Which lens first?

Hi all,

I've had my Rebel XTI and Speedlite since late last year and am now planning to buy lenses. Mostly I photograph my kid and my dogs. I do a lot of dog agility on weekends and would like to be able to shoot indoors and out at competitions, and my kid has a lot of indoor and outdoor activities too. Also, if the snow ever melts, we have a lot of great wildlife in our backyard and I want to photograph that as well. And we travel a bit ... I don't have a huge budget, but I think I know what I want: to replace the kit lens with a 17-55 IS f2.8, and to add both an 85-1.8 and a 70-300 IS USM (although I'll look at the new 55-250 before making a final decision). My problem is: what to start with? I can do one of the above right now and the other two gradually, but can't decide which to start with. I'd love to have more range, but on the other hand I'm realizing the limitations of the kit lens and would like to replace it. Suggestions?

ceegee wrote in post #5223456
I don't have a huge budget, but I think I know what I want: to replace the kit lens with a 17-55 IS f2.8, and to add both an 85-1.8 and a 70-300 IS USM (although I'll look at the new 55-250 before making a final decision)

All very good choices. It looks like you have been doing your homework.

You mentioned alot of good lenses. Before you finalize your decision, check out places like Lozeau who has an extensive selection and test and compare for yourself.

ceegee wrote in post #5223456
Hi all,

I've had my Rebel XTI and Speedlite since late last year and am now planning to buy lenses. Mostly I photograph my kid and my dogs. I do a lot of dog agility on weekends and would like to be able to shoot indoors and out at competitions, and my kid has a lot of indoor and outdoor activities too. Also, if the snow ever melts, we have a lot of great wildlife in our backyard and I want to photograph that as well. And we travel a bit ... I don't have a huge budget, but I think I know what I want: to replace the kit lens with a 17-55 IS f2.8, and to add both an 85-1.8 and a 70-300 IS USM (although I'll look at the new 55-250 before making a final decision). My problem is: what to start with? I can do one of the above right now and the other two gradually, but can't decide which to start with. I'd love to have more range, but on the other hand I'm realizing the limitations of the kit lens and would like to replace it. Suggestions?

17-55 IS + 70-200L f2.8 IS. add fast primes if you need them .

ed rader

First off this: If you still have the kit lens and haven't used fast lenses in the past, you don't know what your pain really is. There is *nothing* as marvelous as a fast lens, and that goes triple for indoor and/or low light photography. Many don't realize that a fast lens pays two dividends: Faster shutter speeds in low light, and faster/more reliable autofocus. The second you think you can live with until you try to get some action shots, and your slower lens leisurely focuses all the way to infinity and back to where it came from, and then blinks a missed-focus indicator at you. By the time you are done struggling with the manual focus, the moment or situation is gone. If this happens every third shot, you will be ready to throw your slow lens at the next wall. That said, there are few focal length ranges as versatile as the 17/18-50/55mm range. I'd say get the 17-55mm f/2.8 first. This lens is such a marvelous combination of quality, versatility and usability, that it's a keeper, regardless of what you do later. After that, look at your selections for speed, especially if you expect to be mostly indoors or in artificial light. Remember that you can always take a fast lens outside, but not a slow lens inside.

My advice, rent all of them for a week or two and take them to a dog event. I've had spectacular luck with www.lensrentals.com

"First off this: If you still have the kit lens and haven't used fast lenses in the past, you don't know what your pain really is. There is *nothing* as marvelous as a fast lens, and that goes triple for indoor and/or low light photography."

Thanks, guys. The 17-55 it is. In fact I do have some idea of the pain, having tried to shoot agility indoors with the kit lens ... And I'll save up for the 70-300 or 55-250 later this summer, in time for some wildlife shots in the fall.

ed rader wrote in post #5223539
17-55 IS + 70-200L f2.8 IS. add fast primes if you need them .

ed rader

I was thinking 17-55 IS + 70-200L f/4 IS since the f/4 would be around the same price as the combo of the 70-300 and 85 f/1.8.

While the 55-250mm IS is a great lens, stay away from it if you will use it indoors... you will be disappointed indoors with it and amazed outdoors...

I ended up getting the 55-250 mm IS; the price meant I could buy right away. I won't be using it indoors, but I'm having fun with it outdoors. Can't wait for the snow to melt so I can try it out on some dog sports. It seems like a good choice for a first longer-reach zoom and I love the light weight; it's become my walkabout lens this week and is very easy to manage. Also, if ever I decide to change for the 70-300, it seems like it'll be fairly easy to sell. Next week I'm going back to the store for my 17-55 IS, which is included in Canon's Canadian spring rebate program, so there's $100 off the usual price.

let me know how you like the 55-250 because i might buy one too.