Recommend a zoom lens for Canon T3?

[Kim&Chris]

I am the least knowledgeable photographer on the planet Earth. But after some frustration caused by the lag time between shots with my P&S, I bought the Canon T3. I love this camera. I have no idea what all the settings do, but that's OK for me. The main thing I love about the camera is the speed at which I'm able to take pictures, and the beauty of the shots (especially outdoor).

The camera comes with a decent lens, but I'd like something with more zoom / telephoto ability. Nothing fancy or crazy-expensive, but something that would allow me to get good, close, clear shots from a reasonable distance (mostly shots of animals...kids in play, that sort of stuff). The lens that the camera comes with just can't zoom in close enough.

Any recommendations? Thanks

 

[Cafeen]

I am the least knowledgeable photographer on the planet Earth. But after some frustration caused by the lag time between shots with my P&S, I bought the Canon T3. I love this camera. I have no idea what all the settings do, but that's OK for me. The main thing I love about the camera is the speed at which I'm able to take pictures, and the beauty of the shots (especially outdoor).

The camera comes with a decent lens, but I'd like something with more zoom / telephoto ability. Nothing fancy or crazy-expensive, but something that would allow me to get good, close, clear shots from a reasonable distance (mostly shots of animals...kids in play, that sort of stuff). The lens that the camera comes with just can't zoom in close enough.

Any recommendations? Thanks

I love my Canon 55-250mm EF-S lens. It's essentially the complimentary long lens to the kit one you have (I'm assuming it's the 18-55 that you have right now). It's relatively cheap (~$200-$250) and very good quality for the price. The downsides are minimum f-stop (it's not a very "fast" lens, so taking low light shots, especially at the telephoto end of the zoom, will be difficult) and the fact you'll have to be switching back and forth to cover your whole range.

There are a couple other favorites out there too and I know that the Tamron...something gets thrown around a lot (not literally, that'd be a bit risky to your gear!)

 

[Kim&Chris]

I love my Canon 55-250mm EF-S lens. It's essentially the complimentary long lens to the kit one you have (I'm assuming it's the 18-55 that you have right now). It's relatively cheap (~$200-$250) and very good quality for the price. The downsides are minimum f-stop (it's not a very "fast" lens, so taking low light shots, especially at the telephoto end of the zoom, will be difficult) and the fact you'll have to be switching back and forth to cover your whole range.

There are a couple other favorites out there too and I know that the Tamron...something gets thrown around a lot (not literally, that'd be a bit risky to your gear!)

Thanks!!!

 

[Frantasmic]

The 55-250 is great for outdoor shots. NOTE: This lens is being replaced with a newer one (both will work fine); however, the newer one will cost more.

Others to consider:

70-200 f4.0 (many people's first L lensmore expensive than the 55-250, but great pictures)
200 f2.8 (another very affordable L lens, but it is fixed length. Still, awesome lens)
300 f4.0 (more bucks, but if you really want length, this is a birder's dream)
The old 100-400 (expensive but it is great outdoors too, could probably find it used for under $1100)
400 f5.6

 

[Cafeen]

snip. It doubled my post ~45 minutes after I made it.

 

[Kim&Chris]

The 55-250 is great for outdoor shots. NOTE: This lens is being replaced with a newer one (both will work fine); however, the newer one will cost more.

Others to consider:

70-200 f4.0 (many people's first L lensmore expensive than the 55-250, but great pictures)
200 f2.8 (another very affordable L lens, but it is fixed length. Still, awesome lens)
300 f4.0 (more bucks, but if you really want length, this is a birder's dream)
The old 100-400 (expensive but it is great outdoors too, could probably find it used for under $1100)
400 f5.6

Thank you very much!!

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

I am the least knowledgeable photographer on the planet Earth. But after some frustration caused by the lag time between shots with my P&S, I bought the Canon T3. I love this camera. I have no idea what all the settings do, but that's OK for me. The main thing I love about the camera is the speed at which I'm able to take pictures, and the beauty of the shots (especially outdoor).

The camera comes with a decent lens, but I'd like something with more zoom / telephoto ability. Nothing fancy or crazy-expensive, but something that would allow me to get good, close, clear shots from a reasonable distance (mostly shots of animals...kids in play, that sort of stuff). The lens that the camera comes with just can't zoom in close enough.

Any recommendations? Thanks

Some good recs already but in my opinion, if you are just starting then get something that will cover all the shots you want to take.

Lenses that start at 55mm or 70mm will frustrate you when you want to take a family shot or an indoor shot because you will have to back up to get the shot, or swap lenses with your 18-55 kit (and carry both lenses around).

So I would start with something like the Canon 18-135mm which is a fine lens or even an 18-200 from Sigma or Tamron (I personally liked the Canon better but you may want more reach).

If you find you get into photography and you want better sharpness or saturation and you are willing to carry more gear, you can always sell it and upgrade that lens.

But many people are just happy with a full range lens like the ones I mentioned.

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

PS - you can buy a gently used 18-135 over on the Canon POTN boards (just google it) for maybe $240 tops. A 55-250 even cheaper but they come up less frequently.

I've bought lenses there and always been satisfied.

I'd really recommend that route before spending hundreds of dollars or even a thousand+ on a lens.

 

[Kim&Chris]

PS - you can buy a gently used 18-135 over on the Canon POTN boards (just google it) for maybe $240 tops. A 55-250 even cheaper but they come up less frequently.

I've bought lenses there and always been satisfied.

I'd really recommend that route before spending hundreds of dollars or even a thousand+ on a lens.

Thanks! I appreciate all the info!