I have a canon eos rebel xsi and am currently using the stock lense (efs 18-55mm). I want to upgrade my lense, but I don't really know where to start. I mainly use my camera for photographing my artwork, and while I mostly photograph 3d things in a lightbox, I sometimes photograph 2d works and also large scale installations. Anyone that can point me in the right direction would be much appreciated!
Update:the problems I have most are a lack of crispness in the image and sometimes I am presented with lower lighting conditions. the focal length of the lense is fine but I feel like I could benefit from a lense with higher quality glass that would allow me to photograph more sharply and accurately in the conditions that I am currently shooting. also sometimes I notice a dulling of colors, most often pastel colors. the separation between very light or very dark colors is not evident in pictures.
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
A good way to decide what to get is to try and categorize the situation(s) that you most photograph and do not get the results you want from what you have now. Are you sometimes stuck dealing with low light or ambient light or is it that some installations are too large for the widest setting on your current lens? Are you not getting the sharpness in your images that you desire? To make a valid recommendation, I'd have to know more about what isn't turning out right or the way you would like to see it. Once you know more what is limiting your shots or just not doing as you would expect, then anyone making a recommendation has much more to go on. Or you might even answer your own question to some extent with a bit of research and solve your own problem, possibly better than a third party.
I have an 18-55 also and haven't found anything that it can't do with your description of use. If you are wanting to move in closer, just get a set of close-up lenses that screw on to your present lens.
If you can't get a decent photo with the kit lens, you can't get one with another lens no matter how expensive the new lens is.