Newbie needs help

I have a question for all you experts out there. I recently bought a Canon Rebel XT and it came with a 18 -55mm lens. I would like to do some nature photography (I live in Colorado) will this lens suffice or what should be my next lens choice? Also, filters. Should I get some filters to go along with it and what is a good not to expensive tripod as I am getting a bit older now and can't hold the camera as steady as I used too. ANy thoughts would be appreciated and if this has been covered somewhere else please point me in the right direction to find the information instead of hearing RTFM as I have heard on other forums. Thanks in advance. Mark V

The lens you have will be fine while you learn the camera, but you will probably ourgrow it fairly soon. but I think it is best to use it while you learn - then you'll be a lot more sure what you really need after a month or 2 or 3!

Regarding filters, a lot of people use UV filters as protection - really up to you, I do as it keeps the front of the lens clean. Other people feel they degrade image quality and use hoods instead. the hood for your kit lens is useless and overpriced. It wouldn't protect against a jellybaby.

For landscape photography the most used filters are
1.Graduated neutral density ( Lee and or Cokin filtes, they are square and attach in front of the lens by means of a filter holder and often adapters as well.)

2. Circular Polariser - harder to use with the kit lens as the lens rotates during focusing so you have to focus, switch to manual focus and rotate the CP to give the effect you want.

For a landscape lens upgrade when you are ready, the Canon 10-22 is great if you like really wide. Personally I went with the 17-40L as I felt the 10-22 was too extreme.

Another lens to consider - less costly - is the sigma 10-20mm lens.

I'd also advise have a look at The Digital Picture for a general education on the Canon system.

Markwvj wrote in post #2557517
as I am getting a bit older now

I kinda suspected that, based on the font size

If you get filters, get a good one... B+W or similair.

I would recommend a hood, since besides mechanical protection, it also helps against flare.

I'd suggest you try out the camera for a while with the kit lens, it's not as bad as many people lead you to believe, but it does have it's limitations. That way, you get to find out what you like: wider or longer, faster or slower aperture. Helps making a descision on next lenses.

There is a thread here full of samples from the kit lens. It clearly shows: "It's not what you've got, it's what you do with it."
More threads here and here.

A good tripod: Give Manfrotto a try. Most suggested are 055 and 190 I think.

Second René. Including learning on the kit lens. Here's a new DSLR owner doing good stuff with just hers.

For lanscape photography, there is no beating the kit lens for bang-for-the-buck. Stick with it, it posseses a lot more potential that most people care to admit (it's easy blaming inexpensive equipment for crappy photos ... the reality of the crappy photos typically has absolutely nothing to do with inexpensive equipment).

If I were shooting landscapes, I would look at graduated ND filters, a polarizer, and maybe a Red filter or two for black and white conversions.

If it were me, I would not chimp on the tripod. Outdoors, the slightest wind will push around a cheap tripod and ruin any and every photo. If it were me, I'd look to spend a minimum of $400 or more on a sturdy tripod. It's not important for you to have an expensive tripod head because you'll be doing little to no panning, but the tripod MUST be sturdy.

Bill

Anothe vote for starting with the kit lens, great value and quality for its price range. I have a few landscapes shots at the link below, that I shot with the kit lens. I just recently replaced it w/ the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8

I am learning a lot here, I want to thank you all for your input and the kit lens doesnt sound so bad now and my wife is happy because I won't spend too much money for a while anyway. I was impressed by Sarahs pictures with her kit lens she has an eye for this composition stuff for dang sure. I only hope I can get close to her in that respect. ANymore info you all have I am willing to soak up and learn from. Thank you all again!!!

Mark

The other guys answered the filter questions rather well so to address your other question, If by nature, you mean the little critters, than the kit lens just will not get you close enough unless you get a heard of buffalo come runnin' at ya. As a minimum I would look at one of the telephoto lenses. There are quite a few that will get you started. The 70-300IS USM is probably the best value as the 300mm on your XT gives you a effective 480mm telephoto. Its good for birding and smaller critters at maybe up to 100 yards, and the deer and antelope a bit farther than that. The 70-200L f4 is also a great value. If your looking into some serious critter watchin' there is always the 100-400L IS. Its way more expensive but has great IQ and the 400mm gives you an effective 640mm telephoto

Definitely keep the kit lens for a while, it is a pretty decent lens, no matter what others say. Also, it is a good range just to get to know your camera with. However, if you are like I was, pretty soon you will be longing for a new lens. For landscape, I would recommend the Canon 10-22mm or the Sigma 10-20mm. The sigma is cheaper as said earlier, and if you are planning to upgrade to a full frame body in the future, and want to have lenses that will carry over, the canon wont work, being EF-S so the sigma would be your best bet. But if you arent into the super w i d e angle, then I would go for the 17-40mm L or 24-105mm L. Both are very expensive, but they should be worth the price.
For filters, I recommend a polarizer for sure and a also definitely a graduated neutral density filter. I dont have one myself, but I find myself needing one all the time with nature plus I have heard great things about them.
I agree with the tripod...dont skimp. They are worth every cent to get a good one. It will make your pictures 100% better.
And congrats on the new camera and hobby and welcome to the forum.

The kit lens will suffice for your landscape work for a good deal of time. This gallery is all taken with the kit lens....

As to the circular polarizer - I have one for the kit lens and use it without any problems. Mines not an expensive filter for budgetary reasons but I do agree that if you use a filter get a good one. Otherwise all you have is a bad piece of glass on an OK lens.

I do not use a filter to 'protect' my lens. I use a hood or nothing.

You folks are good thats a fact. I was going to buy a cheap tripod because whats a tripod going to do it just holds your camera right?? Well from all your posts saying get a good one a good one it will be. The lens part you all are right, I need to learn what EXACTLY I need and save up and buy a good one. Yes critters are my ultimate goal. I love to camp in the Rockies and I see them all over as I hike and its part of the reason I bought the camera. So that being said maybe a 70-300 would be the right one, I will wait and learn thank you all for your help and I am going to stick around and absorb your wisdom if you don't mind. THanks again.... Mark

Hi Mark...welcome to POTN...lots of great information to be had here...ask a question and you are bound to get some good answers...this is a very sharp bunch of photographers. Definitely save your money for a good tripod...a cheap pod is an accident waiting to happen...not to mention not doing very well at the job you got it for to begin with.

Working with the lens you have for a while to see what it can and can't do will give you an idea of where you want to head as you gain experience. Buying a lens just on the say so of Joe Schmoe is seldom a good plan. You know better than anyone what you really hope to accomplish. Good luck, happy shooting and be sure to share some pictures!

Thanks for the warm welcome and all the great advice. I want to take GOOD pictures so badly. There have been photos on here that have brought tears to my eyes they were so beautiful. I want to be able to get that good, maybe someday. Dan thanks again and I will lurk around here and try and soak up all that I can and if I ever get dug out of the snow up here I will start taking some photos to show, (I will ask how to do that when the time comes). Please when I do post some critique them for I figure that is the only way I can learn to be better. Bless you all.... Mark V

If nothing else...hang on to it. When you sell your present body, the lens is a nice touch to get the next owner started.