Well I am not trying to argue with you or anything since you are a pro and I am not but I still believe zoom lenses are so much more convenient especially when you are outdoor course you don't want to bring like 3 lenses with you and have to change lenses too often.
I haven't really checked on the prices of those prime lenses you mentioned but here in Canada the 50mm f/1.4 alone cost more than 400 bucks and I am sure the 85mm cost even more.

This post was edited by Futurama on Mar 20 2009 05:38pm

Yeah I agree with the convenience of not having to change lens but in photography you must not be lazy to get better. For paid jobs yes, you can't waste time; but for personal stuff the way to improve is to get out there and seek what you previsualized.
Oh, and I meant US dollars (actually made a rough conversion from euros).

Yeah I guess you are right about not being lazy and change lenses more often to get the best result lol. Well I guess I've just been shooting with one single lens for too long and walking around with one lens quite enough because I am still learning and don't know how good those primes really are. hmm well maybe the thread starter could get that very cheap 50mm f/1.8 lens first and check if she likes it or not. It's after all a 100 dollar lens. Anyway I do hope all those huge amount of information and discussion haven't scared her off or anything

That is what I suggested in my first post.
The plastic fantastic is a lens each growing photographer should have.

I've heard a mixture of things about that lens, but i think ive decided against buying it because of the build quality and many people say it focuses extremely poorly.
But thats not to stop it producing good pictures, expecially in low light.

It is the best lens I have of my 3 lenses.
I really LOVE it.

Is it true what doyleo said about it? Focuses poorly?



Hm - yeah, I spose for only 100 bucks it's going to be crappy; just have to take care of it?



Lol xD Plastic fantastic? I'm going to assume it's made of mostly plastic to make it so cheap?



Interesting, I might just do that, for a start. After all, it should be better than these crappy kit lenses... this one is only 100 bucks??? Hmm! I might just get myself that, AND a battery grip...

Yes it's plastic and yet it's fantastic! XD
The build quality isn't the greatest in the world but better than the standard 18-55 kit lens (god I hate that POS...).
Focusing works fine in good to lowish light and the images it takes will surprise you.
I've had the lens for my first 1.5 years of photography and it served me real good.

I suggest you wet your feet into prime world with that.

hahaha well DUH!!! I am sure after using all those expensive and super nice L lenses everyone would hate that "POS" kit lens
but from what I have heard and seen that the 50mm f/1.8 is just as plastic if not even more plastic than that kit lens. I mean everything except for the lens itself which is made of glass is plastic which of course is the reason why it's so freaking cheap lol.
I have seen people using that lens on your Rebel XTI before and it looks like it's around half the size of your 18-55 kit lens which makes your camera even lighter which could be a good thing if you are shooting indoor action photos like those you took of your brothers cat

Anyway! If you have time and energy you may want to read review:http://www.the-digital-picture.com/reviews/canon-ef-50mm-f-1.8-ii-lens-review.aspx

and samples:http://www.dpreview.com/gallery/canon_50_1p8_ii_samples/





Well compared to your Sigma lens it focuses a bit slower and noisier too but what do you really expect from a 1xx dollar lens
Sounds like a good idea getting that lens and a grip. The grip would probably make taking portraits even easier with the addition of a vertical shutterbutton.

I am not sure how much it cost at the camera store where you live but here is a link to Don's
http://www.donsphoto.com/spec_sheet.html?catalog[name]=Canon-EF-50mm-F%2F1.8-II-Lenses&catalog[product_guids][0]=3a93440d-146e-44dc-bb76-32da64fa6300

This post was edited by Futurama on Mar 21 2009 01:29pm

The don's photo link doesn'yt work anymore, I think they deleted it from their list lol. It's a special order type of thing, so I'll have to order it from the store here.



lol! xD. I think I'm gonna buy this! Thanks all for the help.