New Digital Rebel XT owner! What lenses to get?

[ultimatebob]

Heh... "had me at hello". 🙂

Translating that to English... Most of the cheaper (Under $2,000) SLR cameras have a reduced size image sensor, which effectively multiplies the focal length of your lenses by 1.6. So, a 200mm lens actually behaves more like a 320 mm lens, and a 28mm lens behaves more like a 45mm lens. This isn't a special Canon only thing, either... The cheaper Nikon and Pentax cameras work the same way.

Basically, It's great for increasing the zoom on your telephoto lenses, but it decreases the capability of your wide angle lenses.

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: goku
I've got the Original Digital Rebel and I love it, so I got it nice lenses, you need a macro lense and a telephoto lense (correct?)=
Canon Zoom Lense EF 100-300mm 1:4.5-5.6
Canon Compact- Macro Lense EF 50mm 1:2.5



Also BTW, get some UV lense covers for your lenses, yes I know they're UV filtered anyways but you want a UV lense cover to protect your lense so it last longer, I wish I had known this long long ago..

UV filters will degrade image quality (I doubt this newb will buy a multicoated one). Buy a hood instead for protection,

 

[BS911]

Originally posted by: ultimatebob
Heh... "had me at hello". 🙂

Translating that to English... Most of the cheaper (Under $2,000) SLR cameras have a reduced size image sensor, which effectively multiplies the focal length of your lenses by 1.6. So, a 200mm lens actually behaves more like a 320 mm lens, and a 28mm lens behaves more like a 45mm lens.

Basically, It's great for increasing the zoom on your telephoto lenses, but it decreases the capability of your wide angle lenses.

Ah! Thanks for clearing that up, makes much more sense to me now!

 

[BS911]

Originally posted by: jiwq

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: jiwq

Originally posted by: QueHuong

Originally posted by: BS911
I would say for the moment I'm just looking for a all purpose lens. I'm a novice photographer and am looking ot get into it as a hobby. For now my pictures will consist of all kinds of settings. I've not been super impressed with the kit lense. It take good looking shots but doesn't have the "wow" factor I've seen in some pic's taken from the Rebel XT.

Buying an expensive lens most likely wont' give you that wow factor. Firstly, improve your technique (www.dpreview.com is very helpful...but like here, it does have a good number of a$$wipes). Then learn to post process.

Some tips:
With the kit lens, stay away from the extreme ends, like 18 and 55mm. Also, shoot at f/8.0, which is the sharpest aperture for a lot of kit lens out there. And in Photoshop, apply Curves (S-shape) and sharpen.

By doing the above, you can achieve that wow factor with the kit lens. The potential of the kit lens is there, it'll just constrain you more. But it's really the experience/skills and Photoshop competency that will get you get you closer to that wow factor.

Yeah, don't discount the kit lens. It's actually one of the most versatile lenses in the canon lineup. The real issue here is with the person holding the camera. For now, just go around and take pictures and then take more pictures. You will get better with practice. And yeah, stopping down to f/8 or so helps too.

The lenses recommended by other users in this thread are 28mm and up and are often, in my experience, not wide enough for everyday shooting.

If you want to see what someone can do with a kit lens, see here:
Text

Put a better link. I'm not going to hunt through every single image and EXIF to find the kit lens images.

try Text

Beautiful pics. Lots of post processing involved with these or can you tell?

 

[BS911]

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: goku
I've got the Original Digital Rebel and I love it, so I got it nice lenses, you need a macro lense and a telephoto lense (correct?)=
Canon Zoom Lense EF 100-300mm 1:4.5-5.6
Canon Compact- Macro Lense EF 50mm 1:2.5



Also BTW, get some UV lense covers for your lenses, yes I know they're UV filtered anyways but you want a UV lense cover to protect your lense so it last longer, I wish I had known this long long ago..

UV filters will degrade image quality (I doubt this newb will buy a multicoated one). Buy a hood instead for protection,

Very nice pics on your site! I love the one you took of the firework!

