Walk-around lens for Canon Rebel XT

[jamison55]

I am an old (in years) fomer SLR hobbiest, planning to buy a Canon Rebel XT. I have enjoyed reading the forum and have learned much. However, I have questions about a good walk-around lense. A couple of questions: 1. For the basic lens should I get the EF 50 mm f/1.4 USM instead of the EF 50 f/1.8 II? I will be doing mostly outdoor shooting, landsapes and some people. From what I have read, with current digital SLRs, the stated focal length of a lense is extended in digital camera, e.g, a 50mm lense might equate to 80mm on a film camera. So, might I want something less than 50mm for a standard lens?

I agree that a 50mm on a 1.6cf camera like the XT is a bit long for those who are used to a "normal" 50mm on a film SLR. I recently picked up a Canon 35mm f2, and it seems to fit the bill perfectly. On my 20D it is the equivalent of a 55mm on a film SLR, which is a little less cramped than the 85mm equivalent image that my 50mm produces on my 20D. The 50mm is a perfect portrait length, though. Here's an idea...for about the price of the 50 f1.4, you could buy the 50 f1.8 and the 35 f2. They are both quite sharp and great values!

2. What is a good utility lense? I have seen much in the forum about Sigma and Tamron lenses in various focal lenghts (18-125; 18-200). How would the Canon EF-S 17-85 IS USM do as a walk-around. How would it compare with the Sigma or Tamaron lenses?

While I have seen beautiful images produced by the Canon 28-105 (and have been known to recommend it), I think probably want to have at least one lens that starts at 18mm or so because of the crop factor previously mentioned.

The Sigma 18-125 seems to have quite a loyal following...

The Canon 17-85 has a great focal length and feature set, is light and easy to use, but (IMHO) its image quality doesn't live up to its price. I sold mine after a week, because the images just seemed a little flat from this lens. Wish it were a little better...I loved the focal length and the IS!

[EyeOnYou]

You were talking about cropped lenses. Which of the lenses are cropped lenses? Is the sigma 18-200mm cropped lenses and any Canon lenses with an "S" in the designation?

[TheObiJuan]

yes, the 18-200 is a cropped lens, and the ef-s lenses are cropped too.

[EyeOnYou]

You were talking about cropped lenses. Which of the lenses are cropped lenses? Is the sigma 18-200mm cropped lenses and any Canon lenses with an "S" in the designation?

What lenses are not cropped that is equivalent/comparable to the sigma 18-200? Again, it'll be for an all around lens. But then I guess, I should just stick with the sigma, since I don't think I'll be switching cameras anytime soon.

[ReF]

What lenses are not cropped that is equivalent/comparable to the sigma 18-200? Again, it'll be for an all around lens. But then I guess, I should just stick with the sigma, since I don't think I'll be switching cameras anytime soon.

there aren't any.

Jamison55: "The Canon 17-85 has a great focal length and feature set, is light and easy to use, but (IMHO) its image quality doesn't live up to its price. I sold mine after a week, because the images just seemed a little flat from this lens. Wish it were a little better"

yeah although i had the 17-85 for a total of 3 weeks, i decided to return mine only after a week as well. it took another week to decide on the replacements, order them and have them arrive. i only had it for the third week because i was taking comparison shots and was also a bit lazy about shipping it back out. too little for too much!