Good lens beyond standard 18-55 'kit' lens?

Hey guys, been lurking the past couple weeks after a fellow forum member pointed me over this way during my quest to find a decent setup for my gf.


Anyway... can anyone recommend a decent bang-for-the-buck lens in place of (or to go along with) the standard 'kit' 18-55 lens? I'm searching around for a pre-owned Rebel XT setup to get my gf into the DSLR world for the holidays. Word on the street seems to be the 'kit' lens is kind of crappy.

Thanks!

The xt kit lens is crappy. Bang for the buck replace it with the 18-55 IS lens. ITs lots better and very useful, usually you can find it for around $100 used.

The kit lens (18-55) is a pretty good lens. The 18-55 IS kit lens is a little better.
I would start with one of those as they are very inexpensive and will give you good results to get you started.
It depends on what she will be shooting to determine what lens she should need. Portraits use one kind of lens, landscapes could use another.
Are you looking for a longer zoom lens?
There are many options depending on what kind of photos will be taken.

Itsablurr wrote in post #11370119
Hey guys, been lurking the past couple weeks after a fellow forum member pointed me over this way during my quest to find a decent setup for my gf.


Anyway... can anyone recommend a decent bang-for-the-buck lens in place of (or to go along with) the standard 'kit' 18-55 lens? I'm searching around for a pre-owned Rebel XT setup to get my gf into the DSLR world for the holidays. Word on the street seems to be the 'kit' lens is kind of crappy.

Thanks!

55-250 is or a 70-300is will be suitable to go along with the 18-55. as for a replacement for the 18-55 it depends on how will you use it walk around? snap shots? 17-85 is and 28-135is is not that expensive check out the sale forum. if you wnt a better glass 24-105L

Kit lens is pretty good,as has been said shop around.

Gonzogolf is right. The 18-55 IS is a much better lens than the XT 18-55 kit lens. (I've had both.)

Well worth upgrading.

If you want to spend $1K or so, consider the 17-55 f/2.8 IS.

-js

Thanks for the input, guys. As far as application is concerned, she has historically done mostly urban landscape photography... not sure if that helps at all.

Back through high school and undergrad, she was very much into photography classes and has a natural eye for composition. However, she let it go a number of years back when she came to the city and had no darkroom space. A decent used novice/recreational DSLR setup I think should let her scratch the itch and get back into one of her passions easily.

The 18-55 IS is great IMO. If you want something up from that you could also try the Tamron 17-50 (non-VC or VC [LIke IS] version) f2.8, or Sigmas 17-70 (non-OS or OS). I've heard good things about all of them. I have Tamron's 28-75 f2.8 which is a great non stabilized lens.

None of these options really dig into your pocket too badly

You have some very good advice - the 18-55 IS is a great start - ask if you can buy the two as a kit to save $ - (tell them you do not want the 'old' 18-55 non-IS and say you are surprised that clunky thing is still being sold) and as a separate question - ask how much that kit PLUS the 55-250mm IS would be.

Its a great start and after 8 months she will know the types of shooting she prefers and a lens upgrade in that direction could follow.

18-55mm IS review: www.dpreview.com/lensr​eviews/canon_18-55_3p5-5p6_is_c16/page5.asp

I back up the suggestions for the 18-55 IS and the 55-250 IS because they really have a good reputation and for the $$ they cover a very nice range.

Now, nobody has mentioned the little fellow for low-light and creative fun, the EF 50mm f/1.8! It's a very low-cost little guy, feels a bit "cheap", but delivers bang for the buck for someone starting out with a Canon DSLR!

tonylong wrote in post #11371631
I back up the suggestions for the 18-55 IS and the 55-250 IS because they really have a good reputation and for the $$ they cover a very nice range.

Now, nobody has mentioned the little fellow for low-light and creative fun, the EF 50mm f/1.8! It's a very low-cost little guy, feels a bit "cheap", but delivers bang for the buck for someone starting out with a Canon DSLR!

+1 The truth =)

themadman wrote in post #11371637
+1 The truth =)

+ 2

Itsablurr wrote in post #11371407
Back through high school and undergrad, she was very much into photography classes and has a natural eye for composition. ....A decent used novice/recreational DSLR .... and get back into one of her passions easily.

Supporting a partner's Passion is the coolest thing...

I just got a Canon 15-85mm today to replace the 18-55 kit lens. It's sharper, has greater range, and better build quality. It is pricey though, and heavier. I love it though!

EF 50mm f/1.8

Must have lens.