Which camera lens should I get next?

[KKD]

I posted before that H bought me a Canon Rebel T3i with an 18-55mm kit lens for Valentine's Day, and now I want to ask for another lens for Mother's Day. We are going to Disney and Germany in the next few months, and both trips involve H's Ironman races (for which I usually need a good zoom), so I would like something more versatile than the kit lens to use for those trips.

My birthday will right after the baby is born, so feel free to offer suggestions for another lens to request then.

I think the budget would be under $500.

[luckyval]

I have the Canon Rebel and the 55-250 mm lens was my second purchase. It's very basic, but having that one in addition to the wide angle lens has been so nice

The 50-250 mm is around $250

[Kit]

It's not a zoom lens, but the 85mm is a spectacular portrait lens, or the 50mm lens (also a great portrait and every day lens).

[pantsparty]

I would get the larger zoom lens. I love primes (like the 50mm), but you really need a wide angle lens (like 24mm) when you travel. If you brought both the 18-55 and 55-250, you'd have just about everything you need. Keep in mind that you'll be lugging around a lot of lens, though

[gretchenindisguise]

Tamron 28-75 is what I have on my camera right now.

You could also see how much a 70-200 f4 would cost. It won't do good in low light, but if you're outside it'd be fine.

Sent from my DROIDX using proboards

[mrsjuleshs]

If you are keeping it cheap, the Tamron 28-75mm 2.8 is definitely the way to go for a good quality zoom lens. As far as primes both the 85mm 1.8 and the 50mm 1.8 are awesome. I tend to keep the 70-200mm 2.8 on my camera most of the time when we go places but that is definitely not "cheap" so you should check out the 70-200mm f4.

[mommylikestattoos]

I see the Tamron AF 28-75mm recommended a lot as a great everyday/multipurpose lens.

I just got the Tamron AF 18-200mm lens. It was $200 and had decent reviews. The Canon version is closer to $500 I believe and had great reviews (but was out of my price range). For traveling, I'd recommend this since it has such a wide range available - you can do wide angle for landscape/architecture shots, but still get decent portraits and a reasonable zoom.

[circa1978]

I love my 50 mm but don't use it as much lately. The Tamron 28-75 is next on my list.

[KKD]

Thanks for the help everyone!

I already had the Tamron 28-75mm and the 50mm 1.8/1.4 on my wish list, but I'll have to look into the other suggestions. I am thinking the 70-200mm might be bigger than I'm ready for just yet.

[KKD]

Ok, if anyone is still here...

I like the idea of the Canon 18-200 so theoretically I could get away with one lens while traveling, or would I be better off with the 55-250 to carry along with my 18-55? I hate to have one more thing to carry -- I have enough to lug around with two young kids -- but I'd suck it up if it would mean better photos.

Then again, I've seen the Tamron 28-75 recommended so often that I'm wondering if it makes sense as my first separate lens purchase. The 18-55 kit lens seemed sufficient for most of the photos I took in Rome right after I first got the camera, but there have been times since when I wanted to zoom more but couldn't move any closer, and I'm not sure how much of a difference 75mm would make.

I think I'll buy a 50mm later regardless of what I get now.

Any thoughts or advice?

[mommylikestattoos]

Personally (since it's exactly what I just did lol) my vote is the 18-200. While traveling, especially with my kids and all our other stuff, I don't want to worry about changing lenses. Especially if you go for the Canon over the Tamron, I don't think you'll need to worry much about quality.

[mommylikestattoos]

My vote is the 18-200, since I'm biased lol.

I got it for the same reasons you mentioned. If I'm traveling with my family I don't want to worry about an extra bag of camera gear. I wanted one lens that can cover a range of scenarios. Especially if you go with the Canon over the Tamron, I don't think picture quality will be an issue. Definitely read customer reviews on Amazon and Digital Photography School, I always find it helpful to see what other people had to say about a specific lens I'm thinking about.

Good luck!!

[leahmel]

I love my 50mm/1.8 lens. I know it's not great for distance but it's my staple lens.

[mommylikestattoos]

Oops, sorry thought GBCN ate the first post.

[leahmel]

Sorry, just saw that you're already getting that lens!!