For food blogging, I currently only shoot with my iPhone (sad) but, am purchasing the rebel t3 soon. Should I get this too?

If your food blogging involves discreetly photographing restaurant meals, then you may want something much wider than the 50mm f/1.8, which will have the same coverage as a full-frame 80mm lens on your Rebel T3. A 20mm or 24mm would be great, but for much less money, the newer Canon "pancake lens," the 40mm f/2.8, is fabulously sharp, takes gorgeous photos, is the smallest (physically shortest) lens in the entire Canon range, and doesn't cost much more than the 50 f/1.8 ($149 after $50 rebate as of August 2014). Before buying anything, check out some sample photos of any lens you are considering by going to dpreview or pbase and doing a search. They've saved me hundreds of dollars and immeasurable disappointment by getting to see the quality of pictures taken with a specific lens. In the latter, search by camera, choose Canon, and scroll down to see examples of photos taken with the lenses you are most interested in. Then you can come back to Amazon to purchase a lens you *know* will do the job for you. Happy blogging!

is this lens good for up close shots of people

This lens on a full frame will distort the face a little bit. If you want a good "close shots of people" lens. I would suggest an 85mm. Also known as "the best "portrait lens. You could get away with using a 50mm but, you'll have slight distortion of facial features. I'd suggest taking multiple shots at different distances. If your shooting on one of the rebel series cameras or 60d, 7d or any of the crop sensor (APS-C) cameras you'll be okay. Because of crop factor (1.6) you'll have a relatively close focal range. (50x1.6=80). If your confident with manual focus, there's a bunch of budget 85mm lenses available here on Amazon for around the same price

Is this a good portrait lens w/wide aperture? Canon Digital Rebel EOS XT compatible? Will I need to stand a half mile away to take a family photo?

This is good portrait lens but if you have never used a fixed lens just understand that you are gonna have to move in and out to adjust the distance. I love this lens because with the 1.8/f you can really blur the background giving your focal point more attention. I love the wide aperture, but that also depends on the artist using it. It's a canon lens so you shouldn't have a problem. I have an Xti so it works on mine. Half a mile away, far from it this is only 50mm if you wanna stand far away you would prob start at about 75 or 80mm. It's a good lens at an awesome price I love it.

Real Angle Of View	46 Degrees
Maximum Aperture	1.8
Minimum Aperture	22
Zoom Ratio	1:1.8
Photo Filter Size	52 Millimeters
Lens Mount	Canon EF
Number of Diaphragm Blades	5
Minimum Focal Length	50
Lens Design	Prime
Focus Type	Micromotor
Lens Fixed Focal Length	50 Millimeters
Lens Coating Description	Super Integrated Coating
Focal Length Description	50 mm
Lens	Standard
Compatible Camera Mount	Canon EF
Maximum Focal Length	50 Millimeters

Canon Cameras US 2514A002 EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens - Fixed (Discontinued by Manufacturer)

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