Rebel XTi - What lense?

[SplashAtl]

Hello. I am going to purchase the Rebel XTi. I have read many reviews and it seems that the lens that comes with it (EF-S 18-55MM) really isn't a good lense. With that in mind, I'm thinking maybe I should just buy the body and a different lense that is comparable but a better lense. I'm wondering if I can get a better lense and still stay in the same price range as if I was going to buy the lense kit that comes with the camera. Hope that makes sense. Anyway, can anyone provide a recommendation for a lense to use in place of the Canon EF-S 18-55MM that is around the same price?

Thanks!

[timmciglobal]

Nope, not really.

A good lens, though at significantly higher cost, is the Tamron 17-50 F2.8.

It's quite a bit better though.

Could also consider the Tamron 28-75 but that removes your wide angel.

Tim

[forno]

I bought the XT with the 17-55 & 73 - 300 and dont regeret it, having said that I am looking at replacing the kit les with the Tamron.

If you take your time with your pics the kit lens will turn out repsctable images

[Nickcanada]

If you're new to photography I would suggest sticking with kit lens. Learn what you like and dislike about it and the next lens you get you will be better informed. One of the best cheep lens is the 50mm 1.8. useing a prime will teach you alot about composition and the large aperature will give you lots of low light flexabilty as well as lots of creative opritunity with the shalow depth of field.

[zmikers]

The canon 28-105 USM is a great lens and gives you a much better range than the kit lens. I bought that with my old canon 30 film camera but still use it today on my digital xti. Great lens!

[Rontech1]

If you're new to photography I would suggest sticking with kit lens. Learn what you like and dislike about it and the next lens you get you will be better informed. One of the best cheep lens is the 50mm 1.8. useing a prime will teach you alot about composition and the large aperature will give you lots of low light flexabilty as well as lots of creative opritunity with the shalow depth of field.

Much truth there!
Check out some of the pics taken with the kit lens here.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=185522
Hope this helps.
Ron

[michaelb]

I would echo this recommendation: Get the Kit lens (18-55) and the 50mm 1.8.

They are capable of producing excellent images and will teach you about photography. After using these for a while you will have a better idea about what you really want/need in a lens.

A few recent kit lens shots:

[michaelb]

And here are a few 50mm 1.8 shots: (This is a fantastic lens to experiment with depth of field).

This lens is $80 - it's hard to go wrong with this purchase.

[Nickcanada]

Thank you Michael, you illistrated perfectly my point. Buatiful shots.

[Rontech1]

Just playing around last night with depth of field, the new 430EX and the 50mm f1.8 (nifty fifty)w flash. Lucy was quite cooperative.
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[krzkrzkrz]

I would echo this recommendation: Get the Kit lens (18-55) and the 50mm 1.8.

They are capable of producing excellent images and will teach you about photography. After using these for a while you will have a better idea about what you really want/need in a lens.

A few recent kit lens shots:

MachaelB, those are some great shots with the kit lens. I met this photographer who was also into printing his work. His shots were amazing and only used the kit lens.

I would like to ask you. With th kit lens, did you use any other accessories? i.e. polarising filters or what not?

I am liking how you got the first shot, with the nice colors of the sky and the silhouette of the trees in front. How did you achieve this? Did you set your camera to landscape mode? What about ISO and other settings?

Hoping to hear from you soon.

[michaelb]

MachaelB, those are some great shots with the kit lens. I met this photographer who was also into printing his work. His shots were amazing and only used the kit lens.

I would like to ask you. With th kit lens, did you use any other accessories? i.e. polarising filters or what not?

I am liking how you got the first shot, with the nice colors of the sky and the silhouette of the trees in front. How did you achieve this? Did you set your camera to landscape mode? What about ISO and other settings?

Hoping to hear from you soon.

I think that first shot was taken using a circular polarizer (CP). The front lens of the kit lens does rotate when focusing however so you have to adjust the CP AFTER focusing. The CP brings out the clouds, but the silhouette effect is because the shot was taken near dusk and the camera uses the sky to meter and thus the trees look black (Camera does not have enough dynamic range to show the trees and the sky the way our eyes do). This was shot in Av mode at f/8 and ISO 400, I think; hand held.

[SplashAtl]

Thank you for the replies. This helps a lot!

[krzkrzkrz]

I think that first shot was taken using a circular polarizer (CP). The front lens of the kit lens does rotate when focusing however so you have to adjust the CP AFTER focusing. The CP brings out the clouds, but the silhouette effect is because the shot was taken near dusk and the camera uses the sky to meter and thus the trees look black (Camera does not have enough dynamic range to show the trees and the sky the way our eyes do). This was shot in Av mode at f/8 and ISO 400, I think; hand held.

What brand are you using for your circular polarizer (CP)? Roughly how much did this cost you? :)