Looking to purchase a new camera (Canon EOS Rebel XTi) with lenses - have a couple of lens related questions!?

Question

First of all, please only reply if you have an understanding and solid recommendation - many times I post questions and get useless answers! (i.e. up to you, maybe, who knows!)

Background: I am a 'serious amateur'! Most of my pictures are scenery, landscapes, buildings, construction sites, sunsets, and events.

1) Would you recommend buying Body only or camera with 18-55mm lens?

2) I would like to have Zoom capabilities and Wide Angle - can this effectively be purchased in one lens? i.e. 18-200mm

3) Would you recommend Tamron or other lenses over Canon? I see they have a 18-200mm that is a wide - zoom. Or would it be better to purchase a Canon Wide AND Canon Telephoto?

Just trying to find the best solution to minimize costs and get the most bang for my buck with quality equipment. I would rather have 2 lenses than 3 at this point.

Any recommendation, suggestions, or resources to check out would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thank you!

Clarification - Serious amateur, less than professional, but more than amateur!

When I mentioned buying the body only, I didn't think I could use this as is ... but as a suggestion to get alternate lenses other than the one in the kit!

I read somewhere that it is better to buy what you will need instead of getting what it comes with.

Thanks!

Answer 1

The 18-55 isn't so hot. It's a budget lens, after all.
For your normal zoom, consider spending some extra cash on the Canon 17-85mm ($509 at Beach Camera). This is probably the best lens you'll find for under a grand. (If money is no object, consider the 17-55mm or an L-lens.)
The 18-55 and the 17-85 both have some distortion at the wide end - as you'd expect from any zoom - but for architectural shots etc. this can easily be corrected in post processing.
The only real drawback of the 17-85, is that it's relatively weak from 17 to 24mm. Not poor... just less good than the rest of the range. And I only mention it because most of your work seems to be wide angle.
Now, if 17mm isn't wide enough (and on the XTi with a 1.6 crop factor, 17mm is effectively just 27mm) you can get a super wide angle zoom. Canon, Tamron, Tokina and Sigma all have them. All versions are okay, but you get what you pay for.
You also asked about 18-200mm lenses. These give you convenience at the expense of image quality. The trade-off is your decision. I don't know anything about the Tamron version, but I do know a few Nikon shooters who love their Nikon 18-200. I also know a few Nikon shooters who are used to great glass, who returned/ sold their 18-200.
Whatever you do, I strongly recommend that you don't be cheap about your lens collection - if you want to save a quick $200, get the Canon XT instead of the XTi.

Answer 2

A "serious amateur?" What's that mean, and what camera did you use to start off with...? Apparently not an SLR?

If you want to purchase a SLR camera such as the model you want, you should get the 18-55 mm lens with the body, not only because it's a good lens for beginners, but you NEED a lens for taking pictures with an SLR camera.

How much of SLR photography do you know? If you don't know a lot, I would recommend that you stick with the 18-55 mm lens for a while, to allow you to practice and understand the functions of the camera. The lens is still good for landscapes, buildings, sunsets, etc.

If you still want other lenses, and you're looking for a lens with wide angle and telephoto capabilities at 18-200 mm, Tamron lenses are the way to go. Canon lenses not only do not have multicapable lenses, but they are much more expensive (higher end lenses). Canon lenses are suitable for professional photographers, so if you're an amateur trying to minimize costs, it's best if you go with the Tamron lens.