KindaSpikey Loc: English living in San Diego

Thanks for the comment William, I'm definitely going to look at joining a camera club, it's great advice and something I can surely use!

DavidM Loc: New Orleans, LA

It seems you have the range covered in what you like to photograph with your current lenses. Have you tried to learn post processing techniques which will improve your photos such as sharpening and doesn't cost much? Try downloading free trials of Lightroom or the one I use is On1. You can find tutorials in how to sharpen or the many other ways to improve your photographs with these products online.

The current version of On1 is even on sale currently for $50.

https://www.on1.com/products/photo-raw/buy/?coupon=SUMMER

KindaSpikey Loc: English living in San Diego

Thank you again for your time Loren, I really think that the "kit lenses", while useable, and good enough to get started, they are mostly there to fill up the box when buying the new camera! I've never been impressed with the quality of the images, and I know for sure that my technique could be vastly improved, but I do think that at least one lens with decent glass would help somewhat. So thanks again!
Ray.

KindaSpikey Loc: English living in San Diego

Hi everyone! While I can't possibly answer all of you individually, I really want to thank you all for your help and advice. (it's already more than I expected or hoped for). You guys are the best, and a great reflection of UHH! stay safe, every one of you.
Ray.

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

Put your camera on a tripod, set it to f/8 and use a remote release to avoid touching it. Take a few images with each lens and try a few shutter speeds (although this shouldn't matter much when on a tripod). Use auto iso. I find that this is the best way to check sharpness as well as comparing 2 or more lenses. I like to focus on a book spine to see how sharp the letters are. But anything can work.

KindaSpikey Loc: English living in San Diego

Thank you, great advice there, and I'm actually going to try that out tomorrow! All the best.
Ray.

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

Let us know what you find out.

wmurnahan Loc: Bloomington IN

With what you have, and not know what you shoot. I would add a macro and a big lens to that group.

DavidM Loc: New Orleans, LA

I also thought you might be interested in seeing more info regarding the two lenses you have..

https://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/18-55mm-stm.htm

https://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/55-250mm-stm.htm

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

Ray, you have asked a question for the ages. Hopefully, you will receive many responses that assist you in your quest. You asked for guidance in selecting your next lens. My advice is too delay, or postpone a decision about a new lens. You are not ready for that choice, yet. Many of us see ourselves in your situation. We have "been there and done that." You need to "go to school." Find a source of learning and get yourself prepared for an onslaught of information and data. In 1972 I walked into an electronics toyland in Tokyo, Japan. I wanted the Minolta SRT 102. At that time the camera was state of the art equipment, it had a built-in lightmeter, and nothing else. It also came with a 50mm lens. That rig cost me $150.00 usd. For another $100.00 usd I purchased a 100mm Minolta telephoto lens. End the discussion of gear as the equipment offered then was a simple, uncomplicated choice. Today, Canon offers a lens of 16-35 mm and another of 17-40mm. Notice the numbers game we are entering? We find that the numbers in the photography industry have gotten slightly out of control. You need to go back to school and learn the differences those choices offer. The options are incredibly varied, as the lenses mentioned are quite similar numerically and need to be discussed thoroughly. I mentioned school and that is also open to discussion, there are many. Junior colleges sometimes offer courses that can be used to learn photography. A business called "CreativeLive" offers a course in nothing but Canon lenses. Some very good and experience photographers have gone into the teaching business and offer great opportunities for learning. Stop your search for a lens, there is much more valuable information to glean. Find that information and learn it. Then, the lenses offered will mean much more to you. The gear offered is only a "tool," your need is to learn as much as possible about those "tools." The more you know, the more you learn which lens or which body is THE piece you need (want) for your photographs' journey. Best wishes for you in your search, it can be very rewarding.

PaulBrit Loc: Merlin, Southern Oregon

Ray, what brought you to Southern California?

From a fellow Englishman living in Southern Oregon.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Ray,

I am going to go in a different direction. I can not suggest any specific Lens or Lenses to you because I do not shoot Canon cameras. Even though I do own and use many Zoom lenses, I am partial to Prime Lenses (single focal length). I might suggest a 35mm, 50mm, 100mm, 135mm Lens for general photography. Check the reviews or other UHH'ers recommendations for a really excellent one. A Canon branded one is obvious but Sigma, Tamron and others have made Prime lenses for Canon. Be sure to get a lens in the correct Mount for your EOS Rebel T7i.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

There are two lenses that you absolutely MUST look at - these lenses are the absolute best bang for the buck - I have them I use them - both are very reasonably priced new or used and are shockingly good. You do need to be a reasonably good technical photographer and post processor in order to reap the benefits these lenses can provide. 8-)

Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4 Contemporary
Canon 70-300 IS II nano
.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I love lenses. Have quite a few. Use most of them, but some are just "nice to have." So I'm about the last person in the world to say not to look for or buy a new lens. But since you say that you are on a limited budget, I'm wondering whether something else might be of more help first.

Do you post process your images, or do you use JPEGs straight out of the camera? I follow both paths, but use a lot of JPEGs without any additional adjustments. I ask because sometimes the "sharpness" that people are seeking isn't really that at all. Instead, it is a desire for a little more contrast or perhaps a little more color saturation. And in some cases it is a need for more sharpness...restoring what the camera has been directed to reduce.

I am not familiar with your camera, and am not aware of what options it may offer around what Nikon calls "Picture Controls"...the ability to adjust in jour camera some of the picture characteristics that can also be adjusted during post processing. My suggestion is to review your manual, see if these parameters are available to you, and experiment with them to see whether your camera can deliver more "interesting" images based on adjusting some of these parameters. You may not have these adjustments, and they may not fix what you think is wrong. But it is worth investigating and trying.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Ray,

(Hi again), Yes, what did bring you from the UK to San Diego to live? That is a long way! Though I can see the Weather in Balboa Park being a bit similar to Wales! Doing photography in Coastal San Diego you have some of the same issues I have in Grover Beach (next to Pismo Beach) CA. Ocean hazy sun, cloud cover, and often reduced light for much of the day. Both Coastal San Diego and Central Coast have similar mostly even temperatures from day to night and month to month. Though I have been to San Diego in Hot Weather. I grew up and lived most of my life in the Suburbs of Los Angeles, but now am away from the 105-112 degree Summers. Here in Grover Beach today it may get up to 77. That is one of our warmer days.

I noticed that some Hoggers made some good shooting technique suggestions. I can assure you that there are many Camera / Photography Clubs near you with different expertise levels. There are also many Photo Museums and Galleries. See what other have taken in San Diego and study how they may have done it. I have taken photographs around San Diego a number of times. Good luck and welcome to California.