What Kind Of Lens To Get?

[browneyedsusan]

I have a Canon XS Rebel that I love. I haven't played with it and learned enough about it. I have an extra lens that is 75-300 and the lens that came with it 18-55. I am wanting to buy a lens that lets you zoom in and get a close up of a flower. I know I can do macro and I love my macro but want to not have to get close all the time but use the lens to zoom in. What kind of lens am I looking for? LOL Thanks for any help. Mendy

[SandiC.]

I have the Canon 60mm macro lens. It is not a zoom lens, but a fixed lens. Not only does it do great macro shots, but I love it for portraits and landscape too. Its hard to get used to moving around to get the shot instead of just turning the barrel of a lens, but I'm really happy with this lens. It has the best sharpness of any of my lenses. For the recent worldwide photowalk, this was the lens I used exclusively and am very glad I did. Its become my new walk-around lens.

[Becca]

Mendy,

 

I like Sandi's suggestion (in fact, just added that lens to my Amazon wish list!), but I'm going to throw another one out here for you, too.

 

There's a lens called the "nifty fifty". It's usually right around $100, so it's a great lens to "splurge" on. It's a 50mm, f1.8. It's great for close-ups of flowers or insects, because that f-stop of 1.8 can give you some amazing bokeh! I used this 50mm lens to learn how to shoot in full manual mode - since it's fixed it made it so easy. This lens was on my camera and never removed for almost 2 years. I made it my "walk-around" lens.

 

Here's one of my favorite flower shots with this lens to give you an idea. I was probably a good foot or so away. This shot is SOOC (straight out of the camera).

 

 

 

Edited to add: I also have a 85mm, f1.8 lens. It's fixed as well, and you can be farther away for those "close-up" shots of flowers and such. Here's a photo I took just last week with that lens. I was a few feet back from DH for this shot. This one's cropped just a bit.

 

 

[browneyedsusan]

Oh wow, thank you guys so much for your input. I think it is a good thing. LOL Now I need more stuff. I can't wait to check these out. Love the pics. That caterpillar is fantastic. : ) Mendy

[Sara Arell]

I have a Canon XS Rebel that I love. I haven't played with it and learned enough about it. I have an extra lens that is 75-300 and the lens that came with it 18-55. I am wanting to buy a lens that lets you zoom in and get a close up of a flower. I know I can do macro and I love my macro but want to not have to get close all the time but use the lens to zoom in. What kind of lens am I looking for? LOL Thanks for any help. Mendy

 

Well, Sandy has already answered your question - I have the same camera and need the same lens too - I need what you are looking for too!

[tiza126]

Becca - I LOVE that caterpillar shot!! Amazing!

[PBarnes]

I was really happy to see this thread. As many of you know, I recently purchased a Canon Rebel XSi and it came with just the 18-55mm lens. I remembered reading about the nifty-fifty but didn't really pay attention to what it was all about because I didn't have a DSLR at the time. Thanks Becca! I love doing macro.

[DaveUK]

If you dont mind using "independent" manufacturer lenses take a look at the Tamron 90mm f2.8 SP AF Di Macro 1:1 or the Tokina AF 100mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro D macro. Both are excellent lenses but are a little pricey. They will both make superb portrait lenses too! Hope you get sorted out with something.

 

HTH