General Purpose Lens for D-Rebel XT (EOS-350D)

[neuroanatomist]

If your budget is really limited, I would pick up the 18-55IS used (it is cheap/plentiful used and is much better optically)

Frank mentioned a budget of up to $1000. I think 'upgrading' from the non-IS to the IS version of the 18-55mm kit lens is rather like getting a Canadian quarter in change, and having the cashier switch it for an American quarter. Just being able to use it in a vending machine doesn't make it an 'upgrade'. [:P]


Jokes aside, I really don't think it's ever worth 'buying' an 18-55mm kit lens as anything other than part of a kit. With the XSi, the kit lens currently adds $75 (today's Amazon pricing). On FM and CL, the usual asking price is $90-110. So, you're getting a used lens, and the person you're buying it from is making a profit. That's not too bad, relatively speaking. But, unlike quality Canon lenses, the 18-55mm is very cheaply built, meaning it doesn't hold up well to even moderate mistreatment. I'll bet many noobie users turn the focus ring without setting it to MF - that can misalign the focus gears, and a mis-focusing lens sure won't be optically better.

[nimblybimbly85]

I have both the 17-55 f2.8 and the 15-85 lenses. The constant 2.8f is nice if you are taking portraits or working in low light and your subject is close. however, i personally like to shoot photos with a long depth of field, so i rarely use a low f anyways. What you want is a good general purpose lens for no more than $1000; the 15-85mm is that lens.


If you always want a nice blurred background (which i honestly don't care that much about) and will be doing a lot of portrait work, than get the 17-55 f2.8. It has better glass andbuild as well. Otherwise, save some money and get the 15-85; it is much better than your kit lens and the extra reach comes in handy a lot.