Suggestions for new lens

[toastboy]

Toastgirl and I have a Canon Eos 300D with the standard 18-55mm lens and a few filters and have been really pleased with the results, the best of which we've framed and put on our walls. A friend of ours lent us a 75-300mm lens to take on holiday and we had some fun trying out different shots. We've now got the bug and would like to get another lens to add another dimension to our photography but we're virtual beginners who get confused with the sheer range of choice.

So, if you had to choose just one lens to play around with what would you go for (I don't want one that's huge and a pain to carry around and no more than £500)? Is there much difference between makes?

[poah]

70-200 f4 L would be the obvious choice

[toastboy]

Wouldn't that be similar to the 75-300 though? We should be able to borrow that lens most of the time. There isn't anything in particular we want to take pictures of, I was thinking of maybe a macro or wide angle?

[byker28i]

Another vote for the 70-200 F4 L USM. It's light, small-ish, produces great photo's and gives you an additional scope on top of the kit lens. If you wanted to go wide then the Canon Ef-s 10-22 is great and the Sigma 10-20 isn't far behind (I found slightly slower focusing but equally good pictures).

Depends on what you want to take pictures of really.

[poah]

I suggested the 70-200 because of its focal length and high quality glass. you could get say tamron 28-75 f2.8 and a prime lens say EF 50mm f1.4 or EF 85 f1.8 for smidge under £500.

[VxDuncan]

For a beginner the sigma 70-300 APO is a good start if you don't have access to one all the time. Sure, it's not a Canon L quality lens but punches well above it's cost. The 1:2 Macro feature is great too. Just avoid the cheaper (non apo) version. That, and a 10-20 should get you well on the way!