lenses for canon EOS rebel T1i

[julimucca]

Its official! I am going to be getting the camera I have wanted finally when tax returns come!
I talked to my husband last night about it. Last year we got a pretty good tax return, and we are hoping for another good one this coming tax season, and my husband agreed that I could get my camera if we get a good return. I am so excited! This camera costs about $800 or so, and I just haven't been able to save very much towards it, so it felt like it was going to be another year.
Anyway, I will have some extra money to get some lenses for it too, but I am curious on what the best ones to get for it would be. It is the Cannon EOS rebel T1i, and I would like a telephoto lense, and macro lense for it atleast. A wide angle one would be great too.
I have done a little bit of research, but I just don't know very much about lenses, haven't used a dslr lense before and I am just not quite sure what to expect from them. Do any of you have any experience with this camera, if so what lenses would you suggest looking into?
I chose cannon because, I have heard all of their parts are all cannon products(made by cannon), paticularly lenses, so if I ever upgrade, I can use the same lenses for another model.

[coffee]

Before I get to glass, Are you paying that $800.00 for the camera alone?

[julimucca]

It depends on where I end up buying it from, but from the prices I have found so far online, that would include the camera body, and maybe a standard lense. I will have a few hundred left over to invest in other parts.

[dkippen]

Juli - Any good quality lens could end up costing more than the camera itself. While the telephoto, macro and wide angle are great to have, a good "walk-around" lens should be considered as well. Decide what type of photography you want to focus on first, base your lens decision on that and go from there. Since money might be an issue, you may not be able to invest in all of the various lenses right away.

As a side note - what was your deciding factor on this camera?

[Hype]

Hi,

Actually, for my Canon 450d I have recently purchased the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II.

This is probably the cheapest of lenses yet its amazing.

Since I bought it I have hardly changed lenses at all.

I think its a lens everyone should have and the f/1.8 is very cheap.

Just something for you to think about. :)

[coffee]

The reason I asked is because for $800.00, you can buy a 40d which is a huge leap from the rebel. The only thing is they are a little hard to find because they have been discontinued. But they are still out there. I agree with Debbie and Steve's thoughts, and agree that the 50mm 1.8 is a great lens for the money, and should be in everyone's camera bag. I think I got mine for less than a hundred dollars. It's a very slow focuser, and not meant for anything that is moving fast, but is tack sharp and a great value.

I also agree with Deb in that a good walk around lens may be a good starting point. I don't know what your lens lineup is right now, and I don't have it myself, but a 24-105L would be a great all around lens. It may be spendy though. Not sure how much it is.

Maybe you can tell us what glass you have now?

[julimucca]

Interesting, thanks for all your replies! I will take a look at the 40D.
When buying something I always look at the consumers reports first, to see what is most popular, and rated the best for its price.
I know the Nikon D90, and the Canon rebel T1i are the top two cameras for DSLR beginners right now, and the Rebel has better ratings than the Nikon. I have also seen pictures taken with both, and the colors, and sharpness are great.
I basically chose the rebel T1i, because it is a 15 megapixel, and the Nikon is a 12 megapixel. Also, what sold me on Canon is the fact that their lenses are all made by Canon, and Nikon buys their lense parts from different companies. The Canon lenses are more expensive, but if I ever upgrade the camera down the road, I will more likely be able to still use those same lenses, when with a Nikon, I would be more likely to have to buy different lenses for an upgrade.


I mostly do childrens portrait photography, that is what I would realy like the camera for. I like to try out just about everything else too, and landscapes, but just realy don't have that option with my point and shoot.
Right now I just have a little point and shoot Canon, its an 8 megapixel, and only 4x zoom. Its the only point and shoot I have found that lets you buy lenses for it, but they are very cheaply made and don't realy raise the quality of the picture.
So I realy don't have any experience with a nice DSLR lense.
Its realy awsome for a point and shoot, and I have learned it in and out, but I know I can get much better results all around with a DSLR.
I want those crisp, clear shots of thier little faces and eyes, and to be able to catch every moment without having to worry about the delay my point and shoot has.
I would love to be able to take a picture, and not have to worry about editing it, because the camera quality is low.
My point and shoot camera is terrible when it comes to lighting too, the highest ISO I can realy use on it is 100-200,and all the great shots I have ever accomplished were in pure daylight, anyt ISO level higher and it becomes realy grainy, and I know the DSLR is going to give me better results in lower lighting also.
I am open to new options and suggestions on Cameras to research. I would like to spend the next few months realy considering what would be best for the moneys worth, so I will definately look at the d40, and the lenses you have all suggested, or any other camera that is suggested for that price range.
Thank you! I realy appreciate any of your imput, I like to hear what your thoughts and Ideas are on here, because I know I am talking to people that love this hobby/proffesion as much as I do. : )

[julimucca]

It depends on where I end up buying it from, but from the prices I have found so far online, that would include the camera body, and maybe a standard lense. I will have a few hundred left over to invest in other parts.

