Starting from scratch

Hi all, first post here but I have been through this section of the forums quite a bit, and am still on the fence on lenses.

First off, other than an S100 I have no other gear at all, and other than internet reading no real experience. Just had my first child and am looking to be able to get more serious with photography in general, but more specifically for him.

Planning on picking up a T5i and the reason for that, is that here in Toronto for the most part, T4i kits do not come with the better STM versions, or if they do, are for some reason more expensive than the T5i.

My options are body only, or with the 18-55 stm, 18-55 stm & 55-250, or the 18-135 stm.

I feel that the 18-135 stm offers me the best value, as it is a great range from what I read for a walk-around, plus video. Please feel free to disagree with me if you think otherwise.

So having said that, I am wondering if it's best to just learn the camera with this lens alone as an all-purpose, do everything? Or should I add one more lens such as a prime for portraits?

I had thought about the 85mm 1.8 but then realized that this is probably too long for indoor shots in my condo on a crop sensor. I see mixed reviews on the 50mm 1.8 but it's cheap, then there is the newer 40mm pancake, and lastly, I have read of the sigmas either 30mm or 35mm?

With the camera purchase I think I can get the 50mm 1.8 for $80 as an addon, or the 40mm pancake for $120 ish. The Sigma 30mm I can get used on craigslist for around $350 which is pushing it a bit though, but if I can convince the wife/boss so be it.

Not sure at this level of my non-existent skill, I would even be able to produce anything better with a faster prime vs the all purpose 18-135 stm, so looking for any pointers on how to start out here.

Thanks!

If you're shooting indoors in lower light levels, the Sigma 30mm is certainly the way to go. The 50 and 85 will be far too long for indoor use.

Another option is to just get the body, and something like the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8.

Start with the standard kit lens, and the 50mm 1.8. This is the perfect kit to learn with. It's a kit that can do a lot, without having to spend a lot.

As you learn to shoot, you'll start to find areas where your gear is holding you back somehow. Once you get to that point, you'll truly understand the value proposition that the more expensive lenses and gear bring.

elpietro wrote in post #16396281
Hi all, first post here but I have been through this section of the forums quite a bit, and am still on the fence on lenses.

First off, other than an S100 I have no other gear at all, and other than internet reading no real experience. Just had my first child and am looking to be able to get more serious with photography in general, but more specifically for him.

Planning on picking up a T5i and the reason for that, is that here in Toronto for the most part, T4i kits do not come with the better STM versions, or if they do, are for some reason more expensive than the T5i.

My options are body only, or with the 18-55 stm, 18-55 stm & 55-250, or the 18-135 stm.

I feel that the 18-135 stm offers me the best value, as it is a great range from what I read for a walk-around, plus video. Please feel free to disagree with me if you think otherwise.

So having said that, I am wondering if it's best to just learn the camera with this lens alone as an all-purpose, do everything? Or should I add one more lens such as a prime for portraits?

I had thought about the 85mm 1.8 but then realized that this is probably too long for indoor shots in my condo on a crop sensor. I see mixed reviews on the 50mm 1.8 but it's cheap, then there is the newer 40mm pancake, and lastly, I have read of the sigmas either 30mm or 35mm?

With the camera purchase I think I can get the 50mm 1.8 for $80 as an addon, or the 40mm pancake for $120 ish. The Sigma 30mm I can get used on craigslist for around $350 which is pushing it a bit though, but if I can convince the wife/boss so be it.

Not sure at this level of my non-existent skill, I would even be able to produce anything better with a faster prime vs the all purpose 18-135 stm, so looking for any pointers on how to start out here.

Thanks!

Not sure if you can find one, but perhaps a cheap 60D would be a good option, I imagine the price is comparable to a new t5i. Other people can speak from experience re: the 18-135, but to me it seems like a good all-rounder to start with and you can always add the Canon 50 1.8 or Sigma 30 1.4 later on if needed for a better lens in low light and getting better depth of field. My best advice for someone starting from scratch is to buy the basic gear you need and learning how to fully use it. Avoid getting caught up in gear acquisition syndrome .

Get a used body, a 50mm 1.8, and a used sigma or tamron for $250-350..
I had a sigma 30 and it was very wonky for me, yet alone someone who just picked up an slr for the first time.

mystik610 wrote in post #16396317
Start with the standard kit lens, and the 50mm 1.8. This is the perfect kit to learn with. It's a kit that can do a lot, without having to spend a lot.

As you learn to shoot, you'll start to find areas where your gear is holding you back somehow. Once you get to that point, you'll truly understand the value proposition that the more expensive lenses and gear bring.

I second mystik610 (althought by standard kit lens, I hope he means the 18-135).

No one mentioned a flash?

Before you buy any additional lenses strongly consider getting a flash that will allow you to use your pop-up to trigger it wirelessly. You can get much more mileage with a var aperture lens and a flash.

