trying to support wife's new hobby, and a pic

mtlucas0311 · Jul 19, 2011

Hello, I don't know much about photography, but I do know it can be very technical so I'm looking for some experienced help.  My wife recently told me she really wanted a nice camera to take pictures with, something better that compact camera's that most people now use.  I bought her a canon T3i and she's gone gonzo with it. Most pictures she takes are of our daughter and her cousins, settings range from the three of them asleep in a jumble on the couch in low light to water part shots in bright sun from a distance. I want to support her, as she doesn't really have a hobby and really seems enthusiastic about her new camera, doing research, reading articles, etc. She mentioned that she want's to get a new flash next, and she wasn't concerned about the lack of zoom in the 18mm-55mm lens that came with the kit because she can edit the pictures with software to zoom in. I can't imagine that's the best way to get a distant picture you want so I am going to get her a lens too. I made a little list of the stuff I was going to get her, but don't know if its the best option for what she wants to do, and I'm nervous because the price vary wildly.

EF-S 55mm-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Speedlite 270 EX II
What would an appropriate polarizing filter be? I see B+W referred to frequently, can I keep it around $50 bucks for a quality filter?

I attached one of the first pictures she took after reading the instruction/owners manual, she has no real knowledge of photography either. I thought it was really good given her lack of knowledge or experience, but I am certainly no expert.

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv42/mtlucas0311/001.jpg

Malone · Jul 19, 2011

Hello and welcome!

That's great you are being supportive of your wife and trying to help her along in the learning process.

Just a suggestion, why don't you encourage her to join the forum herself? There are many people here to help and a great wealth of knowledge available!

tirediron · Jul 19, 2011

By all means; have her join! The #1 mistake I see new photographers making (at least those with a bit of expendable cash) is buying equipment before they know what they need/want. Let her practice and find the limitations of her gear and grow from there.

As a Nikon shooter, I won't comment on eithe rthe lens or the flash, but I will say that a good polarizing filter is an excellent idea. B+W is a very good brand, but you'll be hard-pressed to find a new one for $50. Tiffen and Hoya are decent brands, and if you pick up one of their multi-coated versions, it will do the job well enough.

mtlucas0311 · Jul 19, 2011

I just found this forum today when I was looking for info on what lens and flash to buy, that's when I stumbled across the polarizing filter. She doesn't know I'm getting her the additional gear, but I'll push her to check it out. She's never participated in a forum before, but I have with respect to my hobby. I think she'll end up checking it out and joining, its an easy place to find good information.

mtlucas0311 · Jul 19, 2011

I'm on the B&H photo website, there's a bunch anywhere from 40 bucks up, circular polarizing filters, but they all seem to be 35mm to 40mm, will those not work? maybe I should ask what will work?

Malone · Jul 19, 2011

You will need to find the filter size of her lens; it is not the same as the focal length. You can usually look on the inner part of the lens cap to find it easily.

mtlucas0311 · Jul 19, 2011

Got it! 58mm, I guess that will make the search easier, thank you. Recommendations?

Robin Usagani · Jul 19, 2011

Dont bother with filters. You are going trough the same pattern as I did when I first picked up a DSLR. I got CP filter, fog filter, star filter etc. Do not get filters until she knows what she is doing and know exactly what she needs. The only filter I use right now is ND filter.

Malone · Jul 19, 2011

As mentioned earlier, B+H is a good brand; not to be confused with B&H Photo website.

Try here -

http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=itemlist&cat1=Filters&cat2=Polarizing Filters&Feature3=58mm&Feature2=Circular Polarizers

mtlucas0311 · Jul 19, 2011

I thought the polarizing filter would be a good idea because she takes a lot of pictures of the kids in the pool or at water parks, I thought it would help with the glare off the splashing water.

KenC · Jul 19, 2011

You should reconsider on the 55-250 because it is not a top lens optically. Since the difference between 55 and 70 is insignificant, consider instead a 70-200 or 70-300 zoom. Depending on how much you spend, you might also get more speed than f4-5.6.

mtlucas0311 · Jul 19, 2011

I chose the 55 to 250 because it seemed the rational choice to go with the 18 to 55 that came with the camera. I know its likely been asked a hundred times before, but what do the numbers even mean? why isn't the 55 to 250 a top lens?

There are so many choices at Adorama... multi coated, Kaeseman, slim, combinations... what did I get myself into...

KenC · Jul 19, 2011

These numbers are the focal length of the lens in mm. A zoom lens covers a range of focal lengths. For example the 18-55 goes from a wide angle focal length (18) to a slight telephoto (55). A lens with a focal length of 200 is a longer telephoto and will give you an image four times the size of that from a 50 standing at the same position. You should read up on different lenses and their capabilities. Typically, the greater the zoom range, the worse a lens will be optically, unless it's a top-line lens, like the Canon L lenses. For example, the 100-400 is supposed to be quite good, but also is very expensive.

Compaq · Jul 19, 2011

It all boils down to the glass they put in it, and what they have done to it. Top lenses are "fast" that meaning they let in much light (big opening), they reduce nasty optical effects like distortion, lens flare (internal reflections) etc. They are sharp throughout the frame and its focal range (zoom range) and are built tough. They also have other conveniences such as image stabilisation, manual focus overdrive and internal focusing motor.

I don't know much about the 55-200, but looking at its specs, it isn't very fast, and it hasn't got a constant aperture (lens opening). Basically, it gets slower the more you zoom in (lets in less light), which is unfortunate, as that's where you mostly need much light.

Did that make much sense?

Robin Usagani · Jul 19, 2011

But she is a beginner. She may even lose interest after a few months. Nobody knows. 55-250 IS can take good photos. Not everyone can afford L lenses, thats why they make consumer cameras and consumer lenses. There is no reason to get an L lens right away. If you asked me 15 months ago (when I started), the was no way I would spend $1400 on a lens.