What lens should I go for?????

[sdanielmith]

Help, SOS all those things.

I'm looking at getting deeper into amateur photography and am hoping that somebody can push me in the right direction with lens choice.

I've just bought a Canon SLR and am wanting a really good lens to go with it.

Most of my shots are of nature (waterfalls, wildlife etc), landscapes and the like but I'm also interested in getting into portraits. I've got no idea which direction to head in terms of lens choice, there are so many on the market and as I'm just really starting out in photography, I haven't as yet got the knowledge to make an informed decision.

Thanks guys for any help you can give me.

[RichardTaylor]

A standard zoom will be ok for landscapes/travel and some waterfalls, and as an intro to portrait photography.
You may find , depending on where you a shooting, and ultra wide zoom
will be very helpful.

For wildlife a 70-300 can be a good intro for urban and larger wildlife, it can also help with some landscape photography..
For small wildlife and wild life in the wild you will need 400mm, at the very least.

What Canon DSLR are you buying and what is your budget for lenses.?

[sdanielmith]

Thanks Richard,

I've got a Canon EOS 550d with the standard 18-55mm lens

Not too sure of budgets at the moment, just really wanting the push in the right direction.
I've noticed that Sigma have a couple that they say are interchangeable with Canon camera bodies. Is this a good brand or should I stick with the Canon lens's?

[Chip]

Here's my take (and it might not be what you want to hear):

Until you get used to your kit lens, until you learn what you can make your kit lens do, and until you learn what your kit lens will not do for you, then you'll just be guessing about what lens you need. Notice I used "need", not "want."

A good lens can be expensive. Before spending a large bit of cash on a guess, I suggest that you first learn the limits of your lens. Be patient, and have fun with it. After a while, you'll notice what type of shots you can't get, and you'll then know what other lens or lenses you "need." And most of the guesswork will be removed from the equation.

The "gear lust" never goes away. Living with the "I want that" is something we all experience.

If you can't hold off, then I agree that a 70-300mm might not be a bad first choice.

My 2 cents.

[RichardTaylor]

Use your kit lens for a while, until you find its limitations.
Then you will know if you need longer (for reach), wider for those tight spots (not necessarily just for landscapes) or faster (larger apertures) for more control over DOF or for hand held low available light shooting.

I have had no personal experience with Sigma lenses, although my sister is happy with her 18-250 (I think) super zoom.

I mostly use Canon lenses except for a Tokina 12-24 ultawide zoom (I think it a good lens), A Tokina 100mm F2.8 macro which is ok but doesn't have the silky bokeh of the higher priced Canon lenses and a Tamron 18-250 superzoom which meets my needs when I really have to travel light but is not mechanically or optically the equal to my Canon L lenses. I do not use my Tamron 18-55 F2.8 as its slow focussing, especially in low light drives me around the bend.

[Preeb]

Originally Posted by sdanielmith

Thanks Richard,

I've got a Canon EOS 550d with the standard 18-55mm lens

Not too sure of budgets at the moment, just really wanting the push in the right direction.
I've noticed that Sigma have a couple that they say are interchangeable with Canon camera bodies. Is this a good brand or should I stick with the Canon lens's?

I have the same body, and my next purchase is going to be the EF 70-200mm F4. L IS USM. It's a compromise between the F2.8 non IS (about the same price) and the F2.8 IS (double the price). I'm also going to add the EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM at the same time. Getting ready for spring..

My primary interest is the same as yours, and right now I have the 18-55 kit and my most recent addition, EF 17-40 F4. L USM.

[gabira09]

hi there,

I want to buy a wide angle lens to shot sports pics from close. (snowboard, wakeboard and others) i'm thinking buy the Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 AutoFocus Wide Angle Lens. can any one help me? what is a lack about this lens? because the price is low comparing to others wide angle lens.

Thank you a lot

Marcelo

[autofocus]

The "gear lust" never goes away. Living with the "I want that" is something we all experience.

haha, the proverbial monkeys on our backs..and near impossible to get on "the wagon"

[RichardTaylor]

@ gabira09

See here.
Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 Lens Review

Also what camera body will you be using it on?
28mm is not real wide on a crop body.

Also what distance do you call close?

[Chip]

Originally Posted by autofocus

haha, the proverbial monkeys on our backs..and near impossible to get on "the wagon"

Way too polite. I was thinking something along the lines of a heroin addict.