Wanting a new lens for my Rebel XT..any help?

[DisFam95]

I've just been using the 18-55 that came w/ it.

Do all lenses fit w/ the XT? I want more of a zoom but still like the wide angle. I know I'll probably need to invest in 2 good lenses.

Any advice or favorites appreciated!

 

[Kelly Grannell]

If you have the budget, the two lenses are:
Canon 18-55 f/2.8 IS (about $1200)
Canon 70-200 f/2.8L IS (about $1700)

If you don't have the budget, the two lenses are:
Sigma 18-125 f/5.6 (about $300)
Canon 70-300 f/5.6 IS (about $500)

The quality difference, of course, will be night and day.

 

[mhutchinson]

Any lens made to fit a Canon EOS EF mount will work with the Rebel XT. The kit lens that came with your camera is the Canon EF-S mount that is specifically designed for DSLRs with a smaller sensor (full sized being defined as the size of 35mm film). If you purchase EF-S lenses they will not work with full size sensor cameras or the film cameras (if you ever decide to buy a new one in the future). But they are typically lighter and smaller in size, which make them attractive.

The full size EF lens will also fit your camera and you will find many more options to pick from this in lens range, quality, and brands. One advantage of the EF lens size is that you are not shooting through the whole lens, but mainly shooting through the middle of the lens. Many lenses are rated or noted as having some distortion or softness around the edges until stopped down to a certain point, when mounted on an EF-S mount this is virtually eliminated.

Three of my favorite zoom lenses are (and I know they can be costly, but these are an investment in quality):

Canon 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Canon 70-200mm f/4 L USM
Canon 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM

A really good wide zoom (potentially one of the best made) is the Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM ... it is fairly fast and very sharp. You can also look at adding some primes (fixed length) lenses to your collection. The advantage of a prime is that it will usually be very fast (f/2.0 or faster meaning you can take pictures in lower light without a flash) and they are quicker to focus.

You can check out these sites to get more information on specific lenses Fred Miranda or The Digital Picture

Mike

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Which combination of lens also depends on your photo shooting habit. Mine tend to be in the 17-50 area and 100-200 area.

So buying a 10-22 lens + 24-105 lens will not make sense to me because I'll be changing my lens a lot and the reach is not enough for me too (one of the reasons I'm not buying the 24-105 f/4L IS is because the lens is "neither here nor there" for my photography habit).

Oh, I also use Canon 50mm f/1.8 because it's a great lens and so gosh-darn cheap!

This is sample pic taken with that lens, the only post processing is one click using AlienSkin Exposure to turn it into B&W.

and this, with no post processing whatsoever

and this too (this one with one-click "subtle softening" from Alienskin Exposure)

 

[WillCAD]

Any lens made to fit a Canon EOS EF mount will work with the Rebel XT. The kit lens that came with your camera is the Canon EF-S mount that is specifically designed for DSLRs with a smaller sensor (full sized being defined as the size of 35mm film). If you purchase EF-S lenses they will not work with full size sensor cameras or the film cameras (if you ever decide to buy a new one in the future). But they are typically lighter and smaller in size, which make them attractive.

That's all true, but with one caveat - it only applies to Canon brand lenses.

After-market lenses made by Sigma, Tamron, or Tokina for the Canon EF mount do not all work properly with a Digital Rebel. Many of the Sigma lenses can be upgraded by Sigma to work with the Digital Rebel, but not all.

However, Sigma, Tamron, and Tokina all make lenses with the EF-S specs that are designed from the ground up to work with the Digital Rebel. The Sigma 18-125 that Kelly mentioned is one; I have it, and I have been very pleased with its performance so far.

My advice is to try the Sigma 18-125 first. It has a terrific range of zoom that's perfect for my usage around the parks - wide enough to use for landscapes but long enough for Kilamanjaro Safari. After you try that lens for a while, you can decide whether you want a second lens with a longer zoom.

 

[boBQuincy]

Like Kelly says, it depends a lot on your photography style.
If the 18-55 works for you but you just want more zoom Canon's 55-200 is not bad. Don't expect great sharpness wide open for the price, and you probably won't be disappointed. The next step up is Canon's 70-200 f4, then the 70-200 f2.8 for those with lots of cash.

If you don't find yourself using the wide angle much you might like Canon's 24-85, a very sharp lens for the price. A step up (big step in price) is Canon's 24-105 f4 L.

Everyone has (or should have) Canon's 50 1.8, a great lens for under $100, and good for low light.


boB

 

[Kelly Grannell]

then the 70-200 f2.8 for those with lots of cash.

If you don't find yourself using the wide angle much you might like Canon's 24-85, a very sharp lens for the price. A step up (big step in price) is Canon's 24-105 f4 L.


boB

don't forget IS !!!

 

[mhutchinson]

50mm is a definite ...I have the Mark I f/1.8...fast, quick, sharp, not expensive...benifit of a prime...and as Kelly has shown it is a great portait lens

I also have the macro version, and at f/2.5 not to shabby either...only downside I have found with the macro, is that in low light it may tend to seek in and out of macro while trying to obtain focus (why I have kept the older lens around)

Good points on the potential issue on older non-Canon lenses.

Mike

 

[krismast]

I use a Quantaray 28-200mm af for canon it is really good.