Canon Rebel XT ?

[bentos]

The problem though with getting a zoom lens separate from your wide lens or the kit lens is that you will be changing it a lot. This is really, in my experience, a lot of hassle *** you might just miss out on amazing shots just cause you have to change lenses.

So I would say getting a wide to zoom lens like an 18-200 or something like that. It's more expensive but hey it's really worth it.

 

[nikkistevej]

Thanks!!

 

[Master Mason]

The problem though with getting a zoom lens separate from your wide lens or the kit lens is that you will be changing it a lot. This is really, in my experience, a lot of hassle *** you might just miss out on amazing shots just cause you have to change lenses.

So I would say getting a wide to zoom lens like an 18-200 or something like that. It's more expensive but hey it's really worth it.

That all depends on what you're shooting. A superzoom such as that would be useless trying to shoot a football game under the lights at a High School.

You need to figure out what shots you're not able to take that you would like to take, and then figure out what lens will allow you to get that shot.

 

[photo_chick]

The problem though with getting a zoom lens separate from your wide lens or the kit lens is that you will be changing it a lot. This is really, in my experience, a lot of hassle *** you might just miss out on amazing shots just cause you have to change lenses.

So I would say getting a wide to zoom lens like an 18-200 or something like that. It's more expensive but hey it's really worth it.

Changing lenses is part of having a DSLR. It's a system. If you plan and know what lenses you need in a given situation you won't really miss any shots. Personally I've missed more shots because I ran out of film or filled up my memory card than I ever have from changing a lens.

The problem with an "all in one" lens with a huge range is you loose image quality on either end. And they tend to be on the slow side. It's a trade-off for the convenience that everyone has to weigh for themselves through.

 

[mom2rtk]

It really depends on how you intend to use it. I LOVE the superzooms, but a while back finally figured out they only work well in bright sunshine. For anything in lower light, you're going to need something faster with a wider aperture.

But if you have the right expectations, it's not a bad place to start.

 

[nikkistevej]

I feel like I will still use the one I have now almost all of the time- but want one for certain things. My daughter is in dance- and I couldn't get a great shot on stage- it was to far away. I borrowed my cousins lense and it was alot better. I'll have to ask her what hers is.

 

[mom2rtk]

I feel like I will still use the one I have now almost all of the time- but want one for certain things. My daughter is in dance- and I couldn't get a great shot on stage- it was to far away. I borrowed my cousins lense and it was alot better. I'll have to ask her what hers is.

The superzooms typically don't do well for dance. The largest aperture size is still too small to get a fast enough shutter speed. And the more you zoom in, the smaller that maximum aperture size gets.

 

[photo_chick]

I feel like I will still use the one I have now almost all of the time- but want one for certain things. My daughter is in dance- and I couldn't get a great shot on stage- it was to far away. I borrowed my cousins lense and it was alot better. I'll have to ask her what hers is.

The 55-250 probably won't do really well with stage lighting at a dance recital. It's go the reach, but it's still a bit slow to do a good job of overcoming camera shake and motion blur in that type of situation. The IS only helps so much. You may still have to underexpose a step then bump it up later, depending on how well the stage is lit.

I just shot my DD's dance recital and most of the shots I was halfway pleased with were from my old DSLR that I stuck the 50mm f/1.8 on.

 

[jeniamt]

I have a Canon Rebel XT that was recently dropped and did in the standard lens that came with the camera. I have a Canon Zoom Lens EF 75-300mm 1:4-5.6 III USM (can you tell I have no idea what any of that means so I listed everything on the lens in case its important!). The zoom lens takes amazing pictures but is too heavy for everyday use and is a pain as I have to stand 20 feet from my subjects! I am a mom with 4 kids so most of my pictures are close up kid shots.

I need to replace my standard lens with something that is going to be great for everyday use, fast, takes great portraits and isn't too heavy. I would like to spend about $400. As I mentioned, I have no idea what I am doing and almost always use the automatic settings on my camera. Not knowing what I'm doing, I also have no idea what I'm shopping for!!!! I'm begging for help!!!

Thanks for your input and expertise!!! JEN

 

[NateNLogansDad]

How was the lens that broke? If that's what you're looking for, I'd look on Craigslist or Ebay for an 18-55mm lens. Another option is one I have been looking at which is an 18-200mm lens. That would give you the wide angle that the basic lens had and most of the zoom your good lens has now.

