Decided on a camera - now for lens brands!

[DISNEYmooner2008]

I've decided on a Canon Rebel XSi as my first DSLR and I couldn't be more excited!! I've started looking into lenses and found a few package deals at amazon.com that strike my interest. Since I'm very new to the DSLR realm I'm not sure what is better and would appreciate the insight from your pros!!

Canon 18-55mm IS Lens + Tamron 70-300mm Di LD Macro Lens for Canon EOS
Tamron 28-80mm + Tamron 70-300mm Lens
Canon 18-55mm IS Lens + Canon 75-300mm III Lens
Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8-4 DG AF Lens & Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro Telephoto Zoom Lens


Those four options are what I'm looking at.

 

[Anewman]

Never really found packages to save much money.

I would lean towards buying the camera with kit lens and use the camera till you decide exactly what type of lens you NEED.

 

[DISNEYmooner2008]

Never really found packages to save much money.

I would lean towards buying the camera with kit lens and use the camera till you decide exactly what type of lens you NEED.

I'm looking on amazon.com and am finding the packages will save money vs buying the lenses separately. The reason I am wanting to purchase as a package is because I will not have the recourses to purchase more lenses any time soon, so I want to get my bases covered in one purchase. I am extremely lucky to be able to make a $1300 purchase in the near future and it will not happen again any time soon!

 

[Anewman]

I'm looking on amazon.com and am finding the packages will save money vs buying the lenses separately. The reason I am wanting to purchase as a package is because I will not have the recourses to purchase more lenses any time soon, so I want to get my bases covered in one purchase. I am extremely lucky to be able to make a $1300 purchase in the near future and it will not happen again any time soon!

Some will save money, just not much IMO... but if those lenses end up not being used very much the small savings would be moot. Not saying to not make the $1300 purchase, just saying that selecting the EXACT lens that you know you will use makes better sense and savings in the long run.

The XSi with 18-55mm IS lens goes for around $670(free ship and no tax), none of the lenses you listed in your op should cost more than $200. IMO none of the kits you listed should be over $900 TOTAL.

If forced to choose, I would say go with your option #3

 

[DizzyV6P]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...=yes&O=jsp/productlist.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t

Canon XSi with 18-55 IS and 75-300 for $759

Personally, go w/ the kit lens for $699, pick up a 50-250 IS for $259
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/543923-USA/Canon_2044B002AA_EF_S_55_250mm_f_4_5_6_IS.html

That will give you a good 2 lens kit that will last you awhile. Throw in a 50 f/1.8 for $90 and you have a grand total of $1048 for a self made kit that will last you quite awhile.

Just a thought. I personally don't care for the image quality of the 75-300 (its a crap giveaway lens in my opinion) so whatever savings you get to obtain that lens as part of the package just ain't worth the paper that photo is printed on. Then again, I've been quite spoiled w/ my Canon 70-200 F/4 L lens so take my bias into consideration (these are $500 used).

Or better yet, skip the 18-55 IS altogether and grab a Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 or 17-50 f/2.8 instead. You'll get even better image quality than the kit lense with these. No image stabilizer though...but I've haven't needed it with either of these two lenses.