Canon kit lenses will let me down

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ianjmatt

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Was really pleased to step into the world of DSLR this weekend with the purchase of a Canon 500D with two lenses - 18 - 55mm and 75 - 300mm. I should have looked a bit closer, but assumed that the main kit lens would be fast enough for now. My idea was to get used to it all again (it has been 10 years since I put my film camera away) over the summer and then buy some decent glass.

One of the things I was going to do was get some shots over the August Bank Holiday at our local music festival, Shrewsbury Folk Festival. The main events are in two tens - a 2K and 3K seater venues - so will need something fairly fast. Apparently the kit lens I have only goes to f/3.5, so I guess another shopping trip is on the cards - can't see how this will be good for indoor gig shots.
 
Hi

Could be worth adding a Canon 50mm f1.8 (£80apprx) and/or Canon 85mm f1.8 (£300apprx). Obviously those focal lengths could be a bit short but it depends if you want to throw a lot of cash at it.

The 50mm is often recommended as a first fast lens. It is cheap, light and doesn't take up much space in my bag so I always carry it anyway.
 
You bought the same package I did a few months ago. I've just dug out the lens and it does say f3.5 to f5.6 on it. It's certainly on the cheaper end of Canon lenses bit I wouldn't consider it to be totally incapable. I've photographed splashes of water in a stream with it and caught them still and sharp, admittedly the lighting was good but a lot of your festivals will be during daylight hours. The ISO goes up to 3200 too which could your indoor shots.

There's a thread on here somewhere by someone trying to capture to mood in club photography and there's talk of dragging the shutter to capture ambient lighting, this might be worth a read
 
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Or you could look at it another way, the stadium lighting is really poor ;)

Are we talking about the 18-55 lens? That's only 3.5 at the 18mm lens, rising to f5.6 at 55mm, which means if you want to shoot that wide then a 50mm f1.8 is a good shout. Lets face it, it's a folk festival so they aren't exactly going to be jumping around (unless its mumford and sons).

I'm guessing you got the cheap 75-300 which is f4-f5.6. Did you get the USM or the non USM one? I had the non usm one once and whilst being ok, it was slow to focus.

The 500D should be capable of being used at ISO1600 without too much noise (or none that can't be fixed in post). That would allow you to push the shutter speed up.

Don't forget to watch the depth of field with wide open apertures. Shouldn't be a problem if shooting from distance but could be if you are close.

The 500D is quite old now. Did you buy second hand?

If it's a bright sunny day, you could get lucky with some nice diffused lighting in the tent.
 
Iris said:
It's currently on sale in Jessops with the 2 lenses for £599 (I say currently but it has been for a couple of months now)
Click to expand...

That's the deal I got - although it was £579.
 
As a part-time Jessops employee, y the 500D twin kit is still available. Although the lenses are at the cheaper end, I am often pleasantly surprised at the results that can be had. The Canon twin kits are normally a sign that a particular camera model is on its way out. You can normally tell because at present there is the 600D, 550D and 500D, so it's time for the 500D to go. When the 650D comes out, it'll be the 550D's turn!
Most beginners are already beset with so much that's new, that simply having a decent focal range covered at a good price is a way into the hobby for them. The last thing most are worried about at that point is very quick focussing and if I feel that they will be, I tend to recommend something at a higher price, but most prefer not to spend that much when starting out.

Nonetheless, I always point out the '50 as a good consideration both as a learning lens (because you have to move not the zoom) and for nice quality portraits without a studio kit. Most of the beginners who do not purchase a zoom lens on the initial sale, are normally back within a couple of months to get one...
 
I haven't got the 55-250, so called nifty two fifty. With the 4 stop IS you may be able to get this with higher ISO.
And the can be had for £150 upwards.
 
I've lots of pictures taken with a 300D, 18-55 kit lens (the really plasticy one) or with a 75-300 non usm and there are fine, provided you work to the limitations of the lenses.
When you do move onto L lenses though there is a certain sharpness and colour depth to them that just stands out.

We've still got the 18-55 lens. It lives on my son's 400D and still produces fine shots in the right conditions, such as poking it through a lions cage

1/640s f/5.6 at 18.0mm iso400
125707526.jpg
 
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