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Canon Rebel T3 HELP

Bryan
Apprentice
Hi I recently bought a brand new Canon T3 rebel. It came with two lenses but i would like something better quality. I was recently at an aquarium and this lady asked if i could take a picture of them since we had the same camera. The camera felt kind of heavier but I didn't want to check the lens to see what kind it was. The camera felt kind of heavy though. So I guess my question is what lens would be best for shooting portraits, landscape and up close wildlife
1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION


@Bryan wrote:
Hey Skirball, is this the lens you were talking about?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00005K47X/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1377038781&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX110_SY165
Another question is would you recomend buying one from amazon or ebay or just go to a local store?

Yup, that's the one.  It's not the best lens compared to a lot of other similar options but it performs quite well relative to its price.  I like buy refurbished from Canon for more expensive lenses when it can save me some cash, but for a lens this cheap you probably should just buy new.  I wouldn’t buy through grey market, for $25 more you can get it brand new, from Amazon, Prime shipping, with a warranty.

 

That said, I’m a big fan of Sigma too.  I don’t know that I’d go for the 50-150 as your first non-kit lens though.  My first non-kit lens was a Sigma 17-70, and I felt like it was a big jump up from the kit lens – which broke, so I had to upgrade.  They have a new version with a bit wider aperture (2.8 – 4), it would probably fit your requirements pretty good and be in your budget.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-17-70mm-2-8-4-Canon-Digital/dp/B002ZNJB32/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

 

Looks like they also have a constant 2.8 17-50.  I don’t know much about that one, but looks like a decent piece of glass close to your budget.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-17-50mm-2-8-Aperture-Canon/dp/B003A6H27K/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

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9 REPLIES 9

Skirball
Authority

There is no perfect lens. What's your budget?  Do you want one lens to do it all?

 

You can use just about any lens for landscape, some like wide angle, others telephoto.  In general it's nice to have a zoom to allow more flexibility in composition.

 

Portrait lenses traditionally have a large aperture for a soft look and to allow more flexibilty with light.  But just about any lens can take a portrait too.  Primes (no zoom) are popular because they're often very sharp, fast, light and you don't really need the flexibility of zoom for portraiture.

 

Usually people want telephotos for wildlife (although you say up close).  Good telephotos cost $$$.

 

The lenses that came with your camera are fine if there is plenty of light, but you'll really see their shortcomings in something like indoor aquarium.  I recommend you do some research to see what you want, but the Canon 50mm 1.8 is a common first non-kit lens for a lot of people because it costs next to nothing, lets in a lot of light, and is reasonably sharp given it's cost.  Other people might argue that the $100 could go into the cost of a better lens...  they're right, but you never know what you're going to like.  I have lens filter that cost $100, it's a nominal cost to see if you like primes.

You can also see this, and I'm sure there are plenty more like it if you search:

 

http://forums.usa.canon.com/t5/Lenses/what-lens-is-best-for-canon-550d/m-p/37263#U37263

Thank you very much for your input. My budget is resonable, I could spend up to 400 on something nice that i could use for different scenarios. I will check out that link you shared with me.
For example i have a family birthday coming up in october that they want me to take pictures. So it will most likely be indoors with good lighting.. Any ideas which lens i could use for this?
Bryan

Hey Skirball, is this the lens you were talking about?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00005K47X/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1377038781&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX110_SY165
Another question is would you recomend buying one from amazon or ebay or just go to a local store?


@Bryan wrote:
Hey Skirball, is this the lens you were talking about?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00005K47X/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1377038781&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX110_SY165
Another question is would you recomend buying one from amazon or ebay or just go to a local store?

Yup, that's the one.  It's not the best lens compared to a lot of other similar options but it performs quite well relative to its price.  I like buy refurbished from Canon for more expensive lenses when it can save me some cash, but for a lens this cheap you probably should just buy new.  I wouldn’t buy through grey market, for $25 more you can get it brand new, from Amazon, Prime shipping, with a warranty.

 

That said, I’m a big fan of Sigma too.  I don’t know that I’d go for the 50-150 as your first non-kit lens though.  My first non-kit lens was a Sigma 17-70, and I felt like it was a big jump up from the kit lens – which broke, so I had to upgrade.  They have a new version with a bit wider aperture (2.8 – 4), it would probably fit your requirements pretty good and be in your budget.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-17-70mm-2-8-4-Canon-Digital/dp/B002ZNJB32/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

 

Looks like they also have a constant 2.8 17-50.  I don’t know much about that one, but looks like a decent piece of glass close to your budget.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-17-50mm-2-8-Aperture-Canon/dp/B003A6H27K/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

ebiggs1
Legend
Legend

"So I guess my question is what lens would be best for shooting portraits, landscape and up close wildlife"

 


With in reason, as stated above, no one lens is perfect for all shots, but possibly the best buy for a Rebel series camera is the Sigma AF 50-150mm f2.8 EX DC HSM. It is a truly fantastic lens for crop sensors. And although expensive, not a real budget buster.Smiley Happy

EB
EOS 1DX and 1D Mk IV and less lenses then before!

Holy cow i will deff. will be buying that sigma AF 50-150mm f2.8 Ex DC HSM. That thing is a monster!! LOL Would you recomend using this lens MAINLY for landscape?

"Would you recomend using this lens MAINLY for landscape?"

 

Although the Siggy is a fantastic lens, landscape will not be it's forte'. It will take landscape pictures, certainly, but there would be better choices for that. Exactly why we have said, one lens isn't going to get everything the best it can be.

The other attributes of this lens, compared to others in this category, make it a standout.

It gives you the popular, roughly, 70-200mm focal length, on your camera. This lens lives on my 7D.

EB
EOS 1DX and 1D Mk IV and less lenses then before!

ebiggs1
Legend
Legend

"… aquarium …, … camera felt kind of heavier …, ... best for shooting portraits, landscape and up close wildlife."

 

This is what you mentioned. The Siggy is fast, for indoor stuff like “aquariums”, it is deffinantly heavier. It is a pretty good portrait lens although a little long and it does wildlife very well. Maybe not really close up but I didn't know what your budget is.

There is a Sigma 1.4x teleconverter, not too expensive, which would help in that area.

It is the best bang for the buck in this class of lens.

EB
EOS 1DX and 1D Mk IV and less lenses then before!
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