Where to go after the kit lens?

So about a month ago I invested in a SL1. Mainly I figured it would just be a nice camera to have and that the quality of pictures would be better. However, I ended up taking an online class and caught the photo bug.

My question is two fold. Does a better lens really make much of a difference, or is the kit lens of good quality- the sl1 wasn't cheap, so I'd imagine the lense is good, no? If not, would anyone have any suggestions for a lens choice after the kit lense? I'm not looking for anything yet too crazy like a fisheye or telescopic, but was wondering what y'all would recommend. Thanks!

Stick with the kit lens until you have a clear need for something else. There are of course better lenses, both for specific purposes, and just in a general sense, but the kit lens is perfectly capable of delivering great images.

There isn't a lens photo sample archive to refer to that I can find, but the kit lenses are typically good to excellent when used within their limitations.

You'll need to tell us what you shoot before we can give you any pointers. The 50mm F1.8 is always a good place to start, it's cheap, has great IQ, and the thin depth of field will give you scope to be creative.

The kit lenses are solid, general purpose lens. Unless you've encountered a specific situation where the lens is technically limiting you, like you need a faster lens for night shooting or something to that affect, stick with the kit. Its really easy to blow money on lenses that aren't right for you when you don't know what you need yet.

Thank you guys for the replies! Nothing with the kit lens has held me back thus far, I was just wondering how different lenses effect your pictures and what you guys thought?

Kit lenses can and will produce great images. Once you have enough time with your current setup, you will eventually answer your own question in the direction of lenses you would like to go, "faster", "reach", etc...

I'm not sure which kit lens you got with your SL1 but since it's a newer model, it is usually offered with a couple of STM lenses. They are newer designs and are reported to be significant improvements over the previous kit lenses available in the not to distant past.

I agree that when you start it's not very urgent to get a bunch of lenses without really knowing what you'll shoot, in what conditions you'll shoot, and how do you like to shoot. Practicing with the kit lens will be enough IMHO.

Howerver, a Nifty Fifty (50 1.8 II) might help you see the impact of a lens over your pictures. It's a very good lens that won't cost you a lot.

Do you have good photo editing software? (Lightroom etc)
If not, that should be your next purchase before you start the lens quest.

You will know when you need a new lens - faster, wider, longer, etc. Let YOUR needs dictate what you need, not advice from a forum.

The lens you really want will be out of your budget. You might as well start a savings plan now.

Instead of a lens, consider a flash unit. It will expand what you can achieve with any lens and there is plenty of info on the net to show you how to get the most out of it.

w9trb wrote in post #16212924
Instead of a lens, consider a flash unit. It will expand what you can achieve with any lens and there is plenty of info on the net to show you how to get the most out of it.

thank you, perhaps you're right. Do you have any recommendations for flash unit that won't break the bank?

Glh222 wrote in post #16215422
thank you, perhaps you're right. Do you have any recommendations for flash unit that won't break the bank?

I purchased a 430 unit and have been happy even though there are more versatile units from Canon. A lot of people here speak highly of the Youngo units. There is a sections here that is all about flash photography, check that out.

Keep the kit lens. There are amazing photos produced with that lens. I would just go out and enjoy what you have.
Here is the lens sample thread on the 18-55. https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=445986 now this is the non-stm and the 18-55 performs slightly better so this should give you an idea.

If you wanted another lens then I would say 55-250 so you have the reach if needed bit without knowong what your going go shoot, the 18-55 might be good enough for your shooting style.