I just have to say that everyone should visit Shane’s site above. Wow!!! Inspiring pictures–makes me want to RUN outside with my camera and shoot immediately.

I feel validated by my choices as well. I went from the Po’ Man’s kit to the Big Ballers’ on my own. Good to know I made the right choices (24-70mm f/2.8 L is on its way).

(BTW, my linked website isn’t quite active yet… Stay tuned!

My assistant started out with a Sigma 28-300 DG Macro lens riding a Canon EOS 300v (yes, film! Full-frame for the po’ man or woman!). In the last year, she has managed an excellent and versatile range of images without ever switching lenses or hankering for my kit. And yeah, there have been times I was busy switching from a tele to a wide on my EOS 3 bodies (film again!) while she “got the shot”.

In sum, the Sigma 28-300 seems to be an amazing buy - great range for most purposes, eminently low distortion, VERY inexpensive, and good for saving your sensor from dust, given how rarely you might need to change lenses.

Another recommendation: The Sigma 50-500 EX DG - amazing reach for its price, great range, and surprising quality.

One of the best macros Canon makes would be the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro, though at close to $470 it may be a little pricey for the Po’ Man’s Kit, but is an excellent performer with incredible sharpness, and double-duty as a quality portrait lens. Some other viable options would include:
Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro
The 60mm is a very solidly reviewed lens, and at around $350 somewhat less expensive than the 100mm. The only downside to this lens is that being an EF-S lens, if you ever upgrade your camera body to a full-rame sensor, this lens will not function.
Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 Macro - Personally, I’d stay away from this one only because it is not a “true” macro in that it only offers 1:2 magnification (.5x) as opposed to at least 1:1, the general rule of thumb when it comes to a true macro lens.

Another important point to note is that you should check the used/refurb departments of reputable retailers such as B&H Photo, Adorama and especially KEH.com, a dedicated online used camera and lens retailer.

Hope this helps! Let me know what you decide.

It would all depend on what you are willing to spend and what kind of experience you are looking for.

The 50mm 1.8 is an EXCELLENT starter lens. It offers great sharpness at a very low price, though your experience starting out with a prime lens vs. a zoom lens will be markedly different. I’ve gotten a little resistance from some people on my opinions about this, but I feel a starter kit is better served with a versatile zoom lens, because the overall experience with a zoom, in my opinion, is much more complete and fulfilling.

If I can ask, what lenses would you suggest:
1. 30D + lens
2. 400D + lens

Would a 50mm 1.8 be good for either of these as a starting lense? Since I’m new to photography, and you wrote 50mm would be good for beginners. And it’s cheap, which is a good thing especially if buying 30D…