Buying a T4i body only. Only room in the budget for one lens help me pick one

[superdisneydork]

You describe exactly the reason I always say "go WIDE" at Disney. By the time you back up far enough to get your shot, lots of other people fill that space in.

Well.... that makes me nervous! I'm not much for wide angle, my widest lens is a 24mm! Might be time to consider a rental.

I do think I get some distorion at the 17 end of my 17-55. But it's not terrible and I try to zoom in just a little to avoid it. But sometimes you just can't. I'd rather have a little distortion than miss the shot.

If you're shooting RAW (or even if you're not) you can use Adobe Camera Raw to correct it, it has most, if not all Canon lens in its preset list. I believe the Digital Photo Professional can also correct for it.

And as for the kit lens debate....... I'm with photochick on this. The kit lenses these days are really good, and don't cost that much more when you get them bundled with the body to begin with. And honestly, if you're getting the T4i and that kit lens will autofocus in video....... GET IT. I don't use my video on my T2i because of the lack of auto focus.

Also, the kit lens is great to have if you ever want to upgrade your camera and sell your old one. Once you get great glass, you won't want to part with it. And your camera will be much easier to sell bundled with a lens.

I can agree with this too, especially if you're really still unsure about what to go with. I am right now admiring the 12" x 18" print I just hung up on my wall today, taken with my 18-55mm. It looks fantastic, and I took the shot at night, handheld with the IS backing me up. Just because its a kit lens doesn't mean it's not useful! I also still recommend the rental route if you're not sure what you want to shoot, or how you want to shoot it.

 

[photo_chick]

I forgot the new 18-55 that will AF with video. A must IMO if you really want to effectively use your DSLR like a camcorder. If you're only shooting video on a tripod not as big a deal though.

 

[MolonLabe]

Thank you so much everyone.

I will be getting the T4i with the kit lens.

I'm going to wait a couple weeks and then order another lens. Not necessarily to save up money, but to get a 'feel' for how this one will handle.

For the price (and video AF), I'd be foolish not to get it.

Thanks so much everyone. I do think that sigma 17-70 f2.8-4 OS is going to be what I get next most likely.

 

[DizzyV6P]

I was deciding about a month ago between the sigma 17-70 and the 17-50 2.8. I really wanted the 17-70 for the extra reach but everything i read pointed me to the 17-50 being a better lens. Im glad i did so much research and went with the 17-50 2.8. Its super sharp. Take a look at my flickr link. Most of my Europe shots are with the 17-50 2.8

As a former Canon user, you can't get any sharper than the 17-50 f/2.8 OS for that price. The f/2.8 is critical for taking many indoor and low light shots. There's a reason why every wedding photographer has a 17-55 f/2.8, 24-70 f/2.8 or equivalent lens.

Did you check out the Canon forums?
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/

That's probably the best place to ask this question. You'll find that the Sigma 17-70 isn't as sharp as its 17-50 f/2.8 brother. Heck, if you want range, just save your money and get a Tamron 18-270 or even the Canon 15-85. IMHO, the 17-70 tries to give you the best of both worlds, low light and distance, but ends up flopping on both. Especially since the extra 20mm can be easily solved by taking a few steps forward.

Although it sounds like you have your heart set on the 17-70...don't.."It's a Trap!" Camera manufacturers know that every beginner dslr owner wants the perfect all in one lens and fully take advantage of this. I can't begin to tell you how many people I know that fall into this trap and end up buying a 17-50 f/2.8 OS or equivalent only to later unload the used 17-70 on the POTN marketplace (Hint, that might be a good place to buy one cheap if you REALLLLLLLY want that lens. Then you can sell it later for minimal loss).

If your intent is to take character pictures, you also need to invest in a good Canon bounce flash. The 480 EX II is a good one to start with. Keep in mind, you are not going to have a lot of space to take character dining pictures. Many of the restaurants can also be quite dark so a bounce flash is a must. Even walking around the park, there are usually so many people walking around that you will find yourself getting closer to your subject anyways, thereby making the extra 20mm useless. You'll find far more use out of a constant f/2.8 than a mere 20mm.

Either way, good luck with your purchase and welcome to the ranks of Canon DSLR's. You just gotta watch out for G.A.S.(Gear Acquisition Syndrome).

 

[photo_chick]

Molonlabe... just a note on that... they do sell the T4i with both versions of the 18-55 kit. You want the STM version if you want auto focus while shooting video.

 

[MolonLabe]

Molonlabe... just a note on that... they do sell the T4i with both versions of the 18-55 kit. You want the STM version if you want auto focus while shooting video.

Crap.

I need to call them on Monday and change my order. ARRGGGHHH!

edit:

That lens hasn't even been released yet. It's a preorder.

 

[photo_chick]

It's been released but it's still trickling into the stores.

 

[MolonLabe]

It's been released but it's still trickling into the stores.

Will the other lens not do video then?

 

[photo_chick]

Will the other lens not do video then?

You can shoot video with any lens. But only the STM lenses will auto focus while shooting video.