Young photographer with tight budget needs advice about new lenses

IS is always better than no IS, but it hasn

My recomended combination would be a 50D, Tamron 17-55 f/2.8, Tamron or Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 and a cheap third party flash. I know that this is above your mentionedprice range right now but you can add to it one thing at a time. I recomended the 50D for two reasons.


#1, less expensive the the 60D.


#2, has AF microadjusment, that is very important especially with third party lens brands.


If you can get a good focussing copy of these lenses than a 60D would be better overall. But that can be a chalenge.


I would not get the 18-135mm kit. That lens is not much or any better IQ wise and costs more. Its not going to improve your shots more than your old 18-55mm exept for IS which is only usefull in the 18-55mm range anyway. And larger focal length range, which is not a huge deal.


Cheers,


John.