Just ordered a Canon 20D! - Lens selection advice

[Rit]

So I'm excited that I finally bit the bullet and purchased a DSLR, a Canon 20D. I know it's not a super camera, but it's a big leap from my point and click and just want something to learn how to use a DSLR without all the bells and whistles. So now I need to look for a lens, one of my photography buddies said 'avoid lens kits' but not quite sure that entails and if I should avoid it.

The primary reason I purchased this camera is to.. 1.) Take better picture for selling stuff on e-bay 2.) I'm getting married in May and would like to take pictures as our honeymoon which is at Colorado Springs in the mountains. 3.) My parents have cool black and whites of me as a kid, and when I start a family I'd like to take decent/great family pictures 4.) Long term goal of being a second shooter for weddings and things to make extra money on the side.

So with that being said, I don't need a super fancy lens either at the moment, just something that would work for reasons 1 and 2, and then what lenses I would be looking for when 3 and 4 happen. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!:hug::

 

[enzodm]

If you bought a 20D to save money, you can either continue to save, buying the classical kit zoom (18-55 but preferably in the IS version). Eventually adding, sooner or later, a 55-250IS. Or spend more and, at least for your honeymoon, buy a 18-135, which gives a sufficienly long range of focal lengths to take most travel photos. When you develop some familiarity and family, go with a fixed prime lens like the cheap 50/1.8, good for portraits.

 

[fokker]

Good lenses that don't cost the earth which you should look at:
-Canon Ef-s 17-85 IS
-Canon 18-200 IS
-Tamron 18-270 VC
-Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 VC

 

[AverageJoe]

Start with one lens: 50mm f1.8 and get a good understanding of exposure, then buy new lenses.

 

[Robin Usagani]

Start with one lens: 50mm f1.8 and get a good understanding of exposure, then buy new lenses.

+1 Best way to learn photography IMO is with this lens.

 

[Rit]

Sweet! Thank you everyone for the advice it's a little over whelming at first cause of how many lenses there are and some of it is based on personal preference, and since I never used a DSLR before, it would be nice to start off very basic.