Best deal on Digital Rebel XT?

[barrywaynepeter]

I am interested in taking advantage of the Canon triple

rebate program to switch from my Nikon Coolpix 8400 to the Digital Rebel XT. I

do close-up photography of flowers and wide angle montages of Chicago city

scenes. I would like advice on the best set of lenses to get with the Rebel XT.



Under the triple rebate program (http://www.usa.canon.com/nfl), I

will get a $225 rebate on the Rebel XT as long as I purchase two additional

Canon lenses from those on the rebate list. Canon's zoom lenses for digital

cameras are NOT on the list so I have been considering getting a macro lens and

a telephoto or tele zoom lens. Which of the following would be best (trying to

keep the price down)?



EF 50mm f/2.5 compact Macro ($240 less $40 rebate).

EF 100mm f/2.8 macro ($470 less $60 rebate).

(I rather like normal perspective in my macro shots, which

would favor the 50mm)



EF 200mm f/2.8L II

USM ($660 less $75 rebate)

(I really can't afford this or the 400 F/5.6L)



Zoom tele EF 75 – 300 f/4-5.6 III ($160 less $15 rebate)

Zoom tele EF 70 - 300 f/4-5.6 IS ($570 less $45 rebate)





Then in addition I need a wide angle zoom. Can I get by with

one of the Sigma lenses (The 18-125 @ $245 or the 18-200 @ $325)?



Or are the more expensive Canon lenses (like the EF-s 17-85

f/4-5.6 @ $600) really superior? I've seen a number of reviews indicating that

the EF-s 18-55 @$140) isn't really all that good.



THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!