https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 04 Apr 2026 04:32:37 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-first-dslr-need-lens-suggestions#post-1734306 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 13:06:06 +0000 BSB 1734306@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Shutterbug: @Adira: @thismustbetheplace: I was going through threads with no replies and decided to bump this one.</p> <p>Great advice on this thread. Maybe I'll rent one and/ or maybe I'll keep my eye out for a 35mm. I'll add it to my never ending baby wish list. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-first-dslr-need-lens-suggestions#post-1734234 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 12:39:11 +0000 lamariniere 1734234@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would go with the kit lens 18-55 since you are a beginner and then I would buy a 35mm fixed lens, either f1.8 or f1.4 depending on your budget. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-first-dslr-need-lens-suggestions#post-1734139 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 12:11:11 +0000 sunny 1734139@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would buy the highest quality/fastest lens you can afford. </p> <p>Fast = widest aperture (1.2, 1.4, 1.8, 2.8, 4.0, 5.6, etc.) &lt;-- Lower numbers are better</p> <p>The 18-55 is f/3.5-5.6 with image stabilization<br /> The 18-135 is also f/3.5-5.6 with image stabilization</p> <p>If the price is equal and weight is not a factor, then I'd go with the one with greater range.</p> <p>But if Lens A was f/2.8-5.6 and Lens B were f/3.5-5.6, I'd go with lens A. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-first-dslr-need-lens-suggestions#post-1734076 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 11:46:08 +0000 Adira 1734076@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Shutterbug: Oh, haha, good call! I didn't even realize this thread was 5 weeks old and she may have already decided on a camera to start taking pictures of her brand new baby!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-first-dslr-need-lens-suggestions#post-1734073 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 11:45:39 +0000 PurplePumps 1734073@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My T3 came with a 18-55 and I wanted a zoom lens for vacations so I bought a 18-200, but then that lens broke so I was looking for replacements and thought I wanted a zoom again. But when I went back and looked through my pictures, I'd say they were 95% 18-50 and I never even used that extra range, so I'd say the 18-55 is a good general purpose lens. For portraits though, I'd definitely invest in a good prime. I started with the 50mm 1.8, but I hated it. For a crop frame with the canon rebels are, it was just much too zoomed for me and I had to be too far from the subject. I got a sigma 30mm 1.4 now and love it. Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't even waste the $100 on the 50mm, and save up the $300-350 for the 30mm. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-first-dslr-need-lens-suggestions#post-1734058 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 11:39:20 +0000 Shutterbug 1734058@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LAZB: I agree with your DH about renting (I use borrowlenses.com), I've done that for vacations before where I just want a nicer lens for once in a lifetime type pics. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-first-dslr-need-lens-suggestions#post-1734053 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 11:36:48 +0000 Shutterbug 1734053@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know @thismustbetheplace: is not reading this, since she just had a baby (congrats!!) but I agree with everything that @Adira: said about prime lenses (and reasons why you might not like them) and needing low aperture.</p> <p>For me personally, I started with a kit that gave me an 18-55 and a 75-300 (I think, roughly). That was perfect to start, but I quickly learned that I couldn't take good indoor pics without the flash (and flash=ugly pics, imo). Then I got the 50 1.8 because it was so cheap ($100), but like Adira said, it didn't work well for my cropped sensor camera... unless you were taking detail shots of say, a baby's nose, you'd have to be out of arms reach, or for group shots you'd have to be clear across the room to get everyone in it. Once I had more experience and $$, I got a Tamron 17-50 2.8, which was the perfect combo for me, because (like Adira's DH) I liked the ability to zoom, it zooms out far enough to get wide shots, and the aperture is low (2.8 is plenty low enough for most indoor situations). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-first-dslr-need-lens-suggestions#post-1734036 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 11:30:01 +0000 LAZB 1734036@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know anything about lenses, but DH is really into photography, and I know he recommends renting lenses before buying to see if you like them. It is relatively inexpensive, and give you the chance to get a feel for the lense before committing.<br /> Ps, I just asked him, and he said 50mm prime </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-first-dslr-need-lens-suggestions#post-1734026 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 11:26:52 +0000 Adira 1734026@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I should add, my husband HATES my prime lenses because he's soooooo used to the ability to zoom in and out, which you'll get with both the 18-55 and 18-135 lenses. And I'll admit, it does take a little getting used to with a prime lens to just move your feet to get the picture you're wanting (which can be hard or impossible if you're inside and constricted).</p> <p>@thismustbetheplace: Are the costs the same for the 18-55 vs the 18-135? If so, then you might as well get the 18-135 since you'll be able to same the same kinds of pictures (close range) AND have the ability to zoom in. If the 18-135 is more expensive, then I'd suggest going with the 18-55 and putting the savings towards a better lens once you have an idea of what you like and want. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-first-dslr-need-lens-suggestions#post-1734016 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 11:20:41 +0000 kes18 1734016@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you want to do some baby portraits/pictures definitely the 50mm f/1.8 by Canon. It's a really good price for beginners at $100 (they make a nicer version that is about $300). I'm only figuring it out now since it just arrived. </p> <p>But I'd recommend that (or some of the other expensive ones) until you get more advanced, I wouldn't spend too much until you get more familiar with everything. I do agree with above poster, with 50mm sometimes I wish I could zoom out a bit so I could see how the 35mm would be fantastic but I will make do for now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-first-dslr-need-lens-suggestions#post-1733968 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 11:00:00 +0000 Adira 1733968@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My Canon T2i came with the 18-55mm lens, and that was pretty good as a beginner. The majority of my photos are of Xander though, so I ended up wanting a prime lens with a good aperture (the 50mm f/1.8 is a great beginner prime lens) and then I pretty much used that exclusively until I splurged on the 35mm f/2.0 lens which is now the only one I use.</p> <p>For indoor shots, you'll want a lens that can open wide (has a low f-stop, like the f/1.8, etc) so you can get as much light in as possible. For outdoor shots, that won't be as important unless you take pictures at night.</p> <p>I rarely zoom IN, so going to 135mm would not appeal to me at all. With the 50mm prime, I often wanted to zoom OUT and couldn't, which is why I made the switch to the 35mm. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-first-dslr-need-lens-suggestions#post-1733940 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 10:49:22 +0000 BSB 1733940@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Bumping this thread. I want to know, as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-first-dslr-need-lens-suggestions#post-1654333 Fri, 23 May 2014 08:16:02 +0000 thismustbetheplace 1654333@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've scanned through some of the posts here but I'm afraid some of it is over my head!! :bummed: We have decided on a Canon EOS Rebel T4i, but aren't sure which lens to purchase with it. Looks like the most common options are 18-135mm and the 18-55mm. We want something versatile as we're a) beginners, and b) planning on using it for a wide variety of pictures (inside/outside/landscapes), and lots of baby portraits and video once he arrives. Thoughts?</p> <p>We are planning on taking some lessons from a pro once we get the camera, so we'll have that covered. :happy: </p>