Completely new and confused - need a little guidance

[Blatant]

Hi forum. I've just registered and this is my first post.
I recently had the good opportunity to try a DSLR for the first time during an event at work. I was always happy with a point and click - or even my phones camera (shudder!) until I saw the results. Now I am hooked.
I will be buying myself a Canon 550D for Christmas.
I've a few questions regarding lens. I'm not entirely sure how "zoomy" certain measurements are.

I was toying with getting the 18-55/55-250mm kit, but then I saw a great bargain on the 70-200 L with F4 and IS. I understand this is a far superior lens, and I figured it might be better to get a good lens from the start. I wanted to know two things primarily:

1) will 70mm minimum be too zoomed in?
2) is 200 mm enough compared to 250mm?

I have googled to try to find some distance shots at various focal lengths but had little luck seeing how close the extra 50mm gets (or if 70mm is too close)

I am also considering paring it with a 1.8 50mm "nifty fifty"

I will be doing a wide range of photography, from portraits, to holiday snaps and photographing animals at the zoo etc.

Well thank you in advance, and I am aware you probably get stacks of these stupid questions, but hopefully with a little help I will become more proficient!

[Loupey]

Welcome to the site and excellent, well thought out post.

From what I've read, the 70-200mm f/4L IS is an extremely sharp, lightweight, well built lens - in other words, a super value. Can't go wrong with that choice for the price.

Since you are just starting out, I would suggest getting another zoom - a wider one like the kit 18-55mm. It isn't an exceptional performer like the 70-200 but is good enough at most parties, family get-togethers, and such. You will need something that goes wide for general shooting.

The 50 f/1.8 is a great value too. Get it just because it is so fun to use an f/1.8 once in a while. Works nicely for video in low light as well.

[Blatant]

The 18-55mm in a kit is only a little more than the body only, so I guess it would be worth it, I was just hesitant because I know L glass is supposed to be so much better, I didn't want to have great medium/long range shots and great close portraits (thanks to the 1.8) and have shoddy happy snaps. I guess it would be a matter of convenience though to not have a massive telephoto lens on all the time.

[Photo-John]

The 70-200mm f/4L IS is a wonderful lens and a great value. At about $600 the non-IS version is an even better value. But it's a telephoto lens and not very practical for point-and-shoot photography. It will make a decent portrait lens, although it's a bit long with a 550D. Mostly it's an awesome sports and telephoto landscape lens. And it would be a great compliment to the kits lens, which is solid - for a kit lens.

I'm actually working on a zoom lens guide at the moment and my top recommendation for an inexpensive zoom is the 18-200mm zoom range. Canon makes a great one that I use all the time. The optics aren't as good as an L lens but it costs less than the 70-200mm f/4L IS and you can bypass the kit lens with it and cover whole range of the kit lens and the L lens. I actually have the 70-200mm f/2.8L and didn't think I'd use the 18-200mm much. Turns out that since I bought it a couple of years ago it's my most used lens. That surprised me.

[Blatant]

cool, thanks for the tips
There is a kit for 18-175mm so pairing that with the L would cover all ranges. I'd need the IS though

I'm also a little concerned about the grey market. the 550D has different versions where the warranty doesn't apply for imports, can anyone confirm if lens have local market releases? Overseas prices are ridiculously cheap on lens.
Also, no idea how important a warranty is for DSLR/Lens.

[Blatant]

I think I'm going to get these:
70-200mm F2.8 or f4 L (version 1)
1.8
550D with 17-55mm kit

that should keep me good for years yeah?

[Loupey]

cool, thanks for the tips
There is a kit for 18-175mm so pairing that with the L would cover all ranges. I'd need the IS though

I'm also a little concerned about the grey market. the 550D has different versions where the warranty doesn't apply for imports, can anyone confirm if lens have local market releases? Overseas prices are ridiculously cheap on lens.
Also, no idea how important a warranty is for DSLR/Lens.

I've never heard of an 18-175mm. Stay away from the gray market and get the factory warranty. I've had to use the warranty to get a 430EX flash repaired and a new 40D body.

[Photo-John]

I think I'm going to get these:
70-200mm F2.8 or f4 L (version 1)
1.8
550D with 17-55mm kit

that should keep me good for years yeah?

That will serve you well for years - except the kit lens. After you use the other lenses for a while you'll become all too aware of the flaws of the kit lens. Be prepared for a "normal" zoom lens upgrade

[tennisbumbishop]

About 5 weeks ago I went through the same thing you're going through.

I decided to go with the T2i, 18-55mm lens, 55-250mm lens, filter, memory card...total was $800. (by the way, I already had a 50mm lens and a 420EX flash - listen to the advice to get these two items...great investment)

I knew that going from a basic point and shoot camera to a DSLR (my first also) that there may a learning curve. I decided to go with these two lenses (amazing price) and use them for a while to learn the ins and outs of the camera. It will also give me a chance to see what distances I shoot most of the time so that when I decided spend the money on an amazing lens, I'll know what I'll need for most of my shooting.

Again, the price of the body was around $650 when I bought mine so I got both lenses for around $150...nice price to jump into the DSLR realm with a 18-250mm zoom combo.

Just my 2 cents...and all of the guys here have been using DSLRs for a long time so please feel free to take their advice over mine...just thought I'd throw it out there since I've been in your shoes recently.

TBB

[Blatant]

I've never heard of an 18-175mm. Stay away from the gray market and get the factory warranty. I've had to use the warranty to get a 430EX flash repaired and a new 40D body.

my bad i think it was 135mm

1 year warranty or extend it to 3?
I'll be getting the body in Aus, but lens have international warranties so there's no grey market worries

[Blatant]

That will serve you well for years - except the kit lens. After you use the other lenses for a while you'll become all too aware of the flaws of the kit lens. Be prepared for a "normal" zoom lens upgrade

can you suggest some middle price range "normal" lens? I think it's pretty wasteful to get a lens and replace it in a few months so I may as well get the goods from the get go.

[CaraRose]

can you suggest some middle price range "normal" lens? I think it's pretty wasteful to get a lens and replace it in a few months so I may as well get the goods from the get go.

What's your "middle" price range?

The kit lens is actually pretty decent, IMHO. That said, once I moved on to better glass I rarely use it anymore. I primarily use the canon 24-105mm

The 17-55 2.8 is supposed to be a really nice lens. But I consider $900+ a high price range.

I've heard a few good things about Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 with vibration control, that one's more mid-range.

[Blatant]

What's your "middle" price range?

The kit lens is actually pretty decent, IMHO. That said, once I moved on to better glass I rarely use it anymore. I primarily use the canon 24-105mm

The 17-55 2.8 is supposed to be a really nice lens. But I consider $900+ a high price range.

I've heard a few good things about Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 with vibration control, that one's more mid-range.

Yeah I'm considering the Tamron range. Most of what I want I think will be covered by the 70-200 and the 50mm prime.
Just wanted to fill the gap with something about $500 AUD. The Tamron is that price.
I too have read about the 17-55 2.8 but it's not much cheaper than a 25-105 really.
I think I'm getting a little carried away, as I don't even know if I'll use that focal range a great deal.

[CaraRose]

I think for indoor photography 'snaps', you will find that you'll want to go wider. First time you try to get a group family photo on the holidays you'll run into it.

Personally I'd suggest just going with the kit lens, it's cheap and it'll give you the range. If you find yourself using that range a lot, then you can plan to eventually buy something better.

Though if you're still interested, LensRentals.com has some of their 17-55 2.8s rotating out of circulation and for sale. $730, not a bad price.

http://www.lensrentals.com/buy/canon...umber-29600638