newbie with a question

I recently purchased the T2i and its great so far. I'm new to photography but have been referred to a few books that are helping a lot.

What is this 50mm lenses I see so many people using and or talking about?

What are some lenses that are recommended? I live in the Seattle area and will most likely be taking some landscape, close up, perspective photos. Plus I will a new baby in a couple more months that I really want to photograph. (First child)

Im going to be ordering the grip/batttery extender. Is the meike brand a good one that doesnt cause a lot of problems with the camera? What other accessories would you recommended?

Andy

Welcome to the nuthouse, first of all

You're, most likely, referring to the "Nifty Fifty", which is Canon's lowest end 50mm lens, with a relatively large aperture (f/1.8); which allows for better low-light performance, as well as blurring of the background. It's not quick, but the glass is good and it's pretty cheap (@$100 now days).

Did you get the "kit" with your camera, that includes the 18-55 IS?

lifesavin wrote in post #14677106
I recently purchased the T2i and its great so far. I'm new to photography but have been referred to a few books that are helping a lot.

What is this 50mm lenses I see so many people using and or talking about?

What are some lenses that are recommended? I live in the Seattle area and will most likely be taking some landscape, close up, perspective photos. Plus I will a new baby in a couple more months that I really want to photograph. (First child)

Im going to be ordering the grip/batttery extender. Is the meike brand a good one that doesnt cause a lot of problems with the camera? What other accessories would you recommended?

Andy

Did you buy the camera with the 18-55 kit lens? The 18-55 will be a fine lens to get you started with landscape shooting but you'll probably start to crave a lens that is a little wider.

To answer your question. The 50mm is a fixed focal length lens and there are several different versions and made by a number of different manufacturers.

The one you are probably talking about or hearing about is the 50mm f1.8. People call this the Nifty Fifty. At around a $100, it's probably the best bang for your buck lens. On a crop sensored camera such as your T2i, the 50mm f1.8 will probably serve well as a portrait lens. It's capable of providing sharp results and shallow depth of field thereby blurring the background and isolating your subject.

Snydremark wrote in post #14677121
Welcome to the nuthouse, first of all

You're, most likely, referring to the "Nifty Fifty", which is Canon's lowest end 50mm lens, with a relatively large aperture (f/1.8); which allows for better low-light performance, as well as blurring of the background. It's not quick, but the glass is good and it's pretty cheap (@$100 now days).

Did you get the "kit" with your camera, that includes the 18-55 IS?

Thank you. I did get the kit that has the 18-55 as well as the 55-250.

That must be what I'm seeing all the chatter about. I will have to give it a look. As well as a macro lense. Going to get my wish list started.

lifesavin wrote in post #14677154
Thank you. I did get the kit that has the 18-55 as well as the 55-250.

That must be what I'm seeing all the chatter about. I will have to give it a look. As well as a macro lense. Going to get my wish list started.

Then I'd stick with those two, for now, until you get your photo legs under you. They'll cover plenty of range, and let you figure out where you feel limited, once you know what you're trying to do.

The 50 is ok, but I haven't found it to *really* be all that useful, so far. It sits, most of the time. As for a macro, I think that the 100mm non-L, from Canon is one of the best 'bang for the buck' lenses out there; the glass is, again, phenomenal and images produced are crazy sharp even before processing/cleanup.

Are you in Seattle, Seattle; or one of the outlying areas? I'm out in Issaquah, these days.

Buy yourself a good flash and learn to use it for when the baby comes. You'll get far better photos that way than buying a new lens. And don't worry about the flash hurting the kid's eyes, just don't point it straight at him/her, bounce it.

Sirrith wrote in post #14677185
Buy yourself a good flash and learn to use it for when the baby comes. You'll get far better photos that way than buying a new lens. And don't worry about the flash hurting the kid's eyes, just don't point it straight at him/her, bounce it.

This is, also, great advice. I wouldn't have been able to grab either of these shots, due to just how dark it *really* is in your house, most of the time: 2 of my nephews

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/snydremark/7510​735440/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/snydremark/5215​906789/

when someone says they are "new to photography" that's a relative thing. But since you asked about the 50mm lens that people talk about a lot, it's because it's been a standard focal length for as long as 35mm cameras have been popular and as a "prime" lens (not a zoom) it will let in more light as most primes do (virtually all).

