What else do I need???

[revhtree]

Hello! Lat year I purchased a Rebel XT with just the 18-55mm lens, I also purchased a backdrop/stands, and a set of light boxes from Ebay.

I did a small christian school prom pics for them and I did a decent job and made some money. I am hired to do it again this year and I want to be even more prepared.

What lens could I get for my camera that is not TOOO expensive that will do a better job than the 18-55mm kit lens? IF, a big IF I can get a lens that will be versatile enough to do other kinds of shooting such as nature shots ect. I would like to get one of those. Is this possible, or what lens do you suggest?

Bear in mind that this is the only gig I do and the only one I want to do! To much pressure.

Also what else can I get for my camers to make the job better? Polarizer, better flash, ect..

YES i am a NOOB to equipment, I can take decent shots and really make them look even better in PS, but I have no clue as to the equipment.

All your help will be appreciated!

[davidgr]

Well, any lens would be better than the crappy 18-55 kit lens (it's not very sharp or contrasty, and loses some color saturation). And it's sloooow.
The 17-85 IS is a bit better, but it is also a bit slow.
If you can afford a used copy, a 16-35L, 17-35L or even a 24-70L would be good for the group portrait stuff. Focal length would depend on how much room you have to work with. But none of these would do you much good for nature shots. There you would need something out to the 200 or 300mm range at least.

[revhtree]

Ok what about flash, and lens accessories?

Thanks alot.

[PhotoJourno]

Hi there-

I would go with a 17-40L for group portraits.
For Individual portraiture, probably a prime L lens (85mm, 100mm)
Flash. Definitely a 580EX, though the learning curve is pretty steep, but in Auto mode it will provide great Fill Flash light.

However, if your need for equipment is a lack of confidence of practice, I would strongly recommend (yes, even if with the 18-55 lens, which although not the best, it can often produce great images for those who know how to use it) that you practice practice practice (emphasis on practice).

Get that XT on manual mode (or if you use P mode, start with Av, then Tv, and ultimately M mode) and test different settings, light positioning, etc.

Not trying to get preachy, just you ask for lens options, I either have to assume you are new to Canon and Digital, or you are new to photography.

If my assumptions are wrong, please accept my apology and best of luck to you.

Cheers,

[JuSlaughter]

I disagree with davidgr re kit lens. IMHO I've taken some great shots with the kit lens. Have a look at my gallery on flickr (see link in my sig). Having said that I have just purchased a 70-200 f4L USM lens for landscape, nature and other stuff too.

[revhtree]

Hi there-

I would go with a 17-40L for group portraits.
For Individual portraiture, probably a prime L lens (85mm, 100mm)
Flash. Definitely a 580EX, though the learning curve is pretty steep, but in Auto mode it will provide great Fill Flash light.

However, if your need for equipment is a lack of confidence of practice, I would strongly recommend (yes, even if with the 18-55 lens, which although not the best, it can often produce great images for those who know how to use it) that you practice practice practice (emphasis on practice).

Get that XT on manual mode (or if you use P mode, start with Av, then Tv, and ultimately M mode) and test different settings, light positioning, etc.

Not trying to get preachy, just you ask for lens options, I either have to assume you are new to Canon and Digital, or you are new to photography.

If my assumptions are wrong, please accept my apology and best of luck to you.

Cheers,

No apologies needed! Your provided info is very valuable, and I will heed to it.

I am very new this is my first DSLR, but I feel I have somewhat of a knack for taking pics. Where I lack is the knowledge of hardware, camera settings, ect...

Here is a little of my "practice" shots with the 18-55mm. I know the borders are ugly.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y232/revhtree/laptop1.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y232/revhtree/abstractclock2.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y232/revhtree/bird2.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y232/revhtree/bird1.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y232/revhtree/snake.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y232/revhtree/snake2-1.jpg

[PhotoJourno]

Rev, I think given the circumstances, you would do good in getting a couple of lenses that would increase your potential of increasing your image quality.

A no brainer is the nifty fifty , Canon's 50mm f1.8 (It's like $70 and you will never regret having this lens, great for face portraiture, and extremely low price). I beat the crap out of these, and every so often I get paranoid and just get a new copy.

Another lens, would be a better quality replacement for your kit lens. Skill always makes up for the lens limitations, but you can probably benefit a little from a sharper lens. Any 17-70 (Canon Sigma) or 24-70 would do the job. You can look for wider apertures (2.8 ) but that will increase the price, and I am not sure how useful it would be in group photographs (At 2.8 the depth of field is too shallow -except for the focus point all else will be blurry, but also the images are not nearly as sharp at that wide aperture) No biggie, as having the extra aperture always helps, and you can always choose to close it a bit.

So look at bhphoto.com for these type of lenses, and find the one you can afford.

For this particular job, I am not sure you need a tele lens (70-200), as you have survived before on a 18-55mm.

If it were me, I would probably go online to BH, get the Canon 50mm 1.8 and the Sigma 24-70mm 2.8 -test it at different apertures, to see what I mean-. This should cost you less than $500 with UV filters -no polarizers needed- and ship expedited to your home. With those two lenses, you can definitely do your gig, but also start taking photos for fun and practice.

Best of Luck,

[PhotosGuy]

Given your (lack of) budget, the Kit lens should be fine for group pics as you'll probably have to stop down to at least f/5.6-8 anyway, so I'd agree that the 50mm f/1.8 would be a good choice singles & couples. Good for low light grab shots, too. Polarizer, better flash You don't need a CP for what you're doing. Better flash? Do you have one? If not, a cheap, under $100 strobe might be nice, too. Learn to use it on "M" as a fill light for those impossible shots.

[revhtree]

Awesome info thanks again.

Do you have any suggestions for a sub $100 strobe?

[PhotoJourno]

There is a sigma flash (a 430EX knockoff?) out on the street for like $149. Not the finest piece of equipment for what I have heard, but for general work some swear by it.
Might want to check it out:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=352109&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Just a thought. Here is what I use:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=397664&is=USA&addedTroughType=search

So for the difference, I decided to go with Canon, to keep things uniform.

[PhotosGuy]

sub $100 strobe? I wouldn't recommend the 40 year-old ones I'm using, even though they're cheap & reliable. You might have a problem with the trigger voltage. ;) Best to look for one that has several reduced power options, like 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, full. Ask in Small Flash and Studio Lighting (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=35) if nobody here comes up with something.

[gateruner]

Anyone consider the 85 1.8. Not a terribly expensive lens and could be a good focal length for portraits. Would give him a little more range beyond the kit lens.