Canon Rebel--kit lens, 18-55, or both?

LenaGardner

LenaGardner

New member
Canon Rebel--kit lens, 50 mm or both?

I need to buy a Rebel online, like ASAP. I was already in the market, but my intent was to sell my high zoom P&S when I bought one, because the high zooms aren't purse cameras, they are bigger and bulkier. But my stepmom called and wanted to buy mine right away and came and picked it up from me tonight. So I'm cameraless until I order! (I can use Tabatha's, she has the same Sony I had, but still...I need my own).

Anyway, I thought I had the luxury of being slow with my decision making but apparently I don't.

I don't know which lens to get, or both?
 
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The kit lens is 18-55. I'd suggest getting the body and a 50mm 1.8 lens to start. The kit lenses are basically crap. The kit lens for the Xsi isn't as bad as the past incarnations, but it's till not a great lens.

HTH!
 
Leila said:
The kit lens is 18-55. I'd suggest getting the body and a 50mm 1.8 lens to start. The kit lenses are basically crap. The kit lens for the Xsi isn't as bad as the past incarnations, but it's till not a great lens.

HTH!
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sorry, this is what I meant. I meant between the 18-55 and this one.

I was considering just getting the body and this lense, and skipping the kit lens altogether. would that be okay?
 
Yea you'll be fine with that combination. I use my 50mm pretty much exclusively at this point. I used my 18-55 on tuesday at the parade only cuz I wanted to get some wide angle shots. I couldn't tell you the last time I used it before then.
 
The kit lens is 18-55. I'd suggest getting the body and a 50mm 1.8 lens to start. The kit lenses are basically crap. The kit lens for the Xsi isn't as bad as the past incarnations, but it's till not a great lens.
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Ditto! I use my 50 mm almost exclusively unless I want a wider angle shot.
 
Trust me, you will never use the kit lens once you use the 50 mm. Don't even waste your money on it. It is crap. I also like this midange zoom lens, which I have been using alot lately:

Canon 28-105 mm

If you can afford it, pay a bit more and get the Canon 50mm 1.4 Lens. It rocks. I use this mostly for low light shots and if I want a lot of Bokeh.

Good luck!
Susan
 
I like the 50mm but I really love my Tamron 28-75 f/2.8. Really really love it. But it took me a year to take the leap to spend that much on a lens.

The kit lens is fine to start out with and sometimes more useful than the 50mm. If you are ever in a place where you can't use your feet to zoom than you need something that is not a fixed lens. So it depends on your needs and how you take photos. I say go ahead and get the kit lens and then sell a few kits and then get the 50mm. ;) Or if possible get both!
 
aggiefamily said:
I like the 50mm but I really love my Tamron 28-75 f/2.8. Really really love it. But it took me a year to take the leap to spend that much on a lens.

The kit lens is fine to start out with and sometimes more useful than the 50mm. If you are ever in a place where you can't use your feet to zoom than you need something that is not a fixed lens. So it depends on your needs and how you take photos. I say go ahead and get the kit lens and then sell a few kits and then get the 50mm. ;) Or if possible get both!
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I agree with this. It will depend on how you shoot but I can't imagine only having the 50mm. Of course, I haven't used mine in two years so I'm probably not as big a fan as other people here. :D
 
so I should get both? both are in my budget, i'm just trying to wade my way through all of this info to determine what will best fit my needs!
 
LenaBrandenburg said:
sorry, this is what I meant. I meant between the 18-55 and this one.

I was considering just getting the body and this lense, and skipping the kit lens altogether. would that be okay?
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Lena, where are you getting your camera from?

I just ordered my XSi from B & H last week for like $604 with shipping and I only got the body. But COSTCO has the XSi and kit lens (18-55mm) for $600. Just thought I'd let you know if you're getting the newest version.

And, I'd get both lenses if you can afford it, but I honestly hated my 50 mm 1.8, it was slow and my auto focus was crap and died after like 3 months of having it.
 
And something else about the 50 mm if you live in a small house, like I do, the 50 mm is too close up for indoor shots.

I only would use mine outside and when I was trying to take low light pictures of like my Christmas Tree.

I just got a 28-200mm Tamron and its awesome!

Anyhow, hope this helped.
 
nesser1981 said:
Lena, where are you getting your camera from?

I just ordered my XSi from B & H last week for like $604 with shipping and I only got the body. But COSTCO has the XSi and kit lens (18-55mm) for $600. Just thought I'd let you know if you're getting the newest version.

