What's the best lense to buy for the Canon Digital Rebel XTi / Canon 400D ?

Question

The camera apparently comes standard with a pretty average lense - so what is the recommended lense to buy with this camera ?

Answer 1

I'd ignore Panacea's 28-200. For one thing, it's NOT an all-in-one lens. 28mm on a 1.6 crop sensor won't give you much in the way of wide-angle. For another thing, $360 for a lens with that zoom range simply won't deliver great image quality. You'd be better off sticking with the kit lens and a budget 70-200mm. Or the Sigma 18-200mm for $280 - also a mediocre lens, but at least it gives you wide-angle.
If you want to upgrade, look at the Canon 17-85mm. At $510, t's the best standard zoom you can get for under a grand. And if you have more than $1000 to spend, look at the 17-55mm or any of the L-lenses.
If you're still deciding on the Rebel 400D and $510 seems like too much for a standard zoom, I highly recommend you economize on the body and get the 350D instead. The 350D + 17-85mm will take better pictures than the 400D + 18-55mm. I promise.
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Added at 18:15 GMT:
Just popped back to read the third answer. With regard to Panacea's added comments (man, this is getting tedious) 28mm on a 1.6 crop gives you 45mm effectively. So let me rephrase my opinion... the 28-200 won't provide ANY wide-angle coverage. And testing the difference in a shop - indoors - would be the perfect thing to do.
Of course, I might be biased... I use a 17-55mm lens myself 90% of the time (on a Nikon D200 with a 1.5 crop.)

Answer 2

http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=430123/search=EF+28-200mm

This camera can be purchased for cheaper without the kit lens.

In defense of my recommendation. Unlike the naysayer, I've actually used that lens and it is both a decent all purpose lens and performs very well. As far as wide angle goes, there are damn few situations where you will use more wide angle than that lens is capable of. If you regularly do that, buy a wide angle lens. You will however, use the extra telephoto ability of the lens all the time. Simply put, its rare in day to day photography to go under 28 MM even with the crop factor.

Don't believe me? Go to your local camera shop and ask to use both lenses. You will very quickly see what I mean. The 28-200 is about as close to an all purpose, walking around lens that you will find. It is also a HIGH quality lens for that rather limited focal range (ie you won't run into problems with it through it various focal ranges....lens manufacture has come a loooong way since the 80's) Sure, you could spend a couple grand on a better lens with the same focal range.....and notice no difference whatsoever. Don't do that. You could also shell out money for a progression of lenses and keep changing them all the time. Unless you are a pro, don't do that either.

Instead, buy a lens that you will use most of the time. I suggest 28-200. It's a good range and Canon makes a fine, reasonably priced lens for it. Don't take my word for it. Try out a number of lenses and buy the one that works best for you. But consider my suggestion. Unlike some, I know that lens works (and works well) for most situations. Go experience that for yourself.

Answer 3

Hi, perhaps you can also try google picasa.

picasa is a Google's photo software. It's what should've come with your camera.

It can Edit , organise and Share you picture and small video flips.

It's very easy to use and is free, just like Google

Download it free and just have a try:

http://www.bernanke.cn/google-picasa/

Good Luck!