Thanks for all the replies. I'm currently leaning towards getting the T5i with the 18-135 stm as I'd originally planned, and adding on the discounted 50mm 1.8 since for $80 I don't see how I can go wrong here.

Xeodragon, thanks for the advice, have been considering the 60d, although, it seems very subjective on whether or not the images are better at all, and then the fact that the t5i would be new with warranty, and while I don't know how much video I will take, given my baby will eventually grow and be able to move I like to have the option of a superior video cam with the STM lens.

Also, since I'm new to this I think a bit of experience will get me to where I'm more comfortable buying used gear since I'd know what to look for with issues etc.

Rocky, thanks and yes, a flash is on my list, just wasn't a part of my initial purchases. From the little I've read so far, my plan was to get a used 430 ex II off craigslist/kijiji. The 320 seems from the little I've read, torn between being mediocre at both stills and video since it is purposed for both. Feel free to correct me otherwise.

Again thanks so much for the quick replies everyone, any other advice/comments are always welcome.

The 60D images will be exactly the same as the T5i, you just get a better body with better controls and all cross type AF points. I started with a T3i, but soon upgraded to a 60D for the higher burst rate and better ergonomics. 60D's can be gotten for around $500 used.

18-135mm with a 50mm f1.8 sounds like a good starting point...should work fine for pictures of your child...a flash is definitely something you're going to want to add as soon as the little one starts moving more...another lens that may be considered is the canon 35f2...it can be had pretty cheap sometimes, and is a bit wider than the 50mm which is helpful...but the 50mm should be fine for now, you'll just end up having to back up a bit farther

40/50D and a sig 30/1.4 and the 430ex flash

elpietro wrote in post #16396281
Hi all, first post here but I have been through this section of the forums quite a bit, and am still on the fence on lenses.

First off, other than an S100 I have no other gear at all, and other than internet reading no real experience. Just had my first child and am looking to be able to get more serious with photography in general, but more specifically for him.

Planning on picking up a T5i and the reason for that, is that here in Toronto for the most part, T4i kits do not come with the better STM versions, or if they do, are for some reason more expensive than the T5i.

My options are body only, or with the 18-55 stm, 18-55 stm & 55-250, or the 18-135 stm.

I feel that the 18-135 stm offers me the best value, as it is a great range from what I read for a walk-around, plus video. Please feel free to disagree with me if you think otherwise.

So having said that, I am wondering if it's best to just learn the camera with this lens alone as an all-purpose, do everything? Or should I add one more lens such as a prime for portraits?

I had thought about the 85mm 1.8 but then realized that this is probably too long for indoor shots in my condo on a crop sensor. I see mixed reviews on the 50mm 1.8 but it's cheap, then there is the newer 40mm pancake, and lastly, I have read of the sigmas either 30mm or 35mm?

With the camera purchase I think I can get the 50mm 1.8 for $80 as an addon, or the 40mm pancake for $120 ish. The Sigma 30mm I can get used on craigslist for around $350 which is pushing it a bit though, but if I can convince the wife/boss so be it.

Not sure at this level of my non-existent skill, I would even be able to produce anything better with a faster prime vs the all purpose 18-135 stm, so looking for any pointers on how to start out here.

Thanks!

Heya,

Having started literally the same way, here's some thoughts on my experiences so far:

Don't waste your time with the kit lenses. Get the body and get a prime lens. Kits lenses are ok, they are excellent to learn from, but if you're wanting to get the best quality for your dollar in terms of images, just get an inexpensive prime and start banging out tack sharp photos and have really wide aperture as an option right away. Zoom is nice if you want a single lens to do a lot of coverage, the 18-135mm gives a lot of value for you to play with wide angle (18mm) normal view (35~50mm) and reach (85~135mm). Tons of options with that. But having done the same route with two different entry level kit zooms, the image quality they put out doesn't compare to a sharp prime. Your'e taking pics of your family, so I would definitely get a prime in the 28~50mm length. I would also look into the 85mm range as well. Sure, a zoom covers both those areas. But again, I can only say that my experience, I always want the sharpness and wide aperture option of a prime, over a slow, softer zoom lens. Again, just my experience.

I would get the body only.
And I would look at: Sigma 30mm 1.4, Canon EF 50mm 1.8, Canon EF 50mm 1.4, Canon EF 85mm 1.8. If you're on a budget, the 50mm 1.8 and 85mm 1.8 would be my two picks for price for performance giving you two very handy focal lengths. Alternatively, the 30mm 1.4 and the 85mm 1.8 would be my secondary pick if you can afford both lenses.
If you can only get a single lens right now, I would go for the 30mm 1.4 with the body. You'll probably use that a lot more than a longer length, on a crop sensor like the T5i, shooting pics of your family both indoors and outdoors.

Also, a humble flash will take you leagues forward before you bother with tons of lenses. The Yongnuo 560 II is very inexpensive and just does excellent work right off the bat. Get some rechareable batteries and you're in business.

Very best,