Looking for lens for a Canon 350D EOS

[Unal]

I am a complete newbie to photography and this will be the first decent camera that I will have. I am going to buy a Canon EOS 350D(A.K.A. Digital Rebel XT) and now looking for a mid-range lens for it. That will be just a starter lens and I will be using this for landscapes, seascapes and sometimes for mikro photos & etc. Could you recommend me what I should look for?
Budget around $300

Thanks in advance :)

Unal

[TheObiJuan]

budget?
the 17-40L might do it for you. :p

[timmciglobal]

Well the 17>40L isn't 300$ if you are willing to go up to 600 it's a good lens.

The Tamaron 28>75 XR DI has had good reviews as is the 28>135 IS canon lens neither of which is macro or very wide but both nice lenses.

Tim

[Bluedog]

budget?
the 17-40L might do it for you. :p

I see it was 03:07 AM when you posted this. He did say $300 budget ... :rolleyes: ... that's a $650 lens on average but it would be a good one.

Sigma 18-125mm ... $289

Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM ... $229

Sigma 18mm - 200mm f/3.5-6.3 ... $399 @ a little over budget.

[Unal]

budget?
the 17-40L might do it for you. :p

Sure that would be a great lens to have but out of my budget :(

I should put price bracked in my first post. Thanks anyway :)

[D70FAN]

Sure that would be a great lens to have but out of my budget :(

I should put price bracked in my first post. Thanks anyway :)

The lenses that bluedog has posted are very good day-to-day lenses that won't break your budget. Of those lenses the Sigma 18-200 would be the most utilitarian as it covers a wide range and gives good results. After using one for a few days it will be replacing my Sigma 18-125 in a week or so.

[Unal]

Thanks for all the replies, I really appreciate that.
Sigma 18-200 out of my budget :( ...I am thinking to get Sigma 18-125 but There is another option I found is;Sigma 18-50mm and 55-200mm Lens Kit for $259 what you guys think about these ones?

Thanks again,
Unal

[24Peter]

I haven't shot with either of those lenses but my sense is neither is particularly strong (for $259 for two lenses you are really stretching.) (check here to see if either is reviewed: http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/ ). Personally I'd start with the Canon 28-105 3.5-4.5 for $229. Then when you could round up another $200 or so I'd go for the Sigma 70-300 APO Super II for $199. Here are both lenses:

http://www.canogacamera.com/e/env/0001uYRIRLALMaErdA9K9w7/price_list/canon_ef_lens.html?link=-DD-/info_pages/cam_info.html&item=invnew:51372

http://www.canogacamera.com/e/env/0001uYRIRLALMaErdA4S7e5/price_list/canon_ef_lens.html?link=-DD-/info_pages/cam_info.html&item=invnew:55187

[Bluedog]

Thanks for all the replies, I really appreciate that.
Sigma 18-200 out of my budget :( ...I am thinking to get Sigma 18-125 but There is another option I found is;Sigma 18-50mm and 55-200mm Lens Kit for $259 what you guys think about these ones?

Thanks again,
Unal

Don't waste your money on those if your wanting quality image results. The Sigma 18-125mm is the way to geaux then.

[D70FAN]

Bluedog is definately correct. The Sigma 18-125 is not a pro grade lens, but for $270 there is nothing on the market that can touch it for decent optical quality and utility.

[stonehill]

I tested the Sigma 18-125 and the Canon 28-105 3.5-4.5 out yesterday. I'll be picking up the Canon today. I liked the color better than the Sigma,(I think) but I'll let you know more after I really use the lense for a while. I really agonized over this so I sure hope I like it.

[D70FAN]

I tested the Sigma 18-125 and the Canon 28-105 3.5-4.5 out yesterday. I'll be picking up the Canon today. I liked the color better than the Sigma,(I think) but I'll let you know more after I really use the lense for a while. I really agonized over this so I sure hope I like it.

In my opinion (for what it's worth) I would advise you against that decision, unless you already have an 18-50 or other wide-angle (20mm and below)lens. The reasons will become very apparent when you start shooting indoors. The 28-105 becomes a 45-168 on Canon consumer dSLRs due to the 1.6x crop.

Since I own a Nikon I can't really comment on the image quality of the Canon 28-105, but I don't remember this lens getting any kudos in the old photozone list. If you like the color you get from the 28-105 then I guess that is the primary point in your decision. For me it's overall balance, as I can always kick-up the color in the camera or play with hue and saturation in post processing.

Sorry, I am not trying to be a wet-blanket here, but even though there are several 28-xxx lenses that I really liked, I was real unhappy with 28mm on the WA side, for my everyday lens, and I think that you will be as well.

Again, just my opinion.

[stonehill]

George, I do have the 18-55 kit lense when I need the wide angle, and looking back through my many photos over the last few months most were 30mm and above.

I guess time will tell. The lense is on its way here-my husband picked it up for me on his lunch hour.

On my budget (which is small) I will now have the18-55 the 50mm 1.8 the 28-105 3.5-4.5 and next will be the Sigma 70-300 APO super II. I better wait a few months for the Sigma...

[SnowSpyder86]

You can get the Sigma 18-200 mm for $329.95, and like $11 shipping thru Sigma4less.com. I know the name sounds like a bait and switch store, but i read a lot of reviews, and the store gets a really good rating. Check it http://www.sigma4less.com/sess/utn;jsessionid=1542c487f747eea/shopdata/0020_Lenses/0040_Zoom/0020_Digital+Zoom/product_details.shopscript?article=0170_Sigma%2B18-200mm%2Bf%3D26slash%3D3B3%3D252E5-6%3D252E3%2BDC%2Bfor%2BCanon%2BAF%2B%3D28SG18200F3 5CA%3D29