Zoom Lens Recommendations for Canon Rebel T2i (Page 2): The new Sigma 17-70mm lens. I have it mounted on my Canon T4i, and this combo produces fine images. See an example of it with...

anotherview Loc: California

The new Sigma 17-70mm lens. I have it mounted on my Canon T4i, and this combo produces fine images. See an example of it with this comment.

http://slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/1560/si/Mid

A second lens you may wish to consider, for reaching further: Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/70-200mm-f4-is.htm

You may wish to take a workshop for beginners in DSLR camera operation. You will gain a foundation that will speed your learning.

Good luck.

territurl wrote:

I am a novice at photography and have a Canon Rebel T2i which works great for my limited knowledge and skills. I want to invest in a zoom lens to take "up close and personal" photographs of flowers. Also would like to invest in one to bring in landscapes closer in. Do I need 2 different zoom lenses? Any suggestions?

Backyard Corner
Backyard Corner...

creativ simon Loc: Coulsdon, South London

territurl wrote:

I am a novice at photography and have a Canon Rebel T2i which works great for my limited knowledge and skills. I want to invest in a zoom lens to take "up close and personal" photographs of flowers. Also would like to invest in one to bring in landscapes closer in. Do I need 2 different zoom lenses? Any suggestions?

I use a 50mm Sigma macro lens for all my flower close ups and then would suggest a Canon F4 70-200mm for the rest

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

territurl wrote:

I am a novice at photography and have a Canon Rebel T2i which works great for my limited knowledge and skills. I want to invest in a zoom lens to take "up close and personal" photographs of flowers. Also would like to invest in one to bring in landscapes closer in. Do I need 2 different zoom lenses? Any suggestions?

"Invest" is a loaded word. If you invest in Canon L glass, it really is an investment because you'll be able to sell it in a few years and not take much of a loss. You have to decide how much you're willing to spend. There are very good lenses available for mush less $$. Read reviews and check back here. Refurbished lenses are a good deal.

Articles on landscape photography generally recommend a wide angle lens, but I can the appeal of a tele, depending on the scene. On my Nikon, I use a 28-300mm for daily use.

Nightski

lighthouse wrote:

I am going to ask you to consider a different option.
Think about the 200mm F/2.8L ii.

This would be a sweet lens to own. It would work wonderfully for many landscape and foliage shots, and some wildlife shots as well, and your photos would be tack sharp. I have the 100mm f2.8L IS, and it is my absolute favorite lens ... I'd would love to have it in the 200 range as well.

George II Loc: Fayetteville, Georgia

territurl wrote:

I am a novice at photography and have a Canon Rebel T2i which works great for my limited knowledge and skills. I want to invest in a zoom lens to take "up close and personal" photographs of flowers. Also would like to invest in one to bring in landscapes closer in. Do I need 2 different zoom lenses? Any suggestions?

The new Tamron 16-300mm..great reviews and covers almost anything you want to shoot..
Best Regards,
George II

wrogers Loc: Kew Gardens, NY

Here's one other option, the Canon Macro 100mm (not a zoom) which doubles as a close-up lens and a regular lens that can focus to infinity. I bought the lesser cost one without an image stabilizer. I've used it with a Rebel and a 7D. The photo below could have gotten both flowers in focus by shifting the camera position, but I liked it with just one.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

For a excellent macro at a cost less than the L, look at the EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro. If you get one used, you'll have some funds left over for a hood and tripod collar that are sold separately on this model.

There's a EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS in the for-sale section that would fit your need as well. It's priced less than new, but too high given an EX+ rated model is available at KEH.com for more than $100 less. Again, use that savings for other related equipment.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

territurl wrote:

Hi Linda! Love the shots and they are exactly what I want to achieve up close. Thank you so much for the beautiful examples!

Thanks! Looking forward to seeing shots from your new lens :)

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

It would be helpful to know what you have. Generally for landscape photography you don't need the super telephoto lenses that folks use for bird and other wildlife photography. A zoom up to 200mm focal length should be plenty. You can probably get a zoom with a range to meet all of your needs. Except - you do not say just how "up close and personal" you want to get. If you want to experiment with Macro photography, the simplest way to try it out with little investment is to use the close-up lenses that attach to the front of a regular lens. Then if you really get in to that, you can buy a lens that will focus into the macro range. Folks here may even recommend a zoom that covers your ideal range plus focuses into the macro range. You also don't mention a budget!

llindstrand Loc: Seattle Metro

territurl wrote:

I am a novice at photography and have a Canon Rebel T2i which works great for my limited knowledge and skills. I want to invest in a zoom lens to take "up close and personal" photographs of flowers. Also would like to invest in one to bring in landscapes closer in. Do I need 2 different zoom lenses? Any suggestions?

I use a Canon EFS18-200 for almost all my images. It gives me both very nice closeups as well as long shots.
Swede

RWCRNC Loc: Pennsylvania

Take a look at the Tamron 18-270mm

wrightwrjr Loc: Paducah, KY

territurl wrote:

I am a novice at photography and have a Canon Rebel T2i which works great for my limited knowledge and skills. I want to invest in a zoom lens to take "up close and personal" photographs of flowers. Also would like to invest in one to bring in landscapes closer in. Do I need 2 different zoom lenses? Any suggestions?

Here's another thought. I own a Canon G12 Power Shot camera which is a small camera with point and shoot features as well as full manual operation including RAW capability. These cameras go for around $450.00 which is the cost of a mid-range lens, but they have amazing macro capability. Below I am posting a couple of flower shots taken with this camera. The camera's zoom capability is 28-140 and I use it for the majority of my close-up work even though I own a Canon 60 mm macro lens for my DSLR. Using this you not only get the close-up capability, you get an amazing little camera for the price of a lens!

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

wrightwrjr wrote:

Here's another thought. I own a Canon G12 Power S... (show quote)

I am sorry wrightwrjr, but those photos aren't a very compelling advertisement for the purpose. They are substandard compared to what a DSLR will do for noise, clarity and tonal differentiation.

wrightwrjr Loc: Paducah, KY

lighthouse wrote:

I am sorry wrightwrjr, but those photos aren't a very compelling advertisement for the purpose. They are substandard compared to what a DSLR will do for noise, clarity and tonal differentiation.

lighthouse, this lady states she is a novice. I am pretty sure at this point she isn't absorbed with thoughts concerning tonal differentiation. She says she wants the capability of getting close ups of flowers and some landscape shots. I suggest you read the professional reviews of the Canon G12 which is most cases is rated equal to or in most cases better than the latest mirrorless technology by those who ARE looking for those more technical aspects, and those same professionals who claim that mirrorless is on the brink of making DSLRs obsolete. The pictures I posted were taken this morning in about 20 seconds, brought in to my computer and posted for her to see. I am certain I could have Photoshopped them to be much more compelling, but that wasn't my intent. I was trying to help a novice get the most for her money. Besides, they are only substandard depending whose hands a DSLR is in. In a lot of cases it's not the tool it is the user that makes a difference.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

wrightwrjr wrote:

lighthouse, this lady states she is a novice. I a... (show quote)

She already has a dslr.
Compare the photos you posted to the photo posted by wrogers a few messages beforehand.
I think that says it all and the price is very similar.