Canon EOS T3i and Recommended lenses

Hi all,

I just got my new Canon T3i that comes with the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Lens kit. I have researched and read many different reviews and forums regarding this particular lens model. The lens is generally not being praised as a good lens and producing sharp pictures.

I like to do all different types of photography such as portrait, wedding and low-light photography, potentially action, sports and taking pictures of some close objects such as flowers and ... and it is for fun only!!

I have ordered the Canon 50mm F/1.8 as well as Canon 70-300 F/3.5-5.6

I am contemplating selling the kit lens 18-55 and replace it with Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] which is highly praised.

I was wondering if this would be a good move or you may have any other suggestions as what lens i should get. Please note that I am in a very tight budget and can't afford expensive lenses at the moment.

Thanks a lot for your advice(s) in advance

I'm going to make a statement that's not terribly common on this forum because we all get WAY carried away with our equipment, particularly those of us who do it "just for fun". My suggestion would be to stick with the kit lens along with the 50 f/1.8 and the 70-300. You'll have 3 lenses covering a fairly large focal range and they're all of acceptable quality for a hobbyist who's doing it just for fun. Sure, shooting in low light with the kit lens or the 70-300 won't be ideal. And, no, they won't give you the same quality that you'd get out of a sack full of L glass but with a good attitude and a desire to learn, you can take very acceptable photos with that equipment. When and if the day comes that it's more than just a hobby to you (or when money's less of an issue), then buy more good stuff. Until then, shoot what you've got and enjoy it.

The IS version of the kit lens is actually pretty decent! No it's not a fixed aperture or L lens as mentioned, but for the money it's really rather good...

I upgraded from the IS version of the kit lens to the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 non VC and have been very happy with my new purchase, however I shot for a couple of years with the kit lens and got some great results.

Shooting for that period of time helped me identify whether or not I needed a lens of that focal length and it transpired I did (I intially had the 18-55mm kit, 55-250 and 50mm f1.8). I now have just the Tamron 17-50 and a Sigma 50mm macro as realisticall that was all I "needed"

Bill Ragosta wrote in post #14984695
I'm going to make a statement that's not terribly common on this forum because we all get WAY carried away with our equipment, particularly those of us who do it "just for fun". My suggestion would be to stick with the kit lens along with the 50 f/1.8 and the 70-300. You'll have 3 lenses covering a fairly large focal range and they're all of acceptable quality for a hobbyist who's doing it just for fun. Sure, shooting in low light with the kit lens or the 70-300 won't be ideal. And, no, they won't give you the same quality that you'd get out of a sack full of L glass but with a good attitude and a desire to learn, you can take very acceptable photos with that equipment. When and if the day comes that it's more than just a hobby to you (or when money's less of an issue), then buy more good stuff. Until then, shoot what you've got and enjoy it.

Bill makes a lot of sense with his advice.

Back when they were still being sold new, my son bought one of the very first Digital Rebel cameras (the 300D) which was sold with the first design EF-S 18-55 lens. He has made many stunning photographs with that rig.

I agree with sticking with what you have for the moment. Some of my best shots of all time have come with my Rebel XTi and kit lens that I first started out with. I was just in the right place at the right time and knew how to use the equipment I had.

Sometimes, working with less to start is better than working with more, because you have to work harder to get that good shot, which in turn produces skills that are priceless.

As the years have passed and I began realizing the limitations my equipment had, I didn't need to ask what lens to get, I knew exactly what I wanted AND what I needed.

You will notice a difference with the 70-300 vs the kit lens, I know I did. The 50 1.8 will be ok for portraits but I believe it is the same construction as the kit lens. Really, it all depends on a budget or needs as well as your intended use. Walk around and do what you normally do for a week, month, season, year or whatever then make a list of what you wish you could have done, or what would have made your photos better. Then decide on how to best accomplish that.

The last thing the OP should be worried about is how others feel about the kit lens.. the question should be - are you, the OP, generally satisfied with the results of your kit lens ? If so, leave it alone till you are not. As far as ratings are concerned, if you ask a hundred people, you will get 100 diverse opinions as to which lens you should get and why... Buy based upon your needs and your observations -- based upon your current equipment.. Do you need a faster lens? Do you need a longer or wider lens? Narrower DOF ? What are you trying to accomplish that you can't with your current gear ? If money is tight- learn how to use your equipment ot overcome its shortcomings- even if you go back 20 years- the equipment in use was far worse than the worst equipment one gets today in a kit!.. As far as the tamron- it may be praised by some- and cursed by others.. It's a matter of what is important to the person behind the camera. My understanding is that the AF speeds of the Tamron lacks compared to the competition. The VC version is noted for lower IQ. The Sigma OS version focuses faster, and is well built and is quite sharp.. The Canon version is well respected - now- but had problems early on & of course- is quite pricey. In the end, don't upgrade your equipment until you become dissatisfied with some aspect of it or till you feel the need for something more/less/different. Reality is that there is a fair number of people who upgrade their lenses, incorrectly, because they don't know what they want and why- and are usually disappointed in the end result.

That said- have you ever heard of the expression about burying your head in the sand ? Lenses are kind of like this. If all of your lenses are about the same quality- and you never try a "better" lens, you probably won't know what better is like. In the end, your kit lens is probably fine if you stop it down to say f/8 for maximum sharpness.. Maybe decent even wide open. However, at f/8, most lenses are very similar.. BTW: Better to one person may mean a wider aperture like f/2.8.. To another, a wider lens might be better. . to another- a longer lens will be better. Everyone's concept of better is different for each..