New to the forum! Have lens questions

[Glitterbug]

Hello everyone,
I'm new to the forum and very excited to learn from everyone. I have the Canon XTI and I would like to purchase the best Canon Lens for portraits and landscape photos. Any suggestions.
Thanks
Glitterbug

 

[Garbz]

The Canon EF L 85 f/1.2

Ok now that the best lens is out of the way, a lens mere mortals can afford would be the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 or the 50mm f/1.8 is also a great choice for portraits.

Landscapes require a different type of lens. The ideal portrait range is around 35-85mm in my opinion, and landscapes from 18-50. So to cover everything what would be idea 18-85mm f/2.8 or so. Maybe split it into two cheaper lenses like the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 and then a prime 85mm f/1.8 or something. I am not familiar enough with the canon lineup to suggest any other lenses.

 

[photogincollege]

Yeah could someone who knows cannon get their butts in here?

 

[WDodd]

Garbz's recommendations were right on the money.

You can choose from the Canon 17-85 f/4-5.6 (around $400), Canon 17-55 f/2.8 ($1000) or Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 ($449) both the 17-50 or 17-55 would be great for landscapes and then I would pick up the 85 f/1.8 ($339) or f/1.2L ($1700 i think) for portraits. Oh, and don't forget about the 50mm f/1.8 that Garbz mentioned. Cheapest lens that Canon makes so its hard to pass it up!

The kit lens 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 would work fine for portraits and is what I currently use (about half the time the other time is spent with the 50mm f/1.8).

There is also another good all purpose zoom the 28-105 f/3.5-4.5 but it isn't quite wide enough for landscapes IMO.

Hope this helps.

Also, http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=86975 for a lens buying guide.

 

[Jon, The Elder]

WDodd has some good choices. The 28-105 is a nice compromise.

The search for "the perfect, all purpose lens" goes on forever.