I am thinking about buying a Cannon EOS Digital Rebel XTi SLR & I would like some recommnedations on lenses...

Question

There are many different type of lenses that come in varying lenths (mm). The packages are as follows:

1. package 1--28-90mm, 90-300mm; and
2. package 2--18-50mm, 55-200mm.

Which one would be better to purchase? Also, can someone explain to me what to look for in lenses on the mm that you should have for lenses and how they work. Thanks!

Yes, I am looking at a package deal on eBay that has the lenses thrown in for a great deal. I would be paying less than retail value for getting the lenses and a bunch of other accessories. It seems like the way to go.

Answer 1

I like package 1 personally. It has nice general wide angle to a short zoom and a nice all over telephoto. The first lens should be good for wide group or landscape shots to closeups. The second lens is good for extreme closeups. Ideal for nature shots. Both packages are very good, it just depends on your style of photography. It's not listed, but check which package has the smallest f-stop.

Answer 2

If this is your first DSLR and you are looking to constrain costs a little I would seriously consider the Sigma 18-200 F3.5-6.3 lens. Should be around $350. Whilst this isn't the very sharpest lens ever built people do use them professionally. The wide range means that you will be prepared for almost any situation and you will rarely change lenses which minimizes the risk of dust entering the camera.

The very highest quality lenses either don't zoom at all or zoom very little. This means the lens is set up for one focal length and does not try to be all things to all people. This means it is easier to build a better lens. Typically these lenses will have aperture values of F2.8 or even lower. (The lower the number the better and the more expensive the lens)

The more zoom a lens offers the more compromises have to be made to build it, but these days lenses are getting better and better so this is less of a worry than it used to be.

My advice get an 18-200. Sigma at around $350 or if the budget covers it the Nikon VR (Vibration Reduction) for a little over $700. Use this lens and grow into your own style of photography and then figure out what changes if any you wish to make to your lens kit.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Unless you're getting a great deal with those lenses, you can get the XTi body only for around $685 on amazon.com. I would recommend picking up the 28-135mm IS lens for around $400. This is a great walk around lens. You can get a decent non-IS 75-300 telephoto lens for under $200. You can usually get the 18-55mm lens for around $50 on eBAY (it costs $100 w/ the kit). This will give you a wide angle lens.

On the XTi, 18-55mm lens is the equivalent to a 28-90mm lens on a 35mm lens.

IS (Image Stabilized) are well worth the extra $$$.

For around $1250, you can get the XTi and 3 lenses to get you started. The only lens that I don't have which I really want is a macro lens...need to pick up the 60mm or 100mm.

On other thing, are those Canon lenses in the kits? Most retailers like B&H, JR, etc. will throw in cheap non-Canon lenses (Sigma, Quantary, etc.)

Good luck with whatever you decide.