lens question for rebel XT

I'm thinking about getting the rebel XT but not sure what lens to get with it.
I have a few questions:
1. I take alot of indoor pictures with flash and have always had problems focusing with slow lenses (3.5 of more) because there wasn't enough light coming through the lens to focus with. Do the digital SLR's have that same problem. I'm kind of scared of these f4.0 lenses that come with the rebel for that reason.

2. I looked at the older rebel and didn't like the manual focus because the focus ring was too critical. It wasn't smooth and I would go right past the focus point a few times before I got it right. Does the lens kit that comes with the rebel XT do the same thing and do any other lenses focus more smoothly?

3. Are there other lens manufactures that make lense compatable with the rebel for less than the Canon prices, and how good are they.

4. Last, can a fixed focal lenght lens be used with the rebel and take advantage of all the auto functions except zoom? It seems like that might be a way to get a good quality lens cheaper.

Thanks for any advice, Steve.

No-one else has responded, so I'll try to help.

1. The cheap kit lens is not ideal for indoor pictures. But I don't know how to compare it with other lenses you might have used.

2. The Rebel XT's kit lens is more or less the same as the version included with the original DRebel.

3. For a midrange zoom, the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 is very popular, and it's less than $350 after rebates. (Unfortunately, it's so popular that it's back-ordered almost everywhere...) Many people say it is comparable to Canon's 24-70 f/2.8L, which costs over $1000. Many owners of that Canon lens are upset by the comparison. I haven't used the Canon lens, but I'm extremely pleased with results I've gotten from the Tamron. And by cranking up the ISO on the XT to 1600, you can get some real nice results indoors without using flash.

4. Prime lenses will work fine on the camera. Primes are cheaper, and usually better optically, but you lose the flexibility of the zoom. It's just a trade-off.

I hope that helps.

- Nate

Welcome to the site Steve You might like to have a look at this thread for lens recommendations. I agree regarding lenses F3.5 or slower, I don't buy lenses slower than F2.8 any more.

I use the Tamron 28-75 that nate suggested, I find it to be a great lens. Many people will recommend the 50mm F1.8 because it's so cheap ($80 or so), I find its focus motor to be quite inaccurate, even in MF it's not great, so I don't recommend it any more. In general though, primes (ie fixed focal length lenses) will give you a better, sharper picture than zooms, with the tradeoff that you can't zoom - except with your feet

May I throw in my opinion?

I've just bought a Rebel XT and the kit lens is the EFS mk II.

It is vastly superior to the original kit lens. Have a look at some comparisons.

I have a 28 - 80 USM mk II and my kit lens produces images of virtually the same quality.
You need a magnifying glass when printed at A4 to see the difference.

Dave

I give the nod to the Tamron. Just listed the Canon 28-135 IS in the marketplace. The Tamron is an excellent value. Super Sharp, good low light lens.

Thanks guys for all this helpful advice. I really appreciate it. My next step is to check out some local stores where I can see an xt with some of the lenses you recommended. Thanks again, Steve.