I need to get a decent lens for a Canon EOS 30d. Price range is from 100-200$?

Question

I'm just starting photography, so I don't need anything too expensive. Can you reccomend any good lenses? I would like to spend the least possible but still have a decent lens. This will be my first SLR camera.

Answer 1

Are you getting the 30D with the 17-85mm? If so, you could pick up a 50mm f/1.8 or perhaps a used f/1.4. Those are very nice for low light situations and shallow depth of field. On the other hand, if $200 is your total budget for lenses, I'd beg you to start off with a 350D and put the $550 price difference towards lenses, too.
The 30D is a great camera and I fully appreciate its advantages vs. the 350D (in fact, I addressed that topic two questions ago), but it would be a shame to slap bargain basement glass on it.

Answer 2

It Depends on what you're going to be shooting. Portrait and wildlife photography generally require a lens with a longer focal length, such as this one:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=231635&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

Being a macro (close focus) lens this will also be well suited to floral photography, or anything involving very small subjects.

If landscapes are more your thing you will need a wider angle lens such as this one:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=335742&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

You will also find this does a decent job with portraits and some nature photography. If you're not sure what you're into I'd get this one.

The only downside to the two above lenses is that neither is great in low light situations. (Neither is really bad, they're just not great.) So no matter which you choose I would highly recomend you get this lens to compliment it:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=search&Q=

This lens will perfrom excellently in low light situations, and is very sharp throughout its range. (The other lenses will be sharpest when "Stoped down" a bit, meaning they will require even more light) It is also DIRT cheap. The only downside is that it is a prime lens. (Non-Zoom) Which can be limiting, though many photographers recommend begining with only one prime lens anyway. I personally find it to be a bit limiting for a main lens, but an excellent addition to any lens kit.