best first lense for 50D ???...help please

[liboubou]

Hi everybody I am planning on getting the 50D and I am having a hard time figuring out what lens to start with...something of good quality but that doesn't cost more than the camera itself and that is the most useful. I do not yet need to specialize in landscaping or macro or anything in particular... any advice will help thanks a lot...

 

[Rachelsne]

get the kit lens-it will help you learn the basics

 

[DavidTK]

I agree about starting with the 28-135 kit lens. It's a $400 lens that only costs $200 when bought with the 50D. It has a pretty useful zoom range and is image stabilized, which I can't imagine living without.

When you're done with the kit lens, you can easily sell it for $30, which is essentially more than you paid for it.

However, if your budget allows, a great lens is the Canon 17-55 IS. It's about $1000 new. This is by far my more used lens.

 

[Ls3D]

Why two threads?

DavidTK, I hope you meant $300...

The kit lenses are priced right,.. but good glass ultimately makes the difference. Maybe I can see mine now...

-Shea

 

[rdompor]

I can vouch for Canon's 17-85mm f/4-5.6. It's a very good lens for walking around. I have it attached to a 20D or 30D 75% of the time.

 

[Hobbes]

I can vouch for Canon's 17-85mm f/4-5.6. It's a very good lens for walking around. I have it attached to a 20D or 30D 75% of the time.

I agree. 17-85 is a very good kit lens for 40D and 50D though I would prefer a faster lens like the 17-55 2.8 IS USM since I am a fan of handheld low light and night photography but if you plan on to upgrade to a fullframe camera later you may want to get the 28-135 instead

 

[Montana]

I would get the 17-55 2.8. I got my 40D with the 28-135 and I cannot stand that lens. Not near wide enough on a 50D.

Derrick

 

[Tokyudo]

I believe the 50D will come with an optional 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS kit lens. It's supposed to compete with Nikon's current best selling lens.

 

[Tykell]

17-55 2.8

The only reason this is not a "kit lens" is because of the cost and superb quality. Best general purpose lens you can get.

 

[skiboarder72]

I would get the 17-55 2.8. I got my 40D with the 28-135 and I cannot stand that lens. Not near wide enough on a 50D.

Derrick

I agree, that 28-135 is not a great "do it all" lens

 

[Sw1tchFX]

The best lens you can get for the 50D is the most expensive one you can afford.

 

[soylentgreen]

Start with a decent kit lens to learn the ropes. The EF-S 17-85 IS is a great lens. the 28-135 is just not wide enough on a crop body. The 17-85 equates to a 28-135 anyway after the crop conversion. the 17-55 f/2.8 IS is better, but cost as much as the camera. The 18-200 is ho-hum. The range is nice, but the performance is lacking. I found that past 135mm, you really do not gain that much zoom to 200mm. DPReview posted a test of this lens recently.

 

[Do'Urden's Eyes]

50mm F/1.8 ALWAYS does neat work. and for about $100 you cant go wrong.