what is actually the best lens to get for a Canon EOS Rebel T6? sorry if this is a super basic question lol, I honestly know nothing about cameras. I just bought this one used from a friend in Chicago for like two hundred bucks and it came with the basic kit lens. But it barely zooms in when I try to take pics of my dogs outside or want to shoot stuff across the street. Im heading on a trip to Colorado next month and really wanna capture some nice mountain views and wildlife without breaking the bank, maybe keeping it under 150 bucks if thats even possible? What should I buy...
Man, I totally get where you're coming from with the kit lens struggle! When I took my first trip out to the Rockies years ago, I made the exact same mistake and felt super limited trying to shoot distant mountain goats with basically zero zoom. Since you are heading to Colorado and need some serious reach on a tight budget, here is what worked wonders for me back in the day:
- Look for a used Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro if you want something super cheap that still packs a punch for landscape shots.
- Check out local camera shops or MPB for a pre-owned Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM because that stabilization is an absolute lifesaver when you are freezing your hands off on a windy mountain trail. Honestly, spending a little time hunting for a used telephoto lens completely changed my travel photography game without emptying my wallet. Have an amazing trip to Colorado and good luck snapping those dogs and wildlife!
> struggle with the kit lens not zooming in enough Man I totally felt that pain when I first started out! If you want a killer budget option that actually gets close to wildlife, look for a used Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III. You can find them under 100 bucks easily on mpb or keh. Took mine to the Rockies last year and got some sick shots of elk without spending a fortune!
Honestly for that budget, your best bet is grabbing a used Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM. Since you are shooting dogs and wildlife, that extra reach is gonna be a game changer compared to the kit lens. It fits your T6 perfectly and the image stabilization is super helpful when you are zoomed in all the way so your shots dont end up blurry. Its a massive upgrade for outdoor stuff. You wont be able to get professional wildlife shots from miles away, but for mountain landscapes and playing with your dogs in the yard, it covers plenty of ground. Keep an eye out for it on local marketplaces or camera shops since you can find them cheap used. Just make sure you get the STM version because the focus is much quieter and smoother.