canon len

mucc1928

Hello I have a canon EOS Rebel XS.  It's a beginner camera, and it's so light I could use it for backpacking.

However, the 18-55mm len (F3.6 to F29), which is like a wide angle, is good enough for scenary, but not good enouhg for portrait.  For example, i cannot create the blurring background unless I use macro.   I know there is a portrait len, but I don't want to create so much while travelling.

Therefore, is there any len you can recommend, which is good for scenary and portrait at the same time?

Thank you.

嘉嘉

what is your budget?

and for this sentence:
"For example, i cannot create the blurring background unless I use macro.   I know there is a portrait len, but I don't want to create so much while travelling."

the blurring background is called the depth of field
you don't want to create so much while travelling.....so you mean you don't want so much depth of field or you don't want to carry so many lenses?

Catpiano

For price point .. 50mm F1.8 is a must hv lens . .

It is light, it is reasonable sharp, and offer great bokeh, and great low light photography.

If you are willing to spend a bit more, and not worry about FF camera, the 17-55 F2.8IS is a great all around lens, big aperture, sharp, great colour, (basically  L lens standard, but Canon is not going to call their APS lens "L") and it is very good price too, and still offer great bokeh, and very effective IS function. (Can easy to do 1/5 - 1/10 second on landscape) That is one great lens for both scenary and portrait.

If you shoot landscape, rarely need blurry backgound, however, that is personal preference, I do use F1.2 and 1.4 for scenary once a while.

Another good all in one lens, is the 17-85 IS ..  however, on the other hand, nothing is outstanding from that lens as well, but it is low price, good range, and very "fair" picture quality.

^_^

mucc1928

To 嘉嘉 , yes, for scenary, i don't need much depth.  But for portrait(human), I need to have a len that has bigger depth.  My F3.6 is not enought o blur backgorund.  And I just want 1 len to go travelling.

To Catpiano, so 50mm 1.8, but it is even smaller than mine, which is 18-55mm.  So the smaller the number, the greater the depth?  
http://cgi.ebay.ca/Canon-EF-50mm ... 39%3A1%7C240%3A1318
Is this the rigth one I should get?  Mm...the terms are so techincal here.

My budget is around $150, first or second hand

嘉嘉

hmm...you won't consider having 2 lenses?
cuz or else pretty much you are saying you want to have a 天涯鏡 that doesn't need to come off the camera
I think my friend mentioned to me a cheap 天涯鏡, I think it was Tamron 18-270

or else, getting the 50mm F1.8 is a very good option too. 2nd hand should be less than $100 (I got mine for $70 from my friend!)
it is cheap and light-weighted. It is a good lense in term of its price
so even if you keep your kit lense and get this 50mm, it shouldn't be too heavy for you. I am a girl and I carry my kit lense, 50mm, 75-300mm USMIII all the time ga ^_^ and they are not that heavy at all (probably because they are all cheaper lenses, haha)

嘉嘉

here's a few pictures I took with the 50mm F1.8
I really like that it has the 恆定光圈 feature, and yes, the smaller the number, the bigger the aperature

阿九

If you want to buy on ebay, this one is better. It is in Toronto, so you dont have to worry about the duty, and the shipping is a bit cheaper. But need to pay GST.
http://cgi.ebay.ca/CANON-EF-50mm ... idZp1742.m153.l1262

If you want to get it locally, Broadway Camera selling for $125
http://www.bccamera.com/index.ph ... amp;products_id=107

嘉嘉

Craigslist~~!!!
you get very good price there sometimes, just be patient~~~

Catpiano

$150 budget ..  50mm F1.8 is the one to go la..   ( if u want less DOF, burry background )

$129 in Furture shop .. and 10% off till tomorrow.

^_^

The SMALLER number for Aperture VALUE ..  mean the BIGGER aperture it is ..

It means 1/1.4 ..   1/1.8  ..  1/2.8 ..  1/5.6   etc ..     1/1.4 mean  4 times more light you can get then 1/2.8 ...  more light you can get, faster shutter speed u can do .. and ..  u can say, more burry background, but harder to get sharp picture too. (for main object)

However, in general speaking, you pay a lots for "LIGHT"  .. ( $120 for 50mm F1.8, $450 for F1.4 .. $1700 for F1.2  .. $3K for 1.0 .. and $30K for F 0.95 .. )

It is PHOTOGRAPHY ...  all about LIGHT. ^_^

I suggest NOT to buy used lens from ebay ..  since u know to know the condition ..  in general, lens condition in Canada is not bad, especially Edmonton or Calgary or Winnipeg. (very dry)  but on 50mm lens.. when u can buy a new for ~ $120 ..  not worth to buy a used one for $100 .. small different.

快樂牛郎

I suggest NOT to buy used lens from ebay ..  since u know to know the condition ..  in general, lens condition in Canada is not bad, especially Edmonton or Calgary or Winnipeg. (very dry)  but on 50mm lens.. when u can buy a new for ~ $120 ..  not worth to buy a used one for $100 .. small different.

There are a lot of new items on ebay.