Chicago Auto Show with an DSLR

[TheJ]

First off, thanks for looking at this thread!

I am going to the Chicago Auto Show in February (7th-10th). This is the first time that I will be taking a DSLR. In the past, when my brother and I have went to the Detroit Auto Show, we have taken regular Point and Shoot Cameras (Casio Exilim EX-S500) but this I am wanting to take my Rebel XTI with me with my monopod.

My birthday was recent and I have yet to get myself anything for my birthday (my wife leaves it up to me since it's so close to Christmas), and I was looking at getting a new lens for the show. Currently I only have the kit lens that comes with it. My question is, any suggestions on what I would be a good lens to take with me if I bought one now?

[bryank930]

EF-S 10-22

[TheJ]

and why?

[bryank930]

It'll let you stand closer to the car but still get the whole car in the frame.

[i_am_hydrogen]

A wide angle lens is good for automotive photography because it allows you to capture the entire car but at a shorter distance.

Not taken by me:
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/JF_Artforms/Cars/2007Soltice-005_web.jpg

[J Rabin]

and why?
Agreed. To exploit perspective at the car show!
Perspective being relative sizes of near foreground and far background objects in the scene. Car shows have to absolutely be one of few places outside landscapes where wide angle lens perspective makes a lot of sense and yields great results.

Car shows are not my thing, but I used 1-D MkII at a car show last year, and walked around yielding silly fun wide angle shots like:
http://postit.rutgers.edu/uploads/Phila%5FCar%5FShow%5F07%5F08.jpg
or with family...
http://aesop.rutgers.edu/~rabin/Personal/Family_Misc/slides/PhilaCarShow_2.htm
http://aesop.rutgers.edu/~rabin/Personal/Family_Misc/slides/PhilaCarShow_1.htm

On a bigger camera, the 16-35 f/2.8L II would be first choice. On an APS-C sensor camera, the Tokina 12-24mm f/4, a Tokina 10-17mm Fisheye, or the Canon EF-S 11-22mm. I know people rave about the Canon EF-S, but I had trouble composing with it, and enjoyed using the Tokina 12-24 lenses more. I don't like variable aperture lenses, so if I had to use one, why not the fisheye zoom?
Just my opinion for fun use walking around.

[Picture North Carolina]

Remember not to take any pictures of Fords (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=435019&highlight=ford+motor) or the FoMoCo legal staff may shoot you in the back. ;)

Jokes aside, with whatever you end up doing with the pics, be cognizant of the trademark and copyright issues. /Dan