I have a Canon Rebel XS and the lens it came with... Canon Zoom Lens EF-S 18-55mm. Its been a great "first lens" for me to learn on (this is my first DSLR). But I would love something else, maybe with more zoom... any suggestions for me?
Thanks!
Oh, and if it helps, I mostly photos of my kids and take nature shots :)
I have the XS...it came with the 18-55mm that you have and the 75-300mm also. I do a lot of nature and wildlife shots, and the 300mm comes in handy. Next is a wide angle...I seem to need it more and more for landscapes !
Might consider picking up a 50mm f1.8 for the shots of the kids if they are portrait photos. It will give you nice, crisp shots inside or outside. No zoom though, however, it is more affordable right away as you can find them around $100.
I was going to suggest a 50mm prime lens too. Great for portraits and close up nature, esp with a f1.8 as you can shoot in lower light and still hand hold. No zoom but you can always take 2 steps forward or 2 steps back! ;) I think they can have a focal distance of about 45cm so you can get in nice and close to things and still focus. Only major down side is if you want to photograph something from a distance, not disturb it, and still have a tight crop, you might miss the zoom and a 75-300 would suit that.
Keep us posted!
It really depends on what you would like to do next. Your current lens covers the wide area fairly well. I see a couple of paths you could take. Do a zoom telephoto that picks up where your current one leaves off so you can get closer to the action. There's a Sigma 50-200 telephoto or go with the Canon 75-300 Pete mentioned. You would have a gap between 55-75 with the Canon, but I doubt you would miss that little range. I know I wouldn't. The telephotos really make you work hard to get a good image in low light settings as camera shake is amplified, so a lower fixed F-Stop (2.8 - 4.0) is really worth the extra money. So, if want to make a smaller purchase now and you plan on saving for a big purchase lens later, you may want to hold off on the telephoto and go with the next one I'll mention.
The other route is to get a lens that will let you do Macro photos. A prime 50mm with Macro will cover portraits as well as those super up close flower and bug shots. Canon has a 50mm f2.5 Macro that I think would be a fun lens for you to be creative and learn.
Some telephotos say they are macro but I've been disapointed with the one I have for macro shots. The prime macro works much better.
Wow - thanks so much guys! Great advice... I do love the kids portraits and the up-close shots - and I've been frustrated with my inability to get macro-type shots with a non-macro lense... but for things like the kids karate and soccer, I'd love a bit more zoom... hhhmmm.... decisions, decisions.
Hmmm...ok....how about a prime Canon 100mm f2.8 Macro. It should do nicely for portraits, macro, and with a little bit of low light telephoto thrown in.
Dawnetta I like Davids suggestion of a 100mm Macro. I have the Tamron 90mm Macro and I use it for EVERYTHING! Portraits of the kids, closeups of bugs, flowers and abstract shots, as well as photos from several meters back. Plus being a 90 or 100mm on a cropped sensor effectively the becomes a 150mm so you can allow a greater working distance between camera and subject - you will be surprised how 'zoomed in' you really do get! Go into a shop and ask them to put a lens on a camera body and have a play around, see if you like the distance on it. I love my macro!!!!
I'm not even sure what everyone else has said, but honestly
50 MM F/1.8 (please read all in super caps).
You will honest not regret the decision AT ALL.
It's really great for portraits, FANTASTIC DOF and with nature shots, you get GORGEOUS bokeh!
And if you're looking into spending a little more- 50mm f/1.4
(I don't use my kit lens unless i'm going to the zoo, on vacation or I don't even know when. Hardly. I have plenty nature/children examples in my photo stream, check it out!)
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After that you can save for the big lenses.
ETA example link - http://www.amazon.com/Canon-50mm-1-8-Camera-Lens/dp/B00007E7JU/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1283563556&sr=1-1
Keep us posted!
The other route is to get a lens that will let you do Macro photos. A prime 50mm with Macro will cover portraits as well as those super up close flower and bug shots. Canon has a 50mm f2.5 Macro that I think would be a fun lens for you to be creative and learn.
Some telephotos say they are macro but I've been disapointed with the one I have for macro shots. The prime macro works much better.
P.S. Your photos are great!
50 MM F/1.8 (please read all in super caps).
You will honest not regret the decision AT ALL.
It's really great for portraits, FANTASTIC DOF and with nature shots, you get GORGEOUS bokeh!
And if you're looking into spending a little more- 50mm f/1.4
(I don't use my kit lens unless i'm going to the zoo, on vacation or I don't even know when. Hardly. I have plenty nature/children examples in my photo stream, check it out!)