What's a good, low cost, walk-a-round lens? Are there any?

I can't afford much right now, but I need a decent lens for everyday shooting.

Any suggestions, any brand will work.

low cost? how much?
since you dont give any number, ill suggest 15-85 for you.. works well on your 50D..

Most Recommended, Cheap General Purpose Zoom = Canon 18-55 3.5-5.6 IS
price: $80~95 USD, used on POTN

If you need a fixed 2.8 Aperture for low light = Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 Non VC
price: not sure, but i'd estimate somewhere in the $300 USD range, used on POTN

Cheap - EF-S 18-55 IS

Fast - Tamron 17-50/2.8

28-105 3.5-4.5 = great lens, can be found for $125

consider the efs 18-55

18-135mm. Not super wide, not super long, not super fast, not super slow, but still works well.

24-85 (discontinued) but available used for $100 or less. Not L quality but a great little lens, especially when you have adequate light. This is what I'm using until I decide on which "higher priced" alternative I want in that zoom range and with the results I'm getting, I might wait quite awhile before "trading up".

18-55mm IS. There is really no other choice if you need the zoom lens to be inexpensive and good.

JeffreyG wrote in post #11400634
Cheap - EF-S 18-55 IS

Fast - Tamron 17-50/2.8

+1

Fast + OS - Sigma 17-50 OS (I guess this is kinda expensive, lol)

What about either the 50mm 1.4 or 1.8?

Got Turbo? wrote in post #11401520
What about either the 50mm 1.4 or 1.8?

Short telephoto is not a 'walkaround' lens for most people.

how about sigma 17-70 or canon 28-135?

18-55 EF-S IS Canon.

Nothing else in the price range is going to beat the IQ of the 18-55mm IS imho (that is a standard zoom lens, that is). ~$100, good IQ, good IS. Focus is slow but accurate. Forget using polarizers, though! For more cash, 15-85 or tamron 17-50 non vc.