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: BS911

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: goku
I've got the Original Digital Rebel and I love it, so I got it nice lenses, you need a macro lense and a telephoto lense (correct?)=
Canon Zoom Lense EF 100-300mm 1:4.5-5.6
Canon Compact- Macro Lense EF 50mm 1:2.5



Also BTW, get some UV lense covers for your lenses, yes I know they're UV filtered anyways but you want a UV lense cover to protect your lense so it last longer, I wish I had known this long long ago..

UV filters will degrade image quality (I doubt this newb will buy a multicoated one). Buy a hood instead for protection,

Very nice pics on your site! I love the one you took of the firework!

Thanks for the compliments.

 

[imported_goku]

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: goku
I've got the Original Digital Rebel and I love it, so I got it nice lenses, you need a macro lense and a telephoto lense (correct?)=
Canon Zoom Lense EF 100-300mm 1:4.5-5.6
Canon Compact- Macro Lense EF 50mm 1:2.5



Also BTW, get some UV lense covers for your lenses, yes I know they're UV filtered anyways but you want a UV lense cover to protect your lense so it last longer, I wish I had known this long long ago..

UV filters will degrade image quality (I doubt this newb will buy a multicoated one). Buy a hood instead for protection,

A hood won't protect you from wind if it's blowing directly towards the lense...

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: goku

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: goku
I've got the Original Digital Rebel and I love it, so I got it nice lenses, you need a macro lense and a telephoto lense (correct?)=
Canon Zoom Lense EF 100-300mm 1:4.5-5.6
Canon Compact- Macro Lense EF 50mm 1:2.5



Also BTW, get some UV lense covers for your lenses, yes I know they're UV filtered anyways but you want a UV lense cover to protect your lense so it last longer, I wish I had known this long long ago..

UV filters will degrade image quality (I doubt this newb will buy a multicoated one). Buy a hood instead for protection,

A hood won't protect you from wind if it's blowing directly towards the lense...

While it could happen, it isn't likely unless you're shooting in a tornado.

 

[QueHuong]

OP, can you post some of your pictures? I'd like to see why you think the kit lens is so bad.

But regardless, your questions show that you're still new to photography, so you have to realize that you'll need to practice to get better, not buy expensive lens.

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: goku
I've got the Original Digital Rebel and I love it, so I got it nice lenses, you need a macro lense and a telephoto lense (correct?)=
Canon Zoom Lense EF 100-300mm 1:4.5-5.6
Canon Compact- Macro Lense EF 50mm 1:2.5



Also BTW, get some UV lense covers for your lenses, yes I know they're UV filtered anyways but you want a UV lense cover to protect your lense so it last longer, I wish I had known this long long ago..

UV filters will degrade image quality (I doubt this newb will buy a multicoated one). Buy a hood instead for protection,

a GOOD UV or Skulight filter will have no noticable loss of image quality

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: Anubis

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: goku
I've got the Original Digital Rebel and I love it, so I got it nice lenses, you need a macro lense and a telephoto lense (correct?)=
Canon Zoom Lense EF 100-300mm 1:4.5-5.6
Canon Compact- Macro Lense EF 50mm 1:2.5



Also BTW, get some UV lense covers for your lenses, yes I know they're UV filtered anyways but you want a UV lense cover to protect your lense so it last longer, I wish I had known this long long ago..

UV filters will degrade image quality (I doubt this newb will buy a multicoated one). Buy a hood instead for protection,

a GOOD UV or Skulight filter will have no noticable loss of image quality

Which is why I mentioned a multicoated one. I don't see him purchasing a B+W or Hoya Pro that costs more than his kit lens.

