need some DSLR lens advice

Ben

So... umm... I broke my ultra-compact Canon. :cry

I was going to replace it with an SD550, but my wife has an ultracompact as well, so I was thinking of getting a DSLR instead.

I am very strongly leaning towards the 350D, but I know the kit lens isn't stellar. So I am looking for a good starter lens. Obviously I am not looking for something super expensive, but I don't mind paying $200+ for one that will be worth it.

Most of what I will be taking photos of is family events, vacations... etc. I am definitely taking amateur shots, I just want them to come out well so that I actually enjoy browsing through my galleries! :thumb

gus

Ben i have only good things to say about that kit lens. For what it costs & what it can do ...its a must have.

If i think im going into dangerous territory & need a lens on that will cost me under $70 to replace then its great to have in your pocket.

Gus

pathfinder

Wow, 'gus, you sound like your'e gwine inta combat!!:D But thinking of the kit lens as a disposable item is a new angle to me. Life must be tougher in OZ than I thought. Maybe Mad Max was right!

I have suggested the Tamron 28-75f2.8 Xr Di several times, but it is still a very good choice, and just seems to fit the 20D so right in my hands. It has not let me down - it does have a little flare shooting straight into the sun, but then so do some of my L lenses too.

The Canon 24-105 IS L will probably be my replacement for the Tamron, but it is not in the same price bracket. Nor is it "disposable" as is 'gus' kit lens.:):

Ben

Humungus wrote:

Ben i have only good things to say about that kit lens. For what it costs & what it can do ...its a must have.

If i think im going into dangerous territory & need a lens on that will cost me under $70 to replace then its great to have in your pocket.

Gus

Hrmm... good to know. I am still leaning towards dropping some more money towards a good lens though. Baldy doesn't know the specifics on this particular lens... but says it is in the range I should be looking at. Anyone use this lens or something in that general range that they would recommend?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=129189&is=GREY&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

Eric&Susan

I second Pathfinders recomendation on the Tamron 28-75. I recently picked up this lens to replace the kit lens and have been loving it ever since. I kept the kit lens to have something on the wider end when I need it.


Eric

gus

pathfinder wrote:

Wow, 'gus, you sound like your'e gwine inta combat!!:D But thinking of the kit lens as a disposable item is a new angle to me. Life must be tougher in OZ than I thought. Maybe Mad Max was right!

I have suggested the Tamron 28-75f2.8 Xr Di several times, but it is still a very good choice, and just seems to fit the 20D so right in my hands. It has not let me down - it does have a little flare shooting straight into the sun, but then so do some of my L lenses too.

The Canon 24-105 IS L will probably be my replacement for the Tamron, but it is not in the same price bracket. Nor is it "disposable" as is 'gus' kit lens.:):

Never walked anywhere & thought "hmm...better be carefull with slipping here & cracking the lens" ?

Its a diff lens i know but what i do with the 135 prime on & what i do with the kit lens on are 2 totally different things. I know the camera comes into the equation but the lens is in the direct line of fire for a slip on wet rocks etc.

I simply think that people overlook the lens without really trying it because its cheap. The 10-22 cost me $1K USD & its a piece of crap sharpness wise.

Ben

thanks for the feedback.

I actually just bought the 350D and the Tamron lens, so the recommendations better be right!

And thanks for the insight 'gus! I hadn't planned on getting more than one lens, but I very well may pick up a cheaper lens at some point to take with me whenever I do something with a high probability of disaster.

pathfinder

Be sure and post your feeling about your choices after a suitable period of introduction with them, Please

Chase

I woulda reccomended the sigma 24-70 f2.8, simply for the fact that it has 4mm more on the wide end (much more important than 5 on the long end), and it looks more modern, for whatever that is worth.