Starter lenses?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by rafael.bosio on November 2, 2011 at 7:54am

Hello Amy!

 

I use this one: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/747927-REG/Tamron_AFB008C700_...

What I like most on it is that when traveling I don't need to be changing lenses all the time, since it handles most of my needs..

 

Next step is to by a wide angle and that is it for me, since I`m just a fan not a pro..

 

Cheers

 

Permalink Reply by Ladipo Soetan on November 2, 2011 at 8:07am

Hello Amy,

you did not say what your budget was but I would recommend the EF 24-105mm F/4.0 L.  Its much cheaper than the EF 24-70mm which stops down lower and it will still be useful if you decide to upgrade to a full frame camera later on.  Its a good quality lens with a really useful general purpose focal local length.  Because the T3 has a crop sensor it is will not really do down to 24mm but you can't have every thing. 

Another option is the the Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens, which has is also pretty useful but will no longer work if you decide to upgrade to a full frame.  You could always trade it in then though.  A final recommendation would be the Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens.

 

I hope this helps.

Permalink Reply by Diane Dubreuil Dugas on November 2, 2011 at 8:12am

I agree with Ladipo, the best lens for travelling is the 24-105, even if I have a lot of other lenses, this one still my old time favorite, I never leave without it, if you have to buy only one this is it, one of the best:)

Permalink Reply by Alex Coghe on November 2, 2011 at 8:29am

35mm or 50mm. Primary lens. Quality, speed, an investment for the future. The fact that it is a fixed lens is  an advantage also for a beginner: it forces you to focus on the composition. In addition your rebel becomes lighter.

Permalink Reply by Richard Crowe on November 2, 2011 at 10:19am

I expect that the lens you have at the present time is the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Kit Lens.  This lens covers most needs for a mid-range focal length lens but, is a bit on the slow side.

 

The extended focal length lenses such as the 18-135mm, 18-200mm Canons and the 18-270mm Tamron are quite handy for travel.  You only have to carry one camera with a single lens which will provide a great focal range.  They are a bit more expensive than the 55-250mm f/3.5-5.6 Canon which combined with your 18-250mm lens, gives you approximately the same focal length choices and the same apertures as the extended focal range lenses.

 

I would recomment that you select the 55-250mm f/3.5-5.6 IS as a telephoto zoom.  This lens has one of the best quality to price ratios available.  It will allow you to isolate postions of a scene, compress distances and will allow you to work with selective focus.  Admittedly a lens with a faster aperture will do a better job in selective focus but, this lens is so inexpensive that it pairs up exceptionally well with the 18-55mm lens you have.  You will have to switch lenses but, that is not a great problem. The 55-250mm lens runs about $200 new on Amazon and can be found for quite a bit less on various used equipment sites.

 

REVIEW:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-S-55-250mm-f-4-...

 

A 50mm f/1.8 Mk-ii would provide you with a faster aperture and allow you to do some available light photography.  It is also a fairly decent portrait lens. This lens sells for a bit over $100 new and less than that on the used market.

 

REVIEW:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-50mm-f-1.8-II-L...

 

 

Permalink Reply by Robert Beneckson on November 2, 2011 at 5:00pm

Amy,

What lenses are you using now?

Permalink Reply by Jared Weaver on December 14, 2011 at 8:03pm

Check out the Sigma lens lineup. I own the Sigma 17-200mm F3.5-6.3 and I do 90% of my shooting with it. It is a very inexpensive lens, only about 425$, which is cheap in the lens world. There are updated models that probably cost more but you can find some of the older ones with the 72mm filter rings at a reasonable price still. Tamron has similar lenses but they cost upwards to 750$ and quality is questionable at best due to them being made in China. 

Permalink Reply by CameraClicker on December 15, 2011 at 6:15am

The newer Sigma 18-200 and 18-250 have image stabilization which is a very worthwhile addition.  There is a small difference between 200 and 250 mm for most subjects.  The difference in framing using the Sigma at 250 mm and the Tamron at 270 mm is negligible.  I have not seen many photos taken with the Tamron.  Image quality with either Sigma lens is quite good for most purposes and the advantage of these lenses is the reduced need to change lenses and let dirt into the camera.