Attempting to save up, but what for?

So I've decided I want to save up my money as much as possible for a new lens. The only lens I have right now is the one listed in my signature (actually, the only equipment I have is listed in my signature). I'm very broke, but I want to turn that $20 sitting in my account (it'll be at least $100 after next week) into enough to buy a new lens (well, a used one in full working order). The problem is that there are so many options and people seem to love so many different lenses, I'm just not sure where to even start.

So I have my baby, the 60D, and the notoriously soft 18-135mm lens listed below, and a rather small but cozy bag to fit them into. I have room for one more lens in that bag and I'd love to make that happen by my birthday in late June at the latest. I also ordered some flash gels because I'm somewhat fanatical about playing with lighting and colors, so I am waiting on those to come in, too. That's my gear situation.

As far as what I like to shoot, currently I'm shooting anything picture-worthy because there just isn't much to shoot here. I don't do sports photography unless forced to (yes, I have been forced to, since the other option was losing my job), I tend to stray away from photojournalism in general, and go toward more random, artsy, whatever suits my fancy photography. I have been taking pictures of my cats a lot lately because they're the most interesting thing in a 10 mile radius, but I'm starting to feel rather like a crazy cat lady for it.

Ideally, I want to do some urban/street photography and travel photography, probably landscapes and architecture as well. This will become especially true if I get into the Peace Corps and/or AmeriCorps NCCC.

I'll also do anything people will pay me to do photography-wise (weddings, portraits, events, etc.).

Feel free to ask questions if you have them and suggest away. I'm not setting a budget because as someone who holds a degree in film (movies, and we actually worked with video far more), I know very well that good quality means paying the big bucks. Obviously, I prefer to save as much as possible, but I am willing to save up for as long as necessary to get what I really want instead of settling (ironically, I settled for the 60D initially, but now that I've used it, I don't consider it settling anymore because I love it too much).

Get a used nifty fifty. For the price you might as well. It will keep you occupied until you figure out what you really want.

Keep saving!!!! To get the best out of your camera you need the best glass....."L" (to suit your style)

I believe that you should get the best out your current lens 1st; just post some photos into C&C section, and lets guys in POTN to help you improve your skill.

Good luck

x_tan wrote in post #11602642
I believe that you should get the best out your current lens 1st; just post some photos into C&C section, and lets guys in POTN to help you improve your skill.

Good luck

This. But if you're dead set on a new lens, take Mazdaspeed's advice and get the 50mm f/1.8.

Don't be too quick to dismiss the 18-135 as being too soft; there are far worse. In the right hands, I've seen even the cheapest lenses produce impressive results. Lens quality only plays a very small part in the photographer's ability to capture a great photo.

Post some photos into C&C, and the people here will steer you in the right direction.

I don't recall saying I was hoping to buy a new lens next week, or even this month. I was thinking of a birthday present to myself come June, or a "holy crap, you actually got into the Peace Corps" present to myself come whenever that might end up happening, if it ends up happening at all. That'd make it something that could be put off until June 2012, even, depending on how that process goes.

Right now my finances are super tight, which means I have to start saving for things I want (like a new lens) months in advance, and I want to start to get some sort of a target in mind that I can aim for. In the mean time, I know a huge problem with my focus issues is that I can't tell if something is in focus because I need a new prescription for my glasses very badly. I'll be getting that before I get a new lens (like, next month or March-ish, probably).

Me posting anything in C&C is up in the air right now. My overall positivity has increased drastically over the last month, but my confidence is another story entirely. The potential of having anybody other than having a friend, family member, classmate, or professor see my photos scares the daylights out of me. Having stuff published at least once a week in the school newspaper nearly two years ago when I had way less confidence was something akin to torture.

Don't worry, we will be nice

* Edited*: As long as you don't start anything like 'I hate EF18-135mm f/3.5-5.6', POTN guy always nice; instead you post something like 'My 18-135mm 3.5-5.6 is very soft...' etc..., then people will post their BEST shot from their 18-135mm 3.5-5.6. And you can lean ton of good stuff from them.

BTW, don't need a good eyesight with AF

Hehe... You do when AF hates you. Actually, AF just hates my three black cats that often find themselves as the subject of my photography.

And I don't like hate threads and tend to avoid them like the plague, so if one is started under my name, that means my account got hacked. The worst I'll post is that the lens is the bane of my existence at the moment and could someone PLEASE help me with _______.

I do need to get my glasses prescription updated, though. I'm tired of not being able to read the word STOP on stop signs from more than 50 feet away.

I might go start a thread in C&C some time soon. Obviously, I'm still relatively new here, so I can't say for sure, but POTN folks do seem pretty genuinely nice, at least on here. If I do start a thread, please don't laugh at my post-processing. I am using a trial of PSE9 right now that feels extremely restrictive. GIMP used to run like a gem until my laptop went wonky and now GIMP just makes it unusable, and I can't actually afford anything, anyway. The PSE9 trial was just to settle my curiosity on the differences between it and full-blown PS. As far as DPP and that PictureStyleEditor thing my camera came with, I can't say I'm currently in the fan club.

Ok, if anyone is not nice, we will report them to moderator and get them banned

Like x_tan was saying, you don't have to have good eye sight for AF.

Why don't you start by showing us a couple samples of your cats and list the settings you used?

Moving subjects can be tough, especially indoors without the proper lighter. To get nice, sharp, and crisp images, you need to select a high shutter speed. Sometimes even 1/250th of a second may not be fast enough.

My buddy has the 18-135 and he loves it.

Kind regards

It's difficult to comment on the lens you have unless you post a couple of pictures - not test shots but proper photographs.

David

hmm. I am a big fan of fast primes. I like their superior IQ and low light versatility. The only problem is I need a few to make up for their lack of focal length versatility. For this reason, I try to find the best bang for the buck lenses.

As others have suggested, the 50 1.8 at $100 isn't a bad place to start. It is near normal (a little longer on your 60D though).

You might look at the Sigma 30 f1.4. Lots of people (especially here on this forum) consider this the best normal option on a crop body.

The Canon 85 f/1.8 and 100mm macro (non IS)are probably the best value I have found. Both very sharp, fast focus, great IQ, for less than $500.

Its tough to pick one best for all of the uses that you mentioned.

You could get a zoom or two and would likely be able to shoot just about everything you want without having to worry about choosing a prime with the best focal length.

I used to have the 17-55 IS but sold it in favor of primes. Lots of people consider this the best mid-range zoom for a crop body. Even better than the L alternatives like the 24-70 and the 24-105. You get f/2.8 and IS.

On the longer end of zooms, you can't really go wrong with any of the 70-200s. I have played with the f/4 IS version and absolutely LOVED it. Ken Rockwell describes it very well. Check out his review:
http://kenrockwell.com​/canon/lenses/index.ht​m

You might also have a look at The-Digital-Picture for advice and reviews:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/

I like to look at this list too:
http://www.bobatkins.c​om …est_canon_eos_l​enses.html

Finally, if you want to rent first, you might try here:
http://www.lensrentals​.com/for-canon

Good Luck!

something like a tamron 17-50 or canon 17-55 will be good as walk around around lense

Given your tight budget, I think most primes would be a bad choice given their limited flexibility focal length wise. Since you may be traveling and likely taking a lot of scenery shots, consider going wide. A good choice would be a 24-70 f2.8L. I know it's a lot of$, but when you buy good glass, you have it forever. Bodies will change, but glass stays with you. I have more than a few lenses and find my 24-70 to be my lens of choice.

50 1.8 on a budget