Where should I go from here? (Page 2): The Captian is right, photography is an open ended cash drain and you can be the only one who will decide what your needs are now and in the...

molsonice Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

The Captian is right, photography is an open ended cash drain and you can be the only one who will decide what your needs are now and in the future. Personally I have the Canon Xsi and love it and will until it dies. Then and anly then will I take the next step. JMO :-D :thumbup:

Wabbit Loc: Arizona Desert

MURPHY16 wrote:

Thanks. see my other posts for my upcoming plan. Thanks for helping me make the right decision.

Hey Doc ..... lenses change your field of view ..... so your position verses your target is your objective.

After that decide on the speed of the lens you need, this will determine how much that lens will cost

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Festina Lente wrote:

I believe you are looking at this all wrong.
Your next step should be to got out and shoot with what you have.

Some of us like to take pictures, and some of us like to accumulate equipment - so that we can take pictures. :wink:

Tman Loc: Texas

Still have my Xxi and upgraded to a 24-70mm 2.8 and a 70-200mm 2.8 just over a year ago. Made a huge difference in my shots. Went with these two lens after lengthly discussions with some pro shooters I know; they recommended lens upgrade and then a new body somewhere down the road that both the lens could be used on.
Plan to go full frame most before long.

CAM1017 Loc: Chiloquin, Oregon

MURPHY16 wrote:

I am getting back into taking photos. I currently own the Canon EOS Rebel XSI with the following lenses. Canon EF-S18-55 3.5 IS,
Canon EF-2 18-200 3.5 IS and an older Canon EF 50mm 1.8 (not IS) I don't want to go too over board, but would like to step up a bit. Also any suggestions on the next lens that I would benefit from. I don't usually shoot portraits but won't rule it out. Thanks.

You actually have a very nice camera/lens selection. I would suggest staying with what you have for awhile to see if you are going to stay with Digital photography. If you do, maybe look at the Canon T4i or a 60D bodys.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

MURPHY16 wrote:

I am getting back into taking photos. I currently own the Canon EOS Rebel XSI with the following lenses. Canon EF-S18-55 3.5 IS,
Canon EF-2 18-200 3.5 IS and an older Canon EF 50mm 1.8 (not IS) I don't want to go too over board, but would like to step up a bit. Also any suggestions on the next lens that I would benefit from. I don't usually shoot portraits but won't rule it out. Thanks.

500mm f4 for birds

PhotoNoob Loc: Innisfail, Canada

MURPHY16 wrote:

I am getting back into taking photos. I currently own the Canon EOS Rebel XSI with the following lenses. Canon EF-S18-55 3.5 IS,
Canon EF-2 18-200 3.5 IS and an older Canon EF 50mm 1.8 (not IS) I don't want to go too over board, but would like to step up a bit. Also any suggestions on the next lens that I would benefit from. I don't usually shoot portraits but won't rule it out. Thanks.

I think the important thing for any photographer is to enjoy what they do, more or better tools may help, but if your not having fun, then more equipment won't change that. As you enjoy your photography, you will get better, maybe without even realizing it. Have fun, and post some pics.

PhotoNoob

coondog Loc: Lost in Vermont

In the film world, I shot semi-pro (weddings, portraits..that sort of stuff), when I switched to digital, I realized that I was about to be schooled in a serious way. I bought an entry level D3100, 18-55mm, and 55-200mm kit lenses to get started. I've since added a 35mm f/1.8, and 55-300mm zoom. Only now am I getting really comfortable with this technology (it's been over a year). My advice is simple...learn your camera & lenses..and what they can do. Master it...then when you're ready to move on, you'll know where to go.
Visit Ken Rockwell's website to get his views on your lenses...you'll be pleased as to what he has to say. Good luck, and take your time.

eskiles Loc: Palmer Alaska

Take your camera body to the store and try different lenses. Take some pics, when you get home look at the pics and determine which lense gave you what you wanted. Then go buy it.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

As a Canon shooter, and as you gain experience and want to up the IQ, I can recommend two lenses with high performance /cost ratios with indespensible focal lengths. Sigma 17-70 F2.8-4 OS ($429)and Canon 70-200 F4 L non-IS ($600 ).

CanonFire Loc: Phoenixville, PA

My son and I both share a love of photography. He shoots with an XSI and takes phenomenal photographs. He has an EFS 18-55, EFS 55-250, and an f1.8 50mm. You could get along fine with the gear you have.

I shoot with a Canon T2i and have the same lenses my son has, although I also have an f1.8 85 mm which I like for portraits. While my son does a lot of landscape and "experimental" photography, I primarily do street photography and the Canon T2i with the EFS 18-55 works perfectly for me. There are times on the street when you really need a wide angle to capture the shot you want and the 18-55 gives you that flexiblilty. I also do "urban decay" and abandoned places so I would love a camera that does HDR in camera. The T4i does that and that's one of the bodies I'll consider when it comes time for me to upgrade.

I can't really recommend a camera body for you without knowing your budget, but I wouldn't go buying a new body because you think it will take better photos. While there are advantages to having some of the features in other cameras, I'm a firm believer that it's the skill of the photographer, not the camera that takes a great photo.

victoria1

Canon make a 15-85mm zoom that I believe has better image quality than the 18-55. I own this lens and it's a very handy travel lens that can produce some sharp pix. Check out the reviews. This lens will not fit a full frame camera. A good, relatively inexpensive prime Canon lens is the 85mm f/1.8. Canon also make an affordabel 100mm f/2 lens which, I believe, is of similar quality to the 85mm. My local camera store says they prefer the 100mm to the 85. If you can stretch to the price, Canon's 70-200mm L f/4 Image Stabilised lens is brilliant but much more intrusive than the other lenses mentioned.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Ignore all this talk of equipment! Don't BUY anything.
I repeat what I said yesterday:
"You have all you need. Spend money on a multi-day workshop that teaches photography in the areas in which you have an interest.

It ain't the gear at your level."

Everyone is telling you what THEY have. I am a firm believer if you have to ask what to buy, you are not ready to buy anything. Now, asking about comparisons between similar items is one thing, but, "I would like to step it up a bit," is is so open-ended as to be meaningless.

BuckeyeBilly Loc: St. Petersburg, FL

Murphy,
Here's my 2-cents worth: listen to what almost everyone else has told you; I mean, the Canon XSI received very good reviews when it came out (which means that even though other cameras now have more bells-and-whistles, the truth is your camera STILL produces great photos!), it is CAMERA ONLY, it does both JPEG and 14-bit RAW, the shutter range is from 30 seconds to 1/4000 second, the ISO is from 100 to 1600 (which is PLENTY for what you need right now!), it has bracketing, it has live view....I mean, you really have everything you need as far as a camera is concerned. KEEP IT!
My recommendation for a lens would be to add a macro lens for taking closeups. Here is a link for a review on Canon macros:

http://www.cameralabs.com/lenses/lens_buyers_guide/Canon_EF_lenses/Which_close-up_lens/Which_Canon_macro_close-up_flower_insect_lens.shtml

The other lens I might recommend would be a longer telephoto, and here's a link for that:

http://www.cameralabs.com/lenses/lens_buyers_guide/Canon_EF_lenses/Which_telephoto_lens/Which_Canon_sports_action_telephoto_lens.shtml

MURPHY16

thanks to everyone - all your posts have broadened my horizons.