Nightski

I like to take lots of outdoor landscape type pictures, and I would like to take some pictures of wildlife and my dogs while I am out and about. I have the lens that came with my Rebel XTI. Would I benefit from getting an upgraded lens, or should I just keep practicing with the one I have? If I did get an upgrade, what would be a good one for me to start with? The files I am uploading are from my point and shoot last summer. I am wondering if I can take better shots with the Canon as is.

People fishing


Here's a shot that I would like to do better on


Paddle Boarding

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

The sunrise photo is beautiful, though needs straightening. What is it about it that you dislike? You certainly have an eye for composition and interesting subject matter. I used just the 18-55 mm that came with my Canon XT for over 4 years and was happy as can be. With just 8 megapixels, I even had a few posters (20x30) printed that I thought were great.

This past fall I got a 55-250 mm lens and in Nov. the T3i Canon camera. Now I find myself trying to take distant bird photos with a lens that isn't long enough - ha! Seems like if you're mainly doing landscapes, your kit lens will be perfect for now.

Nightski

Yes, I noticed that I was getting the landscapes crooked, and I have been better about taking note of that while I am taking a shot. I guess I have just been getting a little discouraged because my Canon pictures don't seem to be as sharp as my point and shoot shots. I noticed a new thing about the manual focus on the rebel today though, that I hadn't noticed before, so maybe I just need to spend more time making mistakes and learning before I even think about a new lens. I am glad to hear that you used your lens that came with it for 4 years. I'm going to keep trying. I tried to do a custom white balance today and all my shots are green, except the 2 I did in the cloudy setting. It's alot to learn at first. Thank-you, Linda, you are so encouraging.

kaz6756 Loc: Canarsie,Brooklyn, New York

I'm totally in love with Sigma lenses Take your camera to the store and try a few lenses.

CORNISH Loc: CORNWALL, UK

I have recently purchased the Sigma 18-250 DC HSM and am more than pleased with it, a great lens, stays on my Canon all the time now. I think you'd be happy with it as well!

Ive Fallen Loc: Chula, GA

i like them. all of them.

Nightski

I never thought of taking the camera to a store to try out lenses. I will definitely do that when I am ready. Today I just discovered that when you have the kit lens switched to manual focus, there are 2 different places to focus it on the lens. I didn't know that, and I accidentally discovered it. I guess you could say that I'm one of those people that should be licensed to shoot a Canon. :)Anyway, I took a close up shot of an outdoor water spicket, and it was actually in focus. Amazing. This is the first time that I have been able to do this with my Canon. Here is the picture. Please tell me if you think it is in focus.

Water Spicket

Milvtx Loc: Midland,Texas

Looks good to me!