New XTI : Please comment on my lens selection

[dontbother]

HI fellow POTN forummers,

First of all, a great site, with a wealth of information and some fantastic advice. I have spent hours browsing the threads here, and it does not look thats going to change anytime soon!

I used to have a Manual SLR (EOS 350) + kit lens & a 420ex flash. Did not really use it a lot, but did get some decent results. I recently got my birthday present from my girlfriend - a shiny new Rebel XTI body. Now its time for me to get some good lenses and here is what I have in mind.

1. Tamron SP AF28-75mm F/2.8 XR Di LD as a walk-around lens
USD 360

2. Sigma Wide ANgle10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC as a wide-angle lens
USD 480

3. Second-hand (used) Sigma 180mmF3.5 APO MACRO EF as a Macro lens
USD 450

EDIT: Forgot to mention that I already posses a 70-300mm f/4-5.6 telephoto lens that I had got with my earlier camera.



I plan to use my camera while travelling, and also spend quite a bit of time doing macro photography when Im home. My total budget for the lenses is about USD1200, so the above is the best combination I could come up with after a fair bit of research.

Am I making the right choices? Can I get a better combination of lenses and still stay within my budget? All comments/ suggestions welcome.

cheers!:)

[dave kadolph]

The only one I have experience with is the 28-75.

Nice and sharp but a little slow to "lock on" focus in low light situations

You have probably found the sellers forum--some good deals to be found and if the lens of choice does not work out just put it back up for sale.

Welcome to the forum

[gasrocks]

All good lenses. The 180 macro is a bit of an extreme. Not what one would normally put in a 3 lens line-up. Why not a good 70-200 zoom instead?

[HighPlainsPhotographer]

I have the Siggy 10-20 - I am quite pleased with it. No experience with the others so I can't comment, but it looks like you are missing between 75 and 180mm. I find my 24-105 useful for travel photography and often use it at 105.

Shaun

[ipschoser1]

I've got an XTi and had a bad experience with the Tamron 17-50 f2.8. It just wasn't that great for IQ, IMHO. I ended up with an EF17-40 f4L and a 70-200 f4L. They are awesome and I didn't spend much more than your budget buy buying online from B&H. My next lense will probably be a n EF24-105 f4L IS to round out my collection.

My new rule is that if I can't afford an L lens, I save until I can... Also, one of these days, they are gonna come in handy on that new full frame body.

[dontbother]

Also, one of these days, they are gonna come in handy on that new full frame body.

What lenses should I avoid buying, assuming I am going to upgrade my camera to a full-frame body in three to four years time?

EDIT: Forgot to mention that I already posses a 70-300mm f/4-5.6 telephoto lens that I had got with my earlier camera.

Please keep your comments/ suggestions coming - very helpful!

[liza]

You might consider replacing that telephoto zoom with something better, such as the Canon 70-200 or the Sigma 70-200. My personal preference is a lens with an f/2.8 maximum aperture for greater versatility in lower light conditions.

[Katzer1]

about the 180mm macro.
I have the sigma 150, which is an excellent piece of glass.
Sometimes I feel however that it is too long, especially when trying to get a shot from a funky angle. And on that point, my 50mm macro comes in hand, for some shots I like to get closer.
Having said that, if I had to stick to one macro lense, I'd opt to the 100mm range, and probably to the canon, because it has USM, FTM and it focuses internally.

All the best,

Erez

[WMS]

I would agree with Shaun in that you probably will want to add a lens between 75 and 180, or a zoom longer than the 28 to 75. You also might consider the 18 to 55 mm Kit lens which comes with most digital Rebals, while it is not a great lens many photographers have shown that this kens can produce good results and it would give some overlap between the Sigma 10-20 and the 28-75, for little money (you shouldn't have any trouble fonding a good used one for less than $85-90).

When I first purchased my XT I also purchased the kit 18 to 55 mm lens and a Sigma 50 to 200mm lens. This roved to be a good range although I have since 'upgraded' both lenses and am currently thinking about adding ether the 10-22 mm Canon or the 10-20 mm Sigma which you mentioned.

WMS

[WMS]

It looks like I replied before noting you stating that you had a 70 to 300 Zoom which will handle the long range nicely. As for lenses to avoid if you are going to upgrade to a full frame camera the only one of the four lenses you have noted would be the Sigma 10 to 20 mm which is designed for APS-c sized sensor cameras, However this would leave you short in the ultra wide angle range. Your 28 - 75 isn't going to be very wide on a XTi. The 18 to 55 mm digital 'kit' lens I mentioned is also designed for the APS-c sensor also and would not be useful on a full frame camera.

WMS