lens for a Canon Rebel 300D

Hey. I'm a newbie here. I take really good pictures. I  recently bought a 58mm macro/wide-angle lens from Amazon. I actually have a 55mm. With some of the wide-angle shots, there is gray in the corners, before I take the picture, and in the final shot. Am I doing something wrong, or is it the lens? 

Most lenses have some vignetting, and most of us compensate for that in post via (e.g.) lens profiles in LR (or other software).

That won't help if you're producing JPGs in-camera, and I have no idea what kind of compensation the camera's software will provide.

That said....

The only thing a quick search turned up for "Canon 58mm lens" is a close-up converter, or filter. Since you didn't provide details, the best one can offer is that, if this is it, you're extending the length of the lens, which will create corner vingetting. Same thing can happen with any screw-on filter.

Solution (if this is correct): get a real lens, or figure out how to compensate for it in post.

G'day Elizabeth

I note that this is your first post - so Welcome to the PT forum ~ there are plenty of others here willing to offer you suggestions and advice

As Gary points out, some of your description above is a bit confusing - may I offer whatever I can here

There are 2 things to consider here ~ a) the diameter of something versus b) the focal length of something. In this case it appears that you are talking about a camera lens which has a 55mm focal length versus a close-up lens, screw-on attachment of 58mm diameter. All okay - just terminology that we all find a bit confusing in the early stages

If I understand things properly, the Amazon lens attachment is one of those 2-piece things that in one mode gives an apparent wide-angle result and when disassembled, gives another result ie: closeup focus ~ in each case after being attached to a main camera lens

While many of us have experimented with these gizmos in the past, as Gary says - sometimes it is better to buy a 'proper' macro lens -is- you are going to do lots of really close photos. A good one could cost you $us400 upwards

Many of us -me included- use the "Canon 58mm diameter closeup lens attachment" (costing about $us75) when used with a 300mm lens to change its minimum focus distance from about 1,5metres / 5-feet down to 0,5metres / 18-inches or so. This then lets us do close-up photos without getting too close. It is not 'macro' work - just 'closeup' work. It is not much good with the 55mm regular camera lens as this lens already will focus quite close all by itself

Hope this helps and is not too confusing
Phil from the great land Downunder
www.flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/

Hey! Thanks for the tip. I think you are right about getting an actual lens. I had bought a NEEWER 58mm HD wide-angle/macro lens. It does just screw on. I mean ya, it looks great, but I don't think it's going to work for me. I honestly just like taking great pictures. And I thought that's all it was. Now I am seeing and learning about all of little details and options. This may be difficult with a low budget. If there is an option to attach files, I could send you a few samples. Again, thanks for your help!

Hi. Thank you for your tips! That is very helpful for future learning experiences. I thought taking pictures was "just taking pictures." I have more to learn that I thought I did. Thanks again!

ElizabethBK wrote: Hi. Thank you for your tips! That is very helpful for future learning experiences. I thought taking pictures was "just taking pictures." I have more to learn that I thought I did. Thanks again!

Photography can be casual, or it can be a craft. The latter requires investment in time and skill, and often equipment, in order to achieve your goals. Some have goals that are accomplished through the use of simple devices; other goals have specific demands.

Ultimately, it's not about the equipment, it's about your vision.

Welcome to PT, and happy shooting.

ElizabethBK wrote: ... If there is an option to attach files, I could send you a few samples. Again, thanks for your help!

Hi Elizabeth

Some aspects of this site are a bit 'funny' to follow - but you soon get used to them
You need to use the "Edit" screen to get more text options and the little header "Attachments" to upload stuff. 
-or- you can link pics from other sites if those sites have a link option

I use Flickr to display my photo albums and link images from there to here

Hope this helps
Phil