Newbie Lens Questions

[Castillo Mom]

I've been lurking around this board for quite a while now and have finally mustered up the courage to ask questions.

I'm planning on purchasing the Rebel XTi at the end of the month. What I've learned so far is that there is no one lens that will do it all, I will need several lenses depending on what I'm shooting. The main reason for my switch from a P&S is for greater creative control and because I hate shutter lag. My immediate needs will be the ability to get good shots in low light for our upcoming trip to WDW as well as indoors where flash isn't allowed. We will also be taking a cruise, so I'll be taking pictures of landscape from the ship. As far as budget is concerned, I want to keep the cost in the $500 range if possible.

The three I'm considering are the 17-55 kit lens, the EF 28-135 with IS and the EF 50 f/1.8. Would these be the best choices based on my budget and needs? My confusion lies with whether I really need the EF 24-105 if the EF 50 would be sufficient for low light situations and fireworks. Of the latter two, which is best or do I need both?

 

[DVC Jen]

For me personally 105mm would not be enough zoom for me. There are times I get frustrated with my 70-300mm. Now - in all honesty I don't use that lens the most, but when I want/need it I am glad I have it.

Otherwise I think your choices are really good.

You will love your XTi - I love mine.

 

[jann1033]

i could be wrong but i thought the 24-105 is an L and closer to $1000? maybe there are 2 24-105s...or are you thinking of the 28-135 IS maybe? plus i think the 24-105 is f4 so not really all that low light... the kit lens isn't a large enough aperture since it's 5.6 at 55.. one of the 50mm would probably suit your needs better, the f1.4 is about $300+, the f1.8 is around $80.... the reviews i have read are close to the same but i would imagine the build quality of the 1.4 is better( 1.8 is pretty cheap looking but works ok so imo i don't really care how it looks )most people love the 50mmf1.8... sometimes i wonder if i got a bad copy cause mine isn't all that sharp( i have a 100mm that is way sharper). last time i was at disney i had a 28-80 film which would roughly be a 17-55 on a rebel xt/xti and really it was a pretty ok length..except at ak, that is all i used, ( and i didn't take photos on the attractions) then at Ak, you'd need more zoom imo. not sure if you mean $500 total or $500 per lens...if it's per lens i'd go either 70-300 is or 70-200 f4( used about 475-500, new 550-600+ so you need to bargain hunt), the 50mm 1.8 and the kit i guess unless you want to spend $250-350 more and get a 17-50 tamron* that is supposed to be pretty good and that is f2.8 , about $450 or a 28-75 that is also 2.8 and rated well for about 350+( i think handicap has this in a nikon mount and likes it)so you could get one of those instead of the kit and 50mm. if they can't fix my 28-135 IS i was thinking of one of these to replace it
http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/reviews/tamron_17-50_review5.html
http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/reviews/tamron_28_75d.html

*sigh, no longer a canon girl for sure, wonder if that makes me a heretic

 

[Castillo Mom]

Sorry, I meant the EF 28-135 mm. Told 'ya I'm a newb.

 

[jann1033]

i'd definitely go with one of the tamrons then if you could swing it
i'd maybe go 28-75 f2.8 $369 - 10 rebate at beach camera , then either 50mm f1.8 (since the 28-75 is better at f4, maybe just to give you more of a chance with low light attractions) or i really like my phoenix 100mm but it's 3.5( $150 new) so not as low light but sharper than my 50 1.8( like i said could be my copy) or you can use the tamron 1.4teleconverter ( about $120, probably the kenko would work as well and think it's a bout the same price, maybe closer to $150) which would make the tamron f4( you lose a stop of light at the 1.4) but it would make it about the 100+mm you are looking for, although i still would like a little more length for ak. fireworks i don't think you need that low of light so any of those would be ok i think...you usually use i think f8 for a few seconds( so remote and tripod)..not a fireworks expert for sure so maybe i am wrong about that
http://www.photodo.com/product_539.html

i just am afraid of the 28-135 now .my copy was sharp and ehagerty on here has a sharp copy but some complain their copies are not. my is and motherboard went after 6 months, they fixed it but now it is so bad, unusably soft and i returned it..they are looking at it again...now they are saying send the body and they'll check that out ( not going to happen since they messed up the lens already) so i don't have much hope for getting a decent lens back.

 

[boBQuincy]

The three I'm considering are the 17-55 kit lens, the EF 28-135 with IS and the EF 50 f/1.8. Would these be the best choices based on my budget and needs? My confusion lies with whether I really need the EF 24-105 if the EF 50 would be sufficient for low light situations and fireworks. Of the latter two, which is best or do I need both?

My way of thinking is the kit lens is well worth its low price for the wide angle capability. Most WDW fireworks are going to be much wider than a 50 can capture, the 18 will come in handy. The kit lens is not really as bad as many reviews make it out to be, although it can look pretty rough wide open. People sometimes sell them cheaply, we got one for under $50.

Many folks on this board figure we should all have a 50 for such a low price and I agree, it's a real deal for about $80.

Now comes the confusion, so you have 18-55 and 50 (for let's say a total of $150). To get some reach I would go for a mid-priced 70-200 or 70-300 or thereabouts.

My other option instead of the 18-55 would be Canon's 24-85, a good mid-priced walkaround lens, but still not very wide.

 

[fuse04]

I have read some good things about the Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4.5 which might be a nice alterative. I am thinking about this for myself....anyone heard anything about it or used it?

fuse04

 

[NJDad18]

I bring my Sigma 18-125 and my Canon 50mm 1.8 for low light situations. I don't know about you but I don't want to be bogged down with carrying a ton of lenses around all day, that's why I only bring the 2 lenses. I've had a lot of success with the Sigma, as has other members on this board. I would recommend buying a flash too. You'll need it b/c the built in flash will not cut it for indoor pictures.

 

[photo_chick]

While I have yet to take my Rebel to WDW, I do shoot at Six Flags (gasp) all the time. I find the 17-55 actually covers most of what I want. The 70-300 is just too darned slow for me personally. I don't even take it when I go to shoot there. For low light the 17-55 just does not cut it though. For the inside rides you really need that short lens with the wide aperture like the 50mm.

And remember a tripod to get the awesome fireworks shots.