What lense should I keep???

[wilerty]

Looks like I'm getting a Rebel XT. I haven't decided what lense to buy with it, if any. The 18-55 doesn't get great reviews.

However, I currently have an Elan II with Canon 28-80, Tamron 28-200, and a Tamron 200-400. I used the long lenses when my son was playing sports. Probably a zoom that goes out to 200 would be fine for me now. All the leftover 35mm stuff will be sold ... I haven't taken a film picture in four years. I've only used my S40, which I will probably also replace with a pocket camera like an SD400 or SD500.

I'm thinking of buying the 18-55 with the camera, keep the canon 28-80 as a middle zoom and buy something like the new Sigma 18-125. Or, I could buy the camera with Canon's 17-85 and the Sigma, except that the Canon at F4 would be pretty slow as a standard lens.

Recommendations???

Sorry I posted this here ... it should have been in the lens section. I'll repost there ... don't see a delete option here ...

[flyfishnj]

First suggestion is read, read and then read some more. There is a ton of information on this forum. You might have to dig for it and some will be right in front of you. Next there is a thread recommending best lenses for starting out. None of the lenses you have are on it.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=56752

[Jon]

If you get the 18-55 with the camera, and want to get the 18-125 Sigma (why both? substantial overlap there), why would you keep the 28-80? I can see getting rid of the 28-200 as it's bigger and bulkier than any of the others, though. For that matter, why get both the 17-85 and the 18-125? I'd really suggest that you try to build up a range with minimal overlap first. Maybe get the 50 f/1.8 and a moderate tele (ideally the 70-200 f/4 L) in addition to one or the other of the kit lenses. That way you've got a small, versatile lens, a small, fast lens, and pretty good telephoto reach when you need it (although if you're interested in wildlife, you'll want to keep the 200-400 unless you want to upgrade it).

The 18-55 isn't, and doesn't pretend to be, L glass, but it's pretty good for normal use, especially when you're a couple of stops down from wide open.