My nephew has the bug now

Ok, my nephew has been visiting me for his week off (winter break). He's been going to work with me, going on these forums with me and finally caught the bug for photography.

We found someone in desperate times selling off some stuff - including a 350D. He used some of his money to buy the body and I helped him with the rest. Everything seems in good working order with the body - but the kit lens is bad. (we checked the body with my kit lens - OK)

Anyways, he just turned 10 so I don't want to spend too much on a lens, but I don't want him so frustrated that he's not getting decent pictures. He likes out doors and "up close".

Anybody have anything to say about this lens?
Sigma Zoom Telephoto 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS

Wife is NOT happy that I got her brothers son into such an expensive hobby. But I guess let him start early and he will have time to grow with it. BTW, we got the body for $175

A good starter lens I usually recommend is the Sigma 17-70mm. Way better than the kit lens.

Good range, quality and fun close focus (macro) ability.

I think the 70-300 is a good lens but I'm sure someone else will help with that.

I hope he sticks with it...

The 70-300mm APO DG is the ultimate budget lens. For the price, there is nothing that even touches it.

Make sure you buy the APO version.

Here's a link to some macro shots I took with it (I also used a set of extension tubes)

thanks guys. as soon as I posted this, I noticed a really old topic got bumped up on this same lens. I ordered it. - the APO version

Good to see...my kids love taking pictures...but like you I dont want to spend too much money on them as their interests tend to come and go so quickly...