Cannon makes an 18-200 for around $600-$700 but Sigma makes one also for around $370. Just make sure you look at one that has some sort of Optical Stabilizer to help you prevent the blurry pictures from camera shake.


*Disclaimer- I still don't feel like I completely know what I'm talking about, so do a little homework on the lenses

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

If you don't want to replace with exactly the same lens that broke you might consider the Tamron AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II. Tamron 17-50mm

It's a fast, sharp lens with the wide angle you are looking for and currently has a rebate that gets the price to just a little over $400. There are quite a few people on these boards that have this lens and like it. It will allow for you to focus on subjects that are just a little less than 1 foot away. And I would believe it would be good for portraits also.

 

[mom2rtk]

If you don't want to replace with exactly the same lens that broke you might consider the Tamron AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II. Tamron 17-50mm

It's a fast, sharp lens with the wide angle you are looking for and currently has a rebate that gets the price to just a little over $400. There are quite a few people on these boards that have this lens and like it. It will allow for you to focus on subjects that are just a little less than 1 foot away. And I would believe it would be good for portraits also.

I second this idea. She would lose the Image Stabilization, but the 2.8 aperture would be worth it.

If you do want to just replace it with the same thing, I'd suggest hunting around for a deal on a used one. I have to think a number of folks who upgrade to a faster lens eventually sell the kit lens. I'd sell mine right now if I didn't have the entire thing under warranty. If anything happens, I have to exchange the entire unit.

 

[KCmike]

I think the best deal would be to find a used one of the same kit lens. You might want to get the IS (Image Stabilization) version this time around though. In my opinion it is the best bang for your buck. You can find great deals on several sites for this lens. If you need help with sites just say the word.

 

[mom2rtk]

I think the best deal would be to find a used one of the same kit lens. You might want to get the IS (Image Stabilization) version this time around though. In my opinion it is the best bang for your buck. You can find great deals on several sites for this lens. If you need help with sites just say the word.

Oh, that's right! I completely forgot the XT didn't have the IS. I think the newer IS versions of the Canon kit lenses were much better reviewed.

And I still bet she can get a deal on the IS version. Like I said, I'd sell mine in a heartbeat if I didn't have to keep it around for the warranty. Many folks naturally progress from the kit lens to something else and would be willing to part with it.

 

[jeniamt]

Thanks guys for your suggestions. I think I would like a bit of an upgrade from the original. Funny the Tamron 17-50mm would be suggested as that was the one I was considering. After I posted my question here, I started doing a lot of research and zeroed in on that lens. A matter of fact, its sitting in my Amazon cart as we speak. I will be near a camera shop that sells Tamrons on Friday and might try to check it out in person first.

 

[photo_chick]

I'd go for the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 if you can afford it. That wider aperture will do wonders on the XT compared with the old 18-55 you had. But if you can't swing that, I would consider the newer 18-55 IS because the optics are improved and it is IS.

 

[jeniamt]

I'd go for the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 if you can afford it. That wider aperture will do wonders on the XT compared with the old 18-55 you had. But if you can't swing that, I would consider the newer 18-55 IS because the optics are improved and it is IS.

Is this the same one you are referring to?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EXR0SI/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER


Thanks!

 

[photo_chick]

Yeah, that's the one. It's actually on my list to get if nothing breaks down in the next month.

 

[DizzyV6P]

Funny, that's my favorite lens right now. Coincidentally, I'm going to be selling it soon to get the Sigma 17-50 f/2.8 OS. The 17-50 f/2.8 is a great lens for the price. Very sharp and great colors. A lot of these photos at Epcot were taken with the Tamron 17-50
http://rwcphotography.zenfolio.com/p50976852

For the price, you can't beat it.

 

[bob100]

Funny, that's my favorite lens right now. Coincidentally, I'm going to be selling it soon to get the Sigma 17-50 f/2.8 OS. The 17-50 f/2.8 is a great lens for the price. Very sharp and great colors. A lot of these photos at Epcot were taken with the Tamron 17-50
http://rwcphotography.zenfolio.com/p50976852

For the price, you can't beat it.

The Tamron 17-50 2.8 is also my favorite lens. There is now a VC version of the Tamron and like you mentioned the newer Sigma 17-50 2.8 OS but if you don't need "IS/VC/OS" at those focal ranges the older versions are great