HELP THIS EOS VIRGIN! Lenses?

[mmarkwick]

Provocative subject line perhaps, but I am writing since I have stepped up from my powershot g2 to the EOS digital rebel the 300D cam. It arrived fine, glistening with potential possibilities, but then a problem. What lense to get?

I will be using it to document my installations and paintings, which translates to a lense that can capture good detail, but also good depth and to some extent wide angles.

I have been going around talking to people at the local camera shops, and I have been getting all kinds of advice and different prices.

Can someone recommend a lense that is versatile, but not too expensive, being a painter and installation artist I need to keep my money on the work I am making.

Please shower me with ideas!

best- M3 :?:

[Scottes]

Instinctive reply of "17-40 L" but what's your budget?

[DeeplyDigital]

Canon's 17-40mm f4,0 L lens

Seems like a good all around lens for your purpose and
it will take care of the virgin business.

J.
-

[mmarkwick]

I am looking at spending no more than 250 American Dollars- wish I had more cash.-m

[su719]

If it is a Rebel than you probably got it with a 18-55 kit lens. This should cover your range, however the quality of that glass is so so. If you have a large budget you could step up to the L, if not you may want to sell the Kit Lens and get a Tokina 17 and a Tamron 28-75.

[roanjohn]

35 f2!!!

sharp and good for low light.

Ro1

[mmarkwick]

So is it the Canon's 17-40mm f4,0 L lens or the 35 f2?-m3?
:?:

[mmarkwick]

No it did not come with a lense kit. Maybe that was the mistake, to purchase the body but I was trying to keep my costs low.
-m

[su719]

Either return it and get the kit or go on ebay and buy the lens. If you want to keep $$$ below 200 than the kit lens is the way to go.

[Scottes]

I have to agree with the kit lens if you can swing that.

I would also recommend a zoom. With a prime you'll have to move around to frame, and you might not have this ability in a house. With a zoom you'll be able to frame better without moving yourself.

[mmarkwick]

Ok well, so can you buy the kit lense without the camera, or do I really need to return the body? I really appreciate the feedback! Thanks

best- m

[RBarr]

You can find flawless 18-55mm (kit) lenses on eBay for around $75 + s/h.

On that budget you can still do pretty well, surprisingly enough. Look first at a Canon 50mm 1.8. Easily the best value out there, outstanding image quality, and under $100 shipped, brand new.

For versatility, you can still add a used 28-105 3.5-4.5 Canon USM and be near (a bit over) your budget.

I also moved from a G3, and I hated it. I've had other Canon SLR's, so I had a few lenses already when I bought a used D60, and this combination works great for me. Someday I'll be able to afford 'L' glass, but until then, these lenses get the job done & keep me pretty well satisfied.

[Persian-Rice]

Add a 50 1.8 to that list. Best lens you can get under $200 best part is it's $70. It's probably Canons best valued lens. Your best bet to get a good lens for a good price is to buy used.

The 17-40 is $700 so mark that off the list.

[Quinn Porter]

...a lense that can capture good detail, but also good depth and to some extent wide angles.

As many others have said, the kit lens is your answer. It's cheap, it's reasonably wide, it's nice stopped down (which will give you the good depth you're looking for).

I would also recommend that you get a good tripod or an external flash. If you want to use the kit lens stopped down and indoors, it may be difficult to get sharp images without a tripod or additional lighting.

[DocFrankenstein]

Since you're a virgin... how about the BIGMA :D :twisted: :roll:

Sorry... couldn't resist.

[Ogrt48]

Since you're a virgin... how about the BIGMA :D :twisted: :roll:

Sorry... couldn't resist.

No! If the bigma is his first than nothing else will ever satisfy him ever again!

[DocFrankenstein]

Right... should start small. :lol: And then progress... as you grow? :oops: :roll: :wink:

[mmarkwick]

Well, until I get a grant there will be no pushing the limits. But I in the next few years I hope to step up. :wink:

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I now will do the research based on your comments.

best-m

[Andy_T]

What the others said....

... kit lens first ...
... 50/1.8 second ...
... and Tamron 28-75/2.8 XR DI ($ 350) after some time.

The last one is a great tack sharp all around lens, but maybe not wide enough.

Best regards,
Andy