newbie w/ ?'s

[luv2scrap20]

Hello to all,

I am considering buying the canon XTI rebel. This will be my first DSLR, now my question is what type of lens (affordable) is recommended for shooting a toddler, older son that does sport activities that can be used indoors/outdoors?

I don't want to get in over my head since this will be my first one so any suggestions please

[LauraBean]

I'm not sure what lens comes with the camera you're looking at, but the 18-55mm IS is said to be a pretty good lens (there is an 18-55 without the IS that is said to be pretty crummy). I would probably go with this one or whatever the kit lens is, but add on the $85 50mm f/1.8. The "nifty fifty," as it's affectionately called, is a great lens for low light photography and capturing busy toddlers, and is just fabulous for the price. It might be limiting if it were your only lens, which is why I'd lean toward getting a basic zoom as well, because it is a fixed focal length lens, but it will open up your possibilities especially indoors.

When I got my Canon, I got the kit lens (my 40D came with the 28-135mm) and the 50 1.8. I have a long list of lenses on my wish list, but these two really do the trick almost all the time, and I have really learned a lot with that 50mm.

[luv2scrap20]

Thanks Laura, now about how much do these type of lens run about?

[LauraBean]

The 50mm f/1.8 is about $85-90. Usually a new DSLR will come packaged with a "kit" lens, and I think the ones they're selling with Rebels now are pretty good. You can still (I think!) buy an Xti without a lens, but the kit lens is usually a good buy. Does that help? If you're buying just the camera body, you can get a 18-55mm IS lens from Canon for $170 at Amazon; the 28-135 that I have is about $400.

[Melissa Hill]

I recommend the 50mm 1.4 lens for indoor portraits shots. The lens sells for quite a bit more but I think it's totally worth it. All working parts are metal rather than plastic, it has a larger aperture which allows just that much more light in for low light photography (indoors). You won't be disappointed. I also own the 28-135mm for my canon but for sport photography you will want a telephoto lens for sure. I've noticed the 75-300 are fairly cheap. I still use my 75-300 from my old canon film camera but I'd get the IS (image stabilization) one for better steadier shots. Just my input. Get all the advice you can and make a decision with what you can afford and will last you in the long run!

Melissa