The "Magic Three"

[Marko]

Now, if you go into a camera shop and mention the term "magic three" in the same sentence as Nikon, you'll probably get the salesman's heart pounding because that's what many people call the trio of pro zooms 14-24, 24-70 and 70-200 all f2.8 max, but this trio would set you back a mere $6000+

Although these particular lenses are pricey, these focal lengths are excellent choices and what I myself use to cover most jobs.

They WOULD INDEED be my 3 choices if i could only choose 3.

[F8&Bthere]

...They WOULD INDEED be my 3 choices if i could only choose 3.

OK well silly me I didn't realize it was a "if money was no object" kinda question. Seemed to me the OP was following a bit in Bambi's footsteps and claimed he/she had no aspirations of going pro. Is it too late to change my answer?

[Foots]

You are not too late. I looked but didn't buy.

Re your ["if money was no object" kinda question] well it is and it isn't. $6k is out of my range but I understand lenses are expensive and have been saving my pennies for a while.

I decided on the Canon Rebel T1i - mainly because if like the feel of it, but also my friends have Rebels - so I might be able to borrow a lens or two on occasion.

The 14-24; 24-70; and 70-200 combination is not so easy. Henry's doesn't have a smooth transition although Canon has a lot more. Some of the lenses I looked at are:

10-22 f3.5-4.5 $950
17-55 f2.8 1lb - don't know cost
17-85 f4-5.6 $500
24-70 f2.8 2 lbs - don't know cost
24-105 f4 1lb $1400

and then:
18-200 f3.5-5.6 1 lb $800
and a 70-200 f2.8 that weighs over 3 lbs. $1,900.

I realize now that I am not only trying to balance an appropriate selection and price, but also weight. Tamron and Tokina just add to the complexities.

Thanks for the info re the difference between a prime and a zoom - in terms of pricing.

Some of the information is starting to come together and some still confusing.

I'll look again tomorrow.

[Mad Aussie]

Just reading through and I get the impression that you can spend more than you want ... if you wanted to. In this case ... Marko's advice to spend bigger on the lenses than the body is sound advice.

I have a range of lenses from the cheapy little EF 50mm 1.8 prime (worth about $150) through to my EF 100 - 400 4.5 -5.6 L IS of over $2000 worth.
I used to own a Rebel with the cheap kit lenses, and as many have seen here at ph.ca, the owner of that camera and kit (my daughter) produced better photos than I did a few days ago.
Frankly ... with a Rebel in my hand, I wouldn't spend the big bucks on these L series lenses unless I had a specific reason to and couldn't find a cheaper choice in the middle market. The EFS lenses I have of around that $1000 mark produce results just as good in most circumstances. The L series lenses are very heavy as you've discovered.

Also Image Stabilization really isn't needed until you are zoomed out to about 200mm (unless you are particularly unsteady for some reason) so I wouldn't pay extra for it if I didn't need to.

You've chosen the Rebel so you won't get quite as good high ISO performance as you would the Nikon D5000 I think but if you are talking about long exposure night shots of cities etc than that won't be a worry anyhow.

[Fortytwo]

I am starting from scratch. ....if you could have only 3 lens which would you choose?

1. Tamron 17-50mm f2.8
2. Tokina 50-135mm f2.8
3. Tokina 12-24mm f4

These are all very sharp and fast lenses for a very reasonal price. They are just as good as their Canon/Nikon counterparts, for half the price at least.

[Bambi]

1. Tamron 17-50mm f2.8
2. Tokina 50-135mm f2.8
3. Tokina 12-24mm f4

These are all very sharp and fast lenses for a very reasonal price. They are just as good as their Canon/Nikon counterparts, for half the price at least.

Newbie Question:
so, I don't have to buy lenses from Nikon even though I have a nikon? there are others that will fit?

[Fortytwo]

Nope. Certain manufacturers make lenses for different brands. Especially Tamron and Sigma make lenses for almost every DSLR brand. So when buying one, you have to make sure it's the one that fits your brand. Which mount is has, is stated on the box etc.

Tamron and Sigma are the biggest ones. Both make lenses for Canon/Nikon/Sony/Pentax/Olympus. Usually, a similar lens from them is cheaper as an original Nikon. Sometimes the quality is less and you're better off buying an original Nikon, but sometimes they perform similar of even better. It depents. The ones I recommended to you are well known to be excellent performers for a very good price. So buying a Tamron or Sigma requires some research whether the lens you're buying is a good performer, but it repays itself in cheaper gear.
Tokina makes lenses for Nikon and Canon only. Well, it actually doesn't make them theirselfs. Tokina lenses are actually Pentax lenses in disguise. The Tokina 50-135mm f2.8 is in reallity a Pentax DA* 50-135mm f2.8. This helps in finding reviews about them. Except they are cheaper then their Pentax cousins.

Basically, when looking for a particular lens, you've got these options:
1. The original Nikon lens
2. A Sigma/Tamron/Tokina counterpart with a Nikon mount
Which one is best, depents on the lens. The internets helps to make your decision. A lot of people however are firm believers that anything 'original' is better. Test results show different. I've got myself a Sigma 50mm f1.4 because it clearly outperforms the original Pentax one.

And if you're not sure, ask here at the forums. There are tons of people like me who like to geek around lens specs for you and give you advice. At least I will...

[F8&Bthere]

This is actually a very good angle coming from Fortytwo, don't know why I failed to mention it. Buying non OEM lenses can give you the best of both worlds if you make your choices wisely. Sigma, Tokina and Tamron all have some gems. You will still probably spend quite a bit more than on the kit lenses and name brand 50/1.8 I mentioned earlier, but if you have funds available yes of course it is better to invest more into the glass. My point was made under the assumption that this was a "baby steps" move into DSLR from a point & shoot and for around $500ish to get two decent lenses to cover from 18 - 200, with VR on the longer one, plus one fast prime deal like a 50/1.8 is hard to beat just to get you up and running.

[kat]

I noticed everyone talking about the lens not the base.. the lenses is what takes you on.

BUT..get the wrong base and you'll be hitting your head on the ground. Make sure you get what you need from your base as much as you need from your lenses. In other words..don't get the Nikon D40x..lol. You'll regret it.

I would love to get that range of lens that Marko and F8 has listed. That would cover all my wants..and most likely most peoples wants.

Good luck!

[Foots]

Thanks all, for your interest and information. 42 - I compared the prices Tamron/Tokina vs Canon - you are right they are slightly less than half.

An interesting point I noticed, is Canon is pretty light in the f2.8 lenses. The OEM's seem to be ahead of them.

I have been reading up on the internet, reviews, specs and feel comfortable that I would like every one of them. (LOL)

Kat - I have decided on the Rebel T1i for the body. And I am going to take your suggestion and rent a lens, try it out and see how it fits with the kind of picture I like to take. I'll check out Henry's to see what they have available for rent.

MA - it's a good point you make, being that it is the photographer not the equipment. I have been reading various critiques over the past few days. Before, I didn't give composition a thought. If it worked, it worked, if it didn't press the delete. Based on the comments I have seen, it takes photography to a new level - and that is exciting.

I often hear of photographers who say, "I wish I had ....." and was hoping to avoid that, which to some extent I will because of all your feedback. However, I probably will still end up with an "I wish I had ....."

This morning I heard that New Year's eve is a full moon and it is the second full moon in the month - so it is called a Blue Moon! Depending how awake I am, it might be my first project.

Thanks to everyone for all your help. Now I am just itching to go out and buy the body.