What kind of lenses for Rebel XTi?

[sherin65]

I bought DH this camera for his birthday back in March. In June for Father's Day I bought him the flash unit. I want to buy him an additional lens. What kind? I guess maybe a zoom lens.?.. Does the lens have to be labeled EF-S? What lenses will fit and work with the camera? I want to spend less than $300.

Thanks,
Sher

[zrfraser]

maybe a 50mm the 1.8 is less than 100. That would leave room in the budget for more memory, a nice polarizing filter, and night out on the town.

Z

[phil.]

Both EF and EF-S will work with the XTi.

[mjs1973]

What lens does he currently have? What does he like to shoot? The more info you can give us, the more we can help. I'm thinking of something like the 70-300mm or 100-300mm, but I have never used either of them so I can't speak their quality.

[sherin65]

He only has the lens that came with the camera. I wanted to get him a lens to use while on trips or vacations. I guess that would be one that is good for scenery? I know from posts here that the lens that came with the camera is inadequate. He had several nice lenses for his old Canon A1 but they won't work with the Rebel XTi.

Also, where is the best place to buy? Best buy/Circuit City, a local camera store, online?

Sher

[Frog]

I'm guessing he has the 18-70 or similar.
Sigma makes a good 70-300. Get the APO Ms, Dg one for 2 to 3 hundred.
Better lenses can be had but that's a decent one.
Other things to look for are more memory, circular polarizers, tripod, etc., etc.

Before buying online make sure you see our dealer feedback forum. Lots of shady people out there but thankfully, quite a few good ones, too.

[mjs1973]

Best Buy and Circuit City will have a very limited selection of lens, but you may be able to find what you're looking for. I buy almost all my gear from B&H photo. They have a great reputation, and very fair prices.

When you say "good for scenery" are you saying you want a wide angle lens? With a budget of $300, I dought you will find a lens much wider than what he already has.

Have you thought of giving him a gift card so he can pick out his own lens? I know that's the way I would want to do it. Unless someone knows exactly what I want, I don't want them to buy me any photo gear!

[sherin65]

What is the difference between ef and ef-s lenses? Costco has Canon EF 75-300mm
f/4-5.6 III USM Telephoto Zoom Lens $199.99. Would this be a good choice? Is it better than the lens that came with the camera? I may check out the idea of a gift card. I'd like to surprise him with a lens, though.

[mjs1973]

The EF lenses will work on all Canon EOS camera bodies, film or digital. The EF-S lenses will only work on the Canon digital Rebles, 10D, 20D, 30D and 40D camera bodies. They will not work on EOS film cameras or some of the other Digital EOS bodies like the 1D series or the 5D.