edited March 30, 2012
    Congrats on your new purchase! You're going to enjoy shooting with it.

    If you search around the forums and articles online you'll find a very familiar path for most ameteurs who get new DSLRs. We (I'm certainly in the group myself) want cheap lenses that shoot everything well! Sadly, it's not to be. So most all of us throw money down the drain buying cheap glass that is difficult or impossible to resell when we realize it just can't do what we want it to do.

    Here is my advice: stick with the kit lenses of Canon (18-55 and 55-200, I think, but I shoot Nikon) until you can afford significant upgrades. The kits lenses are good for the money. The Tamron 17-55 f/2.8 is a great lens that can be had used for $300-400. Any cheaper zoom in that range will be no upgrade from the kit. It'll be an even more expensive task to get a better zoom than the kit (in Nikon it's about $450-500 for the 70-300 VR). But that's okay, just take it one at a time.

    If you want a great, cheap lens to get you started (note that I assume you already have the kit zooms, if not, buy those) get a f/1.8 prime (like a 50, 35, or 28). They're great on a crop camera for taking pictures of people indoors and fast primes are cheaper than fast zooms.

    I hope you'll consider this advice. Buying cheap lenses now will only waste your money and you won't be happy with the result. Learn to use the kit and prime lenses well while you save up for legitimate upgrades.
  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,133 moderator
    edited March 30, 2012
    KingdomSeeker wrote: »
    I bought a Canon Rebel 3 which is to arrive today. This is my first DSLR camera and while I have a descent understanding of photo techniques, I haven't had a lot of experience in adjustments. I also ordered a macro lens as I love taking macro shots. I was wondering what lenses you would recommend to get the best shots. I'll be mainly using it for nature scenes, animals, architecture, macros and of course the grandkids. I use a tripod most of the time and bought a remote control. I don't have a huge budget but not afraid to buy good used lenses I can pick up for $200 to $300. What do you all suggest? ...

    It sounds like you may have purchased a Canon Digital Rebel, model T3. Are you saying that your entire lens budget is $200-$300?

    You mention that you purchased a "macro" lens. Which lens did you purchase? (Please be specific.)
    KingdomSeeker wrote: »
    ... Also, are lenses mostly proprietary or will the interchange? Thank you.

    Assuming that it is the dRebel T3, it has the Canon EF-S lens mount, which will accept all Canon EF and Canon EF-S lenses, as well as third party (Tamron, Sigma, etc) lenses with the Canon EF mount. Other lens mounts will not work.

    In addition to a lens I highly recommend that you purchase an external flash with a focus assist light, which can dramatically improve the image quality, especially with the use of a DIY flash modifier. I can recommend the Sigma EF DG Super series of flashes, and the following will work with your camera:

    http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/741717-REG/Sigma_189101_EF610_DG_Super_Flash.html

    http://www.adorama.com/SG610EOS.html
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • KingdomSeekerKingdomSeeker Registered Users Posts: 48 Big grins
    edited March 30, 2012
    ziggy53 wrote: »
    It sounds like you may have purchased a Canon Digital Rebel, model T3. Are you saying that your entire lens budget is $200-$300?

    No, I can spend that much per lens one at a time.

    You mention that you purchased a "macro" lens. Which lens did you purchase? (Please be specific.)

    Well, I've already been fooled. What I thought was a macro lens was an extension to put lenses in. No lenses came with it. It's aFotodiox Canin EOS Macro Extension Tube set Kit. The ad didn't sya there were no lenses. I know they're cheap enough so no wories.
    ziggy53 wrote: »
    Assuming that it is the dRebel T3, it has the Canon EF-S lens mount, which will accept all Canon EF and Canon EF-S lenses, as well as third party (Tamron, Sigma, etc) lenses with the Canon EF mount. Other lens mounts will not work.

    That's what I thought but wanted clarification.
    ziggy53 wrote: »
    In addition to a lens I highly recommend that you purchase an external flash with a focus assist light, which can dramatically improve the image quality, especially with the use of a DIY flash modifier. I can recommend the Sigma EF DG Super series of flashes, and the following will work with your camera:

    Yes, an external flash is one of my next purchases. Thank you for the quick responses.

    http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/741717-REG/Sigma_189101_EF610_DG_Super_Flash.html

    http://www.adorama.com/SG610EOS.html
    I've learned a lot on this forum and appreciate it.
  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,133 moderator
    edited March 30, 2012
    I will echo User "Pupator" in recommending the Tamron 17-50mm, f2.8. For the money it's hard to beat as a true value lens which provides both very good image quality and reasonable price. I suggest that should be your first lens, given your list of subject matter.

    Then add a "true" macro lens. By "true" I mean a lens that is capable of extreme close-ups and 1:1 magnifications. I have an older version of the Tamron 90mm, f2.8 Macro that was both inexpensive and very high image quality. It can also double as a good portrait lens for head shots and head-and-shoulder shots. Your extension tube set should work nicely with this lens, should you need even more magnification.

    Both of the above are often available used at KEH.com, B&H and Adorama. Just look in the used sections of each (KEH's speciality) and make sure to select Canon EOS mount, or Canon autofocus. (Either will do and mean the same thing.)

    http://www.keh.com/
    http://www.bhphotovideo.com/
    http://www.adorama.com/
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • KingdomSeekerKingdomSeeker Registered Users Posts: 48 Big grins
    edited March 30, 2012
    I got it today and am very satisfied thus far. There's a lot to learn like how to get the macro function to work right. Here's a few first shots.

    IMG0071-M.jpg
    IMG0126-M.jpg
    IMG0105-M.jpg

    Comments and critiques are strongly encouraged.
  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,133 moderator
    edited March 31, 2012
    It looks like you did get the Canon EF-S 18-55mm, f3.5-5.6 IS. clap.gif
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
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