Opinions on these lenses?

[cody6766]

I'm shooting with a canon xti and have been using the stock lens. I'm looking for some cheaper lens options and don't exactly know where to turn.

first is this one
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-50mm-1-..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1CQ0HJYK8NMS14XG3D78

It's the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
I have a baby on the way and I am wanting a lens that will be good for shooting pics of the little guy/girl. Also, tank photos are a priority

and then there's this
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-75-300m..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1CQ0HJYK8NMS14XG3D78

Its the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens.
I know the min aperture is pretty high, but how much does that affect outdoor shooting? How is the overall image quality compared to the kit lens? Is it worth buying?

I know cheap and good don't usually go hand in hand with camera parts, but I'm hoping to set up from the kit lens for a decent price and be able to improve my tank photos, outdoor shots (not so much landscapes) and be able to get some good pics of the little ball of payback my wife is working on in her stomach as he/she grows up. I'm also trying to get some options for christmas gifts the wifey can buy for me that don't break the bank. I was more focused on getting her a gift and am drawing a blank now that she is asking me what I want. I'm not opposed to buying quality used or other suggestions in that price range.

thanks all!

 

[iceemn360]

The canon 50mm primes are good for the most part. I was using a 50mm 1.8 and a 50 1.4 on a 7d and they yielded satisfactory results for the most part. Excellent for low light photography with moderate light. It won't make the best tank lens (the wide end of your kitlens will work better) due to its fixed focal length and I cant remember how close you can focus with it. A good lens to keep in the bag none the less

The Canon 75-300 would work well for brightly lit outdoor conditions (full sun to to cloudy) but will struggle indoors. A good lens to start with. I'm not sure what the minimum close focus of this lens is but you might be able to pull out a few macros under brightly lit metal halides.

For macros its best to get a dedicated macro lens in the future. these two lenses in addition to the kit lens should work well.

 

[Dino]

I'm going to advise you skip the 75-300mm, I don't have any direct experience with it but pretty much everything I've ever read on it has been terrible . Save the money you would be spending on it and put towards something else photography related or leave the money in the "lens fund bank" for when you have a bit more to spend on a really good lens in that focal length. Unfortunately this is one lens that suffers from the "you get what you pay for" deal, and what you get is a very cheap telephoto. The $130 some bucks you'll spend on it can be utilized in much better ways with something you'll be much happier with in the long run.

The 50mm however is the complete opposite. While it is a cheap lens its pretty much the best "bang for your buck" lens in Canon's lineup. You really can't go wrong with it. Here is a review on it.

50mm f/1.8 review

Its really just one of those lenses everybody could have in their bag, IQ is great considering you can buy it new for under $100 and so cheap that even if you don't use it much you don't feel too bad. It won't be the greatest thing for tanking pictures of your tank. However if you were to take that money you won't be spending on the 75-300 you could buy a full set of Kenko tubes and use them with the 50mm and have you something that will give you full 1:1 macro (although the focusing distance will be short).

 

[Dino]

Btw Cody, I'm going to send you a PM in just a couple minutes .