What lenses should I purchase for my Canon XTI?

Question

I have owned my Canon XTI for about 6 months. Mine came with the typical efs 18-55mm kit lens and while it takes decent photos, it is not great in low light. I also have the Canon 50mm 1.8. It is great in low light, but is not wide enough for many shots.

I use my camera for an extremely wide variety of occasions and activities (hiking, weddings, cycling, sporting events, and just everyday events. I would like good walk-around lens and a telephoto.

I have been looking at:

Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4.5. If I were to purchase that lens, I would probably get the Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 to go with it.

Or I could just get the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS to go along with my 18-55 kit lens, but I am not happy with my 18-55mm in low light... especially during times when I don't want to use a flash.

Answer 1

Both of those Sigma lenses will not improve your low light photos if you're not using flash. Their apertures go down to f 4.5 & f 5.6, which is basically what your kit lens does.

The 17-55 f 2.8 IS ( http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showp... ) is fast enough and it has image stablizer, too.

The option for wide photos for your camera is the 10-22 mm zoom.

The telephoto that have recently became my favorite is Canon 135 mm f 2. It will work as a 216 mm lens on your due to cropped sensor, but it is very sharp. See some photos here http://www.flickr.com/little_pooky

You can also see the photos taken with Canon 24-70 mm f 2.8 zoom. Keep in mind that your photos will not be as wide as mine since these were taken with a full frame camera.

Answer 2

Of all the ones that you mentioned, I would go with the Canon lens that you mentioned last, though it is a high zoom lens, and not a very fast one.

You buy a real Canon DSLR to get the good Canon glass; don't skimp out by buying cheap third-party lenses.

If you're really set on getting a telephoto, I would get the Canon 70-200mm f/4L USM. They're having a sale on it right now at www.adorama.com and you could get one for $560, and that is a fantastic lens. It will still stay fast at 200mm, too.

Unfortunately, there just simply is not a do-it-all lens. Yeah, there are 18-200mm lenses, but they have serious distortion and are slow, and they will not yield good images in low light.

I would keep that kit lens for it's width and versatility, and that 50mm f/1.8 is invaluable in low light. Get the nice 70-200 or the 55-250 and you'll be happy. Just carry two of those lenses with you wherever you go. Take the 18-55mm and 50mm to family functions and weddings, and take the 18-55mm and the telephoto you get to sporting events, etc.