What lens to get first?

thornmaster

thornmaster

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I'm new to dslr's and am looking at getting a secondhand canon eos (350d, 400d or 450d) body. I'm not sure what lens or maybe two lenses to get with it, I'm looking at spending £100-200 depending on how much i spend on the body. I don't have a particular area of photography that I want to focus on yet although i would like to be able to get decent photos of family and holiday landscapes, I also have an interest in motorsport and aviation. Thanks for any help you can offer.
 
Have a good look though the forum here as many people have been in your position ;-) On that budget you may be better looking second hand - for me a good fast prime (say 50mm either 1.8 or 1.4) would be a good start esp for family ?
 
Agree with above. If it were me i would get a 450d and canon 50mm f1.8 then save up for a decent zoom or whatever you want after deciding what type of photography you want to do.

The 50mm f1.8 is a pin sharp lens which is as cheap as chips! It's also known as a Nifty fifty. Check out flickr 'groups' and type in canon 50mm f1.8 in the search and you will see loads of example images. Typing in Nifty fifty will do the same.

Good luck and let us know what you get.
 
What lens to get first?
I'm new to dslr's and am looking at getting a secondhand canon eos (350d, 400d or 450d) body. I'm not sure what lens or maybe two lenses to get with it, I'm looking at spending £100-200 depending on how much i spend on the body. I don't have a particular area of photography that I want to focus on yet although i would like to be able to get decent photos of family and holiday landscapes, I also have an interest in motorsport and aviation. Thanks for any help you can offer.
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Although the 350D is a good camera it does not remove dust from the sensor automatically which the other two do. I had a 400D and it is a good camera which I took a lot of photo's on and can recomend. I swapped lenses alot and did not get much trouble with dust, my girlfriend (wife now) at the time had the 350D and suffered a lot of dust problems when changing lenses.

As to lenses would not bother with a prime just something like an EF-S 18-55 kit lens & perhaps something like an EF-S 18-135. The point being when you start taking pictures you will soon realise what sort of pictures you want to get which will show what lens you need.
 
Being in a similar position just a short time ago I went for a nifty fifty as my first lens. Although this is a cracking little lens and great for portrait and low light shooting I wish I'd taken HoppyUK's advice and gone for the IS version of the 18-50 Canon. It would have given me more scope.
 
Picking up on the motorsport and aviation, the 55-250mm IS lens might be worth a look.
 
I admit to being a Nikon fan, so cant comment on Canon bodies, but I would avoid the 50mm lens. While it is an excellent lens (it has given me some excellent pics) I would not want it as my only lens. You would be much better off going for a 18-55 type lens, or 18-70 (dont know the canon range). What may be affordable at the top end of your budget is a 2.8 Tamron 17-50 which is supposed to be good.
 
I was in a very similar position, Canon or Nikon was my dilema.

Advised to try used kit and have a feel and a play around with each model as some just feel better in the hands.

Super advise, i purchased a used Canon 400d, a battery grip and a 18-55mm lens for roughly the same money as a lower spec new body only.

I haven't had much chance to take the camera out to try landscapes but i am pleased with a b&w closeup that i took. Portraits look very good with this lens.
Good Luck
 
The23rdman said:
Being in a similar position just a short time ago I went for a nifty fifty as my first lens. Although this is a cracking little lens and great for portrait and low light shooting I wish I'd taken HoppyUK's advice and gone for the IS version of the 18-50 Canon. It would have given me more scope.
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^^^ :thumbs: In which case, I'll say it again - if budget is tight, you'd be mad not to get the 18-55 IS kit lens. The newer IS version is really pretty good, and great value; it is also usually supplied as the kit lens on a 450D, which is the body to go for if it's in budget.

When funds allow, the EF-S 55-250 IS is the longer lens to get - another terrific value lens and perfect partner. You will then have a very potent outfit.

Nifty-fifty 50 1.8 is really quite a specialist lens, and not much use at all for general walkabout. But if and when you feel you want what it can do, it is another bargain buy.

(Don't forget a decent flash when funds allow.)
 
18-55 is certainly a good starter lens. Get a 50mm 1.8 for when you start taking pictures in low light, those few extra stops make a big difference!
 
HoppyUK said:
When funds allow, the EF-S 55-250 IS is the longer lens to get - another terrific value lens and perfect partner. You will then have a very potent outfit.
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:plusone:
 
HoppyUK said:
^^^ :thumbs: In which case, I'll say it again - if budget is tight, you'd be mad not to get the 18-55 IS kit lens. The newer IS version is really pretty good, and great value; it is also usually supplied as the kit lens on a 450D, which is the body to go for if it's in budget.

When funds allow, the EF-S 55-250 IS is the longer lens to get - another terrific value lens and perfect partner. You will then have a very potent outfit.

Nifty-fifty 50 1.8 is really quite a specialist lens, and not much use at all for general walkabout. But if and when you feel you want what it can do, it is another bargain buy.

(Don't forget a decent flash when funds allow.)
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:plusone:

I agree with all of that!
 
Also consider the 17-85IS which can be picked up used on here for circa £200It is superior quality to the 18-55IS and of course gives a wider range!!
 
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