I'm hoping you guys can weigh in and help me decide what lens to buy. I've researched quite a bit and think I've finally decided on buying the Canon T2i (550d) as my very first DSLR. The only problem is that I'm such a novice that I know nothing about lenses or all the DSLR accessories. These are the options I've discovered on Amazon that are going to stay within my budget:
1.) Buying the camera (body only) and the 50mm f/1.8 lens.
2.) The camera with included 18-55mm lens.
3.) The camera with 18-55mm lens AND 75-300mm lens.
4.) The camera with 18-55mm lens AND 55-250mm telephoto lens.
Obviously the last two options cost a lot more than the first two, but if they're worth it I'd be willing to stretch things a bit. I really want to do macro photography eventually. Maybe there are options available to me that aren't listed here, so I'd appreciate anybody's two cents! Thanks. :)
@jenimac it's seems you have made up your mind.
Is money an huge issue? Else i would advise you to get the t3i.
All because of the flash control options. If you don't plan on shooting with flash, go with the t2i, suberb, fantastic, awesome camera!
I would say option 3. Because when you have the 250mm, you will want that bit more of a close up. haha. And the 18-55 pretty much covers up the rest of your needs.
@gabrielklee Thanks for the reply! And yes, money is an issue. lol! I need to stay within a $600-750 budget. I don't use flash very often at all. In fact, I don't think any of my 365 photos have used my point-and-shoot flash. I'm just so confused about lenses.
@jenimac i mentioned flash because the t3i has a built-in external flash control. So if you have an external flash unit, you can operate it off camera. And that is freaking awesome. You don't need to buy two expensive flash units to shoot wirelessly, if that is your intention.
I would scrap the 18-55mm kit. It doesn't have IS. I bought instead the 17-85mm f4-5.6, IS lens which has better glass, longer zoom and IS. It is a solid general use lens with great quality images. It is also made specifically for Canons crop sensor camera's and give true wide angle images.
@krissym my 18-55mm lenses have IS.
But as @jodimuli said, the 50mm prime is a lens for LIFE. If i had other lenses, i wouldn't use the 18-55. The thing is when you are starting, you get too limited if you only own a prime and nothing more.
That's what I was worried about--being too limited at first. Even though I'd love to I can't spend $500 on a lens right out of the gate, especially considering I'm buying my first camera at the same time. lol! I guess I'm leaning toward option 3 now since I do want more flexibility.
Option 5) Buy The camera body and see if you can pick up a second hand 18-55 and 50mm (they go pretty cheap!) and get yourself some macro tubes for about $10!
I would go for option 4 this has a great range for photography, this is what i use.
Then later on you could go for the F1.8 50mm prime which is another great lens for potraits and blur or "bokeh" as we call it, this lens is cheap £70.00 sterling.
All three lenses are a great bit of kit for starting off.
What do you primarily shoot? The 50mm is great for portraits. The long zoom lens are wonderful from afar. And the kit lens is great to have to use with macro filters, fish eye adapter etc.
Okay here's another question (sorry guys!)...is there really a big difference between the 75-300mm and the 55-250mm? If I went with the 75-300 for more close-ups would I feel it lacking in any way since I'd also have the 18-55?
@jenimac If you do close ups, you will want the kit lens. You can add macro filters and get even closer. The 50 keeps you at a distance. Prime lens' are great, but zoom is handy for getting in close. I have the 75-300mm and LOVE it, but I have zero experience with the 55-250mm. My 75-300 does not have IS, so I have to be very still when using the 300 setting. Good luck! The great thing about a DSLR, is you can start basic and add accessories on to them for years.
