Lens advice for Canon 400d (Rebel XTi)

[MissKip]

I am trying to decide if I need another lens for our upcoming trip. I have the kit lens which I actually quite like for general wandering around but my current zoom lens is just too big to carry around all day.

At home we are mainly shooting motor racing and my horses however I'd really like to play around with my camera at night this trip and I think my kit lens will be too slow in low light?

I have never had a prime so I am considering buying a 50mm f/1.8 (nifty fifty to all you canon peoples ) but if I do this am I likely to miss having a better zoom lens?

Is the tamron 55-200mm f/4-5.6 worth having? I could maybe just about stretch to both

 

[bob100]

I am trying to decide if I need another lens for our upcoming trip. I have the kit lens which I actually quite like for general wandering around but my current zoom lens is just too big to carry around all day.

At home we are mainly shooting motor racing and my horses however I'd really like to play around with my camera at night this trip and I think my kit lens will be too slow in low light?

I have never had a prime so I am considering buying a 50mm f/1.8 (nifty fifty to all you canon peoples ) but if I do this am I likely to miss having a better zoom lens?

Is the tamron 55-200mm f/4-5.6 worth having? I could maybe just about stretch to both

if you have the original 18-55 non-is then yes, it's probably worth it to upgrade to a better zoom. The 50mm 1.8 is only $60 so get it but if you mean night time long exposures then be sure to bring the tripod. Forget the Tamron 55-200, instead get the Canon 55-250IS which is often on sale (new) for $150 or around $100 used.

 

[photo_chick]

Hey... I have the original 18-55 and it's not THAT bad. Yes, the IS versions are better but it's still a decent lens. It's not like it's the 75-300.

Totally agree on skipping the Tamron to go for the Canon 55-250. It's a solid lens for the price. The 50mm f/1.8 is also a lot of fun though.

OP.. by current zoom lens... I'm guessing you're talking about a telephoto zoom lens? If so which one do you have? Just for clarity sake, so we know what you're talking about and you know what we're talking about, a zoom is any lens that can change focal length. A telephoto zoom is one that is in like the 50-300 range, give or take depending on who you talk to.