Canon 350D + ? Lens

mikey7

I’m a newbie to SLR. I need recommendations on what lens to get with my Canon Rebel XT body.

I have a digital photography class next month. I am looking for an all around general lens. I also take lots of close-ups of machine parts.

Most owners are not happy with the Canon lens that comes with the kit. I want to stay around $200 on the lens. Is there such a lens what will fit my needs?
How is the lens that comes with the Nikon D50 kit?

Thanks for your help!

Stan

Hi Mikey
There is nothing wrong with the 15-55mm. If your budget is $200 then the kit lens is invaluable to get you started. For an idea of what lenses cost, look Here. After you have used the kit lens for a while it will give you an idea of what you need to extend your range, longer, shorter, smaller F/stop. But take your time and choose carefully, your lenses will outlast your camera body.

Good luck

Stan

ziggy53

Mikey7,

Most of the problems with the 18-55mm, f3.5/5.6 are its softness wide open. If you give it enough light and stop it down, it gets pretty sharp.

Your money might be better spent on a decent flash. One that is close to your budget is the Sigma EF-500 DG SUPER. I have this flash and it will give you light very close to the venerable Canon 580EX Speedlite, at about half the cost. This flash, used properly, will make more of an impact on interior work than a different lens would.

http://www.sigma4less.com/sess/utn;jsessionid=1544aa494140936/shopdata/0030_Flashes/0010_Shoe+Mount+Flashes/product_details.shopscript?article=0150_Sigma%2BEF-500%2BDG%2BSuper%2BE-TTL%2BShoe%2BMount%2BFlash%2Bfor%2BCanon%2BEOS%2Bwith%2BE-TTL%2BII%2BOperation%2B%3D28SGEF500SUCA%3D29
http://www.adorama.com/SG500EOSDG.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=352101&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation


I would recommend that you also stretch your budget a bit and get the Canon 50mm, f1.8 lens. While my copy is soft wide open, by f4 it is very good and in the f5.6-f11 range it is excellent. It won't replace your "kit" lens, but it gives you very valuable low-light capabilities. On the XT it can be used as a Portrait lens as well.

http://www.sigma4less.com/sess/utn;jsessionid=1544aa494140936/shopdata/0020_Lenses/0020_Fixed+Focal+Length/0030_Standard/product_details.shopscript?article=0010_Canon%2BNormal%2BEF%2B50mm%2Bf%3D26slash%3D3B1%3D252E8%2BII%2BAutofocus%2BLens%2B%3D28CA50F18II%3D29
http://www.adorama.com/CA5018AFU.html?searchinfo=canon%2050mm&item_no=8
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=12142&is=GREY&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation


Take care and welcome to DGrin,

ziggy53

ultravox

18-55 is a good starting point and for that price range you better stick with it. A good lens can make a good photo look even better but that is all it can do...

mikey7

Thanks guys! I ordered one from butterflyphoto.com today.
I called them to order instead of using internet. I hope I won't have to call them back.

mrlarter

I personally dislike the kit lens. I never used it when i got my original rebel.

My prefered lens at the moment is a 50mm f1.8. I use it more so then any other lens and only cost me around $100.

erich6

Stan wrote:

Hi Mikey
There is nothing wrong with the 15-55mm. If your budget is $200 then the kit lens is invaluable to get you started. For an idea of what lenses cost, look Here. After you have used the kit lens for a while it will give you an idea of what you need to extend your range, longer, shorter, smaller F/stop. But take your time and choose carefully, your lenses will outlast your camera body.

Good luck

Stan

Sound advice Stan.

You can do *a lot* with the kit lens. Here are some indoor/close-up shots I've taken with the kit lens:





These are from when I first got my camera so you can see the possibilities in just getting started....

Erich