I'm thinking about selling my 18-55 IS kit lens

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xSitara™

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And investing in a new one, preferably a telephoto zoom lens or something. Do you guys think I should sell it? The only other lens I have is the 50mm 1.8.
 
Depends on what photography you do. I would say if you are doing mainly single, or couple portrait shots or maybe primarily motor sports where you use telephoto a lot then you'll probably be okay, but to be honest I wouldn't want to not have a wide option among my lenses, which is effectively what you'll end up with.
 
LJR said:
Depends on what photography you do. I would say if you are doing mainly single, or couple portrait shots or maybe primarily motor sports where you use telephoto a lot then you'll probably be okay, but to be honest I wouldn't want to not have a wide option among my lenses, which is effectively what you'll end up with.
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I'm not too keen on my kit lens, it doesn't take very good shots. I just thought I could use the money I make from it to buy some decent lens that i'll use or maybe even a speedlight with some more money thrown in.
 
The kit lens that comes with the 450D can take some nice shots. It's not of course the same level of optical prowess as the pro lenses but it's not a 'bad' lens. What sort of problems are you seeing with your images? Why not post one, perhaps there are other explanations as to what the issue might be such as back-focusing adjustments, or even just the aperture you are shooting at (diffraction kicks in at around f11 on your lens and so using a smaller aperture (e.g. f22) will start to introduce softness).
 
What do you want to achieve with your new lens? How do you think it will improve your pics? Having looked at some of your pics, do you think that a telephoto would fit into your photography?
 
hank_marvin said:
the kit lens is pretty good really, made a little cheaply perhaps but it takes nice pictures. you would have to get an 18mm-200mm super telephoto really to keep the range.

or get a telephoto 70-200 75-300 and a replacement for you 18-55.

all depends what money you have to spend.
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Well, I can spend upto £200 and i'm really liking the Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 APO Macro Super DG Lens and its £178.99. I've checked out the photos it can take and am quite happy to go ahead and purchase that.

I will need honest advice from you guys though, I don't wanna go sell my kit lens for something crappy.
LJR said:
The kit lens that comes with the 450D can take some nice shots. It's not of course the same level of optical prowess as the pro lenses but it's not a 'bad' lens. What sort of problems are you seeing with your images? Why not post one, perhaps there are other explanations as to what the issue might be such as back-focusing adjustments, or even just the aperture you are shooting at (diffraction kicks in at around f11 on your lens and so using a smaller aperture (e.g. f22) will start to introduce softness).
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I agree the kit lens takes some cool shots, I myself have taken some photos that i'm very happy with, for instance all my macro shots were taken with my kit lens and most people love them.

I'm just not happy with the portraits it takes, there's not bokeh there and it's not seriously sharp or anything, I need a combo between macro and zoom.
swag72 said:
What do you want to achieve with your new lens? How do you think it will improve your pics? Having looked at some of your pics, do you think that a telephoto would fit into your photography?
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Yes I think it would, the lens i've picked takes decent portrait shots and also macro, what more could I ask for? I've changed my mind from telephoto toSigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 APO Macro Super DG Lens.
 
To be honest, you won't get a lot for the kit lens. I looked at using it as part-exchange and Misfuds said they'd give me £50 for it. Don't think I'd get much more than that on eBay or anywhere else as the overwhelming majority of XSi users have it already. Supply > demand!

If you're after a telephoto zoom (I'm new here so not sure what sort of photos you take) and can save up a bit more cash, the 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM is an absolutely outstanding lens for the money. Almost L quality but way cheaper. But it's still around £350. I'm not sure about the Sigma so can't offer any advice there, I'm afraid.

Personally, I'm going to part-exchange my kit lens when I can get enough cash together for the 85mm f/1.8. I'm a sucker for fast primes...
 
xSitara™;1564209 said:
Well, I can spend upto £200 and i'm really liking the Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 APO Macro Super DG Lens and its £178.99. I've checked out the photos it can take and am quite happy to go ahead and purchase that.

I will need honest advice from you guys though, I don't wanna go sell my kit lens for something crappy.

I agree the kit lens takes some cool shots, I myself have taken some photos that i'm very happy with, for instance all my macro shots were taken with my kit lens and most people love them.

