Ok, I'm finally jumping into the SLR scene, it's long overdue. Picking up a 40D tomorrow if all goes well.

Now the reason why I stayed away from SLRs for so long in the first place ... picking lenses. I hate compromise ... and lenses are all about that.
Budget ... as expensive as it has to be, but as reasonable as possible please.

For now I'm looking for a decent walkaround lens, ie one lens. Not a backpack full of gear.

I'll preface this by saying I'm a sucker for wide angles.

I thought about the Canon 10-22mm or Tokina 12-24 (both have good reviews on FM), but a friend (and more competent of a photographer than I am) is adamant topping out at 22/4mm will suck. What I know I'll be more upset about is the mandatory f4 and up

I can't think of situations where I would need just the extra reach a 17-40 would give me. If I really need reach, I'll have to step up to the 70-200 bad boy anyways (already cringe for the moment I have to buy that one).

Thoughts welcome ...

 

Canon 10-22MM is amazing. Not good for an all purpose lens, though. It is super wide angle lens, with little to no zoom.


If you are looking at investing in more than one lens, the perfect combo is:

28-135mm (good all around lens to be honest)
10-22mm



Sorry - being a bit vague right now, as I am running out. I can go more in depth later when i get back.

 

Good Nikon walkaround lens in the 18-200

Canon has an 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 IS that would probably be an equivalent example. Good reach, fairly wide, should be good.

 

I just jumped on the slr, got an xti with a tamron 17-55mm, its great all around!

 

Congrats on the Canon, i have an old 20D but i love it. My perfect walk around lens is the 24-70, if that is out of budget i would say go with a 17-85.

I am still getting myself into photography, but i would definitely recommend getting a lens that has the USM feature.

 

I'd recommend giving the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 a try. It gets fantastic reviews and is definitely one of the highest quality lenses you can get for the price.