lens adivce for 550d, really confused.

[mit2011]

I have a 550d and want to upgrade the kit lens. I am not to worried about length, more quality. I mostly use the camera to take pictures of my daughter who cant sit still. I was looking at the ef-s 18-135 but have not read anything positive regarding the lens. I also looked at the 24-105 L series but dont know if the 550d will do justice to such a pricey lens. Please help. I would prefer canon but if there any other brands then open to suggestions. Thanks

[Woolley]

Re: lens adivce for 550d, really confused.

I also looked at the 24-105 L series but dont know if the 550d will do justice to such a pricey lens

Yes it will. I had mine on a 400D which certainly benefited from it.

Key to me in your question is 'can't sit still' and I surmise probably indoors too, in which case the 24-105 possible won't be fast enough, and the 18-135 will be worse except at it's widest. I'd suggest you consider one of the various f/2.8 offerings - possibly Tamron or Sigma 17-50 or an even faster 50mm or 85mm f/1.8s

[collywobbles]

Re: lens adivce for 550d, really confused.

It depends how much cost comes in to the equation. As well as the two primes that Woolley suggested (and you DID say quality is important) I would suggest the 24-70mm f/2.8 or the 17-55mm f/2.8

[colin C]

Re: lens adivce for 550d, really confused.

Hello and welcome.

The 550D will certainly do justice to any L series glass that you want to use. If you prefer to stay with Canon, the 24 - 105mm f4, or the 24 - 70mm f2.8 will both do the job well. A decent flash mounted on top of the camera, bounced up at the ceiling should also help freeze the action.

I am taking photo's of my grandaughter all of the time. If she is in the mood to cooperate, I use the 24 - 70mm f2.8 and a 580 EXII flash. If she is not being cooperative, I stand further back and use a 70 - 200mm f2.8 and the 580 EXII flash.

Hope that helps.

Colin

[raymon]

Re: lens adivce for 550d, really confused.

Hi and welcome to the forum, I also have a crop body camera and have found the EFS 17 - 55 f2.8 IS USM to be an absolutely fabulous kit lens, fairly wide even on the 1.6 sensor, optically superb IMHO, and, most importantly in your case the 2.8 will enable you to keep shutter speeds up.

Ray

[mit2011]

Re: lens adivce for 550d, really confused.

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/shop/18-200mm-f35-63-dc-os-sigma

http://www.tamron.com/en/photolens/di_II_all_in_one/b008.html

Are the above lens any good. I am definately going to buy the nifty fifty as well.

[Fr1so]

Re: lens adivce for 550d, really confused.

How bigger the difference between the wide angel and the zoom, the worse is the IQ. I have the 550D and I have most of the time the EF-S 17-85 IS USM on my camera, and I can make very good photo's with that lens. I have posted some pictures on the forum. And I have also a L lens, the 70-200 f/4 USM. And also with that lens on my body, I can shoot realy good photo's.

Maybe the 17-55 f/2.8 will do the trick for you. And, right the 24-105 L lens is one of the best. But your cropcamera will 1.6 enlarge the photo's if you shoot with that lens.

[Woolley]

Re: lens adivce for 550d, really confused.

They're good if that's what you want and can afford, but they won't be the greatest image quality, focusing a little slow and less than completely accurate, and with f/6.3 at the long end, you'll lose autofocus. On the other hand, you'll rarely need to change lenses and they won't cost you a lot while you're learning. They wouldn't be my choice.