This is very helpful in low light, but if you are going to have your first child you will want to get a lot of photos (babies change almost daily). And while a lens that lets in more light than the zoom you most likely got with your camera (18-55) the "nifty fifty" even though it will let in much more light still (in most cases) will not be adequate when used indoors. The 18-55 has "IS" or "image stabilization" which helps but not as much as the "faster" "nifty fifty" -

The only sure way to get great exposures without a lot more equipment (especially if the baby is not asleep) is to buy a Canon brand EX flash - Babies don't like bright lights but with an EX flash you can bounce the light off the ceiling or even off the wall behind you and (unless you are living in an airplane hanger) you should get perfect flash exposures without getting the flash in the babies eyes - he or she probably won't even notice it - but in a normal size room it's more than enough light to get good (very good) exposures. The flash is very bright, but the duration is around 1/1000th of a second, so when bounced it isn't something that will be upsetting to a baby (or cause "red eye") -

Do as much reading as you can and start off with simple settings. Once the flash is attached you are somewhat limited to aperture and completely limited to shutter speed so don't let others make you feel "inadequate" by using the Auto mode or the "P" mode - they both work exceptionally well with flash and there is no reason to make things more complicated than they need to be.

As you progress you can learn to do all kinds of things using flash (as well as natural light) but as someone completely new to photograph - or even just new to a digital SLR camera, don't rush to do things the hard way....you will figure out and learn from reading and from trial and error how to use the more complicated settings but it's not worth missing those newborn shots that you only get to take for a VERY short time.

Babies grow up much faster than adults learn photography - so don't try to get ahead of yourself.

As for the 50mm "nifty fifty" it would certainly let you get better portraits of your wife, friends and family than the 18-55 kit lens, but even though you will have the baby outdoors and not need the flash - most of a newborn's time is spent indoors (almost all of it for the first month or so) - and without good lighting and a very fast lens and a tripod ....start with a flash - it's something you will always be able to use even is you "upgrade" over time to new camera bodies and better lenses. Same with a tripod....but they are used less and cost far more for the amount of use they get from beginners. By the time you really feel the need for a tripod you will want one that will last you a lifetime. So those are expensive (if money is an object - which it becomes for most people when they become parents).

If you get a flash be sure it will work as a bounce flash - and do NOT think that the built-in flash has any value...that's fine for emergencies or a quick snapshot of your table in a restaurant, but you will want at least an EX flash that can tilt and swivel...I am not up on the newer models, but you can't go wrong with the 430 EX II which is a flash that will be compatible with other Canon flashes if (or when) you get involved in multiple flash photography.

Edit: I see while I was typing that you got other suggestions to get a flash. It's really a "must have" accessory. I had mentioned that you could take photos outdoors without a flash but the truth is (at least in my case -and I have been a photographer for far longer than anyone having a baby now is likely to have been alive) I virtually ALWAYS use a flash even when shooting in bright sunlight (to fill in harsh shadows if taking pictures of people) - Pretty much the only time I don't use flash is shooting objects that are very far away with a long telephoto lens (birds in flight - outdoor sporting events, landscapes, etc.) -

I don't know why you would need a vertical grip Unless you think it just "looks cool" - but it won't do anything at all to improve your results. Just makes the camera look bigger. They hold two batteries but you can carry a second battery in a pocket and it won't take up any real room. Too many brands - ask the owners of 20 different grips which is the "best" and other than those who say they'd rather have a Canon grip - there isn't much difference - they are all clones of the Canon grip so they look and work identically. (I once had a Zeikos grip and thougt it was great).

Peace,
D.

The 50 sigma is a great lens if u get a copy that can focus correctly! The build quality is a lot better than the canon 50m 1.4 and it's image quality is on par with the canon 50L. If u plan on shooting landscape as well as close up the 17-50mm 2.8 from sigma is a great choice. It's a pretty sharp lense with a great all around focal length. It costs $3-400 cheaper than the canon version but is much more resistant to dust! The OS on the lens also work well and the macro focusing is quite good. The meike grips are quiet good. I had one for my T1i and it was well built just like the oem canon.

The onboard flash has a minimal value if you set the exposure compensation down about 1/2 - 1 as it will serve as a fill flash..but if you are using a lens of any real length and/or a hood you will get a nice dark spot on every picture from the shadow of the lens. I agree with the others here, get a 430 EX II, and possibly a diffuser like the Stofen Omni-bounce, and learn to bounce the flash off of the ceiling to create a very nice natural light look.

