Low cost lens suggestions for Canon Rebel XS

Hello!

So, I am an amateur photographer and I own a Canon Rebel XS, which came with the 58mm and 75-300mm lenses. I am going to my friends wedding in a couple weeks and she asked me to take some extra photos to supplement her paid photographer during the reception (~200 people). I am using this event as an excuse to finally buy a wide angle lens I have always wanted one because of how much more of the scene you can capture, and the interesting perspective. However, I do not want it to be a super distorted fish-eye lens. I have researched lens articles, and other forum threads, but they do not seem to answer my question.

Another thing is that I want to spend as little as possible, but yet make it a worthwhile investment. I have seen lens kits, and then regular 'real' lenses, and am perplexed as to what I should invest in. I am willing to spend up to $100, and I am an avid amazon shopper (especially prime).

What suggestions would you have for me? Besides this wedding, I mainly enjoy nature and scenery photos. Also, family events, pets, abstract stuff and travel photos.

So that is my main question...wide angle lens suggestions--I also need to buy a lens hood--are those pretty universal to fit on wide angle lenses? Oh but one other question, any suggestions on a flash diffuser for the flip-up/pop-up flash on this thing???

I appreciate any insight you all could share with me.

Thank you

Canon 35 f2 or sigma 24 1.4 art would be my suggestions.

misspeabodi wrote in post #18019891
Another thing is that I want to spend as little as possible, but yet make it a worthwhile investment.

These statements contradict each other. Do you want to spend as little as possible? Or do you want to make a worthwhile investment? You cannot do both.

misspeabodi wrote in post #18019891
I am willing to spend up to $100, and I am an avid amazon shopper (especially prime).

Amazon has great prices on alot of things...but camera lenses isn't going to be one of them. My recommendation is to look at used lenses from lens rental companies such as borrowlenses.com or lensrentals.com

But for "up to $100", the only lens worth mentioning is the 50mm 1.8, but it's not a wide angle.


Another thing for you to consider - I know your friend asked you to take some extra photos to "supplement" the paid photographer. Don't take this as an invitation to be disruptive to the paid photographer. Shooting over the paid photographer's shoulder, or a different angle on the same shot isn't being helpful...it's distractive at best and probably disruptive. If you don't see the paid photographer around, go for it. But if the paid photographer has their camera in hand - put yours down.

The wider the angle you shoot, the further away from the edge of the frame people need to be if you don't want distorted body parts. I've gotten away with backing out to 16mm (on FF), because people were towards the center of the frame. This is usually for dancing shots when I want to hold the camera high and aim it down on a crowd dancing.

Canon sold a ton of Rebels with the 18-55 kit lens. Many upgrade to something better, so you should be able to pick up a used one for your price point.

texkam wrote in post #18020651
Canon sold a ton of Rebels with the 18-55 kit lens. Many upgrade to something better, so you should be able to pick up a used one for your price point.

Good call. This will be the best at the price point, though the 50 F/1.8 would be quite a bit sharper lens, i think that you will need the 18-55mm lens.

Heed Silver-Halide's advice or looking back you will not like the distortion from the pictures that you have taken at really wide angles.

Oh absolutely to your suggestion about the paid photographer. I have the utmost respect for someone being there, earning money, doing a professional job. Like you said, I plan to be where she isn't. I could imagine the frustration she would feel if I did that, so yes, point well taken. ߘpߑ

Thank you for the the lens suggestions and input about my purchase. Ͱߘ

Also the lens you suggested...if it's not wide angle, what does it do? I'm sorry, I'm just not lens-smart.

misspeabodi wrote in post #18020806
Also the lens you suggested...if it's not wide angle, what does it do? I'm sorry, I'm just not lens-smart.

The prime 50mm F/1.8 is a fixed aperture and fixed focal length. It if only one focal length of 50mm. In doors you most often will use 24mm-50mm.Imagine using your 75-300 on a person @75mm. Then take a big step back, about 1 yard, this would be about 50mm.(The article below has next/previous articles and will cover prime lenses, aperture etc. The first few articles are most relevant to this discussion.

The 18-55mm is the same as your current lens (75-300) except that it is a lot wider. Variable aperture and variable focal length.(covered via the link below).

This article should help out. It is only showing standing in one position and zooming in. If you scroll through the articles there is some good easy read info.
http://www.nikonusa.co​m …tanding-focal-length.html

Is this what you were asking about?

Yes, that's a great article. Thank you

I'm off to go shopping, than you for your suggestions and input!

There are many old Canon film cameras with perfectly usable EF lenses out there begging for buyers. I picked up an EOS 650 with the wonderful old metal mount 50mm 1.8 and a medium range zoom that was in the bag with it for $40 at an estate sale.

agrandexpression wrote in post #18020334
These statements contradict each other. Do you want to spend as little as possible? Or do you want to make a worthwhile investment? You cannot do both.

Ooohh you want a magic lens! Right this way!


JK

Yeah unless you want a used lens everything but the nifty fifty is over $100

I bought the same combo for £20 on Facebook selling page not realising the premium people pay for the nifty mk1 on eBay. Easy profit for an unremarkable lens.

misspeabodi wrote in post #18019891
Hello!

So, I am an amateur photographer and I own a Canon Rebel XS, which came with the 58mm and 75-300mm lenses. I am going to my friends wedding in a couple weeks and she asked me to take some extra photos to supplement her paid photographer during the reception (~200 people). I am using this event as an excuse to finally buy a wide angle lens I have always wanted one because of how much more of the scene you can capture, and the interesting perspective. However, I do not want it to be a super distorted fish-eye lens. I have researched lens articles, and other forum threads, but they do not seem to answer my question.

Another thing is that I want to spend as little as possible, but yet make it a worthwhile investment. I have seen lens kits, and then regular 'real' lenses, and am perplexed as to what I should invest in. I am willing to spend up to $100, and I am an avid amazon shopper (especially prime).

What suggestions would you have for me? Besides this wedding, I mainly enjoy nature and scenery photos. Also, family events, pets, abstract stuff and travel photos.

So that is my main question...wide angle lens suggestions--I also need to buy a lens hood--are those pretty universal to fit on wide angle lenses? Oh but one other question, any suggestions on a flash diffuser for the flip-up/pop-up flash on this thing???

I appreciate any insight you all could share with me.

Thank you

Heya,

Look into a 18-55 STM, 24 STM and Yongnuo 35 F2 in that budget range.

As for flash, there's nothing that is worth while to try to modify the pop-up. I wouldn't use flash anyways, it will look sterile and you don't want your flash in other photos from the lead photog capturing the day, it's distracting and draws attention since you're just grabbing candids of the group. If you really want to roll flash, take an ETTL capable on-camera flash like a 270EXII or larger flash with ETTL, if you don't already have one (Yongnuo 565EXII, or 568EXII or 685, etc).

Very best,