Newbie and a Question

Hey all. Since the day I had my son it seems like I am now obsessed with taking pictures. So for christmas my wonderful husband got me a Kodak. Which I love, but once he saw just how much I enjoyed taking pictures he went out and bought me the RebelXT.
Ok so sorry for that ramble, but I felt I should explain. So my questions are considering I will mostly be taking pictures of my son and other family, what would be the best lens to get? For now the kit lens seems to work, but I love taking close ups and my son who just turned one hates having my camera pushed up in his face. Really any tips you could offer would be wonderful. I will hopefully have time to share some pictures tommorrow. Thanks so much!!

24-105-IS seems to be very popular in the mid-zoom range.
I think the 24-70f2.8 has slightly better optics, but people argue about that all day long.
Either would work well on the XT. Both could graduate with you to your next camera as you grow as a photographer, too.

Oh, and welcome to the forum.

You could always grab a 50mm f/1.4 for those indoor shots with the little tyke running around. That fast aperture will get you decent shutter speeds, even in the house (usually dark). If you want to spend some major money, Steven gave some sound advice.

How much do you want to spend. The options are great, but knowing your desire to pay would help make a suggestion much easier.

Ps, the 2 zooms mentioned are aprox $1000 range. Fifty 1.4 is 300 ish.

Do you have any kind of budget in mind? both the 24-105 and the 24-70 are GREAT lenses, but sell for over $1000 each. If you are shoping in that range either would be awesome.

In the situation that you describe (shooting a child indoors) I would be thinking of using a prime lens, probably either the 85 f/1.8 or the 100 f/2.0. They usually sell for around $350. Not as versatile as a zoom lens, but yield very good results.

Dante King wrote:
How much do you want to spend. The options are great, but knowing your desire to pay would help make a suggestion much easier.

Ps, the 2 zooms mentioned are aprox $1000 range. Fifty 1.4 is 300 ish.

Im thinking somthing less than 400 for my first lens then Ill go from there. 300 ish sounds good too!! Does that seem pretty reasonable for a first or should I just save for the better one now?

Well the 50 1.4 is a fine lens, especially for the price. Another you might consider is the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di, at around $350 new. Darn nice lens, gives you a nice "all purpose" zoom, and it's a fast 2.8. You sacrifice some speed and a bit of sharpness (most any prime is sharper than a zoom), but you get the flexibility of a zoom.

Another vote for the Tamron 28-75 f2.8. Excellent value at well under $400.

I don't shoot with zooms often, but the Tamron 28-75 is one I do use when I need the flexibility. It's a proven performer and would be a good addition to your kit.

For someone who's not interested in spending well over $1,000 for the "fastest" or "sharpest" lens on the market, you'd be hard pressed to do better than the TAMRON AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Ultra Zoom lens. Because of its over 10 to 1 zoom it's a lens you can mount once and never take off. Every time you change lenses on a digital camera you run the risk of dirt getting on the sensor. You can get the lens for under $400, but the problem is finding one. No one can keep them in stock.

A must have lens, if you don't get the 50mm 1.4 is the 50mm, 1.8! You can buy it for around $70.00 and it will be the best money you ever spent on a lens! It takes fantastic pictures if the 50mm range would suit you.

It would make a nice addition to lens. Addition to whatever else you get!!!

A must have lens, if you don't get the 50mm 1.4 is the 50mm...

Now why would a mom who wants to take pictures of her kids and family need a fast prime, and a boring 50mm prime at that?

What she needs is a good all around versatile lens. Anytime now someone is going to come around and suggest the 85mm f1.2.

I am a beginner, too. The two lenses that have been the most useful for me are the Tamron 28-75 (which is now on my camera most of the time) and the 50 mm f/1.8.

My budget is relatively low, so these work for me, for now.

Because it's sharp as hell, and if she wants nice shots of her baby, whether running around or asleep, the 50 will deliver. At f/1.4 or f/1.8, it will deliver consistent sharp results, even in dimly lit rooms.

I know we're all stupid, but we're not that stupid.

By the way, what would you suggest?

Thanks for all your suggestions, now all I got to do is look em all up and try to make a choice! I get the feeling Ill have some more questions shortly I hope you all dont mind! Thanks again!