New user - First 2 lenses

Hi. I have a camera body with not so great kit lens.

I was wondering what 2 good first lenses would be. I don't have alot so spend, maybe around 250-400, and want something with around 2.8f

Thanks for your input

What camera body and what "not so great kit lens" do you have? It is kind of important to know.

As far as blindly answering your question the lenses I would recommend are:

Canon 50mm f/1.8 MkII - $100
-absolutely great prime lens, great for portraits/indoor/low light shots

Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS - $170
-only get this if your kit lens is truely crap
OR
Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC Macro - $370
OR
Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD - $400
-great lens if you can swing the extra cash

You need to let us know what you have now. If it's the 18-55 non-IS or the 75-300 non-IS, yes, you can get better lenses that are w/in your budget. If you've got a 28-135 IS or a 17-85 IS, you're going to be hard pressed to find better zooms w/in your budget. I would pick up a 50 f/1.8 II They're $85 new on Amazon, and usually go for between $65 and $75 on here. If you want something longer than the 50, that's at least f/2.8, look at the 100 f/2 or the 135 f/2.8. They're both w/in your budget, although the 100 f/2 is on the high end, and doesn't leave anything for the 50.

Mk1Racer wrote in post #7592602

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You need to let us know what you have now. If it's the 18-55 non-IS or the 75-300 non-IS, yes, you can get better lenses that are w/in your budget. If you've got a 28-135 IS or a 17-85 IS, you're going to be hard pressed to find better zooms w/in your budget. I would pick up a 50 f/1.8 II They're $85 new on Amazon, and usually go for between $65 and $75 on here. If you want something longer than the 50, that's at least f/2.8, look at the 100 f/2 or the 135 f/2.8. They're both w/in your budget, although the 100 f/2 is on the high end, and doesn't leave anything for the 50.

Hah, my brother in law just purchased that for my sister. They are getting into photography and have a toddler niece to take practice pictures on.

You can't get two f2.8 lenses for $250-400 total that will make up a good kit.

my first two lens was the canon 50 1.8 and sigma 70-300. good prime and decent telephoto.

I have a 450D with the 18-55 IS. I don't really like the lens and plan on selling it. I do alot of hiking/outdoor stuff.

I would look at the canon 50mm for about $80 and the canon 55-250is for around $300 but have to ask why you don't like the 18-55. I didn't like mine at first then I discovered how to use the camera and found that what I didn't like wasn't the lens fault.

Mike

trmwf wrote in post #7594079
I would look at the canon 50mm for about $80 and the canon 55-250is for around $300 but have to ask why you don't like the 18-55. I didn't like mine at first then I discovered how to use the camera and found that what I didn't like wasn't the lens fault.

Mike

well, the kit lens seems a bit fuzzy, and it's hard to get a crisp shot. Even with the IS on and with a fast shutter speed. Things just look "flat" and not much better than a P&S lens.

Are you shooting it wide open? How much light is there? I agree that the 18-55 IS is rather mediocre... some people have gotten decent results with theirs, though

As mentioned, you can only get so much for so little money. However, you can get 2 good lenses to start with: ef-s 18-55 IS and ef-s 55-250 IS.

450 a little money! I don't know what country you live in but mine's in a recession...lol

deming wrote in post #7594868
450 a little money! I don't know what country you live in but mine's in a recession...lol

Welcome to the wonderful world of quality optics. This gets to be a _really_ expensive hobby, if you get serious about it, and you're not making any money from it.

deming wrote in post #7594195
well, the kit lens seems a bit fuzzy, and it's hard to get a crisp shot. Even with the IS on and with a fast shutter speed. Things just look "flat" and not much better than a P&S lens.

FYI... it has been proven that IS should be turned off at high shutter speeds, and on a tripod because it causes movements within the lens when it is not needed..

Surprised no-one has asked what you shoot as that would determine what length lenses to get, but you are going to struggle to get two lense for that budget. I'd concentrate on one for the time being and come back later.

Depending upon what focal length you opt for, I'd consider the 85mm f1.8 ... rave reviews everywhere you look.