SLR Camera purchase imminent , what lens if only having one etc ?

[garrardrj]

Going to get myself an SLR and will start off with a Canon 600D or similar and want to buy one lens (initially)and am thinking of the 24-105mm STM or USM EF lens that will transfer to a better body if i upgrade . My theory is to buy a lens i can keep rather than change camera and lens . I have thought about the EF-S 18-135 or 18-200mm , but they are not that good a quality as the 24-105 ?
I have ideas of getting a Canon 5D after dipping my feet in again to photography .
Also if i was to get another lens for wildlife photography ,  which one ?
I am a bit of a sucker for "Names" so Canon is my choice for Camera and lenses , i cannot be swayed from Canon , or can I ?

[FJ1000]

I'm a nikon man myself. I find that a 18-200mm lens is great for 95% of scenarios. I also have a prime lens for better portraits. It's fairly small and easy enough to keep with you in a camera case.

I bought my 18-200 nikon lens secondhand off ebay.

Hope that helps.

[stealthwolf]

Depends on how far you plan on stepping into photography. I have a canon 70D. I bought it with the 18-135mm stm kit lens. I bought a 50mm 1.8 plus extension for experimenting because it was dirt cheap.

My next lens choice would be 70-200mm f4 is (because I can't justify the price for f2.8 when it's just a hobby), and 17-55mm f2.8 for general purpose.

In some ways, a good lens is a waste on a cheaper camera. I think it's more important to master things like composition and exposure before running after more exotic lenses.

[garrardrj]

I did Photography A Level about 33 years ago and remember the arty stuff . I would get a 5d MK2 straight away but i remember it being a bit big and want to see what sort of images a 550/600D will give me , its not as if i am going to be blowing them up huge , just perhaps on a 17" screen (When i get a Macbook Pro which is my next purchase but no imminent)  .
So buying the good lens first will sort of make the step up a bit cheaper ... Ie 600D with kit lens £300 , 600D with 24-105 lens about £550 - £600 , 5D mk2 with 24-105 £1300 ish whereas a 5d mk2 Body can be sourced for around £900-£100 . So instead of spending £300 then £1300 i spend £600 then £1000 and flog the 600D for £200 ish ....See method in my madness

[mk5-beast-91]

when i got my nikon it cam with an 18-55mm lense. i then got a 55-300mm lense that i use all the time.

[stealthwolf]

With the 24-105, you'll lose at the wide end esp on a crop body - it'll be like 38-168mm. In your circumstances, I'd either go for just cheap kit lens, or go the whole hog and buy a full frame and decent lens (probably second hand).

As for wildlife photography, I recall most togs go for telephotos eg 100-400mm EF

[LukeV_Dnb]

I have the 6d which is pretty much between the 5d2 and 5d3 and i have the 24-105L with it, Cannot fault the lens at all and use it for 75% of my pictures. I also have the 50mm 1.4 Which is brilliant for the price and awesome in low light.

Pretty much all of the pictures on here (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stanceography/1400936956874745?fref=ts) I have take with the 24-105mm to give you some idea of clarity etc.

Hope this helps

[nicsabers]

35mm prime or a 50mm prime. i love my 35mm

[RetroRaz]

I've just put my Canon stuff for sale if you're interested

[dnr1g]

+1 for the 24-105mm

[danishmkvgti]

I have a 72mm 18-200mm lens on my Canon, the only one i use