XT Kit lense or body only + Sigma lense

I'm shopping for my entry into DSLR and really like the features of the XT and XTi. Price is kind of driving me to the XT and I don't have any SLR lenses yet.

Should I be looking at the XT kit with the standard Canon EF-S 18-55mm lense or would the body only with the Sigma 28-105mm f/3.8-5.6 UC-III Aspherical IF WideTelephoto Zoom Lens be a better combo. The cost is pretty close for the two options ($30).

I've read that the kit lense isn't the greatest. Does anybody have experience with the Sigma 28-105mm? Would it be suitable for family pictures, some ladnscape and animal photography and general snapshots (for starters) or will the 28mm be too large for wider-angle portraits and group shots?

Thanks!

no, the kit lens isn't the "greatest", but neither is the sigma.

the great thing about the kit lens is that it's a very ideal focal length. 18mm wide-55mm telephoto.

the sigma starts off at 28mm. this isn't bad, but if you were only to have one lens it might be a little long. my walkaround lens is a 28-135IS but i compliment it with a 10-20mm ,as well as a kit lens, for my wide angle needs.

do you want a different lens than the kit lens because it does not suit your needs? or because you heard it was "bad"?

Just get the kit lens and don't buy any cheap filter for it. The circular polarizer filter that I bought is more expensive than the lens. Btw, here are some examples from the kit lens, RAW format, converted to JPEG in Photoshop:
http://www.photo96.com/yongbo/gallery_bmp.htm
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Yongbo
Photo Gallery: http://www.photo96.com/

Sigma also makes a 17 - 70 worth considering:
I think it makes a great walkabout lens.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0601/06011802sigma17-70.asp

My personnal experience

Being new in DSLR, I opted for the following :

1) Canon body
2) sigma 18-55 lens

The price is almost the same, and the sigma lens is of better quality than the canon (www.photozone.de)

Alex

Remember that the XTi have a x1.6 factor, so a 28mm lens will turn into a 44.8mm which is no wide angle. I would buy a sigma or tamron lens starting with no more than 18mm and as fast as I could pay for. The sigma 18-125mm F3.5-5.6 DC (will work as 28.8-200mm) should be a good all around lens for a resonable price.

Renato

Sure the 18-55mm kit lens is not the best & it's all made from plastic but it is OK so don't be put off when people say it's rubbish, it will do for starters & you will get a good picture from it, not great but good.

Use it then save up for a good quality lens later.

rsalles said:

Remember that the XTi have a x1.6 factor, so a 28mm lens will turn
into a 44.8mm which is no wide angle.

Click to expand...

that means nothing to someone who is buying their first SLR camera.

all you need to know is that 18mm is wide angle, 28mm is normal, 50mm is telephoto

for yourself how 'bad' the kit can be...

very bad purple fringing (i think they call it CA)?!
eg.
http://www.pbase.com/antidote3/image/54887839

dull and maybe underexposed pictures?!
eg.
http://www.pbase.com/antidote3/image/41052127

useless wide open?!
eg.
http://www.pbase.com/antidote3/image/52527596

banding (lines everywhere)?!
eg.
http://www.pbase.com/antidote3/image/35289319

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http://www.pbase.com/antidote3

The kits lens is fine. Best lens you can get for the price and range.

You will ultimately replace it when this hobby becomes an obsession but until then it is a good lens and a good value.

All the best,

jim
--
Shoot more, ***** less!
galleries at: http://www.pbase.com/sandman3
photography workshop schedule at:
http://www.pbase.com/sandman3/schedule