UPDATE UPDATE!! 350D user here. with kit lens, 50mm F1.8 II, tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6, and a sigma super dg st Flash.

i highly recommend that 17~85mm f4~5.6 IS USM. It's really a good replacement for kit lens. Although it's quite pricey, but think of the IS and USM it has. Some may opt for Sigma 18-200mm f3.5-6.3 DC OS but i will prefer 17~85mm for the build of the lens. Even though i do not own that lense, but i played with it a few times. The focusing's fast due to the USM and IS is really handy when it comes to low light situations. You can also tweak the focus ring when using AF.(forget about the term).

CONS of 17~85mm F4~5.6 IS USM : Barrel Distortion at 17mm.

Planning to get a new lens soon, either a Tamron SP90 or this 17~85mm f4~5.6 IS USM to replace my kit lens as i realize i often use my kit lens for travel shoots. The price for that 17~85mm is around RM1800 i guess, i regreted of not buying it along when i first got my 350D where the price drops around to RM1350 for that lens. But i might still have a chance to get that price back if i still can find the company which sold the camera to me.

P:S: i bought my 350D from a canon college fair at LKW half year ago @ RM1900 with loads of free gifts plus the canon book of lenses.

Hmm... but im still opening my ears to more options. Any advices from anyone are welcome!

This post has been edited by derek87: Jan 20 2008, 01:41 AM

I'll give u an answer to that question too, coz i had that problem once before because of money problem. It depends on your shooting style. Lets say if you always go shooting under low light situations, get the flash first. if you always go shooting under the daylight, get the sigma first.

But then, flash is not only for low light situations. It can be used in a lot of situations... lets say, light source is coming from the right side, if u shoot without flash. There will be shadow on the left side of the object. So flash gun plays an important role here to get rid of the shadow on the left side IF u do not want the shadow to be there. To do this, one of the technique is to bounce the flash from the left, here is just an example of the use of flash gun. If i want to talk about flash photography, i think one whole page also not enough.. too much to learn in photography. So i think no matter what, flashgun is something that u may not regret of getting it too early. You will need it in the future.

As for the sigma. Yes it can replace the 18~55mm. So no harm getting it. BUT there are a lot of choices of lenses out there. Dont just have one choice of lens in mind, go do a research. Compare different lens with the same range of prices. Maybe, find out what you need, the 18~55mm can also shoot nice photos. It all depends on your skills, i see a lot of people shooting with L lens, because of their skill, the pictures they took are like taken from normal lenses. So no matter what lens u are going to buy. Test kao kao first, and buy it if u really like it.

In the world of photography, you will never stop spending.

Hope i really did open up your mind. Here's one of the good websites, www.cameralabs.com. They have a few lens reviews and comparisons. Hope they'll update and review more lens in the future. Have a look throught the website.

WoW.. 580ex.. huge investment.. >< If i were working... T.T student here.... ><

Read my previous post... a bit related... lazy to type LOL.

If im not having my exams now... I WILL GO!! I will also appear at the bird park outing... Toooooo bad.... damn sad!! next time if i go bird park.. who wants to follow! haha...

Yeah you are right. But for desperate ppl like me went for sigma super DG st flash. And felt actually it's quite good. just dont have the lcd displayer like the 430EX. ETTL also quite good... BUT, will upgrade to 580ex in the future. haha..

Of coz without.. if with extra NB L2H, confirm is grey set or imitation.

i got it for RM600 from siewkahhow. BrandNew. 1 year warranty. Made in Japan

This is a very good lens.. IS also got two modes...

That's my wishlist.. The price is around RM5.8k~RM6.5k

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Added on January 22, 2008, 1:06 amUV filter not must or not must la.. just to protect your lens from scratches..

This post has been edited by derek87: Jan 22 2008, 01:06 AM

Eh?? you sure? i really want to join you goldfries.... but i will be only available to shoot after CNY. So.. any paintball after that?

Not bad.. new one cost 600+.

Wear comouflage? Lol.. maybe those newbie think they are smart enough to spot someone in stealth, then shoot you like hell.. haha....

@ goldfries.. hmmm.. cant camp with referee along ah? or just tell them those wearing blue shirt or highlighted vest are camera man la... so they wont shoot.. haha... =P just an idea..

Fc barcelona.. you have not update me in the first page yet... T.T