Help the newbie?

I'm new to photography, etc., etc., I won't waste your time lol. Basically I was hoping someone could help me in the selection of an all-around lens for a Canon 10D. I like portraits, mainly, but I tend to shoot in lower than normal light (which, come to think of it, shouldn't be factored in as that's a flaw of my own...). I live in Missouri, if that's any indication of my typical shooting conditions. ANY help is much appreciated!

Thanks,

Henry Steele IV

Is price a consideration? What about focal length range (do you want a zoom)?

Here are some suggestions:

These are primes--equals no zoom or zoom with your feet--good portrait lenses, great image qualities, good in low light and relatively cheap: 50mm f/1.8 - about $75, 50mm f/1.4 - about $350, 85mm f/1.8 (a little long for a general use lens) - about $370.

If you want a zoom: zooms will not be as fast (good in low light) as the primes, they will be more expensive and compromise on image quality, but not much if you get a good one. I would choose either a 24-70mm f/2.8L - about $1050, 24-105 f/4L IS - about $1050. These are the same price but there is a tradeoff. The 24-105 is longer and has IS but it's slower (f/4 instead of f/2.8 ). As far as IQ goes these are pretty comparable.

Price is definitely a factor. But more-than-cheap recommendations for a second lens are helpful as well.

I do want zoom, but for a first lens it's not necessary. I was considering a 'nifty-fifty', but decided to consult here =].

The fact that you want to work in lower than normal light suggests that you need a fast lens and preferably with Image Stabilzer, because I assume from your intentions that there might well be a lot of it hand-held.

So, you need the fastest zoom lens with IS that you can afford, and I can recommend the 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

Hm. I'll check it out... and I've been looking at the 50 f/1.2 and 1.4 more and more... I'm intrigued.

The 50 1.2? Don't think it's worth the premium over the 1.4.

gooble wrote in post #3422872
The 50 1.2? Don't think it's worth the premium over the 1.4.

Especially if you consider yourself a 'newbie'.

You do realize there is almost a $1000 difference between the 50 f/1.2 and the f/1.4!!!

NarrowSoul,
If you can afford it for portraits I suggest the Canon 50mm f/1.4 over the f/1.8 because of better build, focus, bokeh and aperture. If you can't afford it then get the 50 f/1.8 you can always update later
Here is a classic link that shows both lens results -
Canon EF 50mm – F1.4 vs F1.8 MK IIby Wee Keng Hor <-- click to see

Mhm; the intrigue is mostly simple intrtgue, but I may be able to swing a 1.4... if not, 1.8 it is!