Lens Recommendations?

Question

I currently have a rebel xti and a 50mm 1.8. i want to get a zoom lens starting at 18 to 28 and going higher. I want to spend under 180 and will be buying on ebay. my pet peeve is when i crop an image it needs to be crisp. so a good focus is important i dont need higher then a 300mm and i dont want lower then a 50mm. Thanks i need help

Answer 1

The only cropping should be done when you compose the image in the cameras viewfinder.  Don't waste any of the small sensor with dead space.  When your do, your 10mp sensor becomes a 8mp or even 6mp sensor.

Look on craigslist for a good used Canon lens ... it will provide much better images than a new third party lens

You say you want a lens that starts at 18 mm or 28 mm and then later say you don't need a lens longer than 300 mm or shorter than 50 mm  ... which is it?  18, 28 or 50 mm you want to be your shortest focal length?

The newest Canon 18-55 mm is much better than the original from a few years ago, but really any Canon lens is a good one ... some are just better than others.  That lens will cover your first part of the question ... the 70-300 mm will cover the other end nicely.  Now it is up to you decide which you need the most, the wide angle end of the focal zones or the longer lens lengths ... and all for under $180 .. my thought is you may want to just adjust your budget and save a little longer and spend a little more.

Answer 2

I don't think you are going to find a zoom lens that has crisp quality that starts at about 18mm and goes up that is under $180.

My only recommendations for you are:

-Sigma 18-200mm (with built in Optical Stabilizer) (approx. USD470 off eBay)

-Tamron 18-200mm (approx USD250-300 off eBay)

-Tamron 28-300mm (approx USD250-300 off eBay)

All of these lenses offer crisp quality at a relatively low price (in comparison to professional lenses costing well above $1000) but may not be as low as you were hoping. You could try buying a 2nd hand version of one of these lenses perhaps, however saving a bit more to buy a better quality lens is well worth it in the long run.

Good Luck!