Is the Canon 18-55mm a good enough place to start?

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bexabell

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Becky
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Good afternoon

I’ve just brought a second-hand Canon 450d, very excited :D and now need a lens to get me started.

I’m thinking about both the Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 and 50mm f1.8 as they seem like cheap & cheerful options, however would these be false economy purchases and end up back on ebay? Should I buy just one more expensive investment lens instead? My budget is up to £200 and completely new to the DSLR world so a little lost to be honest. :help:

I’d imagine most of my photos will be friends & family, i.e. birthdays/weddings etc, perhaps some local landscapes and general holiday “snaps”. Would love to try macro in the future but quite happy to walk before trying to run! The last thing I want to do is spend a fortune on equipment, especially so early on and never use it to it's full potential.

Any suggestions welcome :)
Becky
 
The 18-55 is a very capable lens to get you started, and the 50mm is a brillient lens for the money.

But there is a nother option for your budget. the Tamron 17-50 f2.8, you can get these second hand for less than your budget and would be perfect for shooting the parties and stuff indoors etc etc.

Spike
 
If you have an 18-55mm lens I wouldn't spend any further money on anything else until you have got used to the camera and it's controls. Only then will you discover what is limiting your photos.

However, if you haven't got a lens and seeing your list of interested I would look at getting a used Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 EX DC MACRO. This is the lens I use and it is good for portraits, low light shots, and basic macro work. It can be had used for less than £200 and is a very good lens.
 
Another Shefford user! Scary

I'd highly recommend a Tamron 17-50 f2.8, would be much better than a kitlens when shooting indoors and a lot sharper too :)

If you don't need something that goes that wide/needs a bit more reach could also try the tamron 28-75 f2.8 but it really does depend on how you like to shoot.
 
Hi Becky,

As a fellow beginner who happens only have in his kit bag the 2 lenses you mention I thought I'd comment!

I love the 50mm f1.8 to bits, so happy that I bought it and think it is brilliant. Definetly recommend that one!

The 18-55mm kit lens (my 550D came with it) is also a good general lens and I have no real complaints about it but I sometimes wish I had one with a bit more zoom on it. I have already decided my next purchase will be something like a 55-250mm lens, and sooner rather than later.

Given what I have experienced since getting the 550D I feel it would have been better to get the kit with the 18-135mm. :thumbs:
 
Which 18-55? There are two versions - one with IS and one without. The one with IS (it's easy to tell as it has "IS" in the name) is much better optically than the non-IS. It also commands a £20-£30 premium.

IMHO, you are always better buying the best lens you can afford, not the one that has the highest zoom as that will most likely have the most compromises. Until you afford better lenses, you won't know what you're missing - the 450D is a capable camera.

Generally, with lenses, you get what you pay for (there are always exceptions) and I'd second the recommendations for the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 if you can stretch to it...
 
Thanks all :thumbs: :thumbs:

Will definitely have a look into the Tamron 17-50 but does look like it might be a bit out of my budget, although I've just remembered that my brother has a Canon DSLR so might 'borrow' his lens, although I have no idea which one is it! Have a play before I make a final decision - happy days! :-)

Another Shefford user! Scary
Click to expand...
Ha ha ha!
 
Which 18-55? There are two versions - one with IS and one without. The one with IS (it's easy to tell as it has "IS" in the name) is much better optically than the non-IS. It also commands a £20-£30 premium.
Click to expand...

Hi Andy - it's the IS version as I'd read, on here! that's it's better than the older one.
 
It depends on what you shoot. I have been into photography for a long time, but it was only in Nov 2010 I got my first DSLR.

Use the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens or atleast 2 months before deciding on what else you need. For one, you will see if you get to use the camera. And if you do what photos you are taking. I've wasted some money buying lens that I do not use. But now plan to invest in what I do use, which is Macro, Landscape + 1 for general purposes. A lens for low light and telephoto is on the cards budget permitting but I do not intend to make heavy use of them.

The other advantage of waiting, is also to give yourself time to research what is available. I have spent many nights looking at photos to see what I want to shoot, what lens people used, what extras (flash, teleconverters, extension tubes, filters, etc) is used to avoid post processing.

For a Crop body, My guess is you will either want to go with better image quaility, or a long focal range (more zoom).
 
Hi i'm quite new to DLSR's like yourself.

I bought an 18-55 and a 55-250mm ( both Canon )

I can honestly say i think i've used the 18-55m only about twice.

From my experience of both lenses - i conclude that to get the same range as the 18-55mm - with a 55-250mm you only need to stand back about 1 metre...

I personally believe you'll miss more shots/need a longer lens rather than a shorter one... Hence i recommend a 55-250mm Canon to get you started. I got mine for about £145 :)
 
Hey everyone

Thank you for taking the time to reply to my post. I've decided to get the Canon 18-55mm IS afterall - £44 on MPB :)

I'm being impatient and really want to get started without having to save up for a pricey lens, so hopefully I'll be able to learn the basics and then decide on my next steps re: lens wants/needs.

I'll definitely be re-reading this post ready for my Christmas wish list, if not before!
Becky
 
The one's MPB sells for £44 are the NON-IS ones.
 
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