Amatuer photographer here

drdiesel1 wrote in post #8411459
Like this.....

exactly. thats an awesome photo

what are the differences going to be in my photos with the EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III rather than the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

I've had the XSi now for nearly a year with both the EFS 18-55 IS and the EFS 55-250 IS. That is a very versitile kit to get started with. Cannot speak of the 75-300's (haven't used them), but the IQ with the kit and the 'Nifty 2 Fifty' are, IMO, very good for the money spent. I'm currently trying to sell my EFS 55-250 IS only because now I have grown to love shooting with prime lenses. If interested, PM me.
Good luck with your decision AND new found addiction.

Dave...

dnahrstedt1 wrote in post #8412148
I've had the XSi now for nearly a year with both the EFS 18-55 IS and the EFS 55-250 IS. That is a very versitile kit to get started with. Cannot speak of the 75-300's (haven't used them), but the IQ with the kit and the 'Nifty 2 Fifty' are, IMO, very good for the money spent. I'm currently trying to sell my EFS 55-250 IS only because now I have grown to love shooting with prime lenses. If interested, PM me.
Good luck with your decision AND new found addiction.

Dave...

haha yeah i already know what your talking about with the addiction. Would you prefer just buying the body and going with the lens of my choice or just buying it with the standard lens that it comes with. Either way i would still love to get another lens just to start my collection. thanks!

Random22 wrote in post #8412190
haha yeah i already know what your talking about with the addiction. Would you prefer just buying the body and going with the lens of my choice or just buying it with the standard lens that it comes with. Either way i would still love to get another lens just to start my collection. thanks!

What I did (take with a grain of salt) was bought the camera and both the 18-55 IS AND the 55-250 IS as a kit from B&H due to a special pricing they had at the time it just worked out that I could buy the camera and both lenses NEW cheaper than I could have bought the body only then tried to search for them both used... Depending on where you're buying and what pricing they're offering, let that be your guide. Usually though it is worth it to me to get the 18-55 IS 'kit' lens included. Especially now that the IS version improved it's IQ a little. Both lenses are great 'starter' lenses in my opinion and will be able to tell you after using them for a while which you prefer using (long range or wide angle) and whichever behavior you notice will guide your next purchase.

Random22 wrote in post #8412190
haha yeah i already know what your talking about with the addiction. Would you prefer just buying the body and going with the lens of my choice or just buying it with the standard lens that it comes with. Either way i would still love to get another lens just to start my collection. thanks!

The kit 18-55IS is a very good lens...I would recommend buying the camera as a kit, then picking up another that suits your need..

The 28-135 is a good lens, but the 70-200 is much better and it`s an L glass.
Maybe you could skip the 18-55, buy the 28-135 and the 70-200L.
Either way you go, your gonna need money if your looking to buy 2 lenses that are good enough to cover the 18 to 200 range without gaps and have a decent lens.
I would buy the kit 18-55IS and the 70-200L and work from there.

Yeah depending on specials/deals ect. hopefully i can get a bargain like that. Any lenses in the 200-400 price range?

Random22 wrote in post #8400877
a zoom would be nice for anything from 50-100 yards, but i would sacrifice distance quality and sharpness like being able to see sweat on somebody for water drops on leaves

I just picked up a Vivitar MC 28mm/F2 in a Nikon AI mount at a garage sale for $5...only problem is that the aperture is stuck wide open...still, it may be quite suitable for just that...shooting wide open in the dark...we'll see....maybe I'll try taking the mount off and see if I can get the aperture to work...
First shots into bright light prove problematic having no choice but to shoot wide open, but in the shade...not bad...shot on a Canon 40D

Have you bought the body yet?

I say get a used xti or xt even and buy a used 70-200 along with a standard zoom. A t1i is a lot of money for your first body - your money will go further with glass IMO. I don't think you need 15MP or video mode... but its up to you I guess.