what type of a new lense do I need to buy on a budget?

[Life in Motion]

I fell in love with photography after having children. Now i am thirsty to know more and be able to do more. I know I need to invest in lighting and new glass from what I've researched. I just have a standard canon rebel xs 10 mp with the kit lense on it. And here is an example of some pics I've taken with it. Now some of my family and friends want me to do some pics for them...I was wandering what lighting is the best for family portraits and portraits in general. A softbox plus a reflector? will that be large enough to cover a family for good results? The lense or glass is a big concern for me, because i will only be able to afford one new one and I want to get the best one for the cheapest amount possible. I plan on just taking some pics for close family and friends until I can afford more equipment.

this picture is of my son with only one light source from a window and I just placed a SHEER over it to diffuse and soften the light on him. Also just a black felt type fabric made for a great black background. I have been making every kind of homemade DIY accessory options. But fear there is not one for lighting for groups or family portraits??? Also how large of a picture will I be able to blow up with my camera before I lose the quality? It is 10 mp Canon Rebel XS?


Any advice?

[lucas107]

if you want lens suggestions you have say a price cause some peoples budget it 1k while others is 400 so get a dollar amount you want to spend and you will get more suggestions...also for lens are they for indoor or outdoor and are they people going to be moving or still. i know my kids if the lens does not have USM i usually have atleast 50% out of focus. again with lighting are you making a studio or what?
and to your size question i did a 20x30 inch of a pic from my canon 20d which is 8.2mp and from a normal viewing distance it looked great. if you put your face right up to it you could notice some softness but from the 4-5 feet away people have to be to view it (up behind my couch) it looks awesome.

[Life in Motion]

Well as far as price...I would have to say probably even under 400 . I am thinking about setting up just a small place inside to take portraits and then some outside too. Also will be taking pics of children mainly. That is what I love, but have had a couple of family portrait request recently so I guess I will be exploring it all eventually and just want the best all around lens. Thank you for your time!

[Life in Motion]

I just don't want to sink a lot of money into equipment and lenses if it's not something I am sure I want to pursue. I just want to test the waters in my community for opportunities first and see if I will enjoy doing it enough to justify getting deeper invested.

[lucas107]

nice thing about lenses is they hold their value very well so you wont take a huge loss if you have to sell them...i like primes so i would get a canon 28 1.8 usm or the sigma 30 1.4...hear good things about both but hear the sigma can take several copies before you get a good one and hear the focus sometimes hunts. for the canon i hear its not quite as sharp as the sigma wide open but focus' better. both are around 400$. if you want a zoom the best you can do is the 17-50 tamron which is around 400$ and is wicked sharp but focus is not the best. its not a problem outside but lowlight it hunts and outside it can be a smidge slow for candid kid pics. for lighting just a reg flash like a 430ex but its around 300$. if you are not sure about primes buy the 50 1.8 used for like 75$ and give it a go. i love primes myself and the 50 is wicked sharp so so bokeh and slowish focus but is decent for head/shoulder shots on a crop camera such as yours or full body outside its not bad either and for 75$ you cant go wrong it will atleast get some use in low light where you cant use a flash. if you can pony up around 1000 you can get the canon 17-55 2.8 is USM which i tried and is a very very very nice lens on a crop.

[candleman]

i consider the best portrait lenses on a budget are (what i own, and on a crop body too)

50mm f/1.8 (US$100)
24-70 f/2.8 (if you buy a used Sigma you'll get it for like US$300-400 at a guess)

[lucas107]

i prefer the 28-75 2.8 tamron to the 24-70 sigma both same price and i havnt had luck with sigma.

[Life in Motion]

thanks guys...

I'll look them up and see...it's hard to know which direction to go sometimes...there's just too many choices!

[Life in Motion]

thank you for your comment...i hadn't looked at the 50mm yet...from the customer pics it looks amazing and everyone has nothing but love for it...also looks to have amazing bokeh...thanks again you just saved me money i can spend on lighting

[kleidascope]

I have the 50mm 1.8 and I LIKE it a lot. Keep in mind this is a prime lens, so it does not zoom like your kit lens does. Consider the space you are using it in, a lot of times I feel like I have to back up more than I would like to get the whole picture then I feel like it's not as tight as I would like. If that makes sense. It's a great lens for the $$$ probably a must have. Under $400 you might want to consider the 85mm, might be an option as well.