Future XTi Owner needs assistance on aisle 9

[XSRCivic]

Sup guys,
Looking to join the dSLR club very soon now that my Canon S2 IS went completely dead on me a few weeks ago.

I've been researching like a mad man about different lens setups and I've hit a settling point. My setup will consist of the following. (Debatable) Trying to stay around $1000 overall.

-Canon Rebel XTi (Camera Only, F the kit lens)
-Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 Lens
-Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens

Anyone have experience with this hardware? I'm hearing good reviews on both lenses but without any hands on experience its really hard to gauge their abilities. I'm sold on the 50mm lens already, for less than $100 I cant go wrong supposedly it takes quality images.

Basically I want another lens that provides good quality images but with a decent range. I know the prime lens won't allow me to have the zoom I'd like to have but I'd like to use that one for portrait shots, close car photos, my very active 2 year old.

I would also like to be able to shoot at some kids sports games (soccer, teeball etc) this is where the range issue comes in for me.

Any recommendations that won't break my wallet?

[Izzy]

The 50mm is called the "Fantastic Plastic" for *something*. Cheap and VERY good photos. Only thing I don't really like about it is that it's actually noisy. Noisy as in aural, and a little slow on AF. But, considering what I use for a walkaround...the noise is NOTHING. I've actually been meaning to pick one up...but I figure I might as well get the f1.4.

The 28-135 is also a very good lens for you. Its main downfall is the low aperture, really. Pictures are mostly very sharp on them, considering my friend's copy of the lens. IS will help with your sports stuff somewhat.

My opinion is to check out other lens companies too. I love my Tamron, and I just found this little thing: FM Reviews - AF 28-200MM F/3.8-5.6 XR Aspherical (IF) Macro

Seems to be a really cheap lens for really good zoom and, apparently, fairly good reviews. I guess the only thing that detracts from it is that it has no IS like the Canon lens. But, seriously, for that price and 172mm of zoom, get a decent flash!

[szuberi]

i have used both the xt and xti extensively plus a plathora of lenses. my suggestion would be as follows:

get the xti body and get the tamron 17-50mm f2.8 lens. i am using this same combination and my photos come out clear, sharp and crisp without a whole lot of effort. the 28-135 is a good lens but its not a great lens. for a wide range of reviews on the lens...i suggest you go to fredmiranda.com: Specialized in digital cameras, photoshop actions, and digital darkroom

i also have the the nifty fifty, plastic fantastic or whatever else is called...its a great little lens but being a prime, its use is and will always be limited. you can always get the 50 later if your budget doesnt allow right now.

at the end of the day, its not the gear..its the photographer so even the fastest lens will not make you a pro but a fast lens does makes it easy to take sharp and clear photos if your technique is right. f2.8 will easily allow you to take photos in indoor light...even outside when the light is low handheld.

[szuberi]

if you wanna check some photos taken with the lens...search flickr. you can also check my photostream for shots taken with the tamron. here is the link...

Flickr: Photos from szuberi