Starting From Scratch - Body Only?

[mcaldwell]

My trusty G2 finally died from the famous "popped fuse, lens stuck out" syndrome. OK, it's an excuse with the wife to get a DSLR. The choice is between 20D and XT, which is a separate subject from this posting. I know nothing about SLR lenses. I eventually want a very long lens, wide angle, and want to do some really good macro stuff. But first things first: general purpose lens, especially since we're spending two weeks in Europe this fall and don't want to haul around a trunk full of heavy lenses. Would seem the thing to do is get the standard kit with the Canon 18-55 EFS lens that most offer, but have seen a lot of postings of alternatives ("L lens"??), so thought the total cost might not incrementally be too much more to get body only plus a better general purpose lens.

Would appreciate suggestions; please be specific since I would need to know an exact lens model to find it with Google.

Mike

[antaine]

I have a Tamron 28-75 f2.8 (costs about €420) - real sharp walk around lense and well liked by most owners here. (one down side is the wide angle becomes a virtual 45mm with the 1.6 crop on 10D/20D).

Did you think of a used 300D/10D?? I bet you can get a good bargain nowadays and then have more cash for lenses. A well liked L lense is the 17-40 f4 (I hope to buy one very soon) and then the 70-200/4 L

good luck!

[WepWaWep]

I have the 300D and have three lenses that cover the main areas of my shooting style. My long lens is the EF 100-400L, my walk around lens is the EF 17-40L and my macro/portrait lens is the EF 100 macro. With these lenses I can put one on the camera and carry the rest with a flash in a very small bag, a LowePro Nova 2. This suits me very well, my camera is always on my person and the bag is slung over my shoulder at hand in case I'm switching out lenses.

The big lens is very versatile and I often find that any time I'm shooting wildlife it is my lens of choice. The wide angle is great for scenery and landscapes as well as a great general use lens. The macro is my up close lens and has been wonderful for people shots. I think I have a great start with these three and look forward to adding a couple of more sometime in the future, geared to more specific shooting needs.

That though shall require a little more bucks to get some more "Buck Rogers". Perhaps a camera upgrade to the 20D or if the camera gods smile upon me, maybe even the 1D Mk II. <sigh>

[cts]

nice deals..

Thankx

[Jon]

I suspect that you'll find the "incremental cost" of the alternates to the 18-55 kit that are truly versatile will be somewhat more than you may have in mind. I think, though, that if I was getting just one lens that was going to have to see me through a European tour, it'd be the 17-85 EF-S. Good wide, but probably short for some things. The IS will help make up for the relatively slow max. aperture, and in those places that don't allow flash. If I was going to expand to 2, it'd probably be the 18-55 and the 70-200 f/4 L. Both options will run you around $500-$600 more than the body only.