And, I'd get both lenses if you can afford it, but I honestly hated my 50 mm 1.8, it was slow and my auto focus was crap and died after like 3 months of having it.
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I was going to order the 50 mm from B&H but I was looking at an xti body only or an xti with kit lens, both on amazon. I couldn't find an xti body only at b&h.
 
nesser1981 said:
And something else about the 50 mm if you live in a small house, like I do, the 50 mm is too close up for indoor shots.
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This is one of the reasons I never liked my 50mm. I was always too involved in the action I was trying to capture and I got tired of always having to be like, "wait, let me back up." Plus a lot of the time there simply wasn't room to back up as far as I would have needed to.
 
The kit lenses imo aren't good. I had been advised to avoid them when I began with my dslr and am glad I heeded the warning. I almost wish I would have started out with the 40d now too but thats a whole nother cup of tea. I say go for the 50. I bought that along with my 60mm and 28-135 and I swear by my prime lenses. I rarely use the 28-135 and actually use it mostly outside more then indoors though back up stinks. The photos are just sharper and they work better indoors for low light situations. Amazing for portraiture. Lots of luck and congrats honey!
 
I have the XTi, 18-55mm kit lens, 50mm lens and the 28-105mm lens that Susan linked to and I honestly never use the kit lens ever. In fact it's sitting on the shelf here on my desk and hasn't been touched in months. I'd say I use my 50mm like 95% of the time, mostly cause I have a fairly small house with awful light so the lower aperture is better so I've never had a problem using my 50mm inside here at home. I do love my 28-105mm lens, it's great for photos at the park and the zoo etc (I need to remember to use it more often). Though I'm excited cause later this month I will be ordering an external flash and the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 lens that Amanda has since I'm going to be taking photos for a local teen fashion show here in April!!
 
Sarah, I can't help but laugh. Jordan made a comment last night that I better have my D80 for a good 5+ before I even THINK of upgrading to a higher model (like a D700 or 3D, which HE wanted the 3D in the first place but I couldn't deal with shelling out that cash without knowing wtf I was doing, LOL!)
 
I have a Rebel XT. I got a 50mm for Xmas 2007... and honestly don't think I have put the kit lens on since!!!
 
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Ohhh Shawna you are going to LOVE your external flash! I totally swear by mine! Congrats on the fashion show, how exciting!
 
I'm REALLY hoping that Jordan lets me use a smidge of the tax refund for the Tamron 28-75mm. I drool over it daily. :blink:
 
LMAO Col I swear cause i want teh 40d and then I want the 5d a year after I get the 40d and I tryed to justify keeping the 40d as a back up. Dude you would think I had a third eye growing out of my forehead the way my husband was looking at me LMAO. I do like my xti I just feel like im finally outgrowing it for what i need it for if that makes sense lol!
 
I totally hear ya. I would keep my D80 as a backup for sure. And in reality, I don't need a higher model. yet. But, I'm throwing around the idea of taking this whole photography thing even more seriously and making money from it. And if that happens in the next few years then I'm for SURE gonna have to upgrade.
 
Thats exactly where I am at honey! Actually I LOVED my camera till I started poking my head around those pro photog message boards and started to learn how to use the dang thing. Now I am starting to finally see the light and its not good for our wallet LOL. Well I hope we get our cameras babe. I got my dslr this time last year and I had finally gotten Wes to let me get the 40d and then of course stupid bills came up and I had to do the right thing and pay them LOL Didnt wanna though. So now I am in a dilemma. Hold onto my xti another year then get the 40d and a year after that go to the 5d or just get the 5d next year. Im rambling sorry lol! Wes never understands this stuff and I end up talking to myself.
 
Thanks Sarah :) I'm right there with you girls, I'd love to get the 40D or 50D but Rob gives me the evil eye anytime I even mention it lol! So for now I'll have to be content with him letting me spend $$ on lenses and external flashes. I also want to get an 85mm lens so I'm hoping to make some decent money from the fashion show (and maybe some referrals!) to get that too.
 
I tend to use my 18-55 more than my 50mm. Granted when I can get a non-blurry photo with my 50mm it is much nicer than the same photo with the kit lens but for the most part the photos are great with the 18-55. I also like that you can zoom it out a bit more than the 50mm since I tend to take less portrait like shots.
 
Jennifer- I felt the same way when I only had the kit lens. And after I got the 50mm my photos did not improve. It was after I read a few books and learned how to use the camera that my photos improved.
 
aggiefamily said:
Jennifer- I felt the same way when I only had the kit lens. And after I got the 50mm my photos did not improve. It was after I read a few books and learned how to use the camera that my photos improved.
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That's good to know. I am VERY slowly learning how to use my camera and only have the kit lens right now... but I'm not sure I want to spend money on another one until I really know what I'm doing!
 
Just keep practicing with what you have. It's more about knowing how to use the camera itself at first. Otherwise all the fancy equipment in the world isn't gonna help.
 
I agree completely with Col it really comes down to the photographer not the gear. Don't feel that way sweety! Your photos are awesome. I just think the 50 is more bang for your buck is all.
 
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