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: Anubis

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: goku
I've got the Original Digital Rebel and I love it, so I got it nice lenses, you need a macro lense and a telephoto lense (correct?)=
Canon Zoom Lense EF 100-300mm 1:4.5-5.6
Canon Compact- Macro Lense EF 50mm 1:2.5



Also BTW, get some UV lense covers for your lenses, yes I know they're UV filtered anyways but you want a UV lense cover to protect your lense so it last longer, I wish I had known this long long ago..

UV filters will degrade image quality (I doubt this newb will buy a multicoated one). Buy a hood instead for protection,

a GOOD UV or Skulight filter will have no noticable loss of image quality

Which is why I mentioned a multicoated one. I don't see him purchasing a B+W or Hoya Pro that costs more than his lens.

o lol yea my Heliopan filters arnt cheap, but why woudl you put a 20$ filter on a 500$ lens?

 

[BS911]

Originally posted by: QueHuong
OP, can you post some of your pictures? I'd like to see why you think the kit lens is so bad.

But regardless, your questions show that you're still new to photography, so you have to realize that you'll need to practice to get better, not buy expensive lens.

I'll get some put together and upload them soon!

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: Anubis

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: Anubis

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: goku
I've got the Original Digital Rebel and I love it, so I got it nice lenses, you need a macro lense and a telephoto lense (correct?)=
Canon Zoom Lense EF 100-300mm 1:4.5-5.6
Canon Compact- Macro Lense EF 50mm 1:2.5



Also BTW, get some UV lense covers for your lenses, yes I know they're UV filtered anyways but you want a UV lense cover to protect your lense so it last longer, I wish I had known this long long ago..

UV filters will degrade image quality (I doubt this newb will buy a multicoated one). Buy a hood instead for protection,

a GOOD UV or Skulight filter will have no noticable loss of image quality

Which is why I mentioned a multicoated one. I don't see him purchasing a B+W or Hoya Pro that costs more than his lens.

o lol yea my Heliopan filters arnt cheap, but why woudl you put a 20$ filter on a 500$ lens?

You'd be surprised. Some fool with more money than sense was inquiring about the best deal on a circ pol filter for less than $30 for a $2000+ Digital Zuiko 150mm f/2.0 on dpreview the other day. The filter thread size was something obscene like 85mm too.

 

[BS911]

Listed below are some shots I think turned out good and some bad / not so good. I realize a lot of the problem is probably using the "auto" feature but any feedback is welcome!

The ones I think are descent:

Speaker (Don't say anything about the brand! 😛 )
Ice Cold Beer
My Cat


The ones that i don't think turned out very well:

Barge on River
River
WOOF

Thanks for your input!

 

[QueHuong]

Originally posted by: BS911
Listed below are some shots I think turned out good and some bad / not so good. I realize a lot of the problem is probably using the "auto" feature but any feedback is welcome!

The ones I think are descent:

Speaker (Don't say anything about the brand! 😛 )
Ice Cold Beer
My Cat


The ones that i don't think turned out very well:

Barge on River
River
WOOF

Thanks for your input!

The pictures look pretty sharp to me. Honestly, it's not the lens. Read up on some photography books.

Here's a nice set of tutorials to get you started:
http://www.ronbigelow.com/articles/articles.htm

The "bad" pictures you uploaded needs compositional improvements and they were taken in less than ideal lighting. You probably took these around noon and noontime lighting often do not lend to good pictures. Beginners photography books will talk about this. A suggestion is to take pictures during sunrise and sunset, and definitely use a tripod.



In addition, the subjects of the pictures you deemed good are uninspiring. You took pictures of things that were conveniently available around the house. I'm new to photography too (~6 months), but I did go out of my way to get some of these pictures:

www.langxua.com

I woke up before sunset on a Saturday to get to a park (this coming from a guy who usually sleeps until 2pm), I drove to various buildings with interesting architecture and spent hours just exploring the place with my camera, I went to the top of a building at my university at 7am during exam week and had the college cop follow me to make sure I'm not sniping anyone, etc. Then later, I spent countless hours with Photoshop. Point is, you have to actively find inspiring and interesting subjects.

