New to SLR/DSLR

Ive always had a point and shoot camera, but recently purchased a Canon T2i DSLR camera and still very new with SLR/DSLR so I was wondering for a beginner how cheap can I get my lens and what are the older lens called so I can look for those type for the price? Ive seen online FD lenses, Ef lenses, and Ef-s lenses and was wondering, if I needed a adapter to use older lens. My daughters prom is coming soon and would like to be ready for pictures with my dslr camera

Guess this forum is just for the advanced.........

Welcome to POTN.

Your camera will accept all Canon EF and EF-S lenses and also lenses from Sigma, Tokina, Tamron and other lens makers as long as they are available in EF mount. Some lenses from other makers (and a few specialized Canon lenses) are manual focus only, so if you want autofocus, be mindful of that.

There are adapters that allow use of FD lenses, but they are seldom recommended due to less than stellar utility and/or significant cost.

This is a very helpful community with many knowledgeable members and I'm sure you will get much good advice to assist with your learning.

kevitt_1973 wrote in post #16728261
Guess this forum is just for the advanced.........

No, it's not just for the advanced, but not every post will receive a response within fifteen minutes.

kevitt_1973 wrote in post #16728261
Guess this forum is just for the advanced.........

This forum doesn't move that fast when most of the US is still asleep on Sunday. Seriously it is 4:30 AM in California. Relax.

kevitt_1973 wrote in post #16728244
Ive always had a point and shoot camera, but recently purchased a Canon T2i DSLR camera and still very new with SLR/DSLR so I was wondering for a beginner how cheap can I get my lens and what are the older lens called so I can look for those type for the price? Ive seen online FD lenses, Ef lenses, and Ef-s lenses and was wondering, if I needed a adapter to use older lens. My daughters prom is coming soon and would like to be ready for pictures with my dslr camera

Just visit these forums EVERY day and you will learn a lot. That is what I do. It just takes time. Everyone here is helpful and friendly.

Most poeple start with the Canon 18-55 IS and 55-250 IS lenses. They do not cost a lot, fairly sharp and pratical.

Welcome.

It's 7:30 on a Sunday -give some time. You didn't even give 15 minutes.

Your camera will take EF. And EF-S lenses. Forget the the FD lenses, at least for now (possibly forever). You didn't mention if you got any lenses with your camera, or a budget To start I would suggest the two current kit lenses 18-55mm & 55-250mm both with image stabilization (in that order). They will cover you for a lot of photography. Usually I personally say an external flash (speed light) before a second lens (even when the camera comes with a pop up flash like yours). And learn how to bounce the flash.

If you want another lens then my suggestion is an inexpensive prime (one focal length). Either the 40mm f/2.8 or the 50mm f/1.8 as either can be bought for less than $200.

From the above you will learn what you like as far as focal length, to help decide what else you want and where to upgrade.

asking "how cheap can I get a lens" is the same as asking "how crappy can my pictures be?"

However, there are a few gems to be had in the lower dollar-vale range. The stand-out "good" lens in the "cheap" range is the Canon 50mm F/1.8 II. You'll see it referred to as the "nifty fifty", "thrifty fifty", or "plastic fantastic".

It is a "prime" lens, you zoom in and out by moving closer and further form your subject. This allows simpler construction so the glass is pretty good for a $125 lens. You can get it for just over a hundred bucks refurbished from Canon right now. They have a year warranty and I have been very happy with their "refurbished" units.

If you go to Canon's refurb lens page and sort by cheapness, I have the second lens in line too. It isn't exactly "sharp", but it does have some reach. With your camera body it would give you a 480mm effective focal length (thats very zoomed in).

Here's a picture from that lens zoomed out, then in, then cropped to 100% zoomed in.

Give EF-S 18-200 a try. It costs $350 used from Amazon. A little cheaper option is EF-S 18-135 and an upgrade is EF-S 15-85 $500 used from Amazon. You may also want to look into EF 24-105 L. If you look hard in this and other forum, you can get one nearly new for as low as $600. You will not regret with this.

mpbowyer wrote in post #16728324
asking "how cheap can I get a lens" is the same as asking "how crappy can my pictures be?"

However, there are a few gems to be had in the lower dollar-vale range. The stand-out "good" lens in the "cheap" range is the Canon 50mm F/1.8 II. You'll see it referred to as the "nifty fifty", "thrifty fifty", or "plastic fantastic".

It is a "prime" lens, you zoom in and out by moving closer and further form your subject. This allows simpler construction so the glass is pretty good for a $125 lens. You can get it for just over a hundred bucks refurbished from Canon right now. They have a year warranty and I have been very happy with their "refurbished" units.

You will find that there are basically no shortcuts in photography gear. From lenses to tripods, you get what you pay for.

Bad advice for someone new to photography, IMO.

While there are benefits to expensive gear to be appreciated....there is a HUGE diminish in returns as you spend more money on gear.

Good point on recommending the 50 1.8, but to suggest there are no shortcuts and that "you get what you pay for" is generally bad advice. Expensive gear in the hands of someone still learning doesn't mean a whole lot. Conversely, "cheap" gear in the hands of a someone with skill can produce beautiful photos:

Post your best pics made with a cheap lens!!!

To the OP:

You can buy an adapter to use older FD lenses....the downside is that these lenses are manual focus only. This adds a wrinkle of difficulty that might not be ideal for someone first starting out. That said, there are a lot of affordable lenses that are of very good quality...most have been recommended here already. Scour the used markets!

kevitt_1973 wrote in post #16728244
Ive always had a point and shoot camera, but recently purchased a Canon T2i DSLR camera and still very new with SLR/DSLR so I was wondering for a beginner how cheap can I get my lens and what are the older lens called so I can look for those type for the price? Ive seen online FD lenses, Ef lenses, and Ef-s lenses and was wondering, if I needed a adapter to use older lens. My daughters prom is coming soon and would like to be ready for pictures with my dslr camera

I would have to recommend the 18-55 IS II and the 55-250mm lenses. Both are great for someone new to slr photography and are cheap. My advice is to stay away from the FD lenses, stick with the EF and EF-S lenses.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …18_55mm_f_3_5_5​_6_IS.html

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_55_250mm_f_4_5​_6_IS.html

Both lenses are great to have with using the Canon Rebel series.

Thanks everyone, The information received helped me in the direction I should go. Very interesting forum after looking at the threads

One thing i can tell you is:

If you buy a cheap lens which will mostly be crap, and you find it is not a very good lens, youll end up spending more the more you get into photography...

Good lenses for low $ is 40mm pancake and 50mm 1.8. sharp and reasonably fast

davidfarina wrote in post #16728412
One thing i can tell you is:

If you buy a cheap lens which will mostly be crap, and you find it is not a very good lens, youll end up spending more the more you get into photography...

Good lenses for low $ is 40mm pancake and 50mm 1.8. sharp and reasonably fast

Thanks. Im looking at a 50 mm now. My camera came with a EF 70mm-300mm, which I found out is great and I was willing to trade for a 50 mm, but I see I would be losing. Im just use to the point and shoot and the 70mm-300mm isn't close to that...LOL I'm learning as I go. Thanks a bunch