@cfitzgerald Thanks so much for the feedback! Based on what everyone has said I think I'm leaning toward the kit lens and the 75-300. I'm so new at this that I have A LOT to learn before branching out. I mean, I hadn't even heard the term "kit lens" until this weekend. hehe! :)
I got option 4 when I purchased mine about a year ago because it cover most basis with both lenses and have since added to it but its a great camera whichever package you can get, I'm looking to go full frame soon so have to start all over again, but I will be keeping my 550 for sure
i just bought option #4....and it is MY first DSLR as well.....i am super intimidated by it all.......eeeek. maybe we should friend each other so we are not alone in our learning curve..?....lol
I have just updated from my old 300D to a 600D, i got a great deal on the twin lens kit with 55-250 but i bought a 75-300 several years ago for my 300D, as i only got them yesterday I haven't investigated them side by side but my incling is i will sell the 55-250 on with my old camera as that extra bit of zoom is what i like.
here in NZ canon have a redemption promo on where i am getting a free 50mm when i send in my proof of purchase which i am really excited about and I just bought some macro extension tubes off trademe (NZ's ebay equiv) for $12 so i am really excited about those too!
If i were you I would go option 3, its all well and good people talking about different lenses but when you are starting out i dont see the problem with kit lenses and to buy just the body and have to find second hand lenses elsewhere you would struggle to get as good a starting value for money package, In My Opinion :)
@sticksandstones I'm so intimidated too Jenny! Except I'm so intimidated I can't even figure out what to buy. lol! I'll definitely start following you. :)
@emjay8 Thanks for your input Mel. As confused as I am I probably need to start with kit lenses. :)
Okay, from this discussion I've learned about IS...and option 4 with the 55-250mm is an IS lens. Option 3's zoom lens is not an IS. Does that really make a difference?
@jenimac Hi Jen, if you're new to dSLRs, I'd recommend the 18-55 kit lens *if* it's the IS version. I got mine without and ended up buying a second hand IS version. The kit lens is a great starter lens, is versatile & does pretty well with macro (especially if you add cheap extension tubes or close-up filters). There are lots of cheap 75-300mm lenses second hand too, as these were part of the kits in previous years. The 50mm f/1.8 is the most fun/$ lens there is, and is a fantastic intro to shallow DoF and bokeh.
So, my advice would be to get the IS kit (unless you see a really good combo deal) and see how you get on. You'll find pretty quickly which direction it is lacking for your style (f-stop or focal length) and then supplement accordingly from the secondhand market.
@jenimac you'll see that the prices answer that one for you. A tele with IS is immensely more expensive haha. I would go with @humphreyhippo : second market for starters might be a good way to go (only if you get a huge great deal).
If possible first learn your ways through the camera. Know it back and foward. Operate it in the dark. Photograph a lot. And then figure out what you want to buy next.
I always thought my second buy would be a tele 75-300. I ended up buying a flash unit first. haha.
Hi Jen :) I'm in the same boat - taking the plunge into dslr land for the first time and I just wanted to say how helpful and informative this thread has been for my own decision. Thanks for posting!
@attraversi That's great Stephanie! I was a bit reluctant to post since I felt like I had so many dumb questions. haha! But I'm glad it's helped you too. :)
I have a T3i, and all of the above mentioned lens (and I just got an 85mm lens) anyway, I never use the 18-55 because I am never happy with the quality. The 75-300 is a good lens but sometimes you don't need to zoom. With that being said, the 50mm 1.8 lives on my camera (or it did until I got my 85mm lens the other day) it is a great lens and if you could afford to get maybe the zoom and the 50mm, you would have two great lens imo!
@jenimac really? what a surprise! Humm... 250 mm with IS is a thing to think about carefully. Both have the same f numbers too. In that case, i would go for the 55-250mm, because IS plays a huge role in telephotos.
@gabrielklee That's what I was starting to figure. I'm so glad I asked all this here because before now I had no idea how big a deal IS was. I truly appreciate all of the responses! I feel like I've learned a lot in a short amount of time. :)
In the meantime before you get a real macro lens, you can pick up a reversing ring from eBay for really cheap - you just attach it to your 18-55 and you can get some amazing macro photography that way :)
I would go for option 1 if I had my chance again. The fifty is a good all round lens and an excellent learning tool, too much choice means too much learning. I like restricting myself. I am going to tape up my lcd soon so I cant preview and take another shot if I'm not happy. If its wrong its wrong, I feel this will help me greatly in getting things right first time.
