Looking for new lens

[InsaneBoost]

Hello all,

I have a Canon Digital Rebel XTI currently and am looking for a new lens. Currently I've been using the standard 18-55mm and find myself somewhat limited to what I want to shoot.

I don't have a particular field of choice or anything along that line, just enjoy taking pictures of just about anything and everything. Cars, racing events, wildlife, memorials, portraits, landscapes, you name it!

I'm not too certain of what type of lens to get for this as I am limited with money. Yeah I know, photography and having a limit, . However, it is what it is and it will have to do for now, though later I think picking up a 70-200mm F/4L IS would be a good choice.

Right now I'm looking at the Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM as the lens to purchase. It's in my budget range and seems to be a good choice for what I want to shoot. I was just wondering for those of you who happen to have been in the photography world longer if you would recommend this lens as my choice or something else.

Thank you for any help an advice!

[WRon]

First, ask yourself exactly how your current lens is limiting your work. Because the long end of its zoom range is 55mm, it sounds as though you feel limited because it doesn't "reach" far enough. If true, then you want something with a longer focal length. The 28mm-to-135mm lens you mention gives you a longer reach, but not all that much. You may wish to look at lenses whose shortest focal length begins where your existing lens leaves off, such as the 70mm-to-200mm you mention. Because your budget is limited, you may wish to consider manufacturers such as Sigma, Tamron, and Tokina. These guys make lenses that will fit your camera and will perform well. Good luck!

[Russ]

Canon makes a number of lenses that can loosely be categorized as consumer, prosumer, and pro lines differentiated by optical and build quality, lens coatings, weatherproofing, etc. The 18-55mm and the complementary 55-200 are consumer lenses and often bundled with Rebels as "kits". They are adequate and relatively quite inexpensive.

For a longtime the 28-135mm was considered THE "walk around lens" of choice until it was largely replaced by other Canon lenses. I cannot guarantee that the 28-135's being manufactured today are on par with those of several years ago.....Canon has a history of modifying later versions of a lens without necessarily noting such (ie their 28-105 versions). My son replaced his 28-105 with the 28-135, keeping the 18-55 for the relatively rarer occasions he needed something wider. He very much liked the 28-135 but has since replaced it with the 24-105mm L lens.

I would recommend that you think longterm in creating your ultimate collection of lenses, ie get a base lens around which subsequent lens will complement without being overly redundant. The 70-200mm f4 IS is a great lens (I own the non IS version) but quite pricey relative to the non IS or the even pricier f2.8 model.

[Trailwood]

You may think about this lens from Tamaron. 55-200 f/4-5.6. I had this lens for a while before I bought my Canon 70-200 and can say that for $175 it performs way above it's price. Here's a review if you want to check it out. http://www.ephotozine.com/article/Ta...cro-Di-ll-4278

[InsaneBoost]

Sounds like maybe I should just ask for some cash from the parents for Christmas and put that towards the 70-200mm non-IS. I guess if needed to at night I could always shoot with a tripod, though I rarely take night photos to begin with.

I suppose the 70-200mm would be the better choice if saving up?