EF 28-105 f/3.5-4.5 USM a good starting point?

I have decided to order my new XTi as a body only. I just don't think the 18-55 is going to do what i want. I am looking for a lens to use in portraits, candids and photojournalistic shots.

From what i have seen of the 28-135 IS that is provided as the kit lens with the 30D/40D that is about in line with what i want (just as a reference point as to what i'm looking for).

Should i expect similar results from the 28-105? Does anyone use this lens? What are your feelings about it and does it seem like a good lens to get started in the "digital world" with?

Thank you in advance for your comments... all of you are always extremely helpful and i hope you know that at LEAST one beginner appreciates you taking time out of your schedule to share some knowledge.

I would get the kit lens or, even better, the new 18-55 IS lens. The 28-105 f3.5-4.5 lens is good for the price, but you must realize that you will be totally giving up wide angle. Unlike on your film camera, the 28 wide-end is not going to be wide on the XTi. For street photography, you might need 24 or wider.

derky82 wrote in post #4556773
I have decided to order my new XTi as a body only. I just don't think the 18-55 is going to do what i want. I am looking for a lens to use in portraits, candids and photojournalistic shots.

From what i have seen of the 28-135 IS that is provided as the kit lens with the 30D/40D that is about in line with what i want (just as a reference point as to what i'm looking for).

Should i expect similar results from the 28-105? Does anyone use this lens? What are your feelings about it and does it seem like a good lens to get started in the "digital world" with?

Thank you in advance for your comments... all of you are always extremely helpful and i hope you know that at LEAST one beginner appreciates you taking time out of your schedule to share some knowledge.

Outstanding lens. Buy a used MkI version. You should be able to find one for about $100 or so. You can't go wrong with this lens. Later on you can add a 10-22mm, and something on the long end, and you will be totally set.

Great lens. I used to have one and sold it only when I could afford the 50-150 f/2.8. It has ring USM for lightning-fast focus. You'll need to try to get one stop down and expect to do a little saturation boost in pp, but for the money, it's one of Canon's best lenses.

if i were to start lens-less, i would either start with the ef 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 USM (though i have never personally owned it, have used it though) or the tamron 28-75mm f/2.8.

It's a good lens for the money but probably unsuited to PJ and street shooting on an XTi. 28mm will be very limiting to tell stories with.

Id personally rather the kit lens and a longer prime like the 85/1.8 if you can afford it to use for portraits and candids.

It's the lens that I started out with, and I still have it actually. It worked out pretty well for me, except that as others have mentioned 28mm is not particularly wide on an APS-C body. Still, it's not a bad lens at all.

I spent the money on the 18-55 kit lens, and once I got my hands on the 28-105, I pretty much threw the 18-55 on the shelf. (Last time I used it was this summer for a super-wide-angle from the top of Mount Washington)

You can't go wrong with the 28-105 IMHO.