A new lens...

  • Thread starter Thread starter Robbieeeeee
  • Start date Start date
R

Robbieeeeee

Guest
Hey, I'm really new to DSLR world and have recently purchased a 500d with the standard lens, Iv got a question for the experts, what's the best first lens that I should definatley own?

There's so many different ones it's driving me insane!
 
Hi,

What kind of pictures do you want to take?
Landscapes, portraits, macro, bits of everything? Will you be shooting sport etc or just static objects?
Do you want a zoom, or prime?
And probably most importantly, what's your budget?

Tell us your aims and no doubt you'll get some great advice. :)
 
A bit of everything really, portraits, macro, possibly no sport, got quite a limited budget but will pay extra for a quality one!
 
I'd say get a Nifty Fifty, but only cos I picked one up yesterday myself. Sooo good (especially compared to a kit lens)! Granted, you need to use your legs and not much good for landscapes but otherwise excellent. And cheap!
Don't really know much about Canon but the experts should be along shortly. :)
 
Robbieeeeee said:
A bit of everything really, portraits, macro, possibly no sport, got quite a limited budget but will pay extra for a quality one!
Click to expand...

I think the 18-200 is a good lens for everything. U can take Tele shots and also wide angle shots.
 
Anyone got any links to these lenses so I can get an idea? :)

What's everyones opinions on used lenses too?
 
With respect, if you don't know at least the general kind of lens you want, you don't need one yet. You can have a go at most things with the kit lens, then plug any gaps as and when you meet them.

To have a go at macro on a budget, get a Raynox DCR-250 adapter from Amazon for £40 :thumbs:
 
HoppyUK said:
With respect, if you don't know at least the general kind of lens you want, you don't need one yet. You can have a go at most things with the kit lens, then plug any gaps as and when you meet them.

To have a go at macro on a budget, get a Raynox DCR-250 adapter from Amazon for £40 :thumbs:
Click to expand...

I agree with this. Try using your dear kit lens first. You'll know what u need after that.
 
Hi there !

Robbieeeeee said:
A bit of everything really, portraits, macro, possibly no sport, got quite a limited budget but will pay extra for a quality one!
Click to expand...

Sports & Wildlife require something a little more dedicated and unfortunately - more expensive however - you've ruled that out and say macro and portrait.....

Have to say I'm with Hoppy on this one.

Suck it and see - and then figureout what are you struggling with ?

On a budget the 50mm 1.8 is a cheap lens which will lend itself to the portrait side of things and enable you to push on from the kit lens. It will get you familiar with shallow dof and (asuming you've not got one already) save you buying a flash till you get more into it or decide if you like portrait photography.

As far as macro goes - it's one of those things that can become expensive but as Hoppy says - if you want to push on in this area - the Raynox is a good cost effective way forward.
 
Thanks for the advice people, I'm going to stick it out at least for the time being to see what I enjoy most, maybe trying to much too fast all this talk of lenses got me feeling it was compulsory to have one!
 
Take my advice get a 50 f1.8 and a 70-200f2.8 is L mk 11 u won't be disappointed you will be skint though lol
 
Canon60d said:
Take my advice get a 50 f1.8 and a 70-200f2.8 is L mk 11 u won't be disappointed you will be skint though lol
Click to expand...

Err...
He said he is new to the world of DSLR photography.
Yes a 50 f1.8 would be a good choice if he wants a good cheap prime and it is cheap.
However, recomending an £1800 lens to someone who is new to this is not really good advice is it?
I very much doubt his limited budget woud allow for this..
 
Last edited:
I Wasn't quite sure that was tge one suggested! Saw 1700 come up and was like....hmmmmmm!

I'm looking at the 50mm lens for now, cheap enough rmto give me maybe a different aspect
 
HoppyUK said:
With respect, if you don't know at least the general kind of lens you want, you don't need one yet. You can have a go at most things with the kit lens, then plug any gaps as and when you meet them.
Click to expand...

That's the voice of experience talking, take onboard what Hoppy has said.
If you really do want to buy another lens, you need to give us an idea of your budget otherwise the old saying 'how long is a piece of string' comes into play :)
 
Canon60d said:
I was kidding should have put a lol at the end sorry
Click to expand...

No problem, I'm glad you were only joking.
If new users saw that you'd be held responsible for inducing hear attacks :lol:
 
Yeah as I said I don't think Iv done enough photography to know exactly what u want and somehow just thought I NEED one, I'm just going to keep an eye out for a cheap used 50mm For now, and when I find myself needing more then buy tge appropriate lens
 
I would suggest a tamron 17-50 f 2.8 these are around £180-200 2nd hand and from HK can be had for £225 ish new. but I don’t know if you can stretch that far.

http://bobatkins.com/photography/reviews/tamron_17-50_review.html

It’s a very good lens with great image quality, it will serve you well for a long time to come.

The canon 50mm f1.8 is a great lens and very cheap to boot.
 
Last edited:
Robbieeeeee said:
what's the best first lens that I should definatley own?
Click to expand...
Kit-lens? Have a go with it and then decide whether you'd actually use a prime lens and what focal length would be right for you.
 
Use your kit lens and see if there is a particular zoom you use most.

eg 35mm or 50mm.

Or whether it doesn't quite get you close enough (either a bigger zoom or prime) or isn't wide enough (ie you need to step back a lot).

You didn't state which camera you got, but the 50mm f1.8 new on nikon is 100ukp (second hand is less). Jessops do a 35mm f1.8 for 170ukp.

Otherwise its a savings time :)


Any one you know has some of the lens so you could play with them, try them out... might give you more of an idea.
 
Robbieeeeee said:
Hey, I'm really new to DSLR world and have recently purchased a 500d with the standard lens, Iv got a question for the experts, what's the best first lens that I should definatley own?

There's so many different ones it's driving me insane!
Click to expand...

Sounds to me like new camera syndrome (i'm in the same boat)..... you've bought the camera, you think you MUST own more kit and in particular more lenses.

Until you get out shooting with the kit lens and work out where the gaps are in your range, you're better keeping your cash in the pocket.

When you get the pictures back on your computer, look at the exif data to see what focal length you've been shooting at.

I keep saying to myself I need to spend cash on a zoom lens.... but i've hardly used the kit i've got in the first month of owning my kit...... so i'm keeping cash in my pocket for now until I work out what i really need rather than what I think I need/want.
 
I don't think you're really going to go wrong the 50mm/1.8, buy one used for little ££, if you don't get on with it, you'll be able to sell it for pretty much what you paid for it. This applies to most used lenses (and some new ones if you shop smart!) Oh, and get a reversing ring and you can have a go at macro with the fifty as well.

I'm starting to wish all cameras came with a prime, just like the old days *sniff* :lol:
 
Last edited:
Zarch said:
Sounds to me like new camera syndrome (i'm in the same boat)..... you've bought the camera, you think you MUST own more kit and in particular more lenses.

Until you get out shooting with the kit lens and work out where the gaps are in your range, you're better keeping your cash in the pocket.

When you get the pictures back on your computer, look at the exif data to see what focal length you've been shooting at.

I keep saying to myself I need to spend cash on a zoom lens.... but i've hardly used the kit i've got in the first month of owning my kit...... so i'm keeping cash in my pocket for now until I work out what i really need rather than what I think I need/want.
Click to expand...


Thats exactly it!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top