time to spend some bonus money

[dash's_dad]

First post, but I've been here for ages soaking up all of the tremendous knowledge on here.

Ok, so I'm 65 days away from our trip to DW and my bonus check just came in!

I have a Rebel XT, with the standard lens and also the 50mm 1.8. What I'm looking for is a recommendation for my next lens. I'm really happy with my 50mm lens because I do most of my pics inside the house, but with summer around the corner, and more importantly our trip, I think it's time to pick up something tp compliment it, more of a walk around lens (or would the 50mm go good enough to keep on the majority of the time?).

Here are my parameters:
- From what I can tell, my 50mm will be ok for some the low light situations at the parks, but I'm going to need something with some zoom on it.
- If possible, I'd like to stay between $300-$500
- Last week I read about some people suggesting the 55-200mm or the 28-105mm, but the reviews I read about them were not very positive

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[JR6ooo4]

I walk around with the (my xt and) the
50mm 1.8
28-135 IS
70-300 IS.

Some like a lens that is a little wider, but any lens that is wider and at least as good is expensive. At least the results of my searches returned those results.

Some will mention crop factor, but if this is your only camera and you are not familiar with full frame cameras (and how much should be expected to fit into the frame at specific mm settings) then you realy can't notice a crop factor.

My two lenses were about $450 and $600. I forget which one was which price.

Mikeeee

 

[Furgus]

Can't stress enough on how much I love my Tamron 28-75 f/2.8. It is in that price range and is super sharp.

 

[JR6ooo4]

I should add that I have only looked at canon lenses... so far.

Mikeeee

 

[jann1033]

i'm happy with my canon 28-135 till i can get something else( what i want costs$$$$$$$$$$$$)...to me, wdw aside( since that is what a few days out of the life of your lens ) i would want something with at least 135 reach...you could go with the 70-300 mentioned but that is really not wide enough imo for a walk around. since you evidently like your kit lens though, it might be the best consideration to add to your group( 70-300)...i love my 70-200 f4l and it's only a little more than the 70-300 but no is. what do you usually shoot at? ( which end of your zoom)

 

[Jeanne B]

Can't stress enough on how much I love my Sigma 28-75 f/2.8. It is in that price range and is super sharp.

I have some bonus money to spend also and I'm seriously considering buying the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 for my K100 before our cruise this weekend (I need to hurry up and put in an order with B&H if I'm going have it by Friday!!).

It's been on my wishlist for a while, I'm just having a hard time pulling the plug after spending quite a bit of $$ on the Tamron 18-250 and the Pentax 10-17 fisheye a few months ago.

 

[Furgus]

I have some bonus money to spend also and I'm seriously considering buying the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 for my K100 before our cruise this weekend (I need to hurry up and put in an order with B&H if I'm going have it by Friday!!).

It's been on my wishlist for a while, I'm just having a hard time pulling the plug after spending quite a bit of $$ on the Tamron 18-250 and the Pentax 10-17 fisheye a few months ago.

That is what I meant, whoops

I have the Tamron one, the Sigma had some negatives and the Tamron had a lot of positives. Sorry for the confusion.

It is a wonderful lens. If you click on my Blog link below, I have a lot of pics of my baby girl shot with that lens.

 

[dash's_dad]

thanks for all of the help.

sounds like the 28-135 is my best bet.

thanks again!

 

[Groucho]

Tamron's 18-250mm is pretty highly regarded, too.

I think the Canon 28-135mm is not exactly considered one of their finest lenses. Without hunting down comparisons on the net, I suspect that the Tamron will give you better quality, though no IS.

The Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 is very nice if you would like to trade zoom range for low-light ability. I'm quite happy with mine.

 

[DVC Jen]

I also agree with the 28-135IS lens. It is the lens that I use hands down more than any other.