Just getting started Cannon XS?

[ngoduyviet]

Listen to Thomas, he knows what he's talking about. It's pretty much the same thing for Nikon, get a decent body but a good to superb lens.

Think about it this way, lenses are like glasses for your eyes. You'd want the best pair possible.

[Kayzle]

Originally Posted by Torrey

I recently bought a Canon XS kit with the 18-55mm IS and a 70-300mm lens. Upon the recommendations of others here, I spent an extra $85 and picked up the 50mm 1.8. That is the lens that stays on my camera most of the time. I'm another "enthusiast" as somebody else mentioned.

This link is a sample of photos taken with the 50mm 1.8 (except for the very 1st post).

I just put one of my own in there just to give you an idea of what a simple picture by a non-pro with the Canon XS and a 50mm 1.8 and on-camera flash looks like.

Good stuff, that's exactly what I'm going for, I've been talking with my dad today and it sounds like we are going to get the kit AND the 50 mm lens

The 50 mm will do everything the kit lens will do so I can sell the kit lens without worrying about ever needing it righT?

[Torrey]

It won't do everything the kit lens can do. The kit lens is an IS lens...meaning it helps with lens shake. If you're using a tripod or high shutter speeds, it won't make much difference. The kit lens also has a range from 18mm to 55mm, whereas the 50mm is a fixed lens. With the 50mm, you have to adjust your distance to your subject by getting closer or farther away...the kit lens will allow you some adjustment without moving, although not much. Again, this is coming from an amateur, and others may be able to explain better.

[Jake]

If you get the 50mm, still keep the kit lens. You will want 18mm some times.

[crazeazn]

Originally Posted by Kayzle

I don't understand?

Kayzle added 33 Minutes and 30 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below



http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ad.php?t=80033

are these the kinds of shots I should expect with that lens you're suggesting?

canon not cannon

[Kayzle]

hahah whoops

[toverman]

"Kit lens" is sometimes a misnomer, as the 5D (and 5D MkII) "kit lens" is the excellent 24-105 f/4 IS.

I used the original Canon 18-55 kit lens before sharpness mattered. Actually used it for newspaper work, where the printing process added what it needed to be adequate. From what I've heard, the 18-55 IS is better than the first, but not one I'd buy on purpose. For beginners, though, it's usually good enough. For those who advance to a point where control, fast focus, achieving ultra-shallow depth of field, sharpness, etc. all matter then it's not going to cut it.

The 50 f/1.8 is a great starter lens, but with its limited field of view on the lower-end cameras can be frustrating for beginners. Another option is the also-thrifty Canon 35 f/2.

[Kayzle]

When you say the 50mm has a "limited field of view" what exactly are you saying?

[toverman]

Originally Posted by Kayzle

When you say the 50mm has a "limited field of view" what exactly are you saying?

The 50 mm lens is considered "normal' view using a 35 mm camera. Because most DSLRs have sensors smaller than a 35 mm negative, you get a little bit of tunnel vision with a 50 because the edges are cropped off. The field of view, or amount of image you see and that is recorded by the sensor, acts like a longer lens (like an 80 mm lens). That means that unlike using the 50 lens with a 35 mm film camera or 35 mm-size sensor, you won't be able to get all you want to in the frame.

[Kayzle]

Well everyone, I picked up my canon xs today, now I just have to figure out how to use the dang thing.

Looks like I'm picking up a 50 mm lens from someone in the for sale section as well!

Kayzle added 1357 Minutes and 13 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Originally Posted by Thomas Campbell

Not really.

At 50mm, your kit lens will be at a aperture of F/5.6. That lets in half as much light as an aperture of F/4, which lets in half as much light as F/2.8, which lets in half as much light as F/2, which is a great aperture for portraits, because it has a shallow, but usable depth of field.

If you want to get a really shallow depth of field, you can look at a lens like the 50mm 1.4, 50mm 1.2, 85mm 1.2.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depth_of_field

When I teach novice photographers, I get them to start with a 50mm 1.8. It drives a lot of them crazy, because everyone is used to zoom. but starting with a prime lens really gets you to think about composition, and you just arent going to get a zoom lens that lets you stop down to F/2.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_Cartier-Bresson - Henri is one of the greatest photographers that ever lived. He only shot with a 50mm lens and was loathe to let people crop his pictures.


So this was taken with my 50D:
16-35mm 2.8 II lens at 16mm
1/250th second shutter speed
F/5.6 aperture
200 ISO

See how you can see that it is focused on the model, but the pipes and window are still very much in focus? That is because I stopped the lens down to F/5.6 because that was the effect I wanted on this setup.


I took this in Kulu, Sudan.
Canon 10D
Tamron 28-75mm 2.8 at 75mm
F/2.8 Aperture
100 ISO
1/160th second shutter speed

See how blurry the body is, while the hands are tack sharp? That is because I shot it at F/2.8. Huge difference.


Canon 10D
Tamron 28-75mm 2.8 at 75mm
F/2.8 Aperture
100 ISO
1/125th second shutter speed.
This little girl's left eye is in focus, while the right eye was not, because the depth of field was so shallow and her head was at an angle, so the eyes were on different planes from the lens. It kinda blew the shot, but I like it anyway.

I think this is the type of depth of field that you are looking for, and you simply will not be able to recreate it at F/5.6, hence, it is a crap lens.

If you are just wanting to take landscapes with it where you will stop it down to F/8, it will work fine (other than the CA and softness on the edges.) But it would not be my choice. I would sell it immediately, get the 50mm 1.8 and save up for the Tamron 28-75mm 2.8. That is exactly how I started and it has served me well.

I've had my camera only a day, and after a friend schooling me on a few things this all makes MUCH more sense to me now, thank you SO much for your help, I should be buying the 50 mm 1.8 fromt he market portion of these forums soon.