Best Canon XSi entry level lens?

Question

I want to upgrade from a Canon Powershot IS3 to a Canon Rebel XSi dSLR. I know the camera body I need, but I am confused about the lens I should use with it.

The old camera is good for taking both closeups(even macro) pictures and also zooming(12x).

Is there any lens I can use to take both portraits and zoom pictures? I am using the camera to take landscape pictures mainly.

Thanks,

Traian

Answer 1

FYI, Canon PowerShot S3 IS has 36-432mm f/2.7-3.5mm IS lens.

Best entry level lenses:

1. EF 50mm f/1.8II: for only about $80, don't expect much on build quality nor great focus motor. What you get instead is razor sharp image with great low light indoor performance (very sharp from f/2.8 and usable from f/2.0). Highly suitable for taking portraits. Due to XSi's 1.6x crop image sensor, 50mm is equivalent to 80mm.

2. EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS: included on XSi kit, this is a very nice starter lens. Like the EF 50mm f/1.8II above, both the build quality and focus mechanism are lacking. But it has very competitive image quality and very nice 4-stop image stabilizer. This wide angle lens is great for landscape photography. 18-55mm is equivalent to 29-88mm.

3. EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM: although not quite priced at entry level, this is a very underrated lens with excellent telephoto capability. 70-300mm is equivalent to 112-480mm. I personally prefer EF 70-200mm f/4L USM for superior image quality, but it lacks image stabilizer which I find indispensable for telephoto photography (I generally work without tripod).

Answer 2

The 18-55 mm lens is a good start.   It is good for general photography including portraits.  18 mm is a medium wide angle, so will not provide you with amazing landscapes.

Later when you can afford it, you can buy the 10-22 mm for shooting landscapes and architectural shots or if into sports and action, the 70-300 mm zoom

The best macro lens for the XSi would be the 100 mm macro

Answer 3

no such thing as best lens, because depend what you need is, do you wanted all in one, or one focus in zoom, telephoto, wide angle, speed lens etc..  If you wanted take picture with less blurry, then go for IS lens, if you has the money, and wanted good quality and sharp photo and speed, L lens is your answer.

Answer 4

There is almost an endless amount you could chose from at  www.bhphotovideo.com  Though I bought a Tamron 18-250 (28-400 w/1.6) I have no regrets what so ever, I love it and it is true to life color rendition. Next on the list was a lens from Canon, a 50mm f/1.4, it is used for portraits.

I have been doing business with B&H Photo for some 25 years, I'd reccomend them to anyone.