@gabrielklee I recently read that IS can be as much of a hindrance as a help, it effectively adds shake of its own, I'm glad my lens are not IS, Pentax got it right, there IS is in camera not in lens.
@jenimac Good on you for posting about this and all the best as you make your decision. I'm in the same boat, and have been reading about all this. Have just bought my first DSLR this week (waiting impatiently for it to arrive!), going with your camera plus option 4. Got a great deal here in OZ. And I know I will be longing for the 50mm too!
Can't remember what thread it was on here but someone was commenting on the gap between the 18-55 and the 75-300. Now I don't pretend to know anything about that but someone else might. @sticksandstones Yes I think I'll be rather intimidated by it when it arrives!! And I know my p&s is also going to be intimated ;-)
@pocketmouse Thanks Teresa! I didn't realize before this discussion that there were other, cheaper option for macro photography. That's awesome. :)
@justeddie Eddie, I'm intimidated by the learning curve too. That's definitely a good point about having too much to learn at once.
@tulipgirl I'm beginning to lean toward option 4 now as well. That must be so exciting that your camera is on its way! Just the thought of a DSLR intimidates me, but it'll be so fun to learn. :)
There is another cheap option for macro, I haven't posted any macro shots yet but I have got some amazing (by my standards) macro shots from my Holga lens kit. For £51 I got a standard, a wide, a telephoto and five close up lens. the standard sits on your camera and all the others just slide on top of that. The macro lens give you 50cm,, 25cm, 12cm, 6cm and 3cm focus distance. The only issue is you have to use manual focus, however I have done this since day 1.
The learning curve is steep full stop, after 1 and a half months I find I am still learning every time I take my camera out of the bag. I am writing how I learn as I go and hope to publish it all one day as a beginners guide from a beginners perspective.
Lesson 1 for me after familiarising myself with the camera was ISO settings. I used the camera in P mode where you can alter some settings but the camera will operate in AF. It really isn't that hard a lesson and after a good day or maybe two you will soon be a little bored of this lesson and ready to move on to lesson 2!
You will not regret moving up to DSLR, it is a joy to behold. Just remember not to beat yourself up about mistakes. Mistakes are the best way to learn in my opinion.
A spare battery, the Canon battery lasts forever compared to the Pentax one I used to have but you really don't want to be without a spare while your out and about.
A decent sized bag with room for your growing kit and a tripod is a good place to start.
Some people say that the cheap batteries are fine, on the other hand some people have had bad experiences, I couldn't find a definite answer online so I asked 6 of my friends. One of them had a battery blow up inside the camera and that made my decision for me.
I went for a Hahnel branded battery and bought it from a reputable shop, I actually got it half price and it holds more power than the Canon one.
Hopefully this will save you time researching so that you can play with your new toy!!!!
@jenimac I am in same boat, just bought a canon 100d which came with a 18 - 55 and I bought the 55 - 250 with it. Bought at John Lewis so can change. Chose this camera as my hands are small and it felt comfiest.
For a little bit more, instead of this telephoto, I can get the Tamron 18 - 270 which would be useful in every situation. Does anyone know about this. Like you it's all so confusing after a digital with macro and zoom. There were cameras not dealer which had f2.8 on all shots. As I wanted a SLR this was also confusing. I have scratched some lens in the past so having a filter is a must. Is Tamron good? Do you miss shots changing lens?
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Is money an huge issue? Else i would advise you to get the t3i.
All because of the flash control options. If you don't plan on shooting with flash, go with the t2i, suberb, fantastic, awesome camera!
