I need help finding a new lens, please!

[anything you synth]

Hey guys,

So I bought a Canon Xsi when then came out, and I have the HORRIBLE kit lens, and a 50mm f/1.8 lens that is OK. I haven't shot in a while, and I think a huge part of my lack of interest comes from my frustration with my lenses. I never get clean, sharp images with my kit lens, and the quality of my 50mm isn't too great either. I'm looking for a quality lens that will give me super crisp images. My buddy recently purchased a 7d and I liked the lens that came with that, but I'm thinking I could get something even better for my money. If you guys have any suggestions I am open to anything at this point. I don't shoot anything specific and I don't need a huge zoom. Just something for everyday shooting. I was looking into some Tamron lenses a while back, but I'm not sure how much better they would be compared to my kit lens?

thanks!

 

[WesternGuy]

Tell us how much you are prepared to spend and maybe that will help us give you some ideas. When I read your posting and the list of lenses that you now have, I immediately thought that maybe something like the the 24-105, the 24-70 or the 70-200 would serve your purposes; however, I am not sure that you can blame the lack of sharpness in your images solely on the lenses - would be nice to know what you are shooting that you are not happy with, the exposure info for the image(s), because depending on what your shooting and how, the lens may not necessarily be the culprit.

Cheers,

WesternGuy

 

[EPPhoto]

If you have an iPhone, ipad, or iPod touch, there's an awesome app called "Nikon Lenses" that tells you everything you could want to know about all their lenses, from price to specs. It's pretty cool, check it out!

Sent from Erics iPhone www.ericporado.com

 

[ciscokiddm]

i have the sigma 17-50 2.8 lenses... it takes some nice pics! but i think it depends on what you're trying to accomplish... i use my canon 50mm 1.4 & sigma 85mm 1.4 for portraits or any other shot whenever i don't need the flexibility of a zoom

 

[pdq5oh]

If you're looking at Tamron lenses, look at their 17-50 2.8. I have this lens (non-VC version) and am very happy with it. I had the 28-75 2.8 but found it to be kinda useless for me. Both of these lenses are sharp and have good contrast and color rendition. The 17-50 focuses quicker if that matters. If you want a longer zoom to go with your current lenses look at Tamron's new version 70-300. It's a surprisingly good lens at a very good price, IMO. Focus is very fast and the VC works great. IQ is very good as well. There are rebates on all these lenses I think.

 

[Ginu]

You need to describe what you're shooting and what limitations you're experiencing with the current setup .
50mm lens is awesome and the kit lens is not too shabby either if used appropriately.
Are you finding that more of a zoom is necessary or perhaps a fast telephoto or perhaps you like the wide angle more...what kind of conditions do you tend to shoot in? these are thing you need to ask yourself b4 asking for help from others.

 

[Dao]

and I think a huge part of my lack of interest comes from my frustration with my lenses. I never get clean, sharp images with my kit lens, and the quality of my 50mm isn't too great either. I'm looking for a quality lens that will give me super crisp images.

I suspect the issue may not be lens related.

Or you have 2 defective lenses. Although the lenses you have are not the best in the market as far as sharpest concern, but they are not bad neither.

Do you have an example that you can show us? Of course, we can recommend a kit lens replacement. However, if the problem is not the lens, you may waste your money.

 

[gsgary]

You are doing something wrong if you cannot get good shots with the kit lens and 50F1.8, if you buy a new lens and still using your old technique you will get the same results

 

[Railphotog]

Hey guys,

So I bought a Canon Xsi when then came out, and I have the HORRIBLE kit lens, and a 50mm f/1.8 lens that is OK. I haven't shot in a while, and I think a huge part of my lack of interest comes from my frustration with my lenses. I never get clean, sharp images with my kit lens, and the quality of my 50mm isn't too great either.

I'm curious as to why you think the XSi kit lens is horrible? I have the same outfit and have taken many fine photos with the lens. You never get sharp photos with the kit lens and the highly rated 50mm. Over the years I've seen similar posts saying the 18-55mm kit lens isn't a great one, but many more offering that it actually is pretty decent. It almost seems to be a sort of "urban myth" that an inexpensive kit lens has to be a poor one! Anyone not having or using one would assume using the lens would be like shooting through the bottom of a soft drink bottle!

Mine works fine, as do those of many others, so I'm assuming the problem lies somewhere else, perhaps in your handling technique, shooting with too slow shutter speeds that introduces motion blur, letting the camera pick the focus point and it not getting the one you intended, or maybe even your lens is really dirty.

Don't blame a well functioning piece of equipment for your problems, and I don't think throwing money at the problem will cure your poor photos.

 

[anything you synth]

I have actually been looking into the Tamron 17-50, but I've heard some mixed reviews about the autofocus and what not. I can understand why you guys would be assuming there is a problem with my shooting technique, and while I'm not going to rule that out, I just want to say that I have shot with other lenses and have had MUCH better results in regards to clarity and crispness of the images. My kit lens shot fine when I first had it, but I think something has gone wrong with the autofocus; it RARELY focuses correctly and a strong majority of the photos I take with it come out extremely soft and blurry. The 50mm does a much better job and I rarely have this same problem. My problem with the 50 is that I would prefer a wider angle. I do like the 50, I just want something different.

I've used a canon 7d kit lens, and a kit lens that came from a 50d (I think?) and the images had a significantly different quality.

My price range is pretty flexible, although I don't really want to spend over $1000 for an L lens.

any lens suggestions, or tips for shooting with what I have are very appreciated

 

[jake337]

If you like crisp, sharp photos you should invest in a macro lens. Tamron, sigma, tokina and canon all make great macro lens. But then again you want something wider than your 50. You could pick up a used tamron/sigma 14 f2.8 and a macro lens somewhere in the 60-150 range for much less than $1000, more like in the $4-600 range.

 

[Railphotog]

My kit lens shot fine when I first had it, but I think something has gone wrong with the autofocus; it RARELY focuses correctly and a strong majority of the photos I take with it come out extremely soft and blurry. The 50mm does a much better job and I rarely have this same problem. My problem with the 50 is that I would prefer a wider angle. I do like the 50, I just want something different.

You did not provide the above information in your original post, you just said the kit lens was HORRIBLE, without any reasons. If your lens is indeed defective, then your original question makes more sense. You originally said the 50mm lens wasn't much better, but above you say different; it doesn't appear to be a bad lens, you just prefer something wider. There is a difference.

 

[Aye-non Oh-non Imus]

Methinks, you are the culprit, not your kit. Kit lenses from consumer bodies can still produce exellent results

 

[anything you synth]

Like I said, if there's any advice you can give me to get sharp, clearly focused photographs with my kit lens I would be more than grateful.

 

[Dao]

Do you have some examples to show us (with Exif data) and explain to us why you think the photo(s) is/are not up to your standard?

For technical issue, it is easier to view the photo with technical data to see what can be done to improve.
It could be camera settings, it could be understanding of exposure or Depth of Field, it could be shooting technique or environment. Of course, it could be the equipments as well.