I'm at a crossroads...

...deciding what lenses I should get for my new Rebel XS

For now, I'd like lenses that take good portraits, animals/nature/landsca​pes, and macros.

In an effort to seem not completely clueless to photography (he he), I've come down to these:

Macro: EF100mm f/2.8
Portraiture: EF-60mm f/2.8
Nature/landscapes/anim​als: EF70-300mm f/4-5.6 (but I’d also like to take night shots or evening scenes… I’m not sure if that particular lens would work. Would I have to, additionally, get the EF-S17-85mm f/4-5.6?)
Am I on the right track? Also, where would be the best places to find these lenses? I was thinking eBay… but I’m skeptical.

As the owner of a EF-S 60 f/2.8 Macro lens I think this would be a good choice to cover the macro and portrait areas and it makes a pretty good "near normal" lens, too. A very sharp lens, I have no complaints and use it a LOT.

Looks like you've done your homework. My only suggestion is that the 70-300 should be the IS version, that's the best of them all.

I'd combine your Macro and Portrait choices in to one lens. Both are excellent at Macro and both do quite well at portraiture. Just decide on whether you want 60mm or 100mm. If the 70-300 you are mentioning is the Canon IS version then that's a fine choice.

Did you receive a "kit" lens with your Rebel XS? The Canon 100mm "macro" f/2.8 lens is an excellent macrophotography 1:1 lens. It also serves as a great lens for portraits too. Regarding best places to find lenses, try the more reputable dealers like B&H and Adorama.
Canon currently has rebates on particular lenses, etc...

I love the 60 macro for portraits. I would buy that and wait on the 100 macro to see if you really need it.

Skip the 17-85 IS. Consider a Tamron 17-50 f2.8 or the Canon 17-55 f2.8 IS instead. Or just keep using your 18-55 IS kit lens, assuming you have one with the XS.

I would also consider the 55-250 IS instead of the 70-300 (to save $) or save up and get a 70-200 (any flavor).

crn3371 wrote in post #8241271
I'd combine your Macro and Portrait choices in to one lens. Both are excellent at Macro and both do quite well at portraiture. Just decide on whether you want 60mm or 100mm. If the 70-300 you are mentioning is the Canon IS version then that's a fine choice.

jerokaz wrote in post #8241128
Looks like you've done your homework. My only suggestion is that the 70-300 should be the IS version, that's the best of them all.

jrscls wrote in post #8241416
I love the 60 macro for portraits. I would buy that and wait on the 100 macro to see if you really need it.

Skip the 17-85 IS. Consider a Tamron 17-50 f2.8 or the Canon 17-55 f2.8 IS instead. Or just keep using your 18-55 IS kit lens, assuming you have one with the XS.

I would also consider the 55-250 IS instead of the 70-300 (to save $) or save up and get a 70-200 (any flavor).

Cyclop wrote in post #8241275
Did you receive a "kit" lens with your Rebel XS? The Canon 100mm "macro" f/2.8 lens is an excellent macrophotography 1:1 lens. It also serves as a great lens for portraits too. Regarding best places to find lenses, try the more reputable dealers like B&H and Adorama.
Canon currently has rebates on particular lenses, etc...

crn3371 wrote in post #8241271
I'd combine your Macro and Portrait choices in to one lens. Both are excellent at Macro and both do quite well at portraiture. Just decide on whether you want 60mm or 100mm. If the 70-300 you are mentioning is the Canon IS version then that's a fine choice.

Naturalist wrote in post #8241127
As the owner of a EF-S 60 f/2.8 Macro lens I think this would be a good choice to cover the macro and portrait areas and it makes a pretty good "near normal" lens, too. A very sharp lens, I have no complaints and use it a LOT.

Absolutely the IS version! I’ve decided on EF-S 60 f/2.8 for macro and portrait, and then 55-250 IS for now.

Thank you all for making my life a little easier!

idowhat_i_want wrote in post #8241798
Absolutely the IS version! I’ve decided on EF-S 60 f/2.8 for macro and portrait, and then 55-250 IS for now.

Thank you all for making my life a little easier!

sounds good...also i'd probably avoid ebay unless you find a deal of some sorts...the 55-250mmIS can be had refurbished from adorama

not sure where the best spot for the 60mm macro is...but i'd look at amazon, b&h, and adorama...

also like others said you'll probably want something wider than 55mm...do you have the kit lens?...that should work well

also i'd recommend getting a flash

DreDaze wrote in post #8241899
sounds good...also i'd probably avoid ebay unless you find a deal of some sorts...the 55-250mmIS can be had refurbished from adorama

not sure where the best spot for the 60mm macro is...but i'd look at amazon, b&h, and adorama...

also like others said you'll probably want something wider than 55mm...do you have the kit lens?...that should work well

also i'd recommend getting a flash

Oh yes, I have the kit lens. Thank you for your input. I was actually on my way out to buy the lenses! Now I know a couple of good places to start

idowhat_i_want wrote in post #8252068
Oh yes, I have the kit lens. Thank you for your input. I was actually on my way out to buy the lenses! Now I know a couple of good places to start

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I hope you'll find the lens that you really like!

A little advice from one who has spent way more than he could have if he had just been patient. After you have decided what lens' you would like if you will watch the sell forum here and be patient, (I know I have very little myself), you can make some really good deals from people here. Most people here are very honest and easy to deal with and you can check their feedback in the market section. Good hunting.