Can someone suggest a lens for me

[RadioNate]

Ok, I got some extra cash for my birthday and since I now have all but about $200 for the Rebel XT DH isn't complaining about the costs. Truth be told he wasn't complaining too much...he just wants a new car that I say it too much. But I digress.

I know that the kit 18-55 lens will not be enough zoom for me at all. I frequently use my S2IS at the full 12x zoom. So can someone recommend a good, realistically priced lens for a user like me. I think I'll only be able to get 1 extra at this time. Dh thinks I should get the kit lens since it doesn't add much to the price.

Would looking at my exif data help me? Most of my focal legnths are in the 50-70mm range. Is that plus the S2IS's 35mm wide - so 85-105, so I need to do any converson on the numbers? Does this make any sense or am I totally confused?

thanks for any help.

 

[Anewman]

Do you have a price range in mind?

I can already see persons suggesting a $1200 lens.

And as for doing a conversion on the numbers, take a shot at full zoom and read the exif data. I am not sure if Exif would read 72mm or its digital equivilent of 432mm but this will help give you an idea.

 

[RadioNate]

I think it is reading 72 so that means 432 so would I need a lens that covered 72 or 432. I really don't like math so the conversions confuse me like crazy.

Not $1200 but yes I see that happening too. Is $400 realistic? DH is boohoo-ing that he can't get a new Mercedes so I can't get a $1200 camera lens.

After using my money, I figure that I have another $500-$600 of our money to spend on another lens and accessories. Anything over that and I think I'll be forced to hear about how nice the new M-class SUV's are.

 

[pisco]

If you wanted to get something closer to your S2 lens you should look at either the Sigma or Tamron 18-200 lens. With the 1.6x crop facotr on your XT it would be an equivalent 29-320. They both can be found for under $400.

Of course with any lense with that broad of a focal length you will have to make some compromises. They tend to barrel and pincushion distortion and are not going to be the sharpest lens you will ever own. But they do make great walking around lenses nd are quite capable of creating wonderful images. Certainly better that what you are used to from your S2.

Another lens I would strongly recommend is the Canon 50mm f1.8 lense. It is under $100, is very sharp and will really come in handy when trying to get low light shots (like on Disney dark rides ). Plus is it very small and light so it is not a burden to carry around at all.

Good luck in making your choice. There are so many lenses out there that it can be quite overwhelming trying to figure out what will work best for your needs.

 

[handicap18]

What about not getting the kit lens and instead getting the Sigma 18-125mm as your first lens. This will give you a very good range to get you going. It has also been recommended by others on this board. Maybe work with that lens for a while, then save up and get a good 70-300 or a very fast prime lens (like a 50mm 1.8 or similar). See where your photography takes you. Make a wish list as you go along. You may end up feeling a little frustrated with the lack of reach from the 18-55mm.

Just something to think about.

 

[Anewman]

I agree save the money(aprox $85) from buying the kit lens and use it towards a 50mm 1.8 lens at right around the same price.

And the Sigma 18-125 is in the $260 range, and then either wait till you have enough for the Canon 70-300 IS(around $550) or just go ahead and buy the non IS Canon 70-300mm USM lens at under $200. The last choice would give you the reach of your S2 IS but without the image stabilization, with better high ISO speeds it should at least be combrable.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Forget about the kit lens, get a Sigma 18-125 and save up until you have enough cash to get Canon 70-300 WITH IS (IS is necessary beyond -- approx -- 100mm)

 

[pisco]

Another vote for the 70-300 IS. I have that lens and am extremely pleased with the quality. And the IS can be a real life saver.

Another good alternative to the kit lins is the new Tamron 18-50 f2.8 for around $400. Quite a bit more than the kit lens but much higher quality glass with a constant f2.8. It's the next one on my list.

 

[RadioNate]

sounds good to me, I'll start with the 18-125 but anyone seen it for sale besides Amazon.

I'll also put the 50mm 1.8 and the Canon 70-300 IS on the list. I'm gonna need a job!

 

[Tink10]

I got my Sigma 18-125, 18-200 & Canon 70-300 IS all from Dell. I got pretty good deals on all of them but had a few issues with availability. The 18-125 took about a month to get here (it was backordered).

I'm sure that others here can tell you a few other reputable places online to order from

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Dell usually have the best price, but shipping and availability issues makes it not worth the savings to me (if time is not of an essence to you, then Dell is the place to go)

 

[pisco]

sounds good to me, I'll start with the 18-125 but anyone seen it for sale besides Amazon.

I'll also put the 50mm 1.8 and the Canon 70-300 IS on the list. I'm gonna need a job!

Check out Sigma4less(dot)com, bhphotovideo(dot)com or adorama(dot)com.

Sorry for the funky URLs but I haven;t been here long enough to be allowed to post proper URLs.

 

[Mellie0119]

I have the Rebel XT and just picked up a new lens today. :dance: I wanted a little more oomph than the kit lens provided for my walk around, so I splurged a bit and bought the Canon EF28-135 IS lens. I ended up getting it for right at $500 (from Best Buy with a price match with Fry's)- I might have been able to hunt it down for a bit less, but didn't want to wait. I'm very excited to get out this afternoon (when it cools down some) and play with my new toy. I've got a wishlist with 3 other lenses on it- it's an addiction, I can't imagine that I'll ever have enough lenses.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

My utmost suggestion is to play with the lens you currently have (or if you don't get Sigma 18-125) and learn what you need, what you don't need, what you want, don't want, your style of shooting etc BEFORE you buy another lens.

50mm f/1.8 is a different story. It's a lens that forces you to use your creativity due to its fixed lens (and cheap to buy with great photo result)

here's a pic with 50mm f/1.8

 

[webshark3]

If most of your focal lengths are between 50-70mm and IF you can strech your budget to $350, the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 is a fantastic lens. Optically on par with the $1200 Canon 24-70mm F2.8, and a full pound lighter.

For me, I picked up a 24mm F2.8 rpime lens for our trip next week, and using the kit lens as backup (don't rule it out. At f8 it's incredible). Most of my shots last year were around 24mm, and I seldomly used telephoto.

The F2.8 really helps with low-light and action.