kit lense or nifty fifty for xsi

[redrider11]

okay, im getting my first camera.

dont worry, im not a total noob. ive been messing with my dads p&s for about 3 years now and play with my sisters 35mm cannon when she brings it home with her (dont remember what it is, but it can take some nice pics!)

anyways, my style of picture is mostly action (mountainbike/motorcross/4wheeling) with some landscape as well.

ive seen great shots from the nifty fifty, but most of them seem up-close and hardly moving if at all. im wondering if i would be better off with the kit lense for now and then just save up for something better (by better i mean <$300)

im hoping to order the camera either today or tomorrow at the latest and would like some advice from some experts. oh, and the cost difference would be $5 more for the kit lense. im open to other suggestions as well, as long as theyre under $100.

thank you for your help.

-redrider11-

[rc13k]

Don't think you'll get any fast-focusing lenses under $300. I think you should stick with the kit lens and save up for something better. By better I mean $500+.

[ronf119]

50mm is great to learn with if you plan on getting more primes in the future. The kit lens will give you more flexibility in shooting particular indoors where you might not always have enough room to compose a shot with the 50mm. There is also the wide angle factor

[clarence]

The Image Stabilizer kit lens with the XSi is much better than the non-IS lens they used to provide. Start with that.

mountainbike/motorcross/4wheeling are typically in daylight, so you'll be fine with f/4 - f/5.6 and it'll be easier to catch your subject within DoF... you won't need f/1.8 (and the accompanying thin depth of field).

[dnahrstedt1]

I agree with the IS kit lens recommendation. I have it on an XSi as well, and find it very adequate to start with. Especially with wide angle options for your landscape shooting. I bet you may find that you'll want something longer than the nifty fifty for your action shooting, and wider for your landscape shooting. Don't get me wrong, I'm trying to get a Mark I version of the nifty myself, but more hoping it will be a decent portrait lens...

Good luck!

Dave...

[gnirtS]

Yep kit lens. With a prime there are going to be LOTS of things you can't get a good shot of due to being unable to move location. This is an issue if its your only lens.

The 450D 18-55 IS lens is massively better than the old version - its not just the IS. Its optically better too.

[northpointphoto]

For the price I think everyone should own a 50mm prime no matter what they are shooting. If you are shooting sports I would start saving your money to get something in the 70-200 f2.8 range.

[Simon Turkin]

For the price I think everyone should own a 50mm prime no matter what they are shooting. If you are shooting sports I would start saving your money to get something in the 70-200 f2.8 range.

I agree its a must have

[gnirtS]

I disagree :) Especially if its the only lens you have (as is the case here).

[jfphts]

If your going to shoot any type of action especially indoor's you'l defantly want a 2.8 Lens, Unfourantly you'll spend the cash on it, I believe I spent $800 for my Sigma 70 - 200 Lens, but It's worth every penny to me.

[Big Hands]

What camera are you planning on getting?

If you are going to shoot primarily sports, I would personally think you'd be better off getting a used 20D, 30D or 40D rather than a xt, xti or xsi level body. They just handle better for sport shooting.

You can find a lightly used 20D (less than 5K actuations and it may even include a grip for a little more) for around $300+/- which may leave you more money for a lens that will be better suited to shooting sports.

JMHO.

Regards,
Jeff

[gnirtS]

Other than offering a higher ISO what do any of those cameras have over the 450D?

[rc13k]

They also have a faster fps but regardless I don't think it's worth it to trade in the XSi for a xxd camera. The lens is gonna matter more for reach. Get any 70-200 2.8.

Keep your XSi with kit lens for now and save up for a flash and 70-200 lens. You could even buy the 50mm f/1.8 if you want because it's so cheap. You probably won't be happy with the focusing but it's an amazing portrait lens.