I'm just not happy with the portraits it takes, there's not bokeh there and it's not seriously sharp or anything, I need a combo between macro and zoom.


Yes I think it would, the lens i've picked takes decent portrait shots and also macro, what more could I ask for? I've changed my mind from telephoto toSigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 APO Macro Super DG Lens.
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well things like bokeh can, if absolutely necessary, be added in photoshop. A wider angle image can't. If the widest you have is 50mm (which is effectively 80mm on your camera) then for my money that's too restrictive. However, it's something you need to decide on.

As for the Sigma - yes, for its money its a pretty good lens with quite reasonable optics (from what I've read around the net). The Macro is 1:2 but to be honest if you're shooting insects that's actually okay for the most part.
 
BadgerLover said:
To be honest, you won't get a lot for the kit lens. I looked at using it as part-exchange and Misfuds said they'd give me £50 for it. Don't think I'd get much more than that on eBay or anywhere else as the overwhelming majority of XSi users have it already. Supply > demand!

If you're after a telephoto zoom (I'm new here so not sure what sort of photos you take) and can save up a bit more cash, the 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM is an absolutely outstanding lens for the money. Almost L quality but way cheaper. But it's still around £350. I'm not sure about the Sigma so can't offer any advice there, I'm afraid.

Personally, I'm going to part-exchange my kit lens when I can get enough cash together for the 85mm f/1.8. I'm a sucker for fast primes...
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Actually I searched on ebay, the IS kit lens sells for way more than the non IS, i'd get around £60 min for my used kit lens and i'm pretty cool with that :)

The sigma is within my budget that's why I want to purchase it, i've seen what it's capable and am quite happy to go for it, there's always another day to buy a new lens but for now I need something that will give me macro aswell as wildlife shots for my course.

That 85mm is one decent lens, you go for it mate.

LJR said:
well things like bokeh can, if absolutely necessary, be added in photoshop. A wider angle image can't. If the widest you have is 50mm (which is effectively 80mm on your camera) then for my money that's too restrictive. However, it's something you need to decide on.

As for the Sigma - yes, for its money its a pretty good lens with quite reasonable optics (from what I've read around the net). The Macro is 1:2 but to be honest if you're shooting insects that's actually okay for the most part.
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I love Bokeh and there's no way i'm gonna sit at a computer making it all fake :lol:

It's decided i'm gonna get the sigma ;)
 
for 60 quid I'd keep it, I sold mine with my camera and left myself with a 50mm f1.8 and an 80-200L, I really missed the 18-50 bit so I bought a tamron 19-36 and a tamron 28-75

I find my 50mm f1.8 (now 1.4) to be a great lens for portraits, its fast its sharp and its a good length for 3/4 length shots, I do however love telelphoto lenses and the compression they give (my 80-200 and 50 do about 80% of my shooting - but the other 20% needed that flexibility)

In your shoes I would try for a entry level tele-zoom and keep your kit just in case it comes in handy, also your reversing ring fits it which suits your extreme macro stuff (which is great btw)
 
keep it tbh...
 
I am in a similar position with purchasing a new lens, but I don't think it is worth selling your kit lens.

I am looking at getting the Nikkor 55mm-200mm VR lens on payday! - about £180 new on Amazon. This way I have kit that ranges from 18mm up to 200mm which I think is ideal for me.

Anyone own this lens and/or know how good it is? I've read Ken Rockwells review and he says it's a good entry level lens.
 
I thought the 75-300 was a poor lens, the 70-300 IS USM is a cracking lens however.
The IS kit lens is far better than the old 18-55 non-IS kit lens if I'm not mistaken.
 
Oh hai guys I got some great news, i'm not selling my kit lens wooohooo <3 i'm gonna have 3 lenses now i'm so excited :lol:
 
I think you made the right decision. Have fun with your new lens
 
whoop too much kit to carry is fun, I want to cover every focal length I use - IN PRIMES - won't happen though
 
LJR said:
I think you made the right decision. Have fun with your new lens
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Thanks, I guess I just haven't experimented with it enough. Maybe I just should practice taking light trail shots with it :D
david1701 said:
whoop too much kit to carry is fun, I want to cover every focal length I use - IN PRIMES - won't happen though
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How many do you own? :)
 
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