What lens for new Canon owner

I have purchased a 40D without a lens. I want one lens to start with but am perplexed as to which one to get. It seems like they make a million or so.
I do want a wider lens. Short zoom? Not too expensive please.
I appreciate any information,
David

stronics wrote in post #16902561
I have purchased a 40D without a lens. I want one lens to start with but am perplexed as to which one to get. It seems like they make a million or so.
I do want a wider lens. Short zoom? Not too expensive please.
I appreciate any information,
David

Well we have to start with what kind of stuff are you taking pictures of mostly (or most interested in taking pictures of for example, landscape, wildlife, sports, family, children, indoors or outdoors, good or bad lighting etc), what is your budget, and welcome to the forums

EF-S 18-55mm IS II, EF-S 18-55mm IS STM, Tamron 17-50MM non-VC, Sigma 17-50mm OS

Pick one, they're all good, and affordable, even though you didn't mention budget.

What is your budget?

I've been taking pictures my whole life and have been using Panasonic G1's last couple years. I really like all the custom settings and the lens are great. But, as I get more into this digital thing I want to try a different brand. I would probably buy a new GH3 if it were made in Japan. So Canon? I like the large size of the 40D, it fits great.
I don't want to spend over $500 to see if I like the way the camera operates, I don't have anything against a good used one either.
Thanks guys,
David

Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 non-VC is a great lens. You would be able to do 'wide'ish' landscape, but then zoom to 50mm for portrait like work. Only $300-350 used.

Go with a used sigma 17-50mm os hsm. I saw one used in the potn marketplace yesterday for 325 dollars.

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Have some fun.

As others have said, it depends on what you will be taking pictures of...

I was hoping a used Canon EF-S 15-85 IS would fit within your budget, but after a quick search it looks like it is a bit more than what you want to spend.

I agree that the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 non-VC is a great choice and it is very affordable. I don't know much about the Sigma offerings, so I can't help you there.

Take a look at this:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com …General-Purpose-Lens.aspx

Be sure to check out all of his other lens reviews too:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/

Edit:
Looks like you can get a used 15-85 in your price range. You might even be able to find a used 17-55 IS.

Alternative: Sigma 17-70 OS. Very nice underrated lens. Good balance between range and aperture, more useful range than the 17-50's, and more useful aperture than the 3.5-5.6's.

Without having any idea of your budget or what you want to shoot, I'd suggest a EF 50mm f/1.8 and an EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM, used the pair will probably set you back about 250$ and should give you reasonable flexibility and a feel for primes/fast lenses.

stronics wrote in post #16902561
I have purchased a 40D without a lens. I want one lens to start with but am perplexed as to which one to get. It seems like they make a million or so.
I do want a wider lens. Short zoom? Not too expensive please.
I appreciate any information,
David

Heya,

If you're a zoom kind of guy:

Tamron 17-50 F2.8 VC

If you're a prime kind of guy:

EF 28mm F2.8 IS
EF 35 F2 IS

Very best,

vorlon1 wrote in post #16902731
Go with a used sigma 17-50mm os hsm. I saw one used in the potn marketplace yesterday for 325 dollars.

Agree

I would get a Canon 18-55mm kit lens until you learn your new camera. After you learn what this lens will do and can't do, you can make a wiser choice on how to spend your money.

When I bought my first DSLR, I decided to skip the 18mm zooms and bought a used 15-85. The used price of the 15-85 has been dropping of late. A fellow POTNer just picked one up on eBay for $450. I paid $600 for both of ours. Both of our lenses came from people who had recently purchased a 60D and no longer needed their EF-S lenses so both of them were in pristine condition.

The 15mm wide end of the lens seems to be enough for landscapes, though I don't automatically use 15mm. Each scene is individual, obviously, so I compose the photograph without really looking to see what mm setting I'm at. I use the 15-85 for my walk-around lens at many venues where I know I won't be needing my 70-300L.