Newb question - how to get best quality out of 18-55 Kit Lens

I'm still on the learn curve with my new XT and 18-55mm kit lens, so forgive me for my newb questions.

My question is concerning portraits. I'm trying to get the most out of my 18-55mm. Assuming I'm outdoors with lots of light, what type of settings would yield the sharpest portraits? I haven't really got a solid grasp on the concepts of aperture, dof, focal length, etc. and how they all work together.

For example, would it be best to stand further away at 55mm or be closer at 18mm? And given that, should I set the aperture at the lowest number setting for that nice, blurred background (bokeh?)?

Certainly, I could experiment with different settings but I'd rather get an understanding of the concepts specific to what I'm shooting instead of haphazardly changing things, maybe getting lucky, but probably leaving some quality on the table.


Thanks in advance. And, yes, I'm looking at getting a 50mm 1.8 prime.

every lense has a "sweet spot" for the most part you have to just play with it.
start at F8 of so and start somewhere mid focal range and go from there is my advice.

Anyone else have any advice?

Jump on it....hard...

Nah just jokes. I haven't been playing long either and I have the 350D with the same kit lens. Lots of light is one good start. Bracket exposure is another.

When I first picked up the camera I didn't have a clue about f-stops, DOF etc so what I did in the early days was when I wanted to take a shot of something, I would take 1 at say 18mm, one at 30mm then one at 55mm all on full auto to see how the camera chose what to use ( check the info through the on-screen menu )
It gave me a start on what to use and when - unfortunately you just have to experiment...lots....a​nd if you don't have a great memory for details, make notes. You won't need them for long but I found them great for a quick prompt if a shot wasn't working ( aaahhhh....I forgot to change the WB *smacks own forehead*)
As for the specifics of the lens - sorry, cant's answer. It became apparent very quickly that I needed better glass to take better quality photos - so I got some. Unfortunately now it seems the camera can't keep up with the lenses...on and on it goes!!!!

Keep reading...

There's not any magic setting that will work for every picture you take. Like rabbits said, just practice and play around with it... experience is the best teacher.

I've found our two kit lenses to work real well in the f7.1 to f11 range. It works everywhere, it just works a whole bunch better in that range. You're not going to be able to really control your DOF that well with the kit lens. It's just not a good low-light piece.

Generally you should stay away from the wide end for portraits. 55mm would be my choice, it will be more flattering for the average face.

Your lighting will do a lot for your portraits. It's the key.

I have the kit lens, and if I could, I would not use it for portrait at all. But if I have to, I would use about f5.6 or even smaller (f7.1 to f11 like Titus213 said) at about 40'smm, definitely not 18 because I know my lens is not sharp at all at that focal lenght. Make sure you have a lot of light and try not to use flash. You will not get good DOF because of the above apature so stay away from distracting background. The reason for not using wide apature on this lens is that it is not sharp at all.

That lens will take great pictures for you. However, indoors presents it's challenges. Mhardy is exactly right. When I used the kit lens, I believe the "sweet spot" was f/5.6-f/8 on mine. Practice by taking multiple of the same shot at different apatures, until you find the limits of your lens. Try shooting in AV mode. "haphazzard" is one thing but systematic is another.

You can get some nice results with the kit lens, it's all about the light. Don't worry about the distance of the shot to much but more the composition of the shot. You can crop an image later.

I have a friend who used to be a professional photographer. Street photography is his passion. He has a bag full of expensive lenses and every time we go out, he uses the kit lens. His pics are amazing.

My lens performs well in a aperture range of f/5.6 to f/11.
Avoid using it at the extreme ends that is at 18mm and 55mm.
Mine gives good sharpness at 28mm to 50mm.

Keep the light behind you. That lens suffers greatly when the sun is shining on it. I have good results indoors with flash.

Great feedback everybody, thanks!! I think I've got a really good starting point now. From here, as stated, I'll have to experiment. I can't wait to take some shots

mrludecrs wrote in post #2565913
Great feedback everybody, thanks!! I think I've got a really good starting point now. From here, as stated, I'll have to experiment. I can't wait to take some shots

Don't be scared to get out and take a few hundred shots. That's the beauty of digital!

Good luck

ilovemycamera wrote in post #2566781
Don't be scared to get out and take a few hundred shots. That's the beauty of digital!

Good luck

I really have to get a bigger card! 256mb gets me only ~70 shots!

Now is the time to buy cards.Nice and cheap at the moment.I'm in the same boat as you.Just bought the 400D but i got a 2gb card for mine so hopefully will be adequate for the time being

mrludecrs wrote in post #2566946
I really have to get a bigger card! 256mb gets me only ~70 shots!

Adorama has some great deals on memory cards intil the 31st! Look for the mail-in rebates!!