Clarkbar
Answer
Canon Lenses and Reviews
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Canon-Lenses/ (See "Recommendations" on this page)
http://www.photo.net/canon/#lense
http://www.wlcastleman.com/equip/reviews/index.htm
http://www.photozone.de/active/news/index.jsp
http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/index.html
http://www.fredmiranda.com
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1029
One of our devoted Canon users recommended the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM (28-135 equiv.) (April 2007-$515) as a good "walk around" lens at a good price.
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=149&modelid=10511
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-S-17-85mm-f-4-5.6-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx
Not quite as much of a wide angle, the Canon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Autofocus Lens (2007-$1,060) is a pretty good all-around lens. This review says, "If I had only one lens, this would be the one."
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-24-105mm-f-4-L-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx
Excellent general purpose lens: Canon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Autofocus Lens (April 2007-$1,140)
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-24-70mm-f-2.8-L-USM-Lens-Review.aspx
As Karl W suggested, I really like my Nikon 17-55 and Canon makes a comparable lens, the Canon Zoom Super Wide Angle EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Autofocus Lens. It's not an "L" lens, but it seems popular.
http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/reviews/ef-s_17-55.html
Canon Lenses and Reviews
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Canon-Lenses/ (See "Recommendations" on this page)
http://www.photo.net/canon/#lense
http://www.wlcastleman.com/equip/reviews/index.htm
http://www.photozone.de/active/news/index.jsp
http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/index.html
http://www.fredmiranda.com
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1029
One of our devoted Canon users recommended the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM (28-135 equiv.) (April 2007-$515) as a good "walk around" lens at a good price.
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=149&modelid=10511
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-S-17-85mm-f-4-5.6-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx
Not quite as much of a wide angle, the Canon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Autofocus Lens (2007-$1,060) is a pretty good all-around lens. This review says, "If I had only one lens, this would be the one."
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-24-105mm-f-4-L-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx
Excellent general purpose lens: Canon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Autofocus Lens (April 2007-$1,140)
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-24-70mm-f-2.8-L-USM-Lens-Review.aspx
As Karl W suggested, I really like my Nikon 17-55 and Canon makes a comparable lens, the Canon Zoom Super Wide Angle EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Autofocus Lens. It's not an "L" lens, but it seems popular.
http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/reviews/ef-s_17-55.html
what is the best all round lens for a canon rebel xt digital slr camera?
simon
Answer
Buying a lens should be based on what you like to photograph. It should also be considered an investment. A professional quality lens will, with reasonable care, last your liftime and perhaps even beyond.
Therefore, I caution against simply buying a lens based on someones recommendation. Decide what you like to shoot and base your buying decision on your needs.
If you really like macro photography then buy a true macro lens - not a zoom with the word "macro" as part of its description.
If you love sweeping landscapes then buy an ultra wide angle lens - and a good tripod.
If you like to photograph wildlife then buy a long focus length lens - 300mm, 400mm. Skip the zoom lenses and go for a fixed focal length.
If you like low-light, non-flash photography then buy a 50mm f1.4 lens.
ADMISSION OF PERSONAL BIAS:
I am NOT a fan of zoom lenses with a variable aperture. A lens that loses 1-1/3 stops, like the common f3.5-5.6 zooms, is just not satisfactory. Suppose you're in a situation where shooting "wide open" (f3.5 at 18mm, f5.6 at 200mm) is your only option. If your shutter speed is 1/160 sec. at f3.5, at f5.6 it will drop to 1/60 sec. Unacceptable.
So I suggest looking at constant aperture zooms and fixed focal length primes. I also suggest avoiding Canon's EF-S lenses since they cannot be used on their full-frame cameras like the 5D Mark II or the 1Ds Mark III - unless you're 100% certain that you'll never, ever want a full-frame camera.
I believe that full-frames cameras will be as affordable as your XT within a few years. It would be a shame to own 2 or 3 EF-S lenses and have to sell them (probably at a substantial loss) when you upgrade to a full-frame DSLR.
Remember, the first VHS Video Cassette Recorders (VCR) retailed for about $2,000.00 in 1972 and by 1986 you could buy one for $99.00 if you shopped around. I sold at Circuit City from '86 to '90.
Buying a lens should be based on what you like to photograph. It should also be considered an investment. A professional quality lens will, with reasonable care, last your liftime and perhaps even beyond.
Therefore, I caution against simply buying a lens based on someones recommendation. Decide what you like to shoot and base your buying decision on your needs.
If you really like macro photography then buy a true macro lens - not a zoom with the word "macro" as part of its description.
If you love sweeping landscapes then buy an ultra wide angle lens - and a good tripod.
If you like to photograph wildlife then buy a long focus length lens - 300mm, 400mm. Skip the zoom lenses and go for a fixed focal length.
If you like low-light, non-flash photography then buy a 50mm f1.4 lens.
ADMISSION OF PERSONAL BIAS:
I am NOT a fan of zoom lenses with a variable aperture. A lens that loses 1-1/3 stops, like the common f3.5-5.6 zooms, is just not satisfactory. Suppose you're in a situation where shooting "wide open" (f3.5 at 18mm, f5.6 at 200mm) is your only option. If your shutter speed is 1/160 sec. at f3.5, at f5.6 it will drop to 1/60 sec. Unacceptable.
So I suggest looking at constant aperture zooms and fixed focal length primes. I also suggest avoiding Canon's EF-S lenses since they cannot be used on their full-frame cameras like the 5D Mark II or the 1Ds Mark III - unless you're 100% certain that you'll never, ever want a full-frame camera.
I believe that full-frames cameras will be as affordable as your XT within a few years. It would be a shame to own 2 or 3 EF-S lenses and have to sell them (probably at a substantial loss) when you upgrade to a full-frame DSLR.
Remember, the first VHS Video Cassette Recorders (VCR) retailed for about $2,000.00 in 1972 and by 1986 you could buy one for $99.00 if you shopped around. I sold at Circuit City from '86 to '90.
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