Looking for a good starting dSLR lens.?

Question

Hi I'm very new to dSLR's and photography in general. I'm buying a Rebel XT (body only) and am looking for a good starting lens.

I'm looking at a combo of Tamron 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical Lens & 75-300mm f/4-5.6 LD Lens. And also a used Canon EOS 35-135mm USM EF Lens.

I have a price range of $0-200ish.

Thanks,
Andy

I am interested in night photography, so I'm guessing I need a pretty low aperture value?

What do you think about: Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8-4 DG AF Lens

Answer 1

None of the lenses you mention will allow you to take wide-angle shots. They start at 28mm, which effectively becomes 45mm after the 1.6x crop factor of a Canon XT. For me, this would be a real problem. It would for most people, actually.
I suggest you either get the Canon 18-55mm kit lens with the camera for about $100 extra and add a $139 Sigma 70-300mm (these prices are retail) - or - increase your lens butget to $280. This will get you a Sigma 18-125mm zoom, which is a nice all-in-one lens.
The 18-125mm zoom provides better image quality and greater convenience (no need to switch lenses) but it also costs more and it has less reach then the 2-lens combo. I'd pick the 18-125.
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additional info:

If you want to do night time photpgraphy without a flash, you need something with a large aperture. The lenses that I mentioned above won't cut it.
For low light photography, you could work up to (outrageously expensive) f/2.8 zoom lenses. For now however, you could get the 18-55mm zoom for general use and add a cheap Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens for night time photography. Both of these lenses can be found used on eBay, etc.
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More additional info:

After some more thought, start with the Canon 18-55mm kit lens and reserve your extra budget for a while. After a few weeks of shooting, get whatever additional lens you require most - a lens for night time photography or a telelens.
As for the 28-70, it's a very decent lens but as with the 28-80mm zoom you mentioned earlier, it has no wide angle coverage.

Answer 2

It really does depend on what you're wanting to shoot. What do you mean by night photography? If you're just going to be shooting static objects, say like a shot of the city skyline at night, you don't need a fast lens (just a good tripod).

I would definitely start with the kit lens and learn what it can and can't do. This way, you'll have a better idea of exactly what your needs are for the type of pictures you want to shoot.

I personally don't have any experience with non-Canon lenses, but what I've heard from doing research on various websites is that there's a lot more lens to lens variation among them. Sigma and Tamron make good lenses--as long as you get a good copy. So, if you're going to go that route, I'd recommend purchasing from a place that has a very good return policy so you can swap out until you get a good copy.

Answer 3

Id really try and stay away from 3rd party lens as much as possible. I use only Canon lens just because Tamron cuts corners to make it cheap. Tamrons have a slower autofocus than Canon lens so if thats not a problem go get it. I need a fast autofocus for what I use my camera for so I never got a Tamron.

Here I always wanted this lens its the Canon 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 It takes really nice pictures and its a good lens that I think will never leave your camera. Unless you get a 24-70mm 2.8 L lens =). Spend a little more than $200 on the Canon 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. It will be worth it.

Answer 4

It's a little like asking what car should I buy? It very much depends on what you are going to do with it. Personally I own Nikon DLSRs, but I do have that same Tamron 28-200 lens. For most geneal purpose shooting, that lens rarely comes off the camera. I would recommend that one at your current budget. Next I would get out there and find out what it is you want to do with photography, and match your next lens to your needs. Don't waste money buying a dozen different cheaper lenses that more or less do the same thing. Instead save your money, read a lot about lenses on websites and forums etc. then decide what you really want next. It's no good me recommending a 70-300 with image stabilization that would cost thousands if you are going to be a portrait photographer.

Answer 5

A 50mm prime if you are just starting out. Its cheap and made by all the top manufacturers like Nikon, Canon, Leica, Sony etc.
Here is a great article giving 10 reasons why to own a 50mm lens. I have to say that as a first lens I definitely agree.

http://www.photosincolor.com/10-reasons-why-every-photographer-should-own-a-50mm-lens/