Lens choices for beginner

[Neiby]

Isn't bokeh the blurred background effect associated with a wide aperture and shallow depth of field? Whatever that's called, that is what I'm looking for, especially with portraits. If you saw my photo of the man and his dog, I'm particularly irritated that I didn't adjust my aperture to blur out the background. I would like a lens that would allow me to be 3-10 ft or so away from my subject and still be able to blur the background a bit.

 

[Neiby]

I see that Sigma has what sounds to be a decent option in the shorter range:

Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Zoom

It's capable of a wider aperture than the Canon 18-55mm and it has 7 aperture blades.

 

[KmH]

Isn't bokeh the blurred background effect associated with a wide aperture and shallow depth of field?

Nope.

Apparently, it was a wasted effort to post those links.

 

[Neiby]

Isn't bokeh the blurred background effect associated with a wide aperture and shallow depth of field?

Nope.

Apparently, it was a wasted effort to post those links.

No, not a wasted effort. When you posted them, I was reading this thread while in a meeting at work, so I didn't have time to follow the links. No need to be snarky.

 

[Neiby]

I just now read the Wiki article and it says bokeh is "the blur in out-of-focus areas of an image." That's how I was using it, or at least that's what I meant. Perhaps I'm missing a distinction here. I'm pretty new to this, so that wouldn't be surprising.

 

[Ginu]

I would get the camera with an 18-200 and skip the 18-55 and 55-200... 18-200 is not the greatest lens but its perfect for beginners giving you the whole range in one lens...best walk around lens for the price.

The 50mm is nice to have in the bag as it is a very inexpensive lens (i got mine brand new with filter and hood for 80$ tax in so can't complain) but it rarely gets used as I am a big fan of telephoto lens.
Prime lens have a good resale value and they sell quite quick so it can be easily sold.

 

[Neiby]

I would get the camera with an 18-200 and skip the 18-55 and 55-200... 18-200 is not the greatest lens but its perfect for beginners giving you the whole range in one lens...best walk around lens for the price.

The 50mm is nice to have in the bag as it is a very inexpensive lens (i got mine brand new with filter and hood for 80$ tax in so can't complain) but it rarely gets used as I am a big fan of telephoto lens.
Prime lens have a good resale value and they sell quite quick so it can be easily sold.

Thanks! I was just talking to a co-worker who I discovered knows quite a bit about photography. He suggested getting the camera body and one decent lens and then take tons of pictures. After several weeks (or a couple of months) of taking lots of pictures, I'll know more about which lenses I need instead of trying to plan it out ahead of time. That sounds like a pretty good idea, especially since it's all going to be a learning experience and that's always a good thing.

EDIT: Maybe I won't need a wide-angle to start with. With a 1.6 crop factor, the 18-200 will be effectively a 28mm, which is kind of wide. If I find myself wanting wider shots than that after using it for a while, then I can think about getting a wider lens like a 10-22 or something.

Even if I get the 18-200, I may also want to get a wide-angle lens if I can find a decent affordable one. I just know I'll kick myself if I don't, so I guess I should add that to my list.

 

[Neiby]

Well, now I'm torn. I'm checking around to local shops and didn't see any place that had the T2i and the 18-200mm lens in stock. However, one place has a new 60D on sale with the 18-200mm lens for about $100 more than I would have spent on the T2i with the same lens. I'll have to check into the 60D again. I know it's very similar to the T2i/T3i. As I recall, it shoots a little slower but I don't remember the other differences.

 

[Dao]

60D is one step above the Rebel series. The xxD series used to be the prosumer type camera. I had a XTi before and later on upgrade to 40D. And now, I do not want to go back. I am spoiled by the dual wheels system and I am able to change settings without leaving the viewfinder sometimes.

Also, lenses are not created equal. You can make the background out of focus. However, it doesn't mean it is going to look good. Some lens may produce a out of focus busy background. Or Out of focus donut background.

Look at this photo. I really like how the background turn out. It is taken with my EF 85mm f/1.8 lens. If I use another lens, it may look different.

 

[Neiby]

Since this will be my first DSLR, do you think the learning curve on the 60D might be too much? I wonder if the T3i might be better suited for me at the moment. I do shoot about 1/4 of my shots from Aperture priority mode, but the rest I do from Program mode since I'm still learning the settings. Since I'm such a beginner, I'm tempted to get the T3i and put that difference into a camera bag or some other accessories. The 60D does have some advantages, though. I suppose I should just go buy one and stop over-thinking it.

