how is my selection

hi im new here

ive always had an interest in learning photography using SLR type cameras so i bought a digital rebel XTi oct 8th for 769.49 (imo i thought it was pretty good price for a new camera that has only been out for a month)

i didnt use the camera much in oct and nov but i extensively used it when i was at hawaii 2 weeks ago.

anyways from the trip i figure i need some sort of telephoto lens so i need your guys' opinons on the Canon USA Zoom Telephoto EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 III USM Autofocus Lens, and Canon USA Normal EF 50mm f/1.8 II Autofocus Lens, the last one mainly because its so cheap and alot of people seem to praise it.

now before you go suggesting the 70-200 f/4 my budget is only about 300-400 dollars, so if you have any other suggestions that fall within that price range be my guest

thanks

Definitely get the EF 50mm f/1.8 II, this is a must have for us Rebel users. With your budget I am sure someone here will be recommended another non canon lens, I can't expand on that because I don't have any that aren't canon.

see if you can pick up an ef 70-210mm f/3.5-4.5 USM. i think its better than the ef 75-300mm variants. seriously, don't bother with them.

Sigma 70-300 f/4.0-5.6 APO DG http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …EG&addedTroughT​ype=search at around $200 USD is very well regarded.

Canon EF 70-300 f/4.0-5.6 USM IS http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …SA&addedTroughT​ype=search at around $550 USD is sometimes described as a "hidden L" in terms of IQ.

While many people swear by the lens you asked about, it generally is considered to be a less than desirable choice.

If you can afford the 70-300 IS, I would strongly recommend it. I own it and I am very satisfied with the results I achieve with it.

While the 75-300 III is a cheap consumer lens. It does not take bad pictures. I have some good ones of stationary animals and objects taken at f 8-11 that are nice. I bought it when I first started and didn't know what I was looking at. But it served my purpose and fit in my budget. It also helped me decide what lens I would replace it with. It was on rebate when I got it, so I can sell it for a reasonable price and maybe make some else happy.

thanks for the replies, the sigma one, how is it in terms of focusing speed compared to the canon one, is it fast? cause it would be a pain if the lens has to hunt around to get a good focus.

and where is this ef 70-210mm lens available? i havent found a place that offers one.