Canon 400D (Rebel Xti, Kiss X)

[mabas9395]

Rule #1 in a photography forum: Never ask if you NEED more equipment, the answer will always be "YES"

That being said, how long have you had your kit lens for? What have you wanted to do with it that you haven't been able to? Has it not been wide enought, or not long enough? Do you get blurry low light shots? Does the sun light glare in your shots?

Its very easy to go out and buy a bunch of equipment, but you should only get new stuff if your old stuff can't do what you want it to do.

 

[lovetheprincesses]

Thanks so much for the input! Um, I think I am going to buy the nifty fifty for lowlight shots and dark rides at WDW....it seems to be a good buy. The other lens I have looked at is the EF 28-135. Is that what I need so that school programs, church programs, games, etc, where I am a good distance away will photograph well?

 

[ukcatfan]

Thanks so much for the input! Um, I think I am going to buy the nifty fifty for lowlight shots and dark rides at WDW....it seems to be a good buy. The other lens I have looked at is the EF 28-135. Is that what I need so that school programs, church programs, games, etc, where I am a good distance away will photograph well?

It depends on if the subject is moving or not and how good the lighting is. If the lighting is low and the subject is moving, then the aperture of the 28-135mm is probably not enough. This is a situation where the IS will not be much help b/c you have to keep the shutter speed fast enough to prevent subject blur anyway. I am not saying that it is a bad lens, but an all around lens like that is not the best for tough lighting situations. As long as it is not out of your price range, I think something in the 70mm or 80mm to 200mm or 300mm range with a constant aperture of f/2.8-f/4 through the range would be better. I am not all that familiar with Canon lenses, but the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 USM L looks pretty impressive. There is also an IS version for more $$$.

Kevin

 

[mabas9395]

I have to agree with ukcatfan/kevin. The 28-135 is a decent all-purpose lense, but school programs, church programs, etc are a special case that requires a special lens (thats photo code for big bucks). You will need something fast and long if you want really good shots. But the 28-135 at ISO 1600 will get you better shots than your average P&S, so its better than nothing.

 

[dpuck1998]

I recently purchased a Canon XTi. It came with the standard 18-55 lens and also a cheap 75-300 lens. What I wondering is, since my birthday is Thursday , what I should consider for my next purchase. I have a large tripod and a nice case already.

Thanks!

 

[bostran1]

Maybe a nice wide-angle lens? Or the 1.8 50 mm prime?

 

[ukcatfan]

I second the 50mm f/1.8 and add a multi-coated CP filter, extra battery, and external flash. A couple other helpful and still inexpensive items are the Giottos Rocket Blower and a sensor cleaning kit.

Kevin

 

[dpuck1998]

I second the 50mm f/1.8 and add a multi-coated CP filter, extra battery, and external flash. A couple other helpful and still inexpensive items are the Giottos Rocket Blower and a sensor cleaning kit.

Kevin

Should I purchase a Canon lens or are there other lens that would work and are better for my camera? I have several batteries already, I just realized it uses the same battery as my camcorder! What does the CP filter do for me? Whats the Rocket Blower?

 

[dpuck1998]

Maybe a nice wide-angle lens? Or the 1.8 50 mm prime?

http://www.normancamera.com/product-exec/product_id/8147/nm/CANON_EF_28MM_F1_8_USM

Is this the one you mentioned?

 

[Lizziejane]

resurrecting this thread...

 

[handicap18]

Get the 50mm f/1.8. It can be had for about $80 depending on where you look. Great in low light and sharp as a tack.

Other than that it depends on your shooting style. If you like landscapes then something like a wide zoom such as a 12-24mm or 10-20mm. Or maybe you like shooting indoor sports, then maybe the 70-200mm f/2.8 or an 85mm f/1.8 prime or 100mm f/2 (I believe it is) prime.

If you like portraits, then the 50mm f/1.8 with a flash like the 430X (not a canon guy some I'm guessing here) with a diffuser. or maybe a slightly wider prime like a 30mm f/1.4 as a standard walk around lens like they had back in the day before zooms were real popular.

Bird watching or other nature stuff or outdoor sports, then then 100-400 f/4-5.6.

The choices are endless.

 

[ktulu]

I 2nd the 50mm f/1.8, great lens, I got a great shot on pirates (moving!) with that one.

I'd also recommend the battery grip, for me it makes the camera fit perfect in my hands now. If it already fits good, then maybe skip it. I'd also recommend the optec pro neckstrap if you plan on carrying it that way. I picked one up while we were on vacation after the stock canon strap started to bug me.

 

[bostran1]

http://www.normancamera.com/product-exec/product_id/8147/nm/CANON_EF_28MM_F1_8_USM

Is this the one you mentioned?

Nope, this is

 

[dpuck1998]

Nope, this is

Is it worth the extra money to get the f.14/50mm lens?

 

[cpbjgc]

At a local attraction:

And some flower shots from a garden in my neighbourhood (not mine, unfortunately!), some of which I posted in another thread

 

[Master Mason]

Is it worth the extra money to get the f.14/50mm lens?

dpuck,

The answer to that is it depends. There are a lot of things that go into deciding what lenses you need.

The 1.4 is one of the best lenses in terms of bokah, it has more wings (forget the technical term) inside the lens, which helps it to perform better in the proper circumstances.

However, is it worth 3 times the price?? Only you can decide that, will you use it often enough, can you take advantage of the better lens based on your skills, does it allow you to take the pictures you require?

As to your original question. Here is my suggestion. Buy yourself a gift certificate with the money, or keep it in the bank until such time as you know what it is you need, because you don't have something that will take the picture you want to capture, or a supply type thing that you need.

Just getting things is often a shot in the dark at what you really need. Once you have an identified need, then it is easier to get the item that will cover that need.

 

[Suzann]

Lizziejane- LOVE the beautiful horse shots!

cpbjgc- that's a cool brick (thing.. not sure what to call it) Is the art and text carved in there? And what pretty daisies!!!

Here's mine from the past week or so:
Safeco field

And of course, Hannah again, but this time posing with her baby giraffe LOL

 

[ukcatfan]

Should I purchase a Canon lens or are there other lens that would work and are better for my camera? I have several batteries already, I just realized it uses the same battery as my camcorder! What does the CP filter do for me? Whats the Rocket Blower?

Check these links:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/polarizers.shtml

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filter_%28photography%29#Polarizer

http://www.giottos.com/CL.htm

I personally feel that a CP filter is must if you do outdoor photography.

Unfortunately, it has pretty much been proven that the sensor shake dust removers built in cameras like the XTi simply do not work well enough. You will eventually need a blower and a cleaning kit, so why not go ahead and get it before you need it.

Kevin

 

[dpuck1998]

Sounds like the "nifty fifty" is a no-brainer. I think I'll toss that one in my bag and run with the kit lens and 70-300 until I see the need for something else. I took some great shots of outdoor football in good light yesterday and they turned out awesome. Of about 60 shots, 40+ turned out just fine! What about a portable tripod? A gorilla tripod or is there something better out there?

 

[dburg30]

I 2nd the 50mm f/1.8, great lens, I got a great shot on pirates (moving!) with that one.

I third or fourth it. I love that lens