Beginner needs help choosing the right lens

[Katie3B]

I normally use a point and shoot camera but am hoping to soon buy a Canon 40D. What lens should I start with? I want to do some wildlife but mainly macro. Also, what is a good tripod brand? Thanks!
Elizabeth

[freygr]

First I would just get the body with the kit lens, which will give you 24 or 28mm equivalent start on the zoom and runs out to 75 or 100mm equivalent length. A good walk around lens but not a macro or wildlife lens. For birding you will wish for 400mm or longer equivalent lens length but for macro there a a few nice macro lenses in the 55mm-100mm range and you always purchase extension tubes.

[Charles Hess]

Lenses are arguably more important than the camera body, and as you grow into the camera and gain shooting experience, you'll want to expand your lens line-up. The kit lens (comes with the camera) and camera is a good way to get used to the camera. You'll eventually want to expand to a telephoto zoom, like a 70-200, possibly a macro lens, and even a faster lens for low light, like a 50/1.8. Another way to go is a super-zoom. Tamron and Sigma both make relatively inexpensive 28-200 lenses which will give you a nice wide angle up to a good length telephoto. Good luck and enjoy.