Help - need walkaround lens for Canon T2i

[buzzrk]

I bought my first DSLR in December.
I have been using it with kit lens (18-55) and 50mm 1.8.
I like the pictures from 50mm lens but the kit lens is not giving me very good pictures.

My friend has Nikon D90 with kit lens (24-105 I think).
I find that his pictures shot in auto mode with his kit lens look much better than my pictures shot with kit lens.
They are sharper, have better colors and overall better exposure.


1. is my assessment of T2i vs Nikon D90 accurate or is it "grass is greener on other side" type of thinking? Is this expected since D90 costs more and in higher class.


From what I read T2i and D90 are comparable quality.
So I am thinking the lens that came with T2i is not very good.

2. Will upgrading from kit lens give me better pictures. Please share your experience. is it worth it? I know L series lenses will definitely give better pictures but is it significant? Did you upgrade to any other non-L series lenses and notice difference.

3. What is a good walk-around lenses that costs <$500?
.

[megdh525]

I guess we posted pretty close to the same time, so I didn't see this thread before posting mine. I obviously don't have any tips for you, but I'll check back and see if anyone has given you some tips that could point me in the right direction as well. Good luck!

[RichardTaylor]

@buzzrk

Are you using the kit lens with IS?

If so are you using a lens hood? (good idea).
Are you using a "protection" filter? Not always a good idea.

[buzzrk]

Originally Posted by RichardTaylor

@buzzrk

Are you using the kit lens with IS?

If so are you using a lens hood? (good idea).
Are you using a "protection" filter? Not always a good idea.

Yes with IS. I use tripod for some shots. they still come out not sharp.

I am not using lenshood. I have been shooting indoors (Vegas, my home, etc) and some outdoors. May be I need to get one for outdoors.

Yes, I am using UV filter - cheap $10 Teffen filter.

I also clean my lenses using lens pen regularly.

Not sure if my sensor got dirty in the process of switching lenses a lot. But if sensor is dirty my 50mm also should give bad pictures but it seems to do well.

I use no flash mode 80% of teh time with or without tripod depending on lighting.

[Glenn72]

If your shooting from a tripod be sure to turn off IS, use a remote or the auto timer to eliminate camera shake and turn mirror lockup on.
You will see a difference in sharpness in your photos.
I am looking to replace my kit lens as well and I have read good things about the Sigma AF 17-50mm f/2.8 HSM DC EX OS for the price.

Sigma AF 17-50mm f/2.8 HSM DC EX OS - Review / Test Report

or you could pick up a 35mm F2 and a 85mm F1.8 prime to go along with your 50mm prime since you seem to be happy with those shots.

[inkista]

Upgrading lenses might help, but technique can also be a deciding factor on what makes a picture look good. It could have been something as simple as your friend having tweaked the in-camera processing settings on his camera, while you hadn't touched yours on the T1i.

I wouldn't look into lenses just yet (as you say, you've had the camera only a month or so). It's a bit early for you to be running after better glass, if you're still not sure why you don't like the pictures you're taking.

Make sure your technique is solid. The kit lens looks a lot nicer if you can stop it down to f/8. Most newbies shoot continually and constantly with their lenses wide open. Make sure that your shutter speed is fast enough (IS alone cannot deal with everything). Make sure your handholding technique is good (you'd be surprised how many people don't even know the proper way to hold their SLR, and shoot with their left hand on top of the lens). Make sure you know how to control the focus of your camera, and how to post-process (preferably with RAW files, rather than JPEG).

All that can make as much or more difference than which lens or camera body you're using. Don't start into the gear race too quickly. You may end up spending a lot of money for no reason--because bad technique will still screw things up no matter what gear you use.

[buzzrk]

Originally Posted by inkista

Upgrading lenses might help, but technique can also be a deciding factor on what makes a picture look good. It could have been something as simple as your friend having tweaked the in-camera processing settings on his camera, while you hadn't touched yours on the T1i.

