Rebel XT need help with lens replacement

[dreadrea]

I am going to buy a Rebel XT in a matter of months and I was wondering since you guys are photography gurus, what could be a great multi-purpose lens that I could buy to replace the kit "somewhat crappy" lens that the camera comes with? I am not totally clueless to photography, but not that well educated either. This last year I took a b and w photo class in college, and this upcoming spring I am going on a study abroad around the world (literally) so, I want a good camera to doc my trip. I currently have a film rebel ti with a 28-90mm lens (that came with the camera), but i hear that you get way better quality if you buy the xt with body only and perchase a lens. I am looking for a multipurpose lens that can work in all conditions and is reasonably priced (up to $250 maybe 300) new or used. Thank you all in advance for your help..........

[Audible]

If you want a single do it all lens solution, then it is hard to go past the two sigma's, the 18-125mm & 18-200mm. The 18-125mm is the better lens optically but the 18-200 is more versatile.

You may have heard that the kit lens is "crappy", but you have to keep in mind the kind of people that would call the kit lens "crappy" are usually pro's or avid cashed up amateur's who would spend a lot more than you budget on a better lens such as the 17-85mm IS or 17-40mm L canon lens.
With your budget I would suggest using the kit lens. Buy it with the camera or get one from e-bay for a song.
With the money left over, partner it up with a 55-200mm lens, either the canon or sigma.

This is a sample photo from my kit lens. It really isn't that bad.

[Michael Fanelli]

I am going to buy a Rebel XT in a matter of months and I was wondering since you guys are photography gurus, what could be a great multi-purpose lens that I could buy to replace the kit "somewhat crappy" lens that the camera comes with? I am not totally clueless to photography, but not that well educated either. This last year I took a b and w photo class in college, and this upcoming spring I am going on a study abroad around the world (literally) so, I want a good camera to doc my trip. I currently have a film rebel ti with a 28-90mm lens (that came with the camera), but i hear that you get way better quality if you buy the xt with body only and perchase a lens. I am looking for a multipurpose lens that can work in all conditions and is reasonably priced (up to $250 maybe 300) new or used. Thank you all in advance for your help..........

The kit lens is surprisingly good. Its not the best but worth a lot more than they charge for it. My walking around lens is the Canon 28-135 IS. This is a fantastic lens and the IS feature makes it work well in less than ideal conditions. Get the kit lens and then, using logic not emotion (!), decide if you need something else.

Sigma makes good lenses but be aware that they have to be "rechipped" every once in a while. Sigma does this for free but it is a pain. Tokina and Tamron don't seem to have a rechipping issue.