canon lens help

[MyLittleElly]

I was wondering what lens would be a good purchase for my canon? I am either looking for something
a) when shooting pictures of couples outdoor. Where the couple is in the distance. I find it hard to keep the subject in focus when I can barely see the subject in my viewfinder.
b) a good zoom lens for close-ups. Ex: taking pictures of baby feet and other details etc/
thanks

I currently have an Xti, but am hoping to upgrade to a new Canon in the near future.

[Roxy]

Hi there!

I've not been into 'serious' photography for long, so don't take what I say as gospel, it's just my opinion lol! :lol
I have the Canon EOS 400d, and I have the 18-35mm lens that came with it, and a 50mm lens....I seem to find at the moment that I don't need any others, although I'm sure as I get more into it that I'll find more and more that I need lol! The 18-35mm is great for most shots, and the 50mm is fantastic for the close up work...

here's a 50mm pic....

http://i776.photobucket.com/albums/yy45/Monkeybumsmum/Jamie%2030-36%20months/30-07-2010b.jpg

hope that helps (a little?) :)

[Scrappie Irene]

I have a 24-105L lens from Canon and love it. It's a great walkaround. I also have a 70-300is. Both are EF lenses. You can have EF and EF-S on your Rebel.
I upgraded my body last year, I had a 20D and now have a 5DII. If you want upgrade to a 5D, 7D or 1D in the future, you can't use EF-S lenses anymore. You can only use EF.

[tweederbug]

I have the 50mm and I LOVE it. It doesn't zoom in and out but it does great with pictures like baby feet and the DOF is amazing for portraits. For the price,you can't beat it :)!

[marnel]

50mm 100 bucks it's a Fab buy :)

[KimR]

I too have the 50mm and right now it's my fave. I would love to have the 24-70 mm f/2.8! Some day!

[AllisonWaken]

I prefer the 50mm 1.4 to the 1.8 but my go to lens is the 85mm 1.8 It really depends on your shooting style though!

[Periwinklegal]

I too have the 24 - 105 lens and love it, but the 50 mm (nifty fifty) is a great buy and has a great dof if you're looking for an inexpensive purchase.

[SammyD]

On a 500D - I love, love, love my Tamron 18 - 270mm, no more changing lenses (coz I'm lazy :lol). In my bag this is ONE LENSE TO RULE THEM ALL ....bwaaaahhhhaaa!

[cesstrelle]

The 50mm 1.8 is definitely one you need to have in your bag. It's a great portrait lens. Although, when you have it on 1.8, it's going to be a bit of a learning curve if you haven't shot with a shallow depth of field before. I got the 50mm 1.8 years ago and that's what got me out of auto mode and into manual and av mode. For the price it's a superior lens, and a must have.

I've recently gotten the 50mm 1.4, which I LOVE. But I've kept the 50mm 1.8 for my old XTi anytime I need a second shooter...I give them that I and I shoot the 50D with the 1.4 on it.

Another lens, that you might look into if you want a zoom is the 70-200mm f4/L lens (http://www.amazon.com/Canon-70-200mm-Telephoto-Zoom-Cameras/dp/B000053HH5/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1284904681&sr=8-2-fkmr0). This non-IS version of the the f4/L is actually quite affordable, considering it's an L lens. But, you won't have IS and if you want to shoot indoors you will need a flash or really good lighting for it. Once you get that, if you feel you need a little more reach, you can always go and purchase the extender (http://www.amazon.com/Canon-1-4X-Extender-Telephoto-Accessory/dp/B00009R6WL/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1284904756&sr=1-1) for it... although you will lose some light adding that. I never had problems outdoors with the 70-200mm f4/L with the 1.4 extender on it.... I only sold that lens and extender when I got the 100-400mm f4/5.6 USM IS L.

Here's a shotwith the 70-200mm with extender...even by adding the extender, and with good light, everything was nice and sharp...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2148/2244797264_205b853173.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/heathergreen/2244797264/)
Gator Nostril Detail - Big Cypress (http://www.flickr.com/photos/heathergreen/2244797264/) by Heather Green Photography (http://www.flickr.com/people/heathergreen/), on Flickr


Now, if price is no object ;) your best bet for a nice zoom is the 70-200mm f2.8 IS L lens. (http://www.amazon.com/Canon-70-200mm-2-8L-Telephoto-Cameras/dp/B00006I53X)

[StellaJane]

hi,
I have the 75-300 zoom and the 50 mm portrait lenses which I love, along with the 18-55 kit lense. My newest lense is the EF 100 mm macro lense. It is just fab! Here are a couple of shots using my new lense:


http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg198/kjconners_designs/photography/44-365_small.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg198/kjconners_designs/photography/14-365_small.jpg

I'd love to get all of the functionality in ONE lense but my budget not there right now. Let us know what you decide to go with...

kim

[geniaBeana]

I have the 50 f1.8 and the 85 f/1.8, that I love, but I rented the 17-55 last fall when we went on vacation and it's going to be my next purchase. It takes beautiful portrait shots and is a wonderful walk-around lens as well.

[harleybabe]

If I had to choose 1.... 24-105 f4 I keep that puppy on my 5d almost ALL the time.

I put the 70-200 f2.8 IS on when I am shooting outdoors and want more reach. At the multiplier on that and I can get just about anything.

In studio I use the 100mm macro.

I have the 50 1.2 and have not had it on in a long time. HATE it on the 5d too much distortion. Not bad on the 30d, but I'd sell it if someone wanted it bad enough.

[harleybabe]

Stephanie Layne Photography Michigan premiere child photographer (http://www.stephanielaynephotography.com/main.html)

if you want to check it out

I shot most of those with the 24-105