Which combination would you recommend?

[Sailare]

Hi,
Moving up to a Rebel and have been trying to find some reviews or opinions on the following lens options --- (please consider I currently have a G2, so no "L" lens comparisons, since that's out of reach for me)

Option 1
Rebel kit lens - 18-55 - steve's Digicam review indicates pretty good, especially considering the price. -- Is it? (Less than $ 100)

Canon EF 55-210 - Steve's digicam review indicates a good match to the kit lens giving an overall zoom range of 28 to 336 (About $ 209 at the leading on-stores

Option two
I have read some good reviews on the Ef 28- 135 USM IS lens. that would give it a zoom equivilant of 45 to 216. About $ 409

I am literally sitting on the fence as two option 1 or 2 and seem to go back and forth every day.

What do you say 1 or 2 ? Any thing better in that price range?

thanks

[Belmondo]

I would get the kit lens regardless of what else you buy. It's the best $100 lens you'll ever buy, and if you ever want to sell your Rebel, it will be much easier to do with the kit lens.

The 28-135 is one of the better lenses you can buy within the price range. You'll occasionally hear complaints that it's a little soft, but that's usually in comparison to more expensive zooms, and similarly priced primes. If you can see fit to buy the kit lens and the 28-135, you'll be in pretty good shape. You can always go longer later.

Whatever way you decide to go, good luck with it. You're going to enjoy yourself.

[Scottes]

I agree with belmondo verbatim. Definitely get the kit lens, and the 28-135 is one of the best at it's price range, and it's got a great range.

[tommykjensen]

I got the kit lens and I got the 28-135 USM IS. But I don't use the kit lens a lot, actually I have not used it except for a few times.

I use either the 28-135 USM IS or 70-200 mm F4L.

[montyl]

As I was just posting on another thread, the 28-135 was my first lense for my D60, and it has remained my main lense. It is the one lense that I use more then any other. Would whole heartedly recommend it, as long as you are not looking to only do close in work or really far away.

[mdude85]

the 18-55 looks like a good wide angle zoom, but it barely reaches past the 50 mm prime I currently have. can this lens zoom much farther than what I see when I put on the prime lens?

[xuxu1]

I can´t judge the quality of the Rebel Kit Lens because i don´t have a Canon Digital Rebel. But go and get the EF 28-135!

There is nothing you can do wrong. It´s a wonderful and very good quality lensfor the price!

I´m sure you won´t regret it.

Have fun!

Regards
Ed

[Sailare]

Seems to be close to unanimous -- Kit lens 18-55 and the Ef 28-135 IS USM it is.

thanks

[evilenglishman]

It's the best $100 lens you'll ever buy

i would say the 50 1.8 is better :D

[Scottes]

It's the best $100 lens you'll ever buy

i would say the 50 1.8 is better :D

Considering that he's covered at 50mm, I'd have to agree with Belmondo. Buying the 50mm f/1.8 now would be kinda silly.

[sheldon]

From personal experience, I purchased the kit lens and once I bought the 17-40 f/4 and 70-200 f/4, I've never used it (Infact, do not even carry it in my bag). I would skip the kit lens and apply the 100 dollars to the 28-135 IS. I also bought the nifty fifty, and use it alot for portraits. I think it was a whole 70 bucks.

[Haifidelity]

Out of *your* choices, get the 28-135 IS. I don't think you can beat the quality of lens and it's functionality set at that price range.

However, if it was my choice--I'd forgo it all and get the 50mm f/1.8 8)

[evilenglishman]

It's the best $100 lens you'll ever buy

i would say the 50 1.8 is better :D

Considering that he's covered at 50mm, I'd have to agree with Belmondo. Buying the 50mm f/1.8 now would be kinda silly.

how is he covered? he hasn't got any lenses

[Belmondo]

Actually, I agree with Evil to this extent: The thrifty fifty is the best $100 lens you can buy. The price difference between a Rebel with no lens and a Rebel with the kit lens is $100.00. Since you can't buy that lens by itself, it's moot. It's a heck of a lens for the price difference, and I think a person would be foolish to miss the chance to buy it with the camera.

So, I'll concede the point to Evil insofar as I did not specify that it was the best $100 lens that can't be bought separately.

[Sailare]

Yes the 50 has a great price for a fast lens under $ 100 at B& H etc but is this not more of a Portrait lens than a "Normal" range lens? 1.6 x 50 = 80 equivilant

If selecting a fast fixed range lens to be the "normal" lens would not the 35mm 2.0 (1.6 x 2.0 = 56mm) be the better choice. It's in the $ 200 range.