$1000 budget, need lens recommendation for Canon t1i

[Drum]

Ok there has been some great lens selections here however.... (this is just my personal opinion and may be slammed by many...) I would buy the 430ex with an ettl extension wire (for off camera flash), get the 50mm 1.8 for your low light shots, and the next bit is where I get controversial get the 55-250 for the long range shots you mentioned in the original post. The 55-250 is a great little zoom for the price with nice IQ. That comes to $601 plus $20 for the wire, ok lets call it $650 to be pessimistic. Ok the really strange bit... I would KEEP the 18-55 and spend the money on a "foundation in photography" course for your colleague. At this stage it would probably be of more benefit than any "better" lens..... I have seen some great photos come out of the 18-55 this is why i would keep it. then if you have money left maybe a photo editing software.

 

[bholliman]

There was a similar thread just a week or so ago. Get the 15-85 and the 430 flash. The 15-85 is a very good lens, especially at that price. It's basically an L-lens in an EF-S package, the range is very versatile also for the use you describe.

+1

As Hobby Shooter pointed out, this is a great general purpose zoom. An 17-55 2.8 would be even better for the indoor stuff, but I see B&H has this at over $1k. I always look for ways to buy the best quality glass possible and I think this is your best option since you want flash capability.

You would have $90 something left over to buy an off-camera ETTL cord to hand hold the 430EX off camera. You can probably find an inexpensive soft box as well.

This combo will give you the best IQ lens among the choices and decent off camera flash capability to compensate for its relatively high minimum aperature.

 

[billnelson75]

Thanks for all the great recommendations. The body can't be upgraded and he shoots photos of high level government meetings where you can't be any more distracting than the sound of the shutter, so no flash. Portraits will be a small percentage of the shots. I do like the idea of the Tamron f2.8 and the 55-250 canon with the 430ex ii flash. It is a firm budget, and the office owns whatever we buy plus any order over $1000 will be rejected. That doesn't leave much $$$ left over, but just these lenses will be a big upgrade.

 

[bholliman]

I suggested previously going with the 15-85mm and 430EX flash. I still think that's a good option.

Another option would be:

Canon 50mm f1.8 $109
Canon 85mm f1.8 $359
Canon 55-250mm IS $233
Canon 430ex II flash $254
Off-Camera ETTL cable approx $40

This would give you two nice primes for low-light interior shots and a decent zoom for more reach as well as off camera flash capability with a ETTL cable. I'd really like to substitute the 40mm pancake for the 50 1.8, but that puts you slightly over the $1K limit.

 

[jdramirez]

Hey, Adorama is having a sale right now.

Adorama

A few Canon Lens, Point & Shoots, and DSLRs on sale. Some might not be as hot but for those interested

Apply coupon code S2221112 at checkout

The 55-250 is only $130
@ the Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM Lens is $142.

I doubt the 55-250 will sell out, the 40mm might. And considering you are getting 2 lenses for practically the price of one... I'd jump on that ASAP and then figure out what to do with the rest of the $858.00

 

[STEMI_RN]

I think Drum has a great point. A good intro to photo class could help more than anything. Especially if he won't shoot anything but auto. As far as gear goes, this is where my money would end up

Canon 430ex II flash $254 - For the light - (Add a Sto-fen Omnibounce for $10... trust me)
Canon 55-250mm IS $233 - for reach
Canon 50mm f1.4 $339 - for low light

Total $836

I own all of this stuff and I think it's the best bang for your buck. Spend the additional on the KelbyTraining.com classes for 3 months and learn as much as you can.

 

[Halfrack]

Thanks for all the great recommendations. The body can't be upgraded and he shoots photos of high level government meetings where you can't be any more distracting than the sound of the shutter, so no flash. Portraits will be a small percentage of the shots. I do like the idea of the Tamron f2.8 and the 55-250 canon with the 430ex ii flash. It is a firm budget, and the office owns whatever we buy plus any order over $1000 will be rejected. That doesn't leave much $$$ left over, but just these lenses will be a big upgrade.

This leaves a lot more questions. Neuro's got a good list (as always), but the long and short of it is $1k doesn't give you great light light without flash. Period, no question. People move, size of rooms change, light in government buildings really sucks.

What's the end use of the photos? You may be better getting something from the last six months that's got a wide prime attached to it.

 

[jdramirez]

I think Drum has a great point. A good intro to photo class could help more than anything. Especially if he won't shoot anything but auto. As far as gear goes, this is where my money would end up

Canon 430ex II flash $254 - For the light - (Add a Sto-fen Omnibounce for $10... trust me)
Canon 55-250mm IS $233 - for reach
Canon 50mm f1.4 $339 - for low light

Total $836

I own all of this stuff and I think it's the best bang for your buck. Spend the additional on the KelbyTraining.com classes for 3 months and learn as much as you can.

I like kelby... but unless it is a training series he can keep, it might be a waste of money. What if he quits his job in a month or gets a promotion and doesn't take the photos anymore. It may not be likely, but it is definitely possible.

 

[ecka]

IMHO, the right combo would be something like T4i + 18-135 STM or 15-85IS USM + 50/1.8'II + 430EXII - easy to use, needs no wires for off camera flash, decent performance. The only problem - it costs more than $1k. So, just get a flash, 50/1.8'II and 55-250 IS (if you really need it)
Great picture = decent gear + photography skills + post processing skills. Even if you put on the EF 24-70/2.8L'II in auto mode you may end up shooting at f/8 + built-in flash, and without post processing images may look the same as before (with 18-55 kit lens).

 

[andersde]

I'd recommend the following:

430 Ex
50 1.8
70-200

I'd keep the 18-55. It's not a bad lens at all. I have it and the 15-85, the 15-85 is a lovely lens, gives extra width & reach and better IQ over but given your budget it'd be a waste going this route.

Flash is a must. It'll make a huge difference and allow you to get great shots with the 18-55 indoors.

The 50 1.8 is a no brainer for the price. Great in low light when flash isn't an option.

Lastly the 70-200 will be much better quality vs the 55-250 (which I also have). It'll be useful indoors for headshots etc with the flash and it'll be a great outdoor lens.