I've pretty much made my mind up to upgrade my Fuji Finepix S7000 (DLSR-like) to a full DSLR: namely a black Rebel XT. However, I've heard the kit lens is pretty crappy and I believe the shop I was visiting can give me better options by bundling another lens with it.

I like to shoot landscapes and portraits (not so much nature but I felt the need for telephoto the last time I encountered a herd of deer) mostly. My main reason for upgrading the camera itself is because I needed a faster / harder zoom. I felt I was missing lots of shots because the S7000 was too slow for me (I hate keying in burst mode for example).

Any recommendations for a reasonably wide lens that is still fast?

For context, look through my photos directory on my website to see what I shoot most often:
http://www.keithloh.com/photos/hornby2/
http://www.keithloh.com/photos/cstrike/
http://www.keithloh.com/photos/undervolcano/
http://www.keithloh.com/photos/night/
http://www.keithloh.com/photos/hornby_june05/
http://www.keithloh.com/photos/may16/ringthing.html

Keith,
I bought that camera when it came out, great camera, but yeah, the lens that it comes packaged with has a very cheap feel to it, mostly plastic and the lens barrel seems to wobble when you extend it. I ended up getting a Sigma 18-85mm f:2.8 lens instead. It is a decent lens, somewhat fast but a lot sturdier than the Canon stock lens. So far it has served me well, and I mostly shoot indoor stuff so it is wide enough for me. Hope this helps.

I believe Rik is talking about the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8. I also own a Rebel XT and bought this lens, but there have been many reports of focusing errors due to poor quality control or some kind of electronics incompatibility with the XT/20D. I just recently sent my lens to Sigma to be repaired because half the pictures I took were out of focus using AF.

If you already have an EF lens, like a 28-105mm, you could buy the 10-22mm and that would be a good range for both landscapes and portraits.

Thanks. Keep them coming.

I've seen that Sigma recommended on DPReview forums.

my mistake, it is a 18-50mm. haven't had any problems with it's focus. nice lens but not a whole lot of zoom up. I ought to get a bigger zoom lens for those shot where I need more zoom.

Hi Keith,
Take a look at the Sigma 28-105mm f/2.8-4.0 ASP. Last week it became the only non-Canon lens I own. It's very compact and light, has reasonably good build, has a terrific 'walk-about' range, and has surprisingly good optics. I bought it specifically to be a small, lightweight walk-about lens on a 10D and 5D.

I have one image taken with this lens (http://www.pbase.com/tanakak/image/50220714) online right now but I doubt that it displays the lens' optics well, due to the nature of the image.

The best part: it's priced at $200 US.

Hey Ken that price is in my range :) I will research that one.

Hey Ken, this is the lens right? ASP refers to Aspherical?

http://www.sigma-photo.co.jp/english/lens/standardzoom/28_105_28_4.htm

It would be the same as this one right?

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0509/05092204sigma_28-105.asp

The sigma 28-105 is a sweet little lens, but 28 mm is not what I would call wide on an APS sized cam like the XT. Not the best tool for landscape. Unfortunatly, wide lenses are usually priced over 500$. You should perhaps keep the kit lens to get started (for the wide end) and add a walk-about lens like Ken suggested. In most stores, the difference between the Cam only kit and the cam with 18-55 lens is under 100$. This lens definitly worth at least 100$, perhaps not for it's built quality, but for the optical quality.

Hey Ken, this is the lens right? ASP refers to Aspherical?

http://www.sigma-photo.co.jp/english/lens/standardzoom/28_105_28_4.htm

It would be the same as this one right?

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0509/05092204sigma_28-105.asp
The lens I have is actually the first (Sigma page) link. The DPreview page -I believe- shows a different lens, although with the same focal length range and apertures. (I'm confused.)

Of course Jean-Philippe is correct in remarking that 28mm on a 1.6x sensor camera will only produce the approximate equivalent of a 45mm lens. (Rik's recommendation will give you a much wider image, if that's a key attribute for you.) The good news is that at the long end the Sigma will give you approximately 170mm.

I don't know what lens is supplied as kit with the XT or how good/bad it is. You may, indeed, be wise to give it a go before grabbing a replacement. At the very least it will give your bank account time to replenish!

Have fun with your new camera!

Thanks for the thoughts, Jean. And I am considering taking the kit lens package as well. Like you said, it is hardly any difference in the price and I am definitely an amateur.

Ken, yes, I was confused. One was ASP and the DPreview one was a DG (standing for what exactly, dunno).

I haven't bought the XT yet. I read that there is a rebate coming up the middle of the month.

Keith, I've been super busy and missed most of this, but I'm putting my Canon 100-300mm L up for sale if you are looking for a telephoto (since I got the Sigma 50-500mm), shoot me an email if you are interested!

D

PS, not sure if you have your heart set on the Rebel XT, but my backup 10d is going up for sale in the Buy & Sell Monday, if you are interested email me for my bottom line price. Cheaper than the XT.

Let me handle it and I'll see. :)

Oh yeah, I bought Dylan's 10D.

Of course I still need a lens.

I'm looking at these two:

Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM
SIGMA 18-125 F3.5-5.6 DC

I know a local camera supplier that lists both of them. If they have them both I will try them on my body and see which one I like the best.

I ended up trying the Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM and loved how fast the autofocus was. I like the USM. Quick and sharp.

The other lens I tried was a Tamron 18-200. But I didn't like how long it took for autofocus so I decided a more mid-range lens would be better for me.

The lack of upper range doesn't bother me as I will eventually get a telephoto and a wideangle.