Best all around lens for under $300?

[WhiteOwl]

After months of eying the t2i my finger is minutes away from clicking 'purchase' but I'm becoming confused as to which lens I should get to go with it. Can anyone help me out by suggesting a good one for under $300? I'll mostly be using it for nature shots, flowers, mountains, landscapes. I'd really like to take photos with good depth of field as well.

Thanks!

[nightcat]

The 50mm 2.5 compact macro would be a good choice. For the types of photography you're interested in, its would be a good fit. A forgotten lens because it isn't fast (2.5), but this lens is sharp and has very good flatness of field and excellent edge to edge sharpness. It isn't a full macro, but has far better close up ability (mfd) than other 50mm lenses. At $249, this lens is an outright steal!

[ni$mo350]

wrong forum but I'd suggest saving a little bit more and getting a 50 f/1.4, 85 f/1.8 or 100 f/2.8 non L

[enrigonz]

what do you have now? what do you shoot the most? do you need a telephoto or a wide lens? when you say nature, do you shoot animals such as birds and other wildlife? Do you prefer a zoom lens over a prime?

There's lots to consider here, if you don't shoot portraits, then there's a different set of rules than if you did. Are you looking for a do it all type lens? or a dedicated lens?

[gjl711]

I would start with the standard 18-55IS that come with it as a kit. It's a very nice lens, more versatile than a prime, and sharp.

[nyy]

The kit IS lens is a great start. You can achieve some amazing results with it, and it won't break the bank.

[prodigy photos]

if you got the KIT lens already ( 18-55 ).. for that $300.00 score yourself a 50mm 1.8 and 55-250mm.. that's my combo that i use now and it's amazing..

[enrigonz]

if you got the KIT lens already ( 18-55 ).. for that $300.00 score yourself a 50mm 1.8 and 55-250mm.. that's my combo that i use now and it's amazing..

very good advise, I think that combination is great for anyone starting out, I use my 55-250 constantly, is my only long zoom lens and I can't see anything better than this for the price ......