About to order XT, which lens?

I would appreciate any input. I am about to order an XT and as a student, I am on a tight budget. I need a good walk around lens to start with. I like to take pictures up in the mountains. Lots of landscape shots, some medium distance composition shots, and sometimes shots of people. I understand that non of my choices are going to be good in low-light situations, which is why I already have the 50mm 1.8 on my "next to buy" list. So I just need something to hold me for a bit while I learn the ins and outs of my new toy.

Canon 18-55 Kit lens
Tamron 28-80 F3.5-5.6
Sigma 28-80 F3.5-5.6

If there are any other decent starter-lenses for around $100 or less, please let me know. Thank you very much.

Well - I never thought I'd do this, but I'd recommend the 18-55 kit lens for you, with one or two provisos.
First, the why: simply because you'll need to go wider than 28 on the XT.
The provisos: don't buy it new or as part of a kit; buy it for peanuts second-hand, ideally with some warranty remaining.
Second: quality is very variable with these lenses - you may get a good one, or you may get a dud (hence the need for warranty cover).

Yup...the kit is real nice on the XT...just stop down for better IQ...but I'd also recommend the 35/2 over the 50...costs $100 more but has more uses...the nifty50 is a great steal tho...

I don't know how prices run now but the kit lens was cheaper as part of the original kit than separately, even used. It's a good lens for the price. Keep it stopped down to f6.3 or more and it's really quite sharp.

Hmmmm - just another thought, good or bad I'm not sure. It won't be long before 40D kits start to come out with the 18-55 IS. Maybe you could wait until some of those start to appear second-hand as people buy the kit, (probably, I expect) realise that the kit lens doesn't do it for them, and sell it off. The 35/2 or 50/1.8 would gfive you plenty to work with in the meantime.

Titus213 wrote in post #4097791
I don't know how prices run now but the kit lens was cheaper as part of the original kit than separately, even used. It's a good lens for the price. Keep it stopped down to f6.3 or more and it's really quite sharp.

OK. - It may be market dependent. Here, as-new 18-55s can't be sold for $NZ60 = $US45.
For example, see this heated Q&A in an auction

Sounds like you should just keep the XT and kit lens for now.
I'd save your cash for the 50 1.4 instead of the crappy 1.8 if I were you... that is if you think having a fast 50 prime will work for you.
I have the 1.8 and NEVER use it. It's a piece of crap below 2.8 and nailed focus is a real problem indoors on the wide end.
I've used the 1.4 before. They're worlds apart. Worth 3x the price for sure. I would have upgraded by now, but I'll be buying a long zoom before that.

I think you'll find that you'll quickly strive for some length... so a longer zoom might be a better choice in the near future. Don't think that all landscapes are done with wide angle.

Need to contradict my recommendation...
I think for traveling/hiking most people make the mistake of thinking they need a really wide angle lens...when they really need some tele to get some distance shots that a wide angle would in some scenes render elements too small...soooo...I think a better "hiking" lens would the the more moderate wide angle-tele Canon 24-85mm EF, 39-136mm (on a 35mm bod) being nearly ideal for most shots on the trail...oh, it's much better made (metal mount, USM AF), is much sharper than the kit, and at under $200, it's a bargain. I have both as you can see, and have done a bit of mountain hiking so it's not just theory but practice that forms this opinion.

Another vote for the kit lens. Its versatile enough to meets your needs whereas the 24- or 28-Xmm lenses won't seem wide enough in some circumstances. With only one lens, you'll want to at least have the option of going wide if necessary.

I tell everyone the same thing... when you are starting off, unless you have a specific need that requires something else, get the kit with the 18-55. At the price they toss it in for, there is nothing better. If you have another $300 or so in your pocket (which doesn't appear to be the case here) skip the kit and get the Sigma 18-50 or the Tamron 17-50.

I'd buy the body only, then buy a used kit lens over here for $50 or so. I wouldn't recommend the 28-80. I had one when I first started and it was a pretty darn good lens. However, because I had my kit lens, it didn't make sense for me to have the kit lens on, then switch to the 28-80 and back again just to get that extra 25mm on the long end and lose the 18mm on the wide. The kit lens' wide angle was much more useful than the 80mm on the tamron that I had.

And I'd get the 50 1.8 if you're on a budget of less than $100. My 50 1.4 is sometimes too precise for me at 1.4 and I often use it at 2.0 or smaller anyway.

I would actually consider an XTi with kit lens.

When I got my XT last year (my first DSLR) I got it with a Tamron 18-200 lens in a package deal from Beach Camera. Not a great lens but it help me learn about what focals lengths I would need/like. I still use this lens for hiking as it is small and light, fairly versatile, and takes decent pics, at least for my needs.

I bought my son the XT kit (XT with 18-55 kit lens) and then bought him a Pro Optic 55-200 (made by Tamron) as a very in-expensive zoom. Both lens stopped down are ok.
If you are going hiking look at the Trek Pod (hiking monopod/tripod) light very versatile combo made for hiking.

rang wrote in post #4102109
I bought my son the XT kit (XT with 18-55 kit lens) and then bought him a Pro Optic 55-200 (made by Tamron) as a very in-expensive zoom. Both lens stopped down are ok.

The Sigma or Tamron 55-200mm are pretty good and either would make a nice companion to the kit lens. I didn't realize that ProOptic was selling real lenses now.

Yeah, I just picked up the stripped down Sunpak OEM version. Looks pretty nice but haven't had a chance to give it a try in the field yet.

JackProton wrote in post #4103319
The Sigma or Tamron 55-200mm are pretty good and either would make a nice companion to the kit lens. I didn't realize that ProOptic was selling real lenses now.


Yeah, I just picked up the stripped down Sunpak OEM version. Looks pretty nice but haven't had a chance to give it a try in the field yet.

Yup, the ProOptic when you look at the body, the gold lettering on it and the elements description s it is a Tamron. And the very knowledgable guy in the shop (in LV, NV) told me about it. It was a dead giveaway who made it.

The Sunpak version of the TrekPod is not that stripped down. If it has a cork hand grip and knob on top it is the original. There is now a "go" version that is shorter and uses foam where the original had cork. But other than that...it is essentially the same for around $60.00 USD more.