about to buy XTI and need lens recommended

[MrMitch]

Ok,

I know nothng of Photography. I don't do it outside of my point and shoot. The wife however enjoys it and i'm getting her a nice present.

She currently has a digital rebel, 300D i belive. She really has her eye on an XTI and i got a few bucks set aside and am gonna jump on it for her.

I'd like to get her a nice lens for it to without breaking the bank. She only uses the kit lens on her current and would like to get her something a tad nicer on the xti.

She primarly shoots nature stuff, plants, animals, the like, she just goes of on walks for hours and comes back with 100's of pictures. What is a good lens for that type of situation, ideally under $350 cause i ain't got that much.

thanks everyone!

 

[Kraft Single]

I have this thread bookmarked that I read from time to time:

Click Here

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Yeah, this is a toughie. Is she content with the sharpness of the kit lens? The Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 is a great lens that is very sharp and allows for better low light photos, but if she's already ok with the sharpness of the kit lens and its brightness, there's not much point in getting the Tamron.

Where do you live? Are there a lot of grand vistas, like the American West, or is it more enclosed, like Ohio or Pennsylvania? If there are a lot of grand vistas you might want to consider an ultrawide like the Sigma 10-20mm or Tokina 12-24mm for about $400. If there's a lot of wildlife around or if she wants a telephoto lens for getting in close, it's going to be rough because there are very few really sharp telephotos around $350. My experience is with telephotos $500 and above, but someone else should be able to point you to a good telephoto around $350. I'm thinking something like a Canon 70-300mm or Sigma 70-300mm (which is not sharp around the 300mm end, BTW).

 

[GTaudiophile]

Considering your budget, I would second the Tamron 17-50 F2.8 or the new Sigma 18-50 F2.8 Macro.

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Considering your budget, I would second the Tamron 17-50 F2.8 or the new Sigma 18-50 F2.8 Macro.

ditto. I love my sigma.. but I kinda have been leaning more towards primes, heh. But the f/2.8 helps a lot indoors.. and for some really nice bokeh.

 

[Treyshadow]

For a first lens that is of some quality, I would definately get her the Canon EF 50 mm f1.8 prime lens. That is one of the best portrait lenses for resonable funds (less than 100 bucks) and if she shoots nature or people it is excellent. A good edition is a kenko 1.5x tube to go with it (for close up shots of bugs and plants and such.

Some say the 50 is too far since the XTi is a 1.6 crop. Another great choice is the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX-DC HSM. Its a lot more pricey, but an excellent lens for a true 50mm shot using a 1.6 crop camera like the XTi.

A prime lens coupled with the kit lens for the XTi is a good start.

 

[NoodleTech]

canon EF 28-135 IS is a very good walk around lens. they are around $350 used on ebay. i think its the only lens with IS (image stabilization) in that price range. IS is good if your wife shoots nature handheld (without a tripod).

 

[Jawo]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: NoodleTech
canon EF 28-135 IS is a very good walk around lens. they are around $350 used on ebay. i think its the only lens with IS (image stabilization) in that price range. IS is good if your wife shoots nature handheld (without a tripod).</end quote></div>

Good idea and ideal lense for a full frame body. However, on a crop body (ie XT/XTi) its more of a short telephoto, than an wide angle; being 45-216mm equivalent. I love my 70-300 IS USM...although it sounds like its out of your budget at ~$550 new.

 

[yllus]

Originally posted by: Kraft Single
I have this thread bookmarked that I read from time to time:

Click Here

You reminded me to get the thread moved to this forum, thanks.

FAQ: A starter guide to buying lenses for your Canon digital SLR camera.