Good lense for XSI

[bosstucker]

So I'm pretty sure I'm getting the Canon Rebel XSI and have decided to forgo the kit lens for something a bit nicer. I've had a rebel xti and the canon 100mm f/2.8 usm macro and unfortunately had to return a loaned EF 70-200mm f/2.8L usm telephoto (amazing). I'm planning on picking up something like that telephoto sometime in the future (not now, too expensive) My budget for a lens currently is 300-500 (not very much I know) so I was wondering what a good/decent walk around lense would be, an all around performer (if it exists), and perhaps a decent portrait lens. perhaps I should clarify that my budget for each is 300-500 not 500 total for both lenses.

 

[Grimace]

So I'm pretty sure I'm getting the Canon Rebel XSI and have decided to forgo the kit lens for something a bit nicer. I've had a rebel xti and the canon 100mm f/2.8 usm macro and unfortunately had to return a loaned EF 70-200mm f/2.8L usm telephoto (amazing). I'm planning on picking up something like that telephoto sometime in the future (not now, too expensive) My budget for a lens currently is 300-500 (not very much I know) so I was wondering what a good/decent walk around lense would be, an all around performer (if it exists), and perhaps a decent portrait lens. perhaps I should clarify that my budget for each is 300-500 not 500 total for both lenses.

It depends on what you like to shoot when you walk around! The 24-70mm is great because it is wide and then zooms in pretty far. But, it would max out your budget.

The XSi kit lens is "supposed" to be a big improvement over previous crappy kit lenses. You might dig up some info and see how it performs -- it would certainly be a cheap walk around.

For portraits, the 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm lenses are all really good quality!

 

[Phrasikleia]

I must say that the new-and-improved kit lens is a hell of a deal for $100. I just bought an XSi kit a few weeks ago and have since tested the image stabilization quite a bit. It allowed me to get sharp shots consistently handheld and in low light at 1/4s. Also, the optics in that thing are quite good. You should check out the review at dpreview, where they say "it distinctly outperforms the more expensive 17-85mm at wide angle, and matches it over most of the rest of its range."

The popular "nifty fifty" (50mm f/1.8) is also a super deal at about $89. It makes a great portrait lens.

If you get those two, you still have about $800 left over for a good telephoto.

 

[localghost]

10-22mm (wider, more fun, crop only) or 17-40mm (very useful range, ff, a little boring on crop) and 50mm f1.8 (cheap, cheap construction, very decent optically) or f1.4 (faster, better built, ftm etc).

 

[M@lew]

Remember a few things if you go XTi -> XSi.

- Batteries are different, therefore the grip is different.
- SD cards instead of CF
- Not THAT big of an upgrade. Live View and a different body really.

As for the answer to your original question, have a look at the 50mm f/1.8 + 17-85 for a "walk around" bundle. There's no real such thing as a walk around lens since it mainly depend what you shoot, but the 17-85 is a pretty decent focal length and the 50mm f/1.8 will allow you to have something fast in your kit.

There's also the Sigma 18-200 and Tamron 18-250 options if you want to look at them.

 

[miloblithe]

M@lew, I'd say the bigger upgrades for the XSi are spot metering, and a significantly more magnified viewfinder view. Far more significant that live view. Added to that are improved AF, 14-bit processing (if useful), the 3" LCD, and a few other odds and ends. Not worth upgrading from the XTi unless you can sell the XTi for a lot, but a nice upgrade for those chosing between the two new.

I'd agree with Phrasikleia. The 18-55 IS is good for the money and is getting good reviews for its optical quality. It's hard to get a basic lens to cover that range without spending a ton more. The 17-50 f/2.8 IS is in a completely different league, and is 10x as expensive. Barring that, I'd guess the best option is the Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4.5 Macro for around $400. That sounds like the perfect walk around lens other than missing IS and being heavy (weight always eventually gets annoying). Other options are the Tamron, Sigma, and Tokina f/2.8 lenses in the 16/17/18-50 range. All good, but are they really worth the cost over the kit lens for your purposes? I have the Sigma 24-70 f/2.8, and as much as I like the lens I wouldn't say it makes an ideal walk around lens as it's pretty big and not very wide angle. Still, I like the lens a lot.

The 50mm f/1.8 is impossible to beat for the price, albeit plastic and a bit wonky.

 

[Phrasikleia]

Remember a few things if you go XTi -> XSi.
Not THAT big of an upgrade. Live View and a different body really.

Yes, it is "that big of an upgrade". I've tried to compile a list of what is new and improved in the XSi (in no particular order):

Live View
Larger viewfinder
Larger LCD screen (3 inches)
Spot metering
Improved 9-point AF system
14-bit A/D converter
New processor: Digic III
Faster burst mode (now 3.5fps)
Higher resolution (12.2 MP, and with remarkably low noise)
Addition of dedicated ISO button
ISO now displayed in the viewfinder
Multi-shot self-timer mode
Customizable menus
New menu system with tabs (no more scrolling)
New option for Highlight Tone Priority
New battery that lasts 50% longer
Slightly larger, but also lighter body
Slightly improved battery grip
Uses SD cards
New and improved kit lens with better optics and image stabilization
Playback as 4 and 9 image index

I think that's a significant list of improvements.

 

[AlaskaMoose]

Tamrom 17-50mm f/2.8 is an outstanding little lens. Lightweight, fast-focusing, sharp, and f.2.8 all the way through.

 

[nburwell]

Tamrom 17-50mm f/2.8 is an outstanding little lens. Lightweight, fast-focusing, sharp, and f.2.8 all the way through.

I would second that. Very nice lens, and it won't kill your wallet.

 

[flinch13]

Canon 17-85mm IS USM lens. It's a great deal, good focal length, and a good performer. I got mine for 300 dollars on ebay and it's my standard walkaround lens.

 

[bluesmap]

consider:

canon 17-40 f/4L
tamron 17-50 f/2.8 (sharp, great lens)
canon 85mm 1.8 ( i honestly think this should be bought as 1 of the 2 lenses)
50mm 1.8 (very sharp lens. only 90 bucks. very very sharp lens)
canon 70-200 f/4L

all incredible lenses.

 

[harcosparky]

I used to 'walk around' with a Canon 28-135 IS

That lens no longer sees much use as I have switched to.....

17-40 f4/L

I have a 70-200 2.8/L