DSLR Photography Forum

Am a bit confused on so many types of lenses for my Canon Rebel xti... Can you recommend a good lens for everyday shooting?

michaelg

I have the xti (400D in Australia) and would choose the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 or the EF 17-40mm f/4 and the 50mm f/1.4 for portraits, the 17-40mm is great for landscapes and I also use it for a walkaround - the EF-S 17-55 is a bit pricey but has excellent reviews. Eventually you will need a longer lens, plenty to choose from when you have a better idea of what you want.

mgalvin Wrote:Am a bit confused on so many types of lenses for my Canon Rebel xti... Can you recommend a good lens for everyday shooting?

michaelg

how about sharing with us your:
(a) budget
(b) preference of shots (i.e. landscape / travel / portraits?)

that will help

Plenty of reviews on http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/
scroll down to Canon, and then all the other brands.

Hi Michael, welcome to Shuttertalk.

Do you already have the 18-55 kit lens? If you do, then are you looking for a lens in the same range to replace it, or wold you like a longer lens to add to it? And, as Championboxer writes, knowing what kind of photography you like and your price range will help people make suggestions.

It's great to be part of the forum. Yes, I just bought the 18-55mm for everyday shooting and now looking for a longer lens to shoot my kids action sports.

Do I want an IS lens? Would a good lense be a CANON EF 75-300mm F/4-5.6 III Zoom Lens? What do you recommend that I could locate on craigslist and/or ebay on a small budget?

So many to choose from and starting to learn a little more.

Budget? Oh yeah, I'm on the budget

Thanks again...

michaelg

My Tamron 70-300mm Macro is a bit soft and drops to f5.6 which is not good in low light, but is good value for the money. I would love an L series but would baulk at the weight of them.
I agree that the best you can afford of a recognised brand, should give you the best results but with the warning that, you have to learn its good and bad points.
I would imagine this also goes for the best Canon/Nikon glass also.

It also depends on how far you wish to proceed with photography as a hobby/profession.

If you are happy with the 18-55 than you will probably be ok with the 75-300 quality. Personally they are both not so great - but budget is always the issue.

If you could stretch it a bit I would recommend the Canon 70-200 f4 L as it is a fantastic lens and can be had quite cheaply these days as everyone wants the IS version.

Cheers,

Chris.

Maybe the 17-85 IS for a step up from the kit lens? Has a good working range and IS as well...