I am not sure where to put this but

[Gina9942]

So yesterday I went and bought a zoom lens, I love close up shots, of people of anything really and I love candid shots. I love flickr and while browsing I saw tons of shots that I would love to try to do, after looking at them I realized that a lot of them are done in a 50mm focal length, so that means that it was not a zoom lens correct? So should I return my zoom lens and get a better regular lens? I am very confused.

[lputman]

No, it doesn't mean that a zoom lens wasn't used, it just means the focal length for the picture was 50mm. Now, is it possible they were done with 50mm prime lens? Yes it is possible. If looking at flickr, sometimes folks will tag their photos with the actual lens they used so that's a possible indicator. Remember, there are zooms out there that will cover the 50mm range.

[Gina9942]

The one i just bought is from 70-300, do you think i should exchange it? Would I be better off getting a "regular one". I know I have one at home, but I don't believe that the F/stop goes to 1.4, I think I need that more than I need the zoom. Zoom really isnt for indoor photography. I am very confused as to what to do now, as I am trying to stay low budget at this moment in time, I take tons of pictures of my kids, and I want a good lens.

[lputman]

Personally, for me, I bought my 70-300 at the same time I purchased my camera as I knew I would need the zooming capabilities for what my intended photography was about. Later, I did purchase the nifty fifty, 50mm f/1.8, because of the aperature and the ability to take better shots indoors since my kit lens didn't open up enough.

Using flickr, you can search on the type of lens that you purchased and you should get some hits and you can compare them to what you want to do. It's possible that it can be done. If you've got the room inside, you could get away with a 70-300 lens but there are other factors involved, mainly light.

I will ask, what is that you want to do that you can't do with the lens you are using now? Also, what type of lens or you using?

[HankW]

A Zoom is really good for a lot of things and will cover just about anything, Zoo, Kids playing in the yard, kids playing sports ( that 300 will be excellent for that). Your kids will not spend all of their time inside.

I don't know if you have a camera that has a kit lens. That will generally be something like a 18 to 55 mm.f 3 something. That will do a very good job for inside the house. Others will come along shortly with their thoughts. I do have a 50mm for low light but that does not work well inside the house, I always have to back way up and sometimes thats not enough room. I have ordered the 35mm for lowlight so will have to wait to see how that works out.

Just keep checking this forum .

Just a thought. on your Zoom.there is a scale that tells what mm you are at. Use that at different mm settings so you can get a good idea of what distance that most of your photos are taken at. Your prime will also have this. Then check your EXIF data and see the reading in focal length (mm)

[trelaflip]

I feel zooms are good for majority of photography. I use my Sigma 28-70 f2.8 all the time. Since I do more portrait photography I am usually zoomed in though.

I use my 50mm f1.2 L or 70-200 f2.8 L when it comes to my paid portrait work. Lately the 50mm has been seeing the camera more and more.

Like mentioned above the 50mm f1.8 is a must have lens.

[agresbach]

i have the 50mm 1.8 lens for my camera as well but i also just picked up the canon 55-250mm IS lens and i LOVE it.
i'm with you that i love taking candid shots and zoomed in. Its a personal preference but i think people are more natural when they are being themselves and not nervous about having their photo taken. the great thing about the 55-250 lens is that its canon's entry level IS lens and for me it makes a huge difference when you're shooting on the long end (fully zoomed). i've played with it by turned OFF IS and then turning on and see how much difference it makes in the steadiness of your shots.
just my 2 cents. great lens if you can afford it (i got mine for about $220)

[Gina9942]

I have a Tamron lens that I got when I first bought the camera, I am going to go to BH tomorrow and see if I can trade that in, along with another Macro lens that only fits one of my cameras and then look into getting the 50mm 1.8, I like the bigger aperture as I have a low light apartment and since its been so cold out I've been shooting indoors, the Tamron isn't my favorite so I am hoping the 50 will be better, maybe they will even have a used version, which I don't mind buying, especially from BH.

Thanks!