Advice on a Lens? Canon Rebel T2i

Smitzel269 · May 27, 2011

I am getting a canon rebel t2i, soon, hopefully within the next month. From many reviews, I heard that the kit lens is, well, crap. So I was thinking about just buying the body and getting a different lens. I really don't know much about lenses, I tried to do a little research but I still don't have it all yet. I will generally be photographing horses, my dog, and maybe a few other things, but those are my main subject. I looked at tons of examples that was shot with this lens, and I really liked the outcome of them. I also like how it's focused on one thing with a blurred background. So, I would like to know what you guys think about this lens. If you have experience with it, how you like it, if it's of good quality, etc.

Amazon.com: Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo

Thanks

P.S: I don't know where to post this thread at.

flyin-lowe · May 28, 2011

I do not know off the top of my head which kit lens comes with t2i but as far as image quality goes the lens you listed above will be of similar quality to a kit lens. So you just need to figure out what range you want. But my bet would be that as far as the sharpness, build quality, low light shooting goes they will be the same.

Gaerek · May 28, 2011

The lens you listed is actually considered a "kit" lens. It's going to be the same quality as the lens that comes with your T2i. As a matter of fact, the 55-250 is designed to be paired with the 18-55 that camera comes with to give you a complete focal range between those two lenses of 18-250. If this is your first DSLR, there's nothing at all wrong with the kit 18-55 lens that camera comes with. You can do a lot, and learn a lot with it. And truth be told, pairing it with the 55-250 isn't such a bad idea either. You'll have a nice long focal range for a fairly low price. As your skill level improves, you'll likely want better glass. But for now, there's really no reason to spend thousands of dollars on expensive glass. That's just my opinion.

GooniesNeverSayDie11 · May 28, 2011

The lens you mentioned is a decent lens for its price, but its a longer focal distance. You won't be able to take closer shots indoors and stuff with that lens. Its not an "all-purpose" type lens. The kits lenses aren't too bad nowadays and are a good place to start. If you can get both the kit lens and the one mentioned, you will have a good coverage of focal distances.

AnthonyRyanPhoto · May 28, 2011

I bought that package, and I wish that I would have saved the money on the lens combo. My advice is to buy the body, a 1.8 50mm and a tamron or sigma zoom

Raian-san · May 28, 2011

Yeah just get the body and get the Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 lens. If you don't have money, then 50mm 1.8 is the best bang for the buck lens out there.

jaomul · May 28, 2011

Hi, the kit lens is very flexible to start with and if you pair it with the 55-250 you will have a lot of situations covered. Not sure if the kit lens you get with the t2i has IS, if it does,even better. I have both on a 50D and am happy with them (maybe I am easy to please and photography is a hobby not a vocation for me). I actually bought the 50mm f1.8 canon lens first with the camera and picked the kit lens up second hand sometime later, followed by the 55-250. There is no doubt that the 50mm prime is better at the focal length than the kit lens but calling the 18-55 crap is harsh imho. I would buy the zoom first because its more flexible and I think more fun as a first lens. Check out flickr and there is a group that shows photos with cheaper lenses and you will see that you dont always have to drop masses of money to get good results. (not saying "L" lenses and expensive gear is not better but maybe not everyone needs them). Enjoy

Smitzel269 · May 28, 2011

Can you guys give me links to the lenses you mentioned above? My overall total budget is about $900. Jaomul- I wasn't calling the kit lens crap, it's just what I have read, I don't have any experience with the kit lens.

jaomul · May 28, 2011

I know you were referring to the review,as was I. imho the review is harsh

subscuck · May 28, 2011

If your total budget is about $900, I would stick with the 18-55 IS kit lens. It's really a decent lens, and given your budget you won't be able to get a body and a lens that's significantly better. You'd have to open your budget two or three hundred $s more. Besides, if this is your first SLR, you have a lot to learn and a better lens won't help you learn the technical aspects any faster/better/easier.