SLR Lens question for camera people

DH really wants to get me the lens for my camera now that i've really been using it alot, and can see the limitations of only having the 18-55mm lens.

i want to get the 75-300mm.

The problem is that i really haven't had that much time to research all of the aspects (i.e- what a few of the abbreviations even mean, and why they're important to have in a lens ), so i was hoping i could get some feedback here. On the photoforum i go on, many of them are professionals, so anything i pick would be an inferior choice to them

The lens that i picked out is the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Zoom Lens.
Here's a link for it

Can you tell me what some limitations might be for this, or if it's a good buy?

After this, it seems like (for this size) the price jumps up to the $600 range, and i definitely don't want that (especially since it's not being used to make me money... just a hobby)

Or, if there's an alternative that i'm not aware of? I have a Canon Rebel XT, so i was only looking at canon lens'.

I appreciate any feedback!!

Re: SLR Lens question for camera people

You can get a tamaron lens for the same price and it is compatible. The price is about $200. If you want one with image stability it will cost you more. Check out E-bay. That is where I got one for my wife's camera.

Re: SLR Lens question for camera people

I agree, the tamaron lenses are just as good and lot more affordable... the only thing that I would look at would be the aperture... the lens that you are looking at has an aperture of f/4-5.6... basically the lower the number the better the lens. The lower the number, the more light the lens lets into the camera and less you need to use a flash. A lot of more serious photographers that i have spoken with wont buy a lens with an aperture over f/3. However, before i learned about this aperture stuff i bought a tamaron lens that is f/4-5.6 and I have gotten a lot of lovely photos with it...

Re: SLR Lens question for camera people

Thank you for the feedback!

I've been looking at Tamron lens' and they definitely seem like a better deal than the canon that i was looking it.

Re: SLR Lens question for camera people

I forgot to add, i would also definitely invest in those UV filters!! I just got one... they go over the lens, i definitely notice a big difference in the photos!

Re: SLR Lens question for camera people

Re: SLR Lens question for camera people

Posted by neenie

Posted by cjb88

I forgot to add, i would also definitely invest in those UV filters!! I just got one... they go over the lens, i definitely notice a big difference in the photos!

do you use a hood?

i'm still getting acclamated to the camera itself (and still mostly just use the auto settings, though i'm starting to become more comfortable with the manual aperture).

i'm such a beginner!

Re: SLR Lens question for camera people