wanna help me choose a new camera lens!?!

[the.world.through.my.eyes]

Hello all,

I’ve been saving up some money and I can now start to even THINK about buying a new camera lens. I’m looking for a really good lens that is great for photographing people.
I know there are tons of awesome lenses out there, but what is your favorite and is there a particular lens you would recommend?

I feel so silly. I forgot to mention that my camera is Canon EOS Digital Rebel T1i and I'd like to stay under 2,000 if possible.

Those are my questions any feedback would be stellar!

[OsmosisStudios]

What body, whats your budget, what do you currently have, etc...

[Cardiiiii]

You need to be more specific about your budget and if you're taking portraits (prime lens) or candid (a good zoom) pictures of people.

[the.world.through.my.eyes]

I am taking mostly portraits but I also do candid.

[inkista]

And currency for the budget would also help... this is why a lot of us put our location in our profiles. Prices can vary heavily from country to country.

"Pictures of people" can cover a lot of ground: street shooting, portraits, lifestyle, fashion, performance, etc. etc.

But sight-unseen, if this is your first "extra" lens purchase for a dRebel, my instinct is to blindly put forth the EF 50mm f/1.8 II as a suggestion. In the US, it's incredibly cheap (~$100 new), and has great image quality and available light capability compared to the 18-55 kit lens. Its wider maximum aperture will let you blur the background. It will give you the experience you need to see if prime lens shooting is for you.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by the.world.through.my.eyes

I am taking mostly portraits but I also do candid.

...

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

What body, whats your budget, what do you currently have, etc...

Ahem.

[bombo]

Hello,

You could consider the EF 24-105 f4 L IS USM . This will bring you good possibility's close-by and somewhat further of your subject. OK the f4 is not top, but it is certainly OK. I use this lens as my favorit on my 50D. It is certainly within your budget, and can later perhabs also be used on a full frame.

Greets,
bombo

[BCampbell]

If you have $2000 US and can save a little more, 70-200 f/2.8L IS. Bang, boom, done. If you really need to be under $2000 you can drop the IS.

24-70mm f/2.8 is not a bad choice either.

if you're doing more portraits than candids, there are some great primes. 50mm f/1.4 is a good start and is honestly probably 90% of the lens you'll need. The 135 f/2L is around $1000, but if you want one awesome portrait lens for $2000, the 85mm f/1.2L. Borrow or rent one for a couple days and see how badly you want it.

Other options... the 100mm f/2 is $450, and the 85mm f/1.8 is $400. You could get one of those and the 50mm f/1.4 (don't bother with the 1.8, you have the budget to skip it), and have some money left for a good tripod and to look into $1000 worth of lighting (two EX480's, cactus triggers, stands, umbrellas...).

The longer lenses will grow with you better if you move up to full frame later on.

[the.world.through.my.eyes]

thanks for all the awesome info this has helped me a lot. Time to read up on some reviews!!