What lenses?!

[katz201]

Hi!

I'm finally taking the step into the D-SLR world with the new Canon 400D/Rebel XTi. That’s the easy part. I have been shopping around for lenses, but I get the feeling the salesmen are trying to sell me the most expensive lenses due to my lack of knowledge on the matter.

My (photography) interests range from people, weddings, sport (mountain biking) to landscapes.

At this point in time these are the lenses I think I should get:

• Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Autofocus
• Canon Zoom Telephoto EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM Autofocus
• Canon Zoom Super Wide Angle EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Autofocus

Questions…
• Do I need more/less lenses for my interests?
• Is the additional cost and weight of lenses with image stabilizers worth the added picture quality?
• Do to budget constraints, should I go for best quality lenses vs more lenses?
• Should I stick to Canon lenses, or should I consider Sigma/Tamron/other lenses too?

All advice welcomed… even about things you think I haven’t considered!

[Canuck935]

Those three lenses will definitely cover you for people/weddings/landscapes. 200mm may be a little short for sports and such even with magnification factor but if you can physically get closer to the action it will suffice. Depending on how much landscape stuff you do you may end up desiring more wide angle but 17mm ought to suffice. All three are good choices.

Image stabilization doesn't give you better picture quality, but it allows you a little breathing room when it comes to handheld shooting in less than ideal lighting situations.

Go for the highest quality lenses you can afford.

Sigma/Tamron makes excellent lenses usually for less money than Canon/Nikon. I would avoid Vivitar/Pheonix like the plague though.

[Photo-John]

Looks like exactly what I'd recommend. The 70-200 will be fine for mountain biking photos. That's the lens that I and lots of other mountain bike photographers use most. A 300 is nice, but the cost is prohibitive and you don't really need it. Better to add the 1.4x Canon tele-extender when you want some more reach.

I just got the Rebel XTi and have been shooting a bunch with it. I'm mostly using the kit lens and a Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 XR Di lens. I've been considering buying the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS lens but I might be more interested in a 2.8 aperture than the IS. So I'm also considering the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8. In the past I've used all Canon lenses with my SLRs. But I've been so happy with my Tamron 28-75m lens that I'd be happy to buy another Tamron.

If you haven't seen it yet, here's a link to a bunch of photos I just took in Colorado with the Digital Rebel Xti:

San Juan Mountains with the Canon Digital Rebel XTi >>

If you haven't checked, there are reviews for all of the lenses mentioned, too:

Lens Reviews >>

Hope that helps.

[katz201]

Thanx for the comments guys!

In three weeks time we've got an Audio Visual Expo here in this part of the world, and I'll probably be able to get my hands on my new baby then!! I'm excited like a little kid!!

[Liz]

Congratulations on your new camera! I just got the 400XTi a couple of weeks ago and have only been out with it twice due to my schedule - but planning on doing more shooting tomorrow.

I love this camera! More than any camera I've owned! I'm just as excited with this camera as I was when I got my first SLR - the Rebel 2000. Glad I know more now though!

You have a great list of lenses you're considering. I have the 50mm/f1.4 and it is one awesome lens. It's so sharp - great color and bokeh. It's fast and good in low light, portraits and I find it on my camera a lot. I also have the 24-105L IS which is excellent, but for your needs, probably not fast enough. I think you've made some good decisions and you'll be very happy. I look forward to seeing some pictures!

Liz

Thanx for the comments guys!

In three weeks time we've got an Audio Visual Expo here in this part of the world, and I'll probably be able to get my hands on my new baby then!! I'm excited like a little kid!!