I would say option 3. Because when you have the 250mm, you will want that bit more of a close up. haha. And the 18-55 pretty much covers up the rest of your needs.
But as @jodimuli said, the 50mm prime is a lens for LIFE. If i had other lenses, i wouldn't use the 18-55. The thing is when you are starting, you get too limited if you only own a prime and nothing more.
Then later on you could go for the F1.8 50mm prime which is another great lens for potraits and blur or "bokeh" as we call it, this lens is cheap £70.00 sterling.
All three lenses are a great bit of kit for starting off.
here in NZ canon have a redemption promo on where i am getting a free 50mm when i send in my proof of purchase which i am really excited about and I just bought some macro extension tubes off trademe (NZ's ebay equiv) for $12 so i am really excited about those too!
If i were you I would go option 3, its all well and good people talking about different lenses but when you are starting out i dont see the problem with kit lenses and to buy just the body and have to find second hand lenses elsewhere you would struggle to get as good a starting value for money package, In My Opinion :)
@emjay8 Thanks for your input Mel. As confused as I am I probably need to start with kit lenses. :)
So, my advice would be to get the IS kit (unless you see a really good combo deal) and see how you get on. You'll find pretty quickly which direction it is lacking for your style (f-stop or focal length) and then supplement accordingly from the secondhand market.
If possible first learn your ways through the camera. Know it back and foward. Operate it in the dark. Photograph a lot. And then figure out what you want to buy next.
I always thought my second buy would be a tele 75-300. I ended up buying a flash unit first. haha.
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Digital-18-55mm-55-250mm-Telephoto/dp/B005Z3DWHK/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1330378881&sr=8-6
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Digital-18-55mm-75-300mm-Telephoto/dp/B005Z3DWCU/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1330378881&sr=8-5
Can't remember what thread it was on here but someone was commenting on the gap between the 18-55 and the 75-300. Now I don't pretend to know anything about that but someone else might. @sticksandstones Yes I think I'll be rather intimidated by it when it arrives!! And I know my p&s is also going to be intimated ;-)
@justeddie Eddie, I'm intimidated by the learning curve too. That's definitely a good point about having too much to learn at once.
@tulipgirl I'm beginning to lean toward option 4 now as well. That must be so exciting that your camera is on its way! Just the thought of a DSLR intimidates me, but it'll be so fun to learn. :)
The learning curve is steep full stop, after 1 and a half months I find I am still learning every time I take my camera out of the bag. I am writing how I learn as I go and hope to publish it all one day as a beginners guide from a beginners perspective.
Lesson 1 for me after familiarising myself with the camera was ISO settings. I used the camera in P mode where you can alter some settings but the camera will operate in AF. It really isn't that hard a lesson and after a good day or maybe two you will soon be a little bored of this lesson and ready to move on to lesson 2!
You will not regret moving up to DSLR, it is a joy to behold. Just remember not to beat yourself up about mistakes. Mistakes are the best way to learn in my opinion.
A spare battery, the Canon battery lasts forever compared to the Pentax one I used to have but you really don't want to be without a spare while your out and about.
A decent sized bag with room for your growing kit and a tripod is a good place to start.
Some people say that the cheap batteries are fine, on the other hand some people have had bad experiences, I couldn't find a definite answer online so I asked 6 of my friends. One of them had a battery blow up inside the camera and that made my decision for me.
I went for a Hahnel branded battery and bought it from a reputable shop, I actually got it half price and it holds more power than the Canon one.
Hopefully this will save you time researching so that you can play with your new toy!!!!
For a little bit more, instead of this telephoto, I can get the Tamron 18 - 270 which would be useful in every situation. Does anyone know about this. Like you it's all so confusing after a digital with macro and zoom. There were cameras not dealer which had f2.8 on all shots. As I wanted a SLR this was also confusing. I have scratched some lens in the past so having a filter is a must. Is Tamron good? Do you miss shots changing lens?