New here, and new to slr cameras

[Quarantine]

Hi everyone, finally decided it was time to get rid of my point and shoot casio camera, and get a decent SLR. The picture quality on the point and shoot just doesn't cut it anymore for me. I am also currently living in Switzerland and when I leave I'd love to have something to look back on.

I have my sights set on the Canon XTi, its not the best, but for a beginner and for the price, I think it is a good deal.

I have been doing a lot of reading lately and this forum was very helpful. The camera will be coming with a 18-55 lens which I think might be good enough for the pictures of people and objects. but I mostly do landscape, mountains, rivers, ocean, during the day pictures. And I want a tele lens.

What lens do you recommend? I am thinking of a Sigma 70-300, I read some good reviews about it, and the price is just so attractive. would this lens work well with motor-sport pictures?

A bit later on I'd like to get a wide angle lens, the canon 17-40l or canon 10-22? what do you suggest?

I also would like maybe to get a polarizer. but I have no clue what to get. any input would be great.

thanks

[toriaj]

The Digital Rebel is a great camera, I'm sure you'll be happy with it. Make sure you go to the store and play with it (and some others) before you buy. Although I'm from the Nikon camp :D I do have the 70-300 Sigma. I like it a lot. For the price, it has incredible sharpness in bright light. It hunts to focus in low light, though. I took this photo with it:
120 mm, f/18, 1/50 sec., ISO 200
25240

It's not the same as motor-sport, I know ... but as long as your sports shots are in good lighting, I think the Sigma would do well.

[AlexMonro]

I believe there are 2 versions of the Sigma 70-300mm, the APO and the non APO versions. I've heard that the APO version is a LOT better, and well worth the additional cost.

[Quarantine]

Thanks for the replies....

toriaj I did go to the store and handle the cameras and like you said played with them a bit. What I also liked about the XTi is that it is smaller more compact and lighter than some other cameras. But the Nikon had a more quality feel to it.

AlexMonro yes from what I have read, I am talking about the APO version.

[AdamW]

Tori--I really like that truck shot. The colors and the shadows are very pretty. I've not yet tried panning.

Quarantine--If you can afford it, I strongly recommend the Canon 70-300 IS. The image stabilization is amazing. And I'm very happy with my Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 (although I'm pining for the Canon 18-50 because of the IS.)

[Lilchilichoco]

Wow toriaj!! That's a fantastic shot!! Beautiful color and sharpness!!:)