Do I really need a lens?

As many of you know from my other threads I've been posting about the trip to the French Quarters NO. and I was wondering if I really need a new lens and not use my kit lens for snap shot type of photo's?

I'd think that based on the area, you'll probably enjoy some nightlife. With the kit lens, you'll be seriously limiting yourself anytime after sunset. If you can't afford to buy a new lens, how about renting one? I rented a nice lens for my vacation and it was money very well spent.

AndreaBFS wrote in post #5437737
I'd think that based on the area, you'll probably enjoy some nightlife. With the kit lens, you'll be seriously limiting yourself anytime after sunset. If you can't afford to buy a new lens, how about renting one? I rented a nice lens for my vacation and it was money very well spent.

I heard you could rent a lens and flashes but I don't have a store in Michigan that allows me too. Well I've never asked to rent before so I might want to check into it.

Really the kit lens is that bad, because I've taken some good snaps with it before too far and a few apart though.

The kit lens is OK for outdoors in plenty of light, but it is the bottom rung of the ladder and honestly, you'd probably be just as "OK" with a point and shoot with more reach and a lot less to carry around. Using an SLR with the kit lens, to me, seems like underkill. I rented my lens from http://www.borrowlense​s.com and had a really good experience with them.

AndreaBFS wrote in post #5437882
The kit lens is OK for outdoors in plenty of light, but it is the bottom rung of the ladder and honestly, you'd probably be just as "OK" with a point and shoot with more reach and a lot less to carry around. Using an SLR with the kit lens, to me, seems like underkill. I rented my lens from http://www.borrowlense​s.com and had a really good experience with them.

Thank you Ma'am. But I'm saving all my money for the trip in september to LA, NO French Quarters. And I really don't want to buy a p&s and I've all ways heard use what you got? but will big camera shops allow renting?

I'm not suggesting you buy a point and shoot. I'm just saying that you might not see such a "wow" factor from your SLR and kit lens that it would justify you carrying it around. I don't know if any shops in your area rent lenses. None of the shops in this area do.

borrowlenses.com or lensrentals.com are both very reasonably priced to rent from.

AndreaBFS wrote in post #5437976
I'm not suggesting you buy a point and shoot. I'm just saying that you might not see such a "wow" factor from your SLR and kit lens that it would justify you carrying it around. I don't know if any shops in your area rent lenses. None of the shops in this area do.

I see what you mean. And thank you very much Ma'am. I'll check out that site and I will have to rent it for 2 weeks.

but mainly I will be taking photo's of the people and buildings, so I'll end up renting a wide angle lens.

Instead of throwing away $100 or whatever on renting a lens, why not just get the Sigma 24-60 f/2.8 off amazon for $220?

DStanic wrote in post #5439300
Instead of throwing away $100 or whatever on renting a lens, why not just get the Sigma 24-60 f/2.8 off amazon for $220?

That won't be wide enough for shooting buildings on a crop camera.

To the OP: For daytime general purpose shooting, the kit lens will serve you well. It's not a stunner in comparison with the pro lenses, and so you'll have a bunch of people queuing up to recommend you this or that L. Sure, the Ls are better than the kit, but you have to cut your coat to suit your cloth.

You need to think about this from a point of view of value. Can you afford to buy the 17-55 2.8IS, which is almost certainly the most appropriate lens? If not, what about the 10-22, which will give you creative freedom? If buying is out of the question, can you afford to rent? Don't forget to check out the rental places both where you are now and in NO. You could rent for one of the two weeks from a local camera shop in NO, rather than picking it up at home, travelling with it, and returning it when you get home. On the same vein, this would allow you to rent a couple of lenses during the vacation.

Only you can answer the value question, because only you can assess the affordability, and what you may have to give up to get better glass. The glass doesn't make the holiday though, don't forget.

If you ask this forum, everybody needs a new lens!

your kit lens stops focusing when it gets near dark unless you are wearing a flash

Test? The "night shots" I like the most have been taken before it's completely dark & there is still some glow in the sky. Take some shots around your town, both after dark & during evening twilight. See how they come out.

Lets See Your 30 sec. exposures

Try some on "M" at different settings, keeping in mind that the cams meter wants to make night gray & the lights in the shots gray, too.
Start with this link & modify your exposures to compensate. Take notes & you'll be OK on the trip.
First set the f-stop & shutter speed you need. Then adjust the ISO.
Need an exposure crutch?
More on how the subject affects the exposure & why manual keeps me worry free:
Post #47

DerekRob wrote in post #5437548
As many of you know from my other threads I've been posting about the trip to the French Quarters NO. and I was wondering if I really need a new lens and not use my kit lens for snap shot type of photo's?

It is entirely up to you. If you KNOW you will benefit from better glass then yes. If you find you have not reached your potential with it or feel you have room for improvement then stick with it.

As much as I am for saying yes to new glass, I say only when it is needed.

You give good advice and its kind of making my mind spin. These photos will be mostly for my pilgrimage into the delta blues and for my personal enjoyment.

have you ever shot in the dark before? if not... practice with your kit lens...it's widest apeture is 3.5 which WILL work @ ISO1600 but expect to get noise with high contrast shots. the only real thing you'll be missing with that it lens is the zoom range.

good luck... practice practice practice