Marg Loc: Canadian transplanted to NW Alabama

I received my very first camera at age 67. It’s a pre owned Canon t4i. I have 2 kit lenses (18-55 mm and 75-300 mm.) Following unsolicited advice from a number of people I have added a 50 mm f1.8 prime lens. I feel that I have already outgrown the kit lenses and it has been suggested that I save up for an L lens. Do you all concur or disagree. I shoot birds, architectural landscapes, flowers and grandkids. I have not yet found my photography passion. Thanks in advance for any thoughts.
Marg

whwiden

The 50mm prime was a good idea. I would only do that if you are not satisfied with the results from the kit lenses. I would not just do it to conform to opinions of others. I do not know Canon well, but I believe an L lens is professional grade usually shot on higher end bodies.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Two lenses that I recommend are the Sigma 17-70 2.8-4 and the Canon 70-300 IS II nano. I have and use both - great lenses !

..

JPringle Loc: Australia

Hi Marg
Without fully understanding how you've outgrown your kit lenses, I'm not sure my response will be directly useful.

I have a few of Canon's L lenses and they are all pretty good. But I don't they are universally good value for everyone. For example, Canon makes the very effective EFs 10-18 and also the EF 11-24, which is more than ten times the price. They both do much the same thing and that's a lot of difference, and for a lot of people, worth every cent extra, and some people, worth spending every cent of their savings on something else.

So with the L range of Canon lenses, a lot of the extra money is for their ruggedness of build and weatherproofness. Now if you're the sort of person that lets their lenses roll around in the footwell of your SUV while your drive off road bush bashing, then maybe the extra is worth it. Me, I use a camera bag and never seem to have broken a lens in that bag. And while I might shoot in a light shower or mist (I just carry a plastic shopping bag and some rubber bands), I'll probably look for a fireside drink if the weather is bad!! A lot of the money is also from 'faster' lenses which dominate the L range too. Now one reason I do have some L series lenses, is that there is simply no equivalent in Canon's non L range, so I have an EF 400 f5.6L for example.
Another reason that people have L lenses is that they have high resolution FF cameras. And these cameras can take good advantage of the higher quality glass sometimes used in L series lenses.
Now a FF camera also needs a bigger amount of glass in the lens to cover that full frame sensor. that's also where a lot of the cost of a L lens comes from too. they are all FF lenses.

So my advice is that there are perhaps better lenses than the kit lenses you have, and they are not all L lenses.

So a pretty good step up from your kit lenses might be the EFs 10-18, the EFs 17-55 f2.8 or the EFs 15-85 (a favourite of mine) and the EF 70 300 (non L). These make a fine addition for anyone who intends to stick with Canon's consumer and pro-consumer range of cameras, take reasonable care of their kit, shoot mostly in good light or with a flash, and keeps out of the rain and snow, and doesn't need anything longer that 300mm.

And Canon make some pretty neat non L primes too, you're already experiencing their Nifty Fifty. But they tend to be a bit more specialised in their use.

Good luck

canon Lee

Hi Marg... Most here are retired and have a passion for taking photos... Most here will suggest 24~105mm L for your go to lens. This lens will take care of 90% of your shoots, where the long lens and wide are more for special shoots... I would keep your wide angle. Take your time buying your long lens.... If you are taking action shots ,or low light,( as indoors) then the aperture opening is most important ( F2.8)... I suggest that you look into a "fixed aperture" lens. This will allow you to zoom in and out with a fixed aperture setting.... In time you will find the subject matter that you have passion for. Good luck..

jdub82 Loc: Northern California

Since L lenses are quite expensive, I'm not sure that I would encourage you to make an L lens your first lens upgrade. It depends on your budget. They are great if you can afford them. There are other quality lenses available that would give you greater flexibility and better focusing than your current kit lenses, at a lower cost than the L lenses. One example would be the Canon 18-135 IS Nano USM. It has a great focal range with fast focusing. I have found this to be a great all purpose lens for my 77D. However, If you can afford the 24-105L IS USM II, go for it. The image quality is undoubtedly superior. For a longer focal range The Canon EF 70-300 IS II Nano USM lens is also a much better lens than your 75-300 lens, without breaking the bank. this lens is full frame compatible, but would work well on your current T4i body.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Where would a new purchase make a difference for you? In other words, where would something new add to what you are currently doing? That is where your spending should take you.