The camera would most likely come with the ef-s 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lense, which the reviews aren't that great on it, but it was made specifically for this camera.

[trashytrucker]

Juli,
I agree with Joseph (not because I own one) but the 40d is much more of a camera than a rebel. Not that the rebel is a wrong idea. (I also own a rebel too) Secondly, the megapixal only applies if you want poster size portraits IMHO.
10 MP will make 11x14 prints no problem, If you want to print the larger portraits then get the rebel. Good luck and hope to see some of your shots with your new camera.

[jerryph]

The camera would most likely come with the ef-s 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lense...

Sincerely, don't waste your money on kit lenses. They are cheap for a reason (as in a cheap lens has lower quality optics and results). The only exception to this is the same in either Nikon or Canon worlds, and that is the 50mm F/1.8 lenses. Start out with the 50, master it and while you are mastering it, you are getting to know your needs and researching the next QUALITY lens... a lens that at the VERY LEAST has a constant aperture of F/2.8 or better.

Yes, they are more expensive, but why would I buy a Ferrari and then stick 10-speed bicycle tires on it? I personally feel that you are taking a good camera and lowering it's ability to give you quality pictures with any kit lens!

While you are learning, you are saving. I have a jar that I call the photography fund jar... its a glass jar that I put change and money in every time I want to save for something or have something left over at the end of the month just not doing anything. At this point, I have over $1900 in there and that is for my next lens, which is the Nikkor 14-24 F/2.8 coming very soon now:
http://www.tristatecamera.com/images/products/NIKAFS1424.jpg

It is not uncommon to have a ratio of 2:1 or 3:1 in terms of money spent on lenses vs camera. Currently, I am easily at around 5:1 myself and it keeps coming... lol This guarantees that though I may have a good camera, my lenses are equal to the task.

Quality glass gives you quality results. In almost no other hardware aspect can you get better quality pictures than by moving up to higher quality lenses. Don't believe me? Go to a camera store, bring your camera and ask to try out a $200 lens and then a $2000 lens in the same focal range... be ready for a big surprise. ;) :D

[mrdoug]

Sincerely, don't waste your money on kit lenses. They are cheap for a reason (as in a cheap lens has lower quality optics and results)....

Umm... I have to agree with jerryph. Something to consider (this is only a suggestion), is to buy one (1) piece at a time. It doesn't help in the "now," but later you'll have an awesome collection that you took time to acquire. It also allows you to research camera's, prioritize lens choices, etc.

Probably not the response you wanted to hear. However, it's working for me. Half of my collection is still in the store - LOL That's just me though. Photography, whether a hobby or profession, is not the cheapest to get into. Hope that helps you, julimucca.

BE CAREFUL - THERE'S A LOT OF JUNK OUT THERE!

[Pat]

I'm looking at the T1i and the D90, Juli, but have no intention of picking up the kit lens. Body only, looking at the 50 1.8, or perhaps a 1.4. I guess I'm kind of an old school prime lens kinda guy, not at all emamored with zooms.
Not sure what Cannon has to offer in primes offhand, but for your portraiture you'd want something in the 50 to 85mm range. (Back in the film day a good portrait lens was 100mm). And for portrature you do want a good prime, not a zoom...zooms are for snapshots. :)

[julimucca]

Thanks everyone so much, its been a hard decision on the cameras, and lenses, but a lot of fun learning about it all. We should be getting our tax returns soon, so I should be getting my camera soon too! I still have a lot I want to look at, with the different cameras and lenses, but now I have been able to narrow it all down at least to a wish list of a small variety of things.
So many pro's and cons, so it will be fun to go take a look at the final products to choose in person finally.
I agree saving up for the greater things is best, and will be more satisfying in the end with greater quality. I actually have a blog about budgeting, lol.
Thank you so much for all of your support!