I need advice about what lenses to get

[Neeks22]

I need some advice about what lenses to purchase. Let me give you some backround first:

I am a new Mom, of a beautiful 5 month old daughter, and have been recently inspired by a friend that does photography professionally. She does portrait photography of babies, children, families etc. with the on location (no studio) personal style of photography. I want to start taking pics of my own child, family members and depending on how it goes, who knows from there.

I don't have any equipment yet and am planning on purchasing a canon rebel xt to start out with. I have found package deals with 3 lenses but am having a hard time deciding what to get, here are the options:

1st package includes a wide angle lens, regular lens (28-70mm, f2.8-4) and macro lens (70-300mm, f4-5.6)

2nd package includes a wide angle lens, regular lens (18-55mm, f3.5-5.6) and macro lens (75-300mm, f4-5.6)

My dilemma is which regular lens to get?? I am presently reading and learning about how to use the camera and also about fstops and apature and the whole nine yards. The 28/70 is attractive because it has a wider fstop range, but the 18/55 is the typical lense that comes with the camera.

I just want the group of lenses that will allow me to take the wider range of photos, any advice or comments would be much appreciated!!

[TheWengler]

1. Don't double post. 1 topic, 1 thread

2. I saw in the other thread that you'd like to do this professionally. I think you're getting way ahead of yourself.

3. I wouldn't get either of those set ups. If you're on a tight budget I'd start with an entry level or used body, the new IS kit lens and a bounce/swivel head flash.

[phys]

I started with a 30D personally as it was a slightly better starting point than a rebel and suited my hands, the rebel felt so small and with a large lens felt unbalanced.
The new 18-55 performs well but not ideal in low light unless you are using a speedlite. Personally I brought the body and then a 50mm 1.8 "nifty fifty" so cheap it's almost stupid but sharp as anything but has cheap build quality and is quite noisy but it does great portraits.(I still own it) If money is not an issue and you get bit more serious then a 17-55 F/2.8 IS which many here speak highly of is a great crop body option, I have taken some good shots with it in different situations and it's a beauty.....sadly very expensive but is a great all rounder IMO. Have included a shot from the 17-55 at a boxing match shot without flash in horrible lighting.
Neither of those options are something I would start out with personally.

[tim11]

Welcome to photography but before you spend a fortune on lenses and equipment just make sure you are in for the long term. That's the best advice I can personally give you.

As for the lenses, why don't you start at the basic and see how you take it from there? Many people will give you different advices based on their own need and experience. Most of them are correct but again everyone has different need and it can be different to yours.

I'd say just buy a body and get just ONE multi purpose lens to start with (The 18-55 is great for shooting around the house). Along the line, you will realise what suit you the best.

Good luck.


PS: I'd leave out the 70-300 and 75-300 from your starter kit. They are more suitable to bird and sport photography but I doubt these two are fast enough for such purpose.

[fotogmarc]

I know how exciting it can be to want to get started and have all the gear. We all want to have the gear and the skill with great images to show for it.

Now, I have to agree with the other posters, get a basic package, get used to it and see even if portrait photography agrees with you. You never know if nature shots, or landscape or even abstracts will be your style.

Canon, Nikon, Olympus and Pentax all offer excellent entry level cameras with general purpose lenses. Experiment and see what looks best, then you can expand your outfit.
Too many people have $1,000+ camera and and gear sitting in the closet waiting for a birthday to come out.

Sorry if this isn't the "go out and get it!" message you may have been hoping for, just trying to be helpful.:p

[Neeks22]

I have been overwhelmed by the advice that I have recieved. I can't believe there are that many people that would take the time to offer words of wisdom that only help me and do nothing for them.

Of course there is always one that will take time to make negative comments along with their advice. Oh well...

I have taken all the advice and done some more research and have decided to go with a basic package: canon rebel xs with 18-55is lens, purchasing from a reputable website, it has a memory card and bag included.

I can't wait to get it and start experimenting. I am sure I will have a lot more questions. I don't expect to be a professional next week or even next year, I thought I made that clear by saying I was just starting out, but who can fault me for being optomistic!

[TheWengler]

Of course there is always one that will take time to make negative comments along with their advice. Oh well...

Of course there's always those people that don't read the rules then proceed to post duplicate threads all over the forum.

[tim11]

...who can fault me for being optomistic!

Nobody. I can imagine the little girl will have thousands of her photos taken in the next few months.
You are right by asking advice here before buying and by doing so you just save yourself a small fortune. Too often I see advertisement on local paper selling off an entire camera kits....

[K1W1]

I have taken all the advice and done some more research and have decided to go with a basic package: canon rebel xs with 18-55is lens, purchasing from a reputable website, it has a memory card and bag included.

Before you actually purchase spend a little time thinking about this.

When you purchase a DSLR you are buying into a system. For most people the purchase of a DSLR and lens is the start of a long and often expensive journey. The issue with DSLR systems is that they are not interchangeable you cannot put a Pentax lens on a Canon body or a Nikon flash on a Sony. If you start with one system you are usually locking yourself into that system and it becomes extremely expensive to change when you have multiple lenses and flashes and bodies.
Look at the overall systems offered by the different manufacturers. Look at the prices of other lenses, look at the flashes and see how they work and whether you can easily use multiple flashes (you will need to for portraits and weddings) and don't forget to look at what support is available here and on other forums and locally.
Most importantly though have you actually held the Canon, you can't do that on a web site. You must go into a real shop and actually hold several cameras and lens combinations. Regardless of all other considerations if the camera does not feel right to you you will not use it.

[Neeks22]

I have chosen Canon because the photographer that I know uses that and others that I know have spoke very highly of the brand. Plus a close friend of mine just got one, so I have held it and am comfortable with it.

I really appreciate all the advice I can get bec I don't want to leave any area unturned before making this decision!

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

1. Don't double post. 1 topic, 1 thread

2. I saw in the other thread that you'd like to do this professionally. I think you're getting way ahead of yourself.

3. I wouldn't get either of those set ups. If you're on a tight budget I'd start with an entry level or used body, the new IS kit lens and a bounce/swivel head flash.

Good advice Lukas and K1W1, it was worth the effort of posting even if only 1 person learns anything from it. ;)

After all there is great horde of people that read and never post. I met a bloke a couple weeks back that's been reading for a year and never once posted!

[fotogmarc]

I have been overwhelmed by the advice that I have recieved. I can't believe there are that many people that would take the time to offer words of wisdom that only help me and do nothing for them.

Of course there is always one that will take time to make negative comments along with their advice. Oh well...



If you continue to monitor the posts here you'll begin to know the negative posters and learn to take them with a grain of salt.

Of course the real fun begins when they get down into a gritty cat fight with each other. Now that's fun to watch:D