Just some advice on lenses and Canon basics

[confusedxx]

I am looking to buy a 20D and wondering about Canon lenses to go with it. I used to use an old old nikon camera and I am not up to date on the newer lenses (in fact just getting back into hobby photography).

Ideally, I would like a 28-75 and a 100-200 lens. I understand the quality of the photos probably depends as much or more on the lens as the camera, so my first question is: Is there a difference between a Canon lens and a competitive Sigma or Tamron?

I think the Tamron SP AF28-75mm F/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) is the lens I will go with to begin and as I save a bit more, I would loook to get another lense. What would you suggest as the next lens to give me a larger range?

Thank you

[RichardtheSane]

If you get the Tamron then next lens to get you up to 200mm could well be the Canon 70-200 F4 L

The bargain of the L series zooms, light, sharp and very nice to use

[confusedxx]

Thank you for the reply RichardtheSane.

What exactly does the L mean? I also read something about how the 20D works so much better with a 2.8 appature for foucsing. How does the camera work when the appature gets smaller like with a f4 or even smaller?

[tim]

L stands for luxury, and they're Canon's best pro-quality lenses. L is usually written in red because they have red rings around the end of the lens, but I can't be bothered....

I think the lens focuses at it's maximum aperature, then stops down once you hit the shutter button. You can stop it down to see the results yourself with the depth of field preview button.

[CyberDyneSystems]

I concur completely with Richard.

The Tamron and a Canon 70-200mm f/4L would be a very Sane combination indeed. :)

[Scottes]

The Tamron and a Canon 70-200mm f/4L would be a very Sane combination indeed. :)

That combo makes for a killer pair of lenses for that price.

But if you wish to spend another ** $2300 ** you could get the Canon top-of-the-line models in these ranges.... :-)