Any sSuggestion for lenses?

Hi,

I am new to DSLR photography and just got my Digital Rebel XT. I bought it just want to keep the precious moment of my 4 years old son and one year old daughter as they are growing up.

I am trying to beat the image quality of my wife's P&S and I am not sure will a new lens help?

Now I am actively looking Tamaron 28-75 f2.8, Cannon EF 28-135 IS and Cannon 70-200 f4L. Just got my 50 f1.8 though.

Any suggestions? As I mentioned above, my photography will focus on my two kids.

Thanks a lot.

Xps

There is a tremendous variety of lenses that you can purchase, and it all depends on what you like to shoot along with your budget.

IMO, of the lenses you narrowed down to I'd go with the Tamron to start. Then after getting comfortable with you camera look at a longer lens or you may find you actually need something wider instead.

For images of my kids my Canon 24-70 f/2.8L is on my camera 90% of the time.

Get the canon 70-200 f4L, as sharp as f2.8 at a lower cost and lighter weight.

Almost forgot ...

WELCOME!!!

Thanks Bob for good suggestion.

The reason I narrow down to those is I need to have something not so expensice to convince my wife .

I searched the web and people seem to worry about the quality control of Tamaron, it is the only reason I am still not make a decision.

The Tamron really is a good lens. I own one and have been very pleased with it.

The 70-200 f/4 is a wonderful lens and I find it is a superb portrait type lens for outdoor use - where you have a little room. You need a medium tele zoom anyway and I'd say go for this one regardless.

The recommendations for short standard zooms are also all good ones. but assuming you have a lens that is reasonable already, I'd advise the longer lens to start with.

xps,
Sorry but I don't think a new lens will help. If you cant beat your wifes P&S with a 50mm f/1.8 then a zoom probably won't either. I suggest you play with the settings in your camera before you buy another lens ex. increase sharpening, increase saturation are just some ideas.

Did you get the "kit" lens with it ? If not , get the Tamron or the Canon 28-135 IS first. If you got the "kit" lens, go with the 70-200mm.

But I agree with John_B, that "niffty fifty" should have done the trick. When I first got my XT, I thought "Wow I can take better pictures with my P&S a620". But that changed . If you set the camera to AV mode stop it down some. I also set my parameters settings to standard and do the sharpening and such, later on the computer.

First, if I understand your needs correctly, toss out the 70-200mm option (it's too long focal length-wise for most 'kids' pictures). Second, I'm not knocking the 3rd party lenses, but, I just prefer Canon lenses if possiable. Third, I think the 28-135mm IS is a damn good choice given your requirements. And, last, if you don't plan to use a computer program to edit the pictures then set the camera's parameters to give you a bit more color satuation and sharpening.

I agree - you don't yet need the 70-200. What I think you'll find most helpful will be either a faster lens in the 18-70 mm range or an external flash, or both. A lot of your cherished moments will be indoors, and being able to stop the action will be a great help. So will being able to use a wider angle (and 28 isn't wide on the 350D) lens.

the tamron. in good lighting, the focus won't hurt you. and when you're taking pictures of your daughter.

but your son may pose a problem to the tammy's autofocus, especially in low lighting. its then when you should use the 50mm.

oh, and if you didn't get the kit lens, then buy the tamron 17-50mm over the 28-75mm. helps when you're indoors.

xps wrote in post #2184362
Thanks Bob for good suggestion.

The reason I narrow down to those is I need to have something not so expensice to convince my wife .

I searched the web and people seem to worry about the quality control of Tamaron, it is the only reason I am still not make a decision.

well if u worry u become critical that happened to me :P tho now im pleased that i got that lens and it is producing great photos and you cant really go wrong with a tamron 28-75, and if u get a faulty lens, u can always return it and ask for another one

Your son is 4. So that means T-ball and soccer is not that far away. So you will need a zoom. Since most will be played during the day . the 70-200mm f/4 will do great. I used a budget (cheap) Tamron 55-200mm this year for my g-nephew(8 year) sports. It did ok. Just had to stop it down some. But when he had a late game, at dusk the camera went into the bag.

A four year old can cover a lot of ground. The tamron would cover soccer , the added reach of the canon 28-135 IS would help and would cover T-ball , if you don't mind moving around. The IS won't help in sports. I think you need 2 lense , The Tameron and the 70-200mm f/4. But thats just my opinion