Fancy getting a bit better with my close up people pictures but also for wider angle outdoor shots.

Does this sound like one lens im after?

At the moment I have the 350D kit lens, 18-55mm (hmmmm)
A prime canon 50mm (which I like)
and a Tamron 70-300mm (which is suprisingly good).

If I wanted to replace the kit lens with something a little better for close up stuff what should it be? I dont want to be in expense on this, just an idea of what you would buy with a reasonable budget.

cheers

Gary

wide angle shots often cause distortions which some people may find unflattering - eg huge noses - but are good with landscapes.

Sigma 10-20 should give a true wide angle on a 350D. Canon do a 10-22 which is slightly faster but considerably more expensive. Sigma 10-20 around £ 300. Canon 10-22 - £ 450+

Replacement for kit lens - Canon 17-85 IS, Sigma 18-55 Ex f2.8 or 17-70 f2.8-4.5. Sigmas around £ 250. Canon around £ 400

If you're shooting tight head shots of people, I think most people would say your 70-300mm zoom around the 70mm end would be just right.

Pumpkin has mentioned the two EF-S fit wide-angles that get most good comments. Canon 10-22mm is very highly regarded, but at the price, so it should be :eek:

Richard.

I bought the Sigma 10-20 recently prior to a long weekend in Amsterdam, and it spent most of the time on the camera. I love it. In this months Photography Monthly the do a test on wide angle lenses, and the Sigma comes out on top with the highest score. The Canon gets favourable mention as well, but loses as its 1.5 times the cost of the Sigma.

Thanks for the advice guys

Gary

the canon 60mm EF-S macro is a good lens for portraits also great at closeups, £277 online £330 Jessops.