Kit lense advice 4 rebelXT

[kdx200]

After a lot of research and a trip to the local camera shop to hold a few cameras (Nikon D70 and Canon Rebel) I have decided on the Canon Digital Rebel 350 XT. I have been price/accessories shopping on the net. For now I will be buying one of the all-in-one kits with all the necessary items I need to make the jump from my much loved Canon A80 to a "faster" camera. My question is this, What kit lenses will be the best for right now? I plan on upgrading later to the higher end lenses, but I can't do that right now. I see basically 3 choices in kit lenses: Canon EF-S 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 zoom and EF 75-300 f/4.0-5.6 III lens,....... Sigma 28-70 f/2.6-5 DG lens or 28-70 f/2.8-4 high speed lens and 70-300 f/4-5.6DG Macro,....... Tamron 28-80 f/3.5-5.6 AF Tel-Zoom and AF 70-300 f/4-5.6 LD Super Telephoto. These kits range from approx $1000.00 to $1200.00 after rebates. I am getting burned out researching all these #'s, but I know the devil's in the details. Please advise.....

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A really nice lens for the Rebel XT, and a good starting lens, would be the Tamron 28-75 F2.8 XR DI.

The Tamron 28-75 exhibits F2.8 throughout the zoom range, and is a nice lens to carry around. Excellent build quality.

Another really nice but slightly more expensive, but slightly more limited lens is the Tamron 17-35. The 17-35 is really sharp, and the wide angle is really useful.

Or, you could start out with a Canon 50mm F1.8 lens, which is a a nice low light prime lens.

Better to buy one good lens, than a couple of lousy ones and think about replacing them.

Maybe start with an F2.8 zoom, like to 17-35 or the 28-75 Tamron, and build from there.

-- Terry