I wouldn't look into lenses just yet (as you say, you've had the camera only a month or so). It's a bit early for you to be running after better glass, if you're still not sure why you don't like the pictures you're taking.

Make sure your technique is solid. The kit lens looks a lot nicer if you can stop it down to f/8. Most newbies shoot continually and constantly with their lenses wide open. Make sure that your shutter speed is fast enough (IS alone cannot deal with everything). Make sure your handholding technique is good (you'd be surprised how many people don't even know the proper way to hold their SLR, and shoot with their left hand on top of the lens). Make sure you know how to control the focus of your camera, and how to post-process (preferably with RAW files, rather than JPEG).

All that can make as much or more difference than which lens or camera body you're using. Don't start into the gear race too quickly. You may end up spending a lot of money for no reason--because bad technique will still screw things up no matter what gear you use.

My technique needs lot of work. I am still working on basics.
I hold the camera well but my hands shake little bit.
So I tried tripod shots with remote/self time and they too are not very sharp.

Having said that I want to point out that I was comparing photos shot by two newbies. My friend does not even know what settings he has in his camera. He is shooting with auto mode and has changed nothing. His low resolution pics look better than my pics shot in RAW.

Thanks for all the tips.
I will try some shots on f/8 using tripod and remote.
I learnt some post processing in Lightroom but my contention is why can't my camera shoot good pictures in JPEG like the Nikon 90 does?
I might post some shots in critique forum and get soem feedback.

I am visiting China next month on business (probably once in lifetime opportunity) and hence making sure I can shoot some nice pictures.

By the way, are there places I can go where
1. They will clean sensor and do some maintenance
2. They will take pictures and fine tune camera

[RichardTaylor]

+1 inkista's suggestions.

Try also shooting at higher shutter speeds like 1/100 at when zoomed in & 1/50 when zoomed out, when hand holding with the IS off . With it on you can reduce these speeds.If you have shaky hands try even higher shutter speeds.

Ditch the filter unless shooting in "dirty" conditions.

All RAW pics do need PPing.
Have a look at picture (it's one of the menus on your camera) styles for jpg in-camera processing (RAW ignores these) and picture styles when PPing RAW files yourself.
They can make a huge difference.

Any good camera store should be able to help you with sensor cleaning. I don't live in Las Vegas, however a search on the net turned up some possible stores..

[Lodenk]

Okay, but I would like to get back to the posters orginal point, what are good lenses under 500 dollars. So that being said here are my recommendations (I would consider craigslisting all of them and I will put down what I paid)

I got my T2I last year right after they came out, I am really enjoying it I shoot constantly and I would recommend these three lenses for a trip to China.

1. EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens - $100 - This is a FANTASTIC lens, its prime so that means no zoom but if you look up the lens you will find that this is a bread and butter lens. I used this lens for about 90% of the pictures I took this year and would not give it up for the world. There is a reason that the 50mm lenses are know as the "Nifty Fifty"
2. EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM Telephoto- $200 - This is your standard telephoto lens, you need to consider that you may come accross a situation where you will want the high zoom capability and this lens will deliver. While not as nice as some of its more expensive counterparts its never a bad lens to have it your kit.
3. Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM - $200 - This is a MUST get used if possible, its abundant (new) on craigslist becuase it came with the 7D and alot of people do not want it. I got mine NEW from a pro photographer who just didn't want it and had bought a 7D. If you go on the net new its about 400ish so you may consider used. This is my walkabout lens, its got some zoom, has image stabilization and has a decent wide aspect.

So for about $500 with a bit of hunting you can take all three on your trip, while I do not undervalue HOW important the fundamentals are, lets be realistic hear, the 18-55mm is a good lens, but was not the point of your post.

Hope this helps.

[buzzrk]

I have 50mm 1.8 already.

Yes, people are selling 28-135 for 250 on craigslist.
I might visit sellers in my area and if condition is good I might pick up this.

Thanks for the recommendations. Keep them coming.