I always recommend people by a 50mm or 85mm prime. The most expensive of these are f/1.2, but you can get a f/1.4 or f/1.8 very very cheap. I personally have a 50mm f/1.4 and use it 95% of the time.
You could forego the kit lens and pick up the 18-200mm. It is a little heavy but for general use you don't need to take it off the camera. Save for shooting at night as it is a little slow but you can always pick up the nifty fifty for under a hundred.
You could forego the kit lens and pick up the 18-200mm. It is a little heavy but for general use you don't need to take it off the camera. Save for shooting at night as it is a little slow but you can always pick up the nifty fifty for under a hundred.
I have the 18-200mm and absolutely love it! It's replaced my 18-55mm. I was thinking of getting the 75-300mm but borrowed a friends and just didn't like it all that much. I like my wide angles too much
You can buy the Canon 70-200 F/4L "used" on the Canon forums (e.g. www.photography-on-the.net/forum) for about $500 from all the folks upgrading to the IS models Many have had it for less than a year before deciding to upgrade! LOL.
I'll second Bob on this - I bought this lens with my XSi & the 18-55mm kit lens. I'll also second those who have said to get a 50mm prime - I picked up the 50 f1.8 from a local shop last weekend for ~$110 (you can get it online for $90 or so) and I absolutely love the indoor results I've been getting with it...