New in the Photography business..

[Lorna]

Hello, my name is Lorna from Virginia, USA. I am glad I found this site because I need a lot of help. I have the passion to be a professional photographer someday. I love to take pictures, and make albums to people like retirement pictures, weddings and graduation. I have a software at home that make the album fancy, it's like what you see at sam's club or Rite Aid. What I am doing is not professional, I am just doing it for fun. I want to learn more about photography. So, I decided to buy me a nice expensive camera Canon EOS 600 Rebel T3i. I am still learning how to use it like the settings, speed and more.. As a starter, what will be the best lens to use? When I bought the camera the lens ef-s 18-55mm was added. When do I use the lens 18-55mm? I really appreciate your help.. Need help for a starter...

Lorna

[Tygart]

Hi Lorna

Welcome to CIC, this is a great place to learn, have you checked out the tutorials section? I would invest in a 50mm look at the 1.8. 50mm f/1.8 bhphotovideo.com
I would use the 18-55mm on landscapes myself, using it at 18mm.

And read read read your camera manual, (I need to do it again)

[Lorna]

Thank's Rob.. Yap, believe it or not I kept on reading the manual over and over again until I understand. I still have a long way to go. Thanks for the lens advise I will go and price them..

[Goldcoastgolfer]

Welcome aboard Lorna. The folks around here live to help you take better photos so you're in the right place!

I echo Rob's comments about getting a 50mm prime lens if you enjoy taking photos of people and portraits. It's very affordable and is the main lens I use for all my portrait photography.

Looking forward to seeing some of your photos

[Steaphany]

For portraiture, I would recommend a longer focal length than 50mm.

Something like a Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM or even a Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro. The longer focal length will mean you do not need to get into your subjects face for a fill the frame image while also allowing better control of the depth of field to have your subject in focus while having a nicely out of focus background. The Sigma DG series lenses provide a full frame image circle and for sub full frame cameras, you are well within the best performing area of the lens.

[Tygart]

For portraiture, I would recommend a longer focal length than 50mm.

Something like a Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM or even a Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro. The longer focal length will mean you do not need to get into your subjects face for a fill the frame image while also allowing better control of the depth of field to have your subject in focus while having a nicely out of focus background. The Sigma DG series lenses provide a full frame image circle and for sub full frame cameras, you are well within the best performing area of the lens.

Don't forget about crop factor!!! 50mm on that camera is equivalent to 85mm right?

[Rob Douglas]

Don't forget about crop factor!!! 50mm on that camera is equivalent to 85mm right?

The T3i is a 1.6x crop sensor so the 35mm-equivalent focal length is 1.6x the lens focal length so you were close, 50mm x 1.6 = 80mm

[Goldcoastgolfer]

The T3i is a 1.6x crop sensor so the 35mm-equivalent focal length is 1.6x the lens focal length so you were close, 50mm x 1.6 = 80mm

Exactly! 1.5x on the Nikon DC sensors = 75mm for what I use