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Considering a new lens for a T2i

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Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
I know....not the most original thread in the world, but I think some of us noobs would like a little insight on where to go once we've passed the point and shoot on Auto phase.

In short, I've been playing with a T2i with a kit lens for about a year now in my free time. I also have a telephoto kit lens that came with the package, I don't really use it often. After some internet research, I'm considering replacing that 18-55 lens with a Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 non VC. I like the price (on eBay) and it seems like a nice step up from what I'm using now. But the more I look at these upgrades the more I wonder if I'm wasting my time. I realize better golf clubs won't make me Tiger Woods, but will I learn more with another lens to play with? What should I be looking to improve if it's not equipment? Any good literature out there I should check out? Thanks for any input!

Here are 3 pics I like a lot and consider some of my best shots, so you can get a feel for where I am I guess.

Click for larger imageClick for larger imageClick for larger image

I also use it in conjunction with a Go Pro to make edits for my friends and I to enjoy, my latest efforts can be seen here if you are interested in checking those out to gauge what I've done. I think it's pretty obvious what came out of the Go Pro...


Nov 28 2011 12:04AM
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blatt
Posts: 5584 - Karma: 3,097
if you like your current focal length, tamron 17-50
if you want a wide angle lens, tokina 11-16
if you want a tele zoom, canon 70-200
if you want primes, look into canon's

That's kinda the general advice I give on what lens to buy for T2i/T3i/60D/7D
Nov 28 2011 12:14AM
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blakroc
Posts: 2323 - Karma: 28
^ and if your looking to things to work on shoot manual and work on composition techniques
Nov 28 2011 7:53AM
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Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
Thanks!
Nov 28 2011 8:10AM
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Juice.Doctor
Posts: 2791 - Karma: 293
My threads
Nov 28 2011 9:03AM
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Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
Are you in the same boat?
Nov 28 2011 10:03AM
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Jeff_Lo
Posts: 5809 - Karma: 263
Dustin, shooting manual is always a good way to go.  Try playing with your picture profiles to to get some unique and personal touches in your photos.  Hit me up on that and I'll go into more detail.

When it comes to lenses there are a ton and all with different things that make them great.

I'm a huge fan of primes due to the speed and low light ability.

My favorite primes:

Canon 35mm 1.4L
Canon 50mm 1.4 (most affordable for speed)
Canon 85mm 1.2 or 1.8 depending on budget
Canon 100m 2.8L Macro (My favorite lens of the bunch)

My favorite overall zoom:

Canon 24-70 2.8L  This lens overall will cover the general amount of footage/photo's I need done.  And it does decent in low light situations. 

A great Telephoto lens for value is the Canon 70-200 f4L IS.  It's also incredibly light weight and extremely rugged.  I own the 2.8L version of it, but I've worked with the f4L on most work i've done and it's a great lens and quite a bit cheaper than it's bigger brother. 

For wide shots I love the Tokina 11-16 (who doesn't)

I'm also a fan of the Sigma 10mm 2.8 Fisheye.




Nov 28 2011 10:13AM
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Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
Thanks for all the tips on equipment Jeff, any more on this part in particular?
Nov 28 2011 10:23AM
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juicedrummer11
Posts: 1960 - Karma: 1,331

Check out his latest thread on that stuff, pretty useful. i saw a similar article somewhere once and i would link that too but forgot where it is.  Jeff's thread-->Sharing some DSLR knowledge...Get more Dynamic Range out of your Canon DSLR

Nov 28 2011 12:32PM
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blatt
Posts: 5584 - Karma: 3,097
Apart from cine primes, that is my dream prime collection
Nov 28 2011 5:25PM
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