 

[Dao]

You need to check them out in person and see if you like it. Some people prefer smaller camera while other like bigger one.

 

[jaomul]

Hi I have the same lens set you originally posted, with a 50D and I would recommend these lenses as you can pick them up for the price of a single fast lens, but they give you a lot of options starting out. There is a lot of talk about harsh bokeh etc with the 50mm and that obviously is down to opinion and i think a lot who dont like it probably are at a high level now, and may have been very happy to start out with it. I personally think its great but if you check out the flickr groups for the nifty fifty you will see whats it is capable of and there are plenty of shots with blurred backgrounds. No doubt there are better lenses but you have a great start point. Enjoy

 

[MattK0138]

I came across a great deal in a used rebel series. That's what got me my first dslr. I have the 18-55 and 55-250. I am happy with them. As a beginner I am going to build my experience and purchase quality lenses when my photography outgrows my camera I will buy a new body. I will say if I had to do it again I would buy a 40 or 50d. I have seen a couple low actuation 40d cameras selling on eBay for under 250.00. The settings and learning curve would be much the same. If you can get a used professional model and a really good lens in your budget I would go that way.

 

[Derrel]

I think a beginner ought to have at least one single focal length lens with a wide maximum aperture. Lenses like a 24mm f/2.8, a 28mm f/2.8, a 35mm f/2, a 50mm f/1.4 or 1.8, or an 85mm f/1.8--out of those five focal lengths, pick ONE lens, and just BUY IT. Use it. Learn it. Enjoy it. Get good with it. Prime lenses have one focal length, and what they help a beginner do is LEARN TO PRE-VISUALIZE a scene. I learned entirely on primes. I didn't have a zoom lens until a decade into my photography experience,and by then I was 22 years old, and was carrying 24/28/35/50/85/105/135/200 and two bodies in a bag that weighed 18.5 pounds. Learning to pre-visualize a photograph in your mind's eye is what a prime lens (aka single focal length lens) does, and that is a very,very valuable skill to pick up as a beginner, before you get into bad habits, like standing in one place and zooming back and forth and then snapping a photo and going "Uh-huh, okay, got it!"

I think telephotos are easier to learn with; they compress apparent distance, can easily produce selective focus, and have a narrow angle of view, which reduces the scope of every image made. Wide-angles are more challenging to learn with,and until you get the hang of it, wide-angle lenses tend to produce dull,boring images with a faraway look to them. 50,85, and 100mm are pretty nice lenses optically, and on APS-C, the 50mm is in effect, a short, fast telephoto lens.

As a beginner, I think you ought to do yourself a favor, and buy yourself at least one single focal length lens!

 

[Ginu]

Since this will be my first DSLR, do you think the learning curve on the 60D might be too much? I wonder if the T3i might be better suited for me at the moment. I do shoot about 1/4 of my shots from Aperture priority mode, but the rest I do from Program mode since I'm still learning the settings. Since I'm such a beginner, I'm tempted to get the T3i and put that difference into a camera bag or some other accessories. The 60D does have some advantages, though. I suppose I should just go buy one and stop over-thinking it.

I would seriously consider getting the 60D over the Rebel series since you will not need to change the body for a while and buy the lens used on Craigs... With a little bit of patience I got some really good deals on lenses and even sold back some which I wasn't using for a little profit. For example my 50mm 1.8 Nikon lens came with the box/manuals/caps/hood/uv filter and paid 70 or 80 for it (can't remember). My 70-300 VR was 300 when stores sell it from 449-599 and it came with box/hood/caps/books/warranty manual
I had another 70-300 AF which I paid 200 for in a bundle with the 24-80AF and ended up selling just the one lens for 225$; I still have the 24-80 AF, so this was a bonus.

As far as you purchase a lens in person and you get to test it, I don't think there is much risk involved as you can tell the condition of the lens and you also get to meet the owner(which tells quite a bit sometimes). This way you will be able to get the 60D along with an 18-200 or 18-55/55-200 and a 50mm lens for the same price as buying the whole thing as a package in the store.