Lens choices for beginner

[Neiby]

I think I'm ready to upgrade from my Canon S95 compact to a DSLR. I've been reading a lot about different camera bodies, features and lenses the past few days, as well as asking for advice from others. I decided to get a Canon T2i and I'm thinking of the following lenses:

* Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 EF-S IS II (an updated version of the kit lens that originally came with the T2i)
* Canon 55-250mm EF-S f/4-5.6 IS II
* Canon 50mm f/1.8 II

That covers my short-to-medium range shots, my longer range shots, and that cool bokeh effect from the 50mm when I want it.

I'm a total beginner, but I think I need to think about getting some better equipment. If you'd like to take a quick look, here are some of my recent photos from the S95 compact:

500px / John Neiberger

What do you think of that lens selection given the types of photos I've been doing? I also want to do some telephoto sports shots, probably just my kids at games, but I occasionally make it to Broncos games or practices and would love to get some better pictures there. Considering that I'm a beginner, do you think these three lenses are a good choice as a starter set and offer a number of options for various situations?

Thanks!
John

 

[Neiby]

I should also mention that I'm not 100% set on the T2i, but I think it's a pretty good choice. It has a really nice sensor, from what I've heard and read, and it seems to have some nice features including HD video. I'm open to any ideas regarding camera body and lenses keeping in mind that I'm a beginner and don't want to spend *too* much, but I also don't want to keep getting stuck in common situations where I don't have the lens I need to get the shot. The three I selected seem to be a good mix, but I really don't know.

Thanks!

 

[PJL]

I guess the question is how much money do you have to spend? That's the ultimate determining factor.

I think you could definitely get results like your samples and do some basic telephoto stuff with the setup you've listed at the top. If you can swing about $350, I think you should get the 50 f/1.4 rather than the f/1.8; it's a metal vs. plastic mount, has better optics, better bokeh (the f/1.8 has a five-bladed aperture which gives you little pentagons for sun spots). You could also check out something a bit longer in a prime if you want to get thin depth-of-field shots without having to get right up next to your subject. I like your shots, by the way.

 

[Dao]

T2i with the 2 kit lenses plus the 50mm f/1.8.
I do not see any issue here. The lenses you choose have limitations. But they are not bad for beginners especially for the cost. If you know how to use them, you can produce nice images from them. Once you learn more about photography as well as photography equipments, you may find the limitations and want to upgrade. Until then, enjoy.

 

[RebeccaAPhotography]

I am also a beginner and I bought the exact package you are thinking of getting! I JUST purchased a 1.8 50mm lens for the bokeh feel too!! I can't wait to get that lens! IF you are like me and want to spend some $$ but not go overboard honestly the t2i has been a great beginnger DSLR! I had read good reviews and I really really do like my camera! Best Buy has a good package deal for it right now. Dont wait til Xmas! My husband got me it for xmas and we paid a lot more then the sales I just saw in the flier the past few weeks! I bought the 1.8 50mm on amazon or ebay can't rmemeber which one just know it was the same price of 119!


Good luck to ya! I'm glad theres other newbie newbie's like me!

 

[Neiby]

I was just going to get everything individually from Amazon, but I'll check Best Buy and see what sort of deals they may have. I don't want to spend too much right now, but I am a little tempted to spring for the f/1.4 lens instead of the f/1.8 now.

 

[tmL]

I wouldn't get the f/1.4 without knowing that you will be using it. What kind of photography are you interested in/will you be doing most? I also have the f/1.8 right now (also a beginner) and it gives great, sharp images with awesome bokeh (for the price). However, I think when I upgrade I'll be moving to the 85mm f/1.8 rather than the 50mm f/1.4 because I feel like 50mm is too short a lot of times. It does have a plastic-y feel but I don't mind it as my first prime lens.

 

[BJF]

Very reasonable consideration. You may also take a look at 18-200mm instead of two separate zoom lenses.

Canon 18-55mm + market price
Canon 55-250mm + market price
Canon 18-200mm + market price
Canon 50mm f1.8 + market price

 

[Neiby]

I was looking at the 18-200 originally, but then I saw the new 55-250mm and thought it might be a better option since I already would have the 18-55mm to cover that range and the 55-250mm gets me a little bit more reach. I'd really like to start with just two or three lenses, if possible. I thought perhaps I'd get better results on shorter shots with the 18-55mm than with the 18-200mm. What do you think? I'm pretty budget conscious, but I also don't want to be disappointed by my shots all the time because I got inferior lenses. I'm trying to find the sweet spot regarding the trade-off.

 

[highergr0und]

I was pretty much in the same boat. I liked, and still like my casio FH25, but I wanted to move from snapshots to attempting to get very nice pics. That camera is super fast (30 9mp shots in a second) so it's still a good backup, but it's just amazing how much of a difference there is with my new t3i. If anything, just the focus speed and lack of lag when taking the pic is totally worth it, not to mention the insane detail.

That's pretty much the lens setup I'm aiming for too. I got a t3i, the kit lens, and the 55-250 about 2 weeks ago. Amazon had a deal going (still might) where you got $150 off of the 55-250 if buying a kit (t2i and up were eligible), so it was like $39 for the extra lens. The 50 1.8 will be mine soon, but have to get a good bag first. I want the 50 for the indoor light performance and taking some portraits of my kid. From there, I will see what I like before purchasing more expensive stuff.

 

[honoryourlife]

24-70mm f/2.8

 

[chaosrealm93]

^ +1

very expensive to start off with, but will last you a looooonnnnnngg time

 

[honoryourlife]

^ +1

very expensive to start off with, but will last you a looooonnnnnngg time

Its a great lens and is my go to lens. I use it the most in any type of photography that I do.
How is the Nikon 24-70mm? Is it around the same quality?

I'd love to start using Nikon as just something new to try. But that means I'd have to buy all new lenses.

And personally OP, I'd go with any lens that is f/2.8 and lower. But thats my opinion. But I also sell a lot of my prints and take on lots of jobs, so I figured buy the best and be the best.

I'm still working on both of those things!

 

[rambler]

For one lens, i would go with the longest telephoto. When you mention sports photos getting in close is important. For close-ups a telephoto lens works great, too. You might have to back up from two feet to five, but then zoom in to fill the frame.

BTW Nice photos. I really like the RR Bridge and the Concrete. You have an artist's eye, do well with composition and reading the light.

 

[KmH]

The bokeh quality the Canon EF 50 mm f/1.8 II lens produces is some of the worst available, though the lens has some quite decent optics whne the lens aperture is stopped down.

But bokeh in the context the OP used it, and the way I used it here, are 2 very different things. Bokeh is not an adjustable lens attribute. You can't get more or less bokeh from the same lens.

When the OP said bokeh, they were actually referring to a shallow depth-of-field - DOF. Depth of field - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The context I used the term bokeh in refers to the circle-of-confusion - CoC - a lens design produces. Circle of confusion - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The shape of the aperture has a great influence on the subjective quality of bokeh. The closer to round the apeture is the more pleasing the bokeh.

The Canon EF 50 mm f/1.8 II only has 5, straight aperture blades which gives it a pentagonal aperture, far from being round, which delivers ugly looking, hard-edged, jittery, nervous looking bokeh.

The build quality of the 50 mm f/1.8 II is the worst of any Canon lens offered today, which is why it's so inexpensive.