John K Loc: Old Saybrook, CT

After reading many, many books on photography, I seem to not understand which lens is best to start with? My camera is a Cannon Rebel SL 1/100D. I was told it would be a good camera for an extreme low knowledge of photography person such as myself.
Lens I have so far: Cannon 50 mm, Cannon 70-300 mm, Cannon 18-55mm, Plus two attachments "2.2X High Definition AF Telephoto Lens" an a "0.43 High Definition Wide Angele Lens". I have included two pictures taken with the 50mm lens. Thanks for reading this.

John K

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fourg1b2006 Loc: Long Island New York

First let me welcome you to the forum. I like your second image very much.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Nice! The day you say you know it all is the day photography will stop being fun. Keep learning!

Nalle Loc: Tellus

ef-s 24mm/2,8 STM, 18-135mm STM,

BJW

Welcome aboard the "perpetual student" train where most of us derive fun and fulfillment out of the pure joy of learning and making pleasing images. After I was stuck on Auto mode with my Rebel T2 for years, I finally decided to take an online course-- first with NYIP.edu, which was a huge help. Then Lynda.com and tons of Youtubes. By now, I got enough knowledge to know that I have so much more to learn. And one of the best places to do that is right here at UHH. You've come to the right place. Welcome and Enjoy!!! One caveat IMHO--avoid GAS --it's a nasty habit. (You'll learn what it is soon enough).

Selene03

I mostly use ff cameras, but recently bought the Sl1 as a relatively inexpensive, and more importantly small easy to use, camera for sporting adventures. I pretty much keep the 18-135 stm on it all the time. I am very picky about image quality, but I have been happy with the results from this combo. The 18-135 is a very versatile range. I just recently got a longer lens (70-300) to photograph birds from my kayak, but I haven't had a chance to use it yet. In almost every other case the 18-135 is good.

EnglishBrenda Loc: Kent, England

I like your second shot. I don't think you need to invest in any more lenses at the moment, you have everything covered up to 300mm, that is plenty enough to work with and learn from. You could have used the 70-300mm for the bird.

Djedi

Judging by your second shot, you have an excellent eye (although I would have cropped the top just below the piece of flower pedal at the very top right). You may outgrow that camera very soon!
If you plan on taking more bird shots, you will probably need to use the longer lens (70-300) or set up a Blind on your property.
The "high definition" wide angle converter is junk. Get yourself a decent wide angle that will give you the kind of sharpness you want (ie: Sigma 10-20mm?)

John K Loc: Old Saybrook, CT

Thank You ALL for your helpful replies. It was very interesting having tips on the pictures which I use in the future. Thanks again.

John K Loc: Old Saybrook, CT

Thank You for the tip on making the angel pic better, indeed after cropping the flower above it indeed looks better.

Djedi

Of course, everything is subjective, but sometimes it helps to get a different perspective. But that's probably what you're here for.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

IMO your two lenses are fine. You need to bone up on composition. Do not use the attachments yet as you don't need them at this point. You have plenty of lenses for your start into creating a good photo. Read on COMPOSITION and isolating your main subject. Also, learn what F stops do to depth of field, study the effects of shutter speeds and play with your ISO settings to discover what they do to your final photograph. Lean grasshopper and welcome to UHH, keep on shooting until the end.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

Welcome to the forum!

I like both of your photos, agree that that top flower petal should be cropped out and that the 70-300mm would have given you more magnification for the bird.

There is no one lens that is best to start with, unless you want one lens that covers all of the focal length ranges you might want to use! And for that you risk sacrificing quality for convenience. Changing lenses is easy once you get used to it. The selection of lenses you describe are excellent for starting out and learning. The two zoom lenses cover the total of focal length ranges you will most commonly use, and the prime lens is a great addition. So for now you do not need any more lenses, just practice using the camera with the ones you have. Experiment with the different functions, modes, and settings to understand them better.

Reading photography books is very helpful up to a point. After that you need to be doing it yourself. Also, you may want to try a different way of learning, such as watching video tutorials. Many are available free, others for a price. Lynda.com is very well regarded. CreativeLive.com has a huge selection of videos for purchase plus they have their "On Air" program where they broadcast [for free] tutorials on many subjects - which you have to watch at the time they are on the air [also available for purchase]. Many instructors also have their own websites where they offer tips and tutorials [sometimes free, sometimes not].

GAS = Gear Acquisition Syndrome! This is equivalent to impulse buying when shopping in any kind of store. Photography is a wonderful activity, but it can indeed be a "Money Pit" with a slippery slope. So learn what you need before buying, plan ahead for future purchases, and do your research into the best fit. For instance, you now have a camera and good selection of lenses. What about the "peripherals" that make good additions: good camera bag, good tripod, a couple of filters that you decide to buy because they are needed? A computer on which to store and review/edit images, and the editing program to accomplish this? External hard drives on which to back up the images so you have more than one [or more than two] copies [also can be primary place to store if using a laptop]?

My final suggestion is to get out there and do it, and have FUN!

sailorsmom Loc: Souderton, PA

Can't help you about cameras, John, but these are good shots!

JoAnneK01 Loc: Lahaina, Hawaii

Aloha John and welcome to UHH. Like both of your photos but feel the second one is your best. The composition is great and the colors are terrific. Photography is a learning subject from the time you start until the day you die. We are always learning. Mahalo for sharing.