In my case, I have issues in low light; the conventional answer is to purchase "f/2.8" lenses, but I don't want to surrender Depth Of Field, so my next purchase will be a KP {even though my K-30 is just three years old} because "testimony" from current users is that the KP makes high ISO values very useable.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

You say you have not yet found the passion but you have outgrown your 2 kit lenses. Maybe a good lens will help you find the passion, I don't know. The kit lenses you have are 2 of the "cheapest" lenses Canon makes. How much are you willing to spend for a better Lens?
I personally own several L lenses and my favorite all purpose lens is my EF 28-300L but that is a $2400 lens. My second favorite is my EF 100-400L, another fairly expensive lens. Neither of them are f/2.8 but quite frankly, since you are not a pro and you're probably not going to make large prints, you don't really need an f/2.8 zoom lens. They are expensive and heavy. One of my favorite non L lenses for crop sensor cameras like your T4i is the EF-S 18-200. A decent relatively inexpensive zoom that's good for birds and flowers is the Sigma 150-600 Contemporary. I have one with Nikon mount and it does a pretty good job and is not heavy like the Sport version.
But, not knowing a budget makes it somewhat difficult to make actual recommendations.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

A 24-105 is a great walking around lens. A 70-200 f/2.8 is almost a must for birding.

repleo Loc: Boston

Marg,
I think the 'unsolicited advice' to get a 50mm 1.8 was almost good advice but not quite appropriate for your camera. A good fast 'normal' lens should be the foundation of your lenses. Without a fast prime and the ability to work the depth of field, you may as well go with the convenience of a compact camera. Once upon a time, cameras came with 50mm primes and the reputation of the brand rested on the quality of their 50/1.8. However on your APS-C camera a 35mm prime would be more 'normal' than a 50mm. I would suggest trading your 50mm for a 35mm and maybe a little faster than f1.8. I think you would find it much more useful.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Just because an L lens is better quality, it's also considerably more expensive. Canon - and other companies - makes good lenses, L or not. Consider something in the 18 - 300mm range. It's nice to have most situations covered with one lens when you're out shooting. I seldom change lenses when I'm out. I decide what I want to shoot, pick the lens, and stick with it.

Don, the 2nd son Loc: Crowded Florida

Top advice from "down under!" How about sharing some of your favorite photos so far? We would love to see what your "kit" has dome and speculate on what an "L" lens may add. WE all face the same urges. Perhaps we can gain experience together. BTW I have and use the EF 10-18 (plastic mount, great optics) and a 400mm f/5.6"L" and 300mm f/4 "L." My daughter has bested me with her 100-30mm (not "L") on many shots. It seems success is more about technique and opportunity than $$$$ in equipment.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

In what way have you "outgrown" the kit lenses? In this environment the advice you will more than likely end up is, Canon users will tout those products the same with Nikon, Sony etc. Do your own research. There are many sites that do comparisons. This way you are not involved with their prejudices.

DebAnn Loc: Toronto

You have two zoom lenses that probably currently fulfill your needs. Unless you are unhappy with your photos, you don't need to upgrade. L lenses are expensive so, perhaps it might be better to start saving up for a better camera body and an L lens to go with it. That might be a more practical goal for the future.

revhen Loc: By the beautiful Hudson

The Canon 18-135 is sharp and will cover most of your needs. The 70-300 is excellent and has good reach. But for serious birding perhaps the Sigma Contemporary 100-600 would be best.