Trying to decide what lenses to buy:

[magnum j.p.]

I have been considering replacing my trusty 30-year-old Canon FTb with a digital camera, and after looking at superzoom EVF cameras, I've decided that I really won't be happy with anything less than an SLR.

Since I can't afford the Canon 30D I'd really rather have, I think I'll go with a Digital Rebel XT (or XTi, if I can find one at a decent price). But after reading at least a dozen threads on these forums, I can't decide what lens(es) to get.

With my FTb I have the magnificent Canon 50/1.4, and a war-weary Vivitar 75-205/3.5 zoom with dedicated 2x extender. As I don't do enlargements for the most part, these served me very well and I almost never wished I had any other lenses. (I have a 28/2.8 Vivitar that got very little use, as well.)

Logically I would have liked to have kept a similar setup with the Rebel. With the 1.6x lens factor, that would be a 31/1.4 normal lens and a 47-128/3.5 zoom (or similar). So what are my options?

I'm very surprised Canon never came out with a 31/1.4 or 31/1.8 lens as a true normal lens for cameras like this. The only option I know of in a single-length normal lens is the Sigma 30/1.4 lens. How would it compare?

If I get a "standard" zoom instead of the Canon kit lens, the highly-regarded Tamron 28-75/2.8 is tempting, but how would it compare to a "true" normal lens like a 30/1.4? I'm also bugged by the fact that its zoom and focusing rings turn in the opposite direction to the Canon & Sigma lenses--one reason why I've never bought Tamron lenses in the past.

And as for a telephoto zoom, the nearest thing to a "47-128" I could find is Sigma's 50-150/2.8, which is probably out of my price range. I had Canon's 28-135/3.5-5.6 in mind, but there seems to be too much negative opinion about it, though at least I can afford it! I suppose its image quality should be at least as good as the Vivitar 75-205. (How about a 50-135/3.5 lens, Canon/Sigma/Tamron/Tokina/anybody?)

Any bright ideas, anyone?

[ReF]

what's your budget?

do you have any specific requirements, like AF speed?

what do you shoot?

what are your standards when it comes to image quality? i'm not sure that any of us here know what the IQ is like from a "Vivitar 75-205/3.5 zoom with dedicated 2x extender" so anything you can say to make things more specific would help.

[zachwass2000]

With the 1.6x lens factor, that would be a 31/1.4 normal lens and a 47-128/3.5 zoom (or similar). So what are my options?

Magnum,
The 1.6x factor is multiplied, so the 50/1.4 would become the equivalent of an 80/1.4 and the 75-205/3.5 zoom would be equivalent to 120-328.

[magnum j.p.]

Magnum,
The 1.6x factor is multiplied, so the 50/1.4 would become the equivalent of an 80/1.4 and the 75-205/3.5 zoom would be equivalent to 120-328.What I was implying that to get the equivalent of my old lenses for the new camera, I would need about a 31mm normal lens (equivalent to 50mm on the FTb) and about a 47-128mm zoom (equivalent to 75-205mm on the FTb). Right?

[Rhys]

What I was implying that to get the equivalent of my old lenses for the new camera, I would need about a 31mm normal lens (equivalent to 50mm on the FTb) and about a 47-128mm zoom (equivalent to 75-205mm on the FTb). Right?


Forget about equivalents. Just get a decent lens setup for the camera. Might I suggest...

Tokina 12-24 for wide angle
Tamron 28-75 for mid-range
Sigma 70-200 for long range

Alternatively you could go all Canon but I'm sure that'd be a lot more expensive.

In the years since you bought your original camera zoom lenses have increased terrifically in optical quality. The 28-75 at 28mm will probably out-perform your 50mm lens.

[DonSchap]

with Rhys on this. A series of progressive zooms would be a great way to get whatever kind of shot you desire. Fixed primes and these newer "quality" zooms are delivering exceptionally good shots.

Primes are great for studio stuff and in situations where you have measured-off distances again and again... but in the open field environments... these good zooms just solve a lot problems in short order and with a minimum of fuss and manuevering. Slap the Ultra-wide on for those cramped situations... the 28-75mm for normal indoor/outdoor shooting... and the tele for the longer-distance outdoor stuff. It's really hard to go wrong with them, unless you are in truly critical focus situations and very low-light. :)

[Rex914]

I would recommend one standard zoom lens at this point. You already have a telephoto lens and a couple primes, and even if they aren't the greatest (besides the nice 50/1.4), at you least you have them and can upgrade them later, after you've learned to use the camera. This also gives you possibly a chance to start out with the 30D you want since you won't be buying many lenses at the outset.

As for the lens recommendation, the Tamron 17-50/2.8 and Tamron 28-75/2.8 are good choices for $430 and $330 respectively. Combine that with a 30D which goes for under $1200 nowadays or a 20D which can be found for under $1000.

[coldrain]

Since you were happy with your old lenses, I think that is a good starting point.

So, I would suggest the following:
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_35_2/index.htm

Canon EF 35 f2.0. A good lens for a fair price, it outperforms the 30mm Sigma. 35 x 1.6 = 56mm, close enough to your 50mm I think.

Then I'd also suggest the Canon EF 28-105 f3.5-4.5 USM II. Most owners of this lens on here are pretty impressed with it, especially for the money. Only one is negative about it. And general view on review sites is that it is a very capable lens, with good colour and contrast. So I can only say, go for it. Do take care about getting the right version, the 4.5-5.6 version is bad.

These two lenses will give you a good start, and for a very moderate price.

Another option (since you used a 2x extender) is to go for a 70-300 IS USM or 70-200 f4 L, they will give you more reach. This will leave a gap between 35mm and 70mm, which you can fill up in a number of ways... for instance a 50mm f1.8, or that 28-105, or a totally different direction, like a Tamron 17-50 f2.8 or Tokina 16-50 f2.8 zoom.

[magnum j.p.]

Don't forget: my old lenses are Canon FD mount, and will not work on the new camera, whichever it is.

[coldrain]

I did not see anyone suggest to you to use the FD mount lenses on a new DSLR...

I meant as starting point: getting equivalent lenses.