My first DSLR, lens recommendations

[kendalmint]

I have just made the jump into DSLRs (wanted one for ages back to the old 35 mm SLR Minolta MTL! as a boy), decided on a start point of a Canon 400D (based on value for money and this will no doubt be beyond my ability), it comes with the standard lens. I note on other threads I should get used to this but the wife has asked what other lens would I like as a present. If it helps I live in the lakes & like outdoor pics but also have a little boy who is getting into exploring the world, both of these I would like to get a lens to suit (if one exists). On cost budget is a max couple of hundered (not fussed on new Vs second hand if it helps), or do I need to save and spend more. Any views appreciated

[RobDickinson]

IMO you cant beat the sigma 10-20 for landscape shots and its a pretty safe bet your going to want a UWA.

Only thing it isnt is 'fast' but a fast UWA is hideously expensive.

Other options:

Kit replacement, tamron f2.8 17-50 , fast , sharp, IMO not worth it for you yet.

Prime of some sort , 50mmf1.8 (cheap, sharp , fast, built out of papermache), sigma 30mmf1.4

Macro - tamron 90f2.8

Some sort of tele zoom, 70-300 or 70-200 etc, can get pricey for something decent tho.

[DIW35]

For about £60 new, the nifty fifty (50mm 1.8) is an excellent lens.

[fathomfive]

DIW35 said:

For about £60 new, the nifty fifty (50mm 1.8) is an excellent lens.

I bought this very lens last week - wasn't planned, but since when has it been a good idea to put a photography shop opposite a bank?

I've not had much chance to use it over the weekend due to weather and family things, but did get a few test shots with it. Suitably impressive.

[havoc]

RobDickinson said:

sigma 10-20

Kit replacement, tamron f2.8 17-50 , fast , sharp, IMO not worth it for you yet.

Prime of some sort:
50mmf1.8
sigma 30mmf1.4

Macro - tamron 90f2.8

Some sort of tele zoom,
70-300
70-200

UWA - I've not used one yet.
The Tamron 17-50 is plenty wide enough, and it's become my default lens. So I'd say it IS worth it...
50mm always worthwhile
Macro - depends what you do - there's only a few occasions where I've wanted one. Sigma to an 18-50 f/2.8 which has macro ability though...
Tele-zoom - must have for e.g. motorsport. I've got a Canon 70-300IS which is good but not fantastic, although my next step will probably be a 70-200 f/4 with a teleconverter, which is a lot more £££

Other suggestion - a walkabout lens (e.g. 28-135IS Canon). Something you can put on and leave on for a while...


In short - avoid the 'superzooms' (e.g. Sigma 28-300) as they're a compromise lens. Get 2-3 good specialist lenses which either overlap or leave little gap between them. Don't be afraid of 2nd hand lenses either, as long as they've been looked after.

[kendalmint]

Thanks for the advice, some comments above excatly mirrored by a photo fanatic at work, now I just have to persuade the wife to buy them all.

Cheers and happy clicking

Oh and by the way how annoying is it when you open up the camera box and there is no memorey card!!!