Top 5 ECONOMICAL lenses for Canon Rebel XTi 400D

[krzkrzkrz]

Greetings all,

I'm no professional in photography, at least not yet . Currently, I do NOT have any serious intentions of investing in bigger / more expensive lenses. This is due to several reasons:

a) I like photography for fun and as a hobby
b) My finance is prioritised for something else at the moment
c) I dont "shoot" professionally

After my recent purchase of my Canon Rebel XTi 400D with the basic kit lens 18-55mm, I'm thinking of venturing to get a not so expensive lens.

Im spot on for the 50mm f/1.8 which is less than a $100 USD, particularly good for portrait shots.

What are you suggestions for the top 5 ECONOMICAL lenses for the Canon Rebel XTi 400D?

Keep in mind that I dont have any preference in shooting style, i.e. outdoor, indoor, night shots, sports, etc. Im only looking for lenses that are not too expensive to have and at the same time quite good. I know most of you will argue about the quality and build of the 50mm f/1.8. But, I like it. It seems good enough for my purpose. Especially given the inexpensive cost.

Additionally, my definition of ECONOMICAL is flexible. Obviously, I'm not looking at something that will cost me $300 USD +. So lets try to keep it under $300 USD if possible. Otherwise, if its really more than $300 USD and worth the purchase, mention the lens anyways and a reason for it.

[cdifoto]

You won't get much worthwhile for under $300. Stretch to $400-$450 and we could start talking...

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8
Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8
Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5
Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8
Canon 85mm f/1.8
Canon 50mm f/1.4

plus quite a few others. Not much in the tele area though.

[ReF]

saying "i don't want to spend more than XXX amount" makes sense but saying "recommend lenses for a non-pro" doesn't. also, what criteria would one use to decide the "top five?" - doesn't make sense either. i agree with cdi that 300 is way too limiting and that taking it to 400-450 give you a lot more flexibility.

you wanna stay under 300? add 28-105 USM and sigma 50mm macro to the list

[coldrain]

Since 300$ is a bit low for any lens and it would be hard to make a list of 5 lenses, I just will compile a list of lenses that are bargains in their class.
I hope you don't mind a top 9 list .

1. Canon EF 70-300 f4.5-5.6 IS USM. In its focal range it is unequaled, and being super sharp and giving L like performance for under 600USD, with IS included, this lens is a real bargain.

2. Canon EF 50mm f1.8. What can I say, for quite a bit below 100 USD this just is the bargains of bargains. Cheap build but good performance.

3. Canon EF 28-105 f3.5-4.5 USM II. Colour, contrast, sharpness, all are on a respectable level. With its silent and accurate USM it indeed is a bargain for around 220USD.

4. Sigma 50mm f2.8 EX DG 1:1 macro. Is up there with the best in resolution. Good contrast, and with its 50mm x 1.6 = 80mm it can double as a great portrait lens too. For under 250USD this is the biggest bargain in macro land.

5. Canon EF 70-200 f4 L / Sigma 70-200 f2.8 EX DG HSM. In this popular range of lenses these two are real bargains. The Canon f4 L version has no equal with any make (except the to be introduced in march 2007 Pentax 60-250mm f4), its a LOT lighter than the different f2.8 versions from Nikon, Minolta/Sony, Canon and Sigma, but yet delivers a preformance true to its breed, at under 600USD. The Sigma equals the Nikon/Minolta/Canon versions in optical quality, yet costs a lot less at around 700USD.

6. Canon EF 85mm f1.8. Has no competition. At under 400$ it just is a must have lens for portrait shooters. Amazing optical performance for the price, a true hidden L lens.

7. Sigma 70-300 APO DG 1:2 Macro. Can not reach the performance of the Canon EF 70-300 IS USM, but at around 200USD, who cares? Gives respectable performance for the price and class, and has a macro mode for free. This makes it a true bargain.

