Canon Rebel users...

Sunidaze

What lens do you have for yours (for extra credit, plesae include linkies)? 

I bought one shortly before having Stella (and even went to a workshop) and have, since this past winter or spring, totally neglected the camera (between overuse of instagram and the few times I have taken it with me, I left the memory card in my laptop).  I got it out yesterday and really want to get some use out of it but only have the rather crappy kit lens.  I don't want to spend a boat load of money on a different lens as I am not a professional (or even clothes) just something that will work for me.

Thanks!

wendy46001

I'm a Nikon user myself but if you?re not a pro the kit lens is normally fine.  Wait until she's a bit older and playing soccer or in school plays then get one that zooms to 300.  Otherwise not really needed, the classes like to snark on the kit lens to get you to buy something. 

That said, we have a fixed 35mm that i love (DH isn?t really a fan) and i believe an 18 to 250 which is good for basically everything and anything. 

 

klovesp95

I have a zoom lens but get the most use out of my 50 mm f/1.8. Inexpensive and close to the 50 mm f/1.4 but not as pricey. Im gonna try to post link but I'm on my phone so no promises. Lol.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00007E7JU/ref=redir_mdp_mobile

mamarazzi528

I agree with what others have said: the kit lens will be fine for now.  It's not necessarily the lens that is going to give you awesome photos.  Different lenses have different purposes and it's best if you figure out what types of locations, lighting situations, and distance you'll be shooting in before you spend big $$$ on lenses.

I find the kit lens is pretty good for outdoor shots and decent for well-lit indoor shots.  For low-light indoor shots I use my 50mm 1.8 that PP linked to (you'll find this is the most recommended lens on the Photography board here on The Bump).  However, the 50mm is really tight and I've found I want a wider lens if I'm going to fit more than one person in my shots, so I have a 30mm lens on my Christmas list.

Anyway, take the time to learn the camera settings and learn to shoot manual if you want to get serious about taking good photos.  There are a lot of tutorials and YouTube videos online.  Once you understand ISO, aperture, and shutter speed you'll see an improvement in your photos and will then know what lens you want to invest in next.

I found this "12 Weeks to Better Photos" set of tutorials to be really great:

https://www.twopeasinabucket.com/userblogpost.asp?id=51069

Good luck!

mamarazzi528

wendy46001:

I'm a Nikon user myself but if you?re not a pro the kit lens is normally fine.  Wait until she's a bit older and playing soccer or in school plays then get one that zooms to 300.  Otherwise not really needed, the classes like to snark on the kit lens to get you to buy something. 

That said, we have a fixed 35mm that i love (DH isn?t really a fan) and i believe an 18 to 250 which is good for basically everything and anything. 

 

I'm curious -- why isn't your DH a fan of the 35mm?

Telly21182

I have a really old Canon DSLR (xt i think it's called - I got it in 2005). Anyway, until the beginning of the year I'd been using the kit lens with it, and with my Christmas Amazon cards I got this one.  Leaps and bounds better INDOORS, but outdoors the kit lens works just fine!  

https://www.amazon.com/Canon-50mm-1-8-Camera-Lens/dp/B00007E7JU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1349797338&sr=8-1&keywords=canon+50mm+1.8 

 Eventually I plan to get a new camera, and I'll just get the body, using the new lens I bought earlier this year. 

wendy46001

mamarazzi528:

wendy46001:

I'm a Nikon user myself but if you?re not a pro the kit lens is normally fine.  Wait until she's a bit older and playing soccer or in school plays then get one that zooms to 300.  Otherwise not really needed, the classes like to snark on the kit lens to get you to buy something. 

That said, we have a fixed 35mm that i love (DH isn?t really a fan) and i believe an 18 to 250 which is good for basically everything and anything. 

 

I'm curious -- why isn't your DH a fan of the 35mm?

Its mainly his photography style.  He'd rather stand still zoom in and out instead of walking. So he tends to get frustrated at the limited range. 

just kita

I have the 50mm 1.8 as well. I think it is a great first lens upgrade...only $100ish and being able to play around with such a wide aperture made it easy for me to understand shooting in my fav AP mode.

That being said, I haven't gotten a lot of great shots of LO since he started running around so much. I'd like to try a zoom lens, but from what I understand there is nothing as high quality as the 50mm 1.8 under $500. I think I might just put my kit lens back on and see what I can get with that.