Join a photo community like www.deviantart.com to keep you motivated and to get inspired by others. And join DPReview to read up on technical issues and effectively using your camera.

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: BS911
Listed below are some shots I think turned out good and some bad / not so good. I realize a lot of the problem is probably using the "auto" feature but any feedback is welcome!

The ones I think are descent:

Speaker (Don't say anything about the brand! 😛 )
Ice Cold Beer
My Cat


The ones that i don't think turned out very well:

Barge on River
River
WOOF

Thanks for your input!

Sometimes the ones that don't turn out so good just need a little PP. This was done in like 1 minute. (straightening, sharpening, saturation, color temp)

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/tfinch2/river.jpg
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/tfinch2/barge.jpg

 

[BS911]

Originally posted by: QueHuong

Originally posted by: BS911
Listed below are some shots I think turned out good and some bad / not so good. I realize a lot of the problem is probably using the "auto" feature but any feedback is welcome!

The ones I think are descent:

Speaker (Don't say anything about the brand! 😛 )
Ice Cold Beer
My Cat


The ones that i don't think turned out very well:

Barge on River
River
WOOF

Thanks for your input!

The pictures look pretty sharp to me. Honestly, it's not the lens. Read up on some photography books.

Here's a nice set of tutorials to get you started:
http://www.ronbigelow.com/articles/articles.htm

The "bad" pictures you uploaded needs compositional improvements and they were taken in less than ideal lighting. You probably took these around noon and noontime lighting often do not lend to good pictures. Beginners photography books will talk about this. A suggestion is to take pictures during sunrise and sunset, and definitely use a tripod.



In addition, the subjects of the pictures you deemed good are uninspiring. You took pictures of things that were conveniently available around the house. I'm new to photography too (~6 months), but I did go out of my way to get some of these pictures:

www.langxua.com

I woke up before sunset on a Saturday to get to a park (this coming from a guy who usually sleeps until 2pm), I drove to various buildings with interesting architecture and spent hours just exploring the place with my camera, I went to the top of a building at my university at 7am during exam week and had the college cop follow me to make sure I'm not sniping anyone, etc. Then later, I spent countless hours with Photoshop. Point is, you have to actively find inspiring and interesting subjects.

Join a photo community like www.deviantart.com to keep you motivated and to get inspired by others. And join DPReview to read up on technical issues and effectively using your camera.

I definitely intend on getting out for some great shots! Just haven't had time yet and thus the pictures from around the house. I'm hoping to get out each weekend this summer and camp, find places to take neat pic's, etc. Should be fun. Thanks for the input!

 

[BS911]

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: BS911
Listed below are some shots I think turned out good and some bad / not so good. I realize a lot of the problem is probably using the "auto" feature but any feedback is welcome!

The ones I think are descent:

Speaker (Don't say anything about the brand! 😛 )
Ice Cold Beer
My Cat


The ones that i don't think turned out very well:

Barge on River
River
WOOF

Thanks for your input!

Sometimes the ones that don't turn out so good just need a little PP. This was done in like 1 minute. (straightening, sharpening, saturation, color temp)

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/tfinch2/river.jpg
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/tfinch2/barge.jpg

Very nice! All done in Photoshop?

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: BS911

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: BS911
Listed below are some shots I think turned out good and some bad / not so good. I realize a lot of the problem is probably using the "auto" feature but any feedback is welcome!

The ones I think are descent:

Speaker (Don't say anything about the brand! 😛 )
Ice Cold Beer
My Cat


The ones that i don't think turned out very well:

Barge on River
River
WOOF

Thanks for your input!

Sometimes the ones that don't turn out so good just need a little PP. This was done in like 1 minute. (straightening, sharpening, saturation, color temp)

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/tfinch2/river.jpg
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/tfinch2/barge.jpg

Very nice! All done in Photoshop?

No, The GIMP.

I can't afford Photoshop.

 

[BS911]

Cool, I'll check out that program.