EF 28-80; 80-200: worth it for a newbie?

[Mike2005]

I recently inherited a film Rebel 2000 with EF lense 28-80 and 80-200. I am planning on purchasing a Rebel XT and am wondering whether I should stick with my current lenses or consider investing in another lense, possibly going with the kit lense or 28-135 USM IS or comparable 3rd party lense. I am very green when it comes to all this but eager to learn and wondering whether it would be worthwhile to do so on the lenses that I already have. Or, should I go for broke and invest in what may be considered better lense. Obviously, I am not sure about the quality of my current lenses but only assume that they are very basic considering that I do not see much dialogue about them.

[cactusclay]

What are the apatures?

[Mike2005]

f/3.5-5/6 on the 28-80 and f/4.5-5.6 on the 80-200

[sid]

I just bought a used 80-200mm. It's ok. Works well in good sunlight, but hunts a LOT indoors. I'm glad I didnt pay full price !

[cactusclay]

I would think that they would be close to the same quality as a kit lens, maybe better. The 28-135 is considered by most to be the best of the non L zooms. There is a website "Canon lens reviews" that will give you a better idea what you have in comparison to other lenses. Type that into google and see what comes up.

[ron chappel]

I have got some pretty good pics with those lenses .One thing-make sure the 80-200 is the 'II' version! The original version is really average
Overall they are,as cactusclay says above , a little better than the kit lens.Here are some of the clearest pics i got with the 80-200 II.Sorry i have no 28-80 pics online .
http://members.dodo.net.au/~l8r_ron/pages/ef%2080-200II%20@100mmf5%20%5B178k%5D.html
http://members.dodo.net.au/~l8r_ron/pages/ef%2080-200II%20@140mmf5.6%20%5B270k%5D.html


note that if you want true wide angle you will NEED the kit lens or something similar like the sigma 18-50mm .
This is because the rebel XT only uses the central part of the lens' image circle so the 28-80 set at 28mm acts like a 45mm lens...not wide at all.
One good option is to get the kit lens with the rebel XT and sell the 28-80 .
You will have a gap between the kit lens wich finnishes at 55mm and the 80-200 but you will rarely if ever notice it

[cricketboy75]

i just bought a second hand ed 28-80 II. going to try it tonight. will let you if it's any good. i'm actually regretting buying it cos from what i've read in the forum, it's not a very good lens. oh well...at least it was cheap...

[Layston]

I suggest keeping your lenses. Buying the body you want, and trying them out. Since you say you are "green", you will have a lot to learn. I made the mistake early on of buying lenses that I thought were going to work for me without really knowing what I liked to shoot. I found that by going back and looking at my focal lengths I used a lot and my apertures etc that I was generally shooting around 50mm and fast shutter speeds (generally maxing out my apertures) so then I bought my 50mm f1.4 and also my Sigma 24-70 f2.8. I have been extremely happy with these lenses, they were informed decisions based on solid evidence of what I shot.

Your 28-80 and 80-200 are a decent range to start with, although you may find you want something wider. If you get a kit with the 18-55 EF-S which usually only increases the kit price by about $50, it is a good investment. Yes you may want something with a bigger aperture quickly, or longer, or wider, or all of the above, but it will be an inexpensive way to learn.

[cw695356]

I had the 80-200. While it wasnt great, it wasnt bad at all for the price and I learned what focal lengths I actually used before I spent any real money.