I just bought this camera so it may seem stupid of me to ask anything about it now, but i really need more info on it. ive read about the xsi and cant help but wonder if i should have just gotten that one instead..would it be worth it? and also..im not extremely photo savvy yet and know very little about lenses. ive heard canons L lenses are very good but i know nothing about them. could anyone give me advice on which lenses are must haves?..keeping in mind that im not a professional and am not looking to spend a fortune on them.
2010-08-05T12:32:02Z
thanks for the helpful info so far everyone!
?2010-08-05T12:04:03Z
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The XS is good camera. It is fine for a beginner like yourself. The upgrades that the XSi are nice but most likely would not make much of a difference for most photographers.
Canon's L lenses are very nice but outrageously expensive. There is no need for a beginner to buy them. As far as must have lenses, that really depends on what you are taking pictures of. I usually recommend a 50mm f1.4 because it will help you shoot in low light situations and can give you all kinds on interesting Bokeh if used correctly. Other useful lenses are a 70 to 300 zoom, 135mm, and a 28mm. You don't have to get them all at once. I would practice with the kit lens that should come with your camera for a while. When you feel that it starts to limit you, then consider something else.
There is no such thing as a must have lens. Lenses are selected based on what you need to photograph.
At this point you need to read two books very carefully. One about your camera (and I don't mean the instruction manual, although you should read that too), and one on basic DSLR photography. I recommend "Understanding Exposure." It is a cheap, but very good book on how ISO, shutter speed, and aperture are used to make good photos with a DSLR. PLEASE learn how to use you camera before you waste a bunch of money on lenses you don't need. By the way, L lenses cost thousands. As you don't even know anything about your camera, buying a L lens now would be a total waste of money.
I also own a Rebel XS and it's one great camera I can tell you. I'm not much on specs because they're mostly manufacturer marketing fodder anyway. I'm into results and this camera gives me the results I want.
That said, lenses. I have four lenses but my favorite is this one. It's quick, sharp and accurate. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/206435-GREY/Canon_6470A006_Zoom_Wide_Angle_Telephoto_EF.html
Now since you just got your XS I would suggest a good long session of reading your owner's manual. What I do is find a well lit comfortable chair, my camera in my lap and my manual in my hand. Come across anything you don't quite understand turn on the camera and experiment.