I just got this Canon 90D like two weeks ago because my sister told me it was the best one for taking pictures of her kids but I am literally so lost right now. I spent all this money on the camera body and it came with this basic lens but the pictures honestly dont look that much better than my iPhone? I mean they are okay but I wanted that professional look with the really blurry backgrounds and everything just looks kind of flat right now. I feel so stupid even asking this because I should have probably researched more before buying it but here I am and I feel like I am failing at this already.
I have a big trip coming up to Maine next month and I really want to take some nice photos of the lighthouses and my family on the beach but I dont want to be carrying around a giant bag of gear. I just want one lens that stays on the camera and can do everything. Is that even possible? I see all these numbers like 18-135 and 50mm and f/1.8 and I have no idea what any of it means. Someone told me to get a prime lens but then someone else said I need a zoom if I am traveling. My budget is pretty tight now since the camera was so expensive so I can probably only spend about $400 or maybe $500 if I really stretch it but I would prefer cheaper if that doesnt ruin the quality.
I just want something that is good for everyday stuff like taking pictures of my dog in the backyard or grabbing a quick shot of my husband while we are out to dinner. The lens I have now is an 18-55mm I think? It just feels kind of limited and I cant get those close up shots I want and the low light stuff looks really grainy. Sorry if this is a really basic question but I am just so overwhelmed by all the options on Amazon and I dont want to waste my money on the wrong thing. What is the actual best lens I should get if I only want to carry one around with me all day?...
Honestly dont feel bad! I was so frustrated when I first got my 90D too because that kit lens is basically just a placeholder. If you want that amazing blurry background and one lens that can do it all for your Maine trip, you absolutely gotta look at the Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM. It is seriously fantastic for the price!
- The f/2.8 aperture is the secret sauce. It stays the same even when you zoom, which is what gives you those professional blurry backgrounds for portraits of the kids!
- It lets in a ton of light. This means your dinner photos wont look grainy anymore because the lens lets the camera breathe.
- It is way sharper than the basic lens you have now. I love mine and it basically never leaves my camera. It fits your budget perfectly and honestly makes the 90D feel like a professional tool!
Regarding what #1 said, I was so satisfied after swapping to the cheap Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM for my dog...
- use low f-stops Are you shooting indoors mostly?
To add to the point above: I totally get that overwhelmed feeling! I remember when I first switched from my phone to the 90D and felt like I'd made a huge mistake because everything looked so boring. Tbh I spent weeks researching because I didn't want to waste money on something that would break or not focus right. I've found that sticking with Canon brand glass is the most reliable way to go for the best autofocus. If you want one lens that can literally stay on your camera forever and give you that pro look, you have to try the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM. It is absolutely fantastic! I used it for my trip to the coast last year and that f/2.8 aperture makes the background look so creamy and soft. It is way better in low light than that kit lens you have now, so those dinner shots will look amazing. You can usually find a used one in great condition for right around $400 or $450 which fits your budget perfectly! It is a bit heavier than what you have now, but the reliability and image quality are just top-notch. You're gonna love it for those Maine lighthouses!
Noted!
> I just want one lens that stays on the camera and can do everything. Is that even possible? I think you might want to consider the trade-offs between sticking with Canon glass versus looking at third-party brands like Sigma or Tamron. Be careful if you go the third-party route tho. I recall some people saying the 90D can be a bit picky with autofocus accuracy on older non-Canon lenses because that 32.5MP sensor is so sharp it shows every tiny flaw. Not sure but I believe I heard that certain Tamron models have better weather sealing for your Maine trip, but Canon lenses usually have smoother autofocus for following kids around. Make sure to check if a lens is an EF or EF-S model too. I would suggest being cautious about super-zooms that claim to do everything from wide-angle to telephoto. In my experience, those usually dont give you that really blurry professional background you are looking for. It is a tricky balance to hit when you are on a budget.