8. Tamron 28-75 f2.8 / Sigma 24-70 f2.8. These two do not reach the quality of the Canon 24-70 f2.8 L and the Nikon 28-70 f2.8, but at quite bit less than half of their prices, who cares? If you need a "fast" portait zoom, these two are definitely worth considering. For around 400$ I think.

9. Canon 18-55 kit lens. Although this lens of course has its short comings, it of course has a place in a bargain list for around 100USD.

OK, make that a top 10:

10. Sigma 135-400 f4.5-5.6 APO DG. At around 450$, a zoom lens that reaches 400mm and still delivers quite good performance.. a bargain.

[Honest Gaza]

Coldrain....I thought the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 might make your top 10.

[coldrain]

Coldrain....I thought the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 might make your top 10.

At around 450USD the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 and Sigma 18-50 f2.8 EX DC Macro are not really bargains in my opinion, they are more or less normally priced lenses. That is why I left them out of my list.

[krzkrzkrz]

saying "i don't want to spend more than XXX amount" makes sense but saying "recommend lenses for a non-pro" doesn't. also, what criteria would one use to decide the "top five?" - doesn't make sense either.

Im just trying to keep the list as simple as possible. The 50mm f/1.8, for example, is quite economical for starters, for me at least. Im BASICALLY looking for lenses like these that are cheap and good-enough effective.

Im looking for personal criteria. i.e. What YOU think can make a top 5 ECONOMICAL lenses list, below $300 USD. If its really more than $300 USD and worth the purchase, mention the lens anyways and a reason for it.

Since 300$ is a bit low for any lens and it would be hard to make a list of 5 lenses, I just will compile a list of lenses that are bargains in their class.
I hope you don't mind a top 9 list .

Thanks for the list, I don't mind a top 10. Information was helpful. If you got any other recommendations, please go ahead and put them in

[RichNY]

You might find not buying a lens and shooting with what you have the best interim solution. You'll find out if you're in need of a low light 50 or more reach based on your own shooting patterns and can then make the best purchase accordingly.

[krzkrzkrz]

You might find not buying a lens and shooting with what you have the best interim solution. You'll find out if you're in need of a low light 50 or more reach based on your own shooting patterns and can then make the best purchase accordingly.

I agree, the Canon 18-55 kit lens is good enough for now and have no big problems with it. In the near future, I may go ahead and purchase the 50mm f/1.8, personally, I like its value and quality.

Maybe, later (after a few months) I may purchase a better lens that would be $400 USD and above. But for now, the Canon 18-55 kit lens and 50mm f/1.8 will do me great

Just looking for other lenses that could be affordable and at the same time good enough quality-wise

[TenD]

You obsessed over your body purchase, even to the point of asking for pictures of how people held the grip and how much distance there was between their fingers. Now you want a lens that's "good enough"...Any lens is "good enough", if that's what your criteria is, all the lenses available will produce an image, therefore they are all good enough.
You should be obsessing over image quality, not body ergonomics or cheap lens solutions. That's why you bought an SLR isn't it? To obtain the highest image quality? To learn about photography? You don't need an SLR to learn about photography. Many of the compacts offer everything you need to learn with and some have some pretty good lenses on them.
The body is simply a light box and simply controls the amount of light that gets to the sensor. The sensors are a relative parity product and for the most part can be considered equal. The processors make somewhat of a difference but at low ISOs they are relatively a parity product too. So that leaves you with the part of the system that gets the image to the sensor, the lens. There is nothing wrong with looking for economical lenses, but to ask for a lens that is "good enough" is very subjective and silly. My money is prioritized too, but my concern for IQ has me waiting quite some time for the lenses I want. I still shoot with an ancient 10D and have no intention of changing cameras, I would rather purchase great glass to get that image to that old sensor. If you asked me what lens for under $300 the list would be pretty short, 50mm f/1.8, maybe the 28-105. $300 doesn't get you much in the way of lenses.