DSLR Camera Ladies re: lenses?

JillBean78 · December 2010

Okay, so after doing some research I realize the "kit" lens that comes with the camera isn't the bestest. Now I kinda wish I'd just bought the body and bought a different lens, oh well. It is still a decent lens, but now I understand a few things and know it doesn't let as much light in.

Anyways, I'm thinking of getting a 50mm f1.8, they are $99 and a friend recommend it as a good lens to get because it is cheaper and lets more light in and takes good pictures. I know that the only drawback is that I am now the zoom, haha.

Also, recommend a good lens that I should put on my "wish list" and save up for. Something that I should get after I take a class or two and get familiar with using the camera.

Flashes?? I was thinking of getting a light scoop, they are $29???? thoughts???? I do have the pop up flash, but honestly I hate the freaking flash, I am sure the reason it pops up constantly is because the kit lens isn't allowing enough natural light in while I am inside.

houndbaby · December 2010

To be honest, I don't really see the point in getting a new lens until you are not shooting in auto, because I don't think you will see a difference. Even if the 50mm does allow more light in, the camera may choose a setting like f/1.8 and 1/30 of a second and you will get motion blur instead of a photo with pop up flash which is almost worse. The 50mm is a good focal length, but it doesn't give a ton of room indoors on a cropped sensor camera. Try zooming your lens you have to 55mm and keep it like that for awhile and see how well you like that focal length. But $100 isn't much. If I were you I would look into the Tamrom 24-70 (I think). If your going to get a speedlight it's not worth it unless you get one that you can rotate the head on and I think with Canon that's the 430ex. They aren't cheap, and there is definitely a learning curve to it when figuring out how to bounce the flash. The lightscoop isn't bad, and is a cheap alternative, the drawback is that you are kind of limited to shooting landscape style and you really need to be shooting where there are white/cream walls or you will find that your photos have a color contrast to them.

JillBean78 · December 2010

did you take a class somewhere? or just practice a bunch at home?

I practiced shooting out of auto mode a bunch last night.

houndbaby · December 2010

I learned to shoot in manual in high school on an old film camera, so it's been second nature to me for years. So I knew all the basics before I taught myself knew things or techniques at home. You need to really know how your ISO, shutter speed and aperture work together before venturing into manual for it all to make sense and to get the results you want. Blindly choosing setting won't do much better than auto. Aperture priority or Shutter priority can be a good place to start too. If you don't have it, check out or buy Understanding Exposure.

JillBean78 · December 2010

thanks, i will wait on a lens then

i might buy the lightscoop though because it is cheap

i requested that book from the library though, i'm sure it is much better than the manual that came with the camera, lol

houndbaby · December 2010

The manual for the camera is definitely a keeper since it tells you what all the buttons do

And FWIW I have taken some really beautiful lanscape pictures with my kit lenses, there is something to be said for better lenses or else I wouldn't use them for portraits, but knowing how to use the camera has more to do with how your photos turn out than anything else, IMO.

Merin · December 2010

Ditto all of what hound said. I played around with my camera quite a bit before I invested in different lenses, a flash, etc. Understanding Exposure is a great book.

And seriously, I learned a lot by just shooting, and trial & error. Once you know the basics of what the settings mean, just play around with them. Take a picture, then change one of the settings, take another shot, change another setting, take another shot. It's a good way to see exactly what those settings change in your photos.

I'd say a lightscoop is good for now. Once you're out of auto modes, the flash won't pop up automatically anymore though, so you can control when you use it.

Once you're ready to purchase lenses, the 'nifty fifty' is a great place to start. That was my first additional lens too. I also have the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 (http://tinyurl.com/34uzevf), and the 430ex flash (http://tinyurl.com/38ah4jm)

Get a decent bag too. You definitely want to protect your camera.

JillBean78 · December 2010

I didn't mean I wasn't going to keep the manual or use it Stick out tongue

But the book would obviously be more in depth in explaining things for me

Auto mode isn't horrible, it for sure takes pictures a bazillion times better than my point & shoot. But I want to learn how the camera works and everything because like you said knowing how to use it makes the difference. I'm not trying to go pro here or anything, but I do want to be able to take really good everyday pictures of Davis and the dog ) LOL

I just cannot believe the amazing difference in photos between this and my P&S. My P&S pictures were always fuzzy and funky, the colors would be way off with it when I'd use the flash. Even though I'm not a huge fan of this pop of flash, it doesn't throw things off as much as the flash on the P&S.

I even caught this great picture yesterday of Davis dropping a toy mid air and there was no trail, it is great!! It looks like his little toy is frozen in time.

houndbaby · December 2010

And I'm not anti auto mode for everyday around the house, snapping random pictures of the kids. I do that, it's not always convenient to be running off to find your flash and put batteries in it

Punk*Mommy · December 2010

Light scoop= waste of money.

You can only use them in certain conditions... you're better off finding a used Canon 430 EX on Ebay... it will give you so much more freedom.

I have lens recs but they're pricy... I'd try a Canon 28-70mm f/2.8L, those are one of my favorite lenses. The 35mm L is also another good one.

Pretty much if it comes in L glass version, it's a great lens and worth the money. You usually can't go wrong.

Punk*Mommy · December 2010

...and as far as a lightscoop is concerned, there will be different schools of thought. Some people think they're great... I personally don't think it's that hard to use a 430 instead and it's not hard to pull out in a jiffy.

JillBean78 · December 2010

Thanks Ladies!!!! I am bookmarking this so I can refer back later when I'm ready to invest in a bigger lens, gulp!! LOL They cost more than my camera. I will probably invest in the $99 50MM lens after Christmas or in the Spring.

Right now I'm just going to play around and get used to it, I requested that book from the library, should be in this week.

Poor Jeff thought he was just investing in a $479 camera, little does he know what he got into now )

Punk - thanks for the Ebay tip, love Ebay. Do you recommend buying lenses on Ebay??

Can anyone recommend a good local class to take? I've heard that the one at TBG is a good one.

Punk*Mommy · December 2010

I've bought quite a few lenses off Ebay and never had a problem. Just make sure you're buying from a reputable seller and ask a lot of questions.

allobosc · December 2010

We need a DSLR gtg so I can learn how to properly use mine!

DSLR Camera Ladies re: lenses?

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