HeliPilot,
opinions are not in short supply, never the less here's 1
more:
<1> The kit lens is a good choice. Many look down on it without ever
even having used it just because it's a "$100 kit" lens & is unique because
it's a EF-S which only fits on the Digital Rebel/300D. I have the "kit"
lens & it's well worth the extra $100. It's not Canon's sharpest lens & has
it's faults but there is nothing better for $100 or less that will give you
an effect 28.8-88mm coverage (18-55mm). Also as many have said, the kit
lens is selling for more than $100 on Ebay, so if you don't like it after
you have given it an honest try, you can sell it & recover what you paid for
it & probably gain a small profit as well.
<2> I purchased the 55-200mm f4.5-5.6 II USM lens at the same time I
purchased the Digital Rebel/300D kit. This lens works rather well
considering it's price & it does take up exactly where the kit lens leaves
off, an effective 88-320mm lens. This lens however is slow (f4.5-5.6) &
performs best when stopped down to about f8. Between the kit lens & this 1
you have effectively 28.8-320mm covered seamlessly with 2 relatively
inexpensive, reasonably good performing lenses.
<3> The 28-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens which I have only owned for about
a month now is an effective 44.8-216mm lens but it's IS feature works quite
well & allows me to hand hold shots that I would have to use a tripod on
with my 55-200mm lens. It's easy to keep this lens on the camera for most
situations that don't require wide angle. No regrets here!
<4> A Canon 50mm f1.8 II lens is an effective 80mm lens & at about $70
US, is IMHO a must have in everybody's camera bag. This is my fastest lens
& will likely remain so for a long time to come. Canon "L" glass is beyond
my price range at this time. Generally, you get what you pay for in terms
of optical performance but this lens is the exception. It continues to
surprise me with both it's optical quality & speed. This lens makes indoor
handheld pictures without a flash, with the camera's ISO set between 400-800
common. Rarely is there need to take the ISO to 1600 with this lens.
<5> No matter what lens you get always try to use a lens hood on it even
if it's just a rubber collapsible 1 like the 1 HOYA makes. The lack of
using a lens hood continues to be the source of lens flair problems. Less
expensive lenses are more prone to such problems, so it's inexpensive
insurance against potential problems. Yes I often use the rubber
collapsible HOYA lens hood
on this lens too.
Lastly always consider the source of your information. A lot of people
who don't own & or have never used the Digital Rebel/300D or it's kit lens
are quick to put them down. You can spend $500 US more on the 10D which
does have more features or save that money & spend it on lenses & ext. as I
have done.
Research as much as you can before you buy anything. Here's Canon's
lens web site:
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.usa.canon.com/eflenses/" target="_blank">http://www.usa.canon.com/eflenses/</a>
Here is a site that rates lenses:
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.photozone.de/2Equipment/easytxt.htm#F50" target="_blank">http://www.photozone.de/2Equipment/easytxt.htm#F50</a>
There are lot's of other review sites as well.
Best wishes, hope you get a lot of useful information & are happy with
whatever you get. Just remember that it has to meet "your" needs & "your"
budget, not somebody else's!
Respectfully, DHB
"HeliPilot" <helipilot.RemoveThis@inorbit.com> wrote in message
news:1a7398d6.0401111921.395d152@posting.google.com...
> I am buying a 300D Rebel this week and I am thinking of purchasing the
> following lens combinations what do you think? Input will be greatly
> appreciated!
>
> My main concern is image sharpness, I am also getting the 18-55mm lens
> that comes with the camera kit.
>
> I am trying to decide which of these two I should get, I don't know if
> the picture quality will vary greatly from the Tamron to the Canon,
> and since most of my photos will be above 28mm I could just leave the
> 18-55 lens at home and carry one of the ones mentioned below.
>
> Canon EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 USM $360.00 USD
>
> Tamron AF 28-200mm f/3.8-5.6 XR Aspherical (IF) Super Zoom $265.00 USD
>
> Or if instead of one of the above I should choose the "perfect
> companion for the 300D"
>
> Canon EF 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6 II USM Telephoto Lens $209.00 USD
>
> Thank very much in advance<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
>> Stay informed about: Best Lens Choices for Canon 300D