The nifty fifty is a an option for a starter prime, something to play around with and see if primes are for you.

coolchu001 wrote in post #14677340
The 50 sigma is a great lens if u get a copy that can focus correctly! The build quality is a lot better than the canon 50m 1.4 and it's image quality is on par with the canon 50L.

yes..the Sigma 50 f1.4 is a great lens. I've been trying to find one that focuses properly out of the box for over a year. So far, no luck. I don't want to buy one and have to send it to Sigma several times (and never know what the final outcome will be) - Once you do that you own it and can't return it.

So I try them as they arrive at the local camera shops that sell Sigma (they don't stock more than one or two with Canon mounts at a time) and so far I haven't found a single one that focuses correctly both close to the subject and from a distance. (But I'll keep looking).

Do not buy any other lenses yet.

The dual lens combo you have is perfect for a beginner and even an advance amateur. These lenses, especially the long 55-250IS, are great value and provide excellent image quality under decent light. I was using 55-250 as my only tele for years until recently, and I would use it again with no reservations.

The combo you have will be great for 90% of shots and you won't know what you need for the remaining 10% until you have used the kit for several months at least. For the baby pics, the best purchase for you would be a good external flash, not another lens. Coupled with your kit lenses, this would give you a setup that works for most all situations.

^^^...This is great advice.

rrblint wrote in post #14678601
^^^...This is great advice.

I agree and regret responding to the post suggesting the Sigma 50. It was really off topic, but the only justification was that the OP talked about wanting a 50mm prime (always a good lens to have - but certainly NOT necessary for a beginner).

Having the two Rebel "kit" lenses - the 18-55 and the 55-250 is WAY more than enough range in focal length for anyone to develop great skills with. Plus they both have "IS" (image stabilization) which is very effective.

So yes, I agree that spending money on lenses, while it's something that at some point may become truly important to the camera owner (in this case the OP) - it's not the place to start spending. A single high end lens will cost more than the camera and the two kit lenses combined and won't improve on what really counts - which is understanding how exposure works and how he camera itself works (knowledge) and expensive lenses may increase "image quality" but with baby pictures the kit lenses will be more than adequate (in fact I'd guess that the "image quality" of a new Rebel with a kit lens would surpass the "image quality" I was able to get using a very expensive Nikon F with Nikkor (Nikon) lenses and the film available when I started using an SLR (which was more than 15 years after I started using twin lens reflex cameras as a kid).

Today's technology is amazing - computers have contributed not only to the way cameras work, but the way lenses are designed. When I was new to SLR cameras, a zoom lens was an expensive novelty that didn't do anything well - I didn't know anyone who even owned one before the mid 70s or so.

If I were to advise anyone starting this hobby today I can't think of a better way to start than with a camera like the new Rebels and the two "kit" zoom lenses (18-55 and 55-250) - The first accessory I'd evenb think about would be an e-ttl flash (a Canon EX or perhaps a clone, but I don't know how good or bad they are - but there are plenty of posts about them and it's easy to do a search or just ask for advice).

As I said in my first post - a tripod is a great (and necessary) accessory.Not so necessary that a new camera owner has to have one right away, but it's something all photographers have and use after a relatively short time.

I also said they can be expensive. Someone pointed out that a first tripod doesn't have to be expensive and that's true - but buying a cheap tripod can be a big mistake. If a tripod fails it can cause a lot of damage. Buying a tripod is something that deserves doing some homework on. Unlike most photographic equipment, you can't assume that price will be a great indicator of quality. There are brand names that carry a price premium only for the name - be an informed buyer! There are some very well made Chinese tripod (and head) that while not inexpensive are great value compared to better known Italian and American brands (some of which have their manufacturing outsourced to factories in China - I have a small Manfrotto mono-pod that has a "made in China" sticker on it. Even Gitzo has outsourced some high end tripods to be assembled (and possibly manufactured) in China.

Peace,
D.

I'll second what several others have already stated -- hold off purchasing any more lenses for now until you get more familiar with what you already have. Also, I would purchase an external flash before buying any other lenses. This addition will improve your indoor photos more than another lens.

As for the 50mm f/1.8 "nifty fifty", I never found that focal length very useful as a prime lens on a crop body. I would suggest setting your 18-55mm kit lens to 50mm and try using it just at that fixed focal length as an experiment to see if it works for you. You may find that something wider (28mm f/1.8 or 30mm f/1.4) works better.