Explorer Loc: Eastern Iowa

Only experienced amateur, but considering factors in photo quality outcomes when purchasing DSLR body and lens. For example, for my outdoor, event publicity, human interest, and general family shots, a Canon T3i would seem to have adequate 18MB detail, plenty of ISO range and frames per sec, and the folding LCD useful in shooting over crowds or at ground or water level. The standard EF package lenses of 18-55mm or 18-135 don't seem to receive very complimentary technical reviews. Is there any wisdom in investing in the higher quality 18-85 lens with the T3i? I realize that Canon is trying to hit a price point while luring us into DSLR photography, so they may be cutting lens quality for the camera package. Are there any investment guidelines for optimizing the image quality of resultant photos? Should a camera body and general purpose lens each cost about the same amount? And yes, I realize that none of the above lenses will pluck an eagle out of a tree, but that's another question, and another big investment.

krispix Loc: London - UK

When considering DSLR photography these days you have to understand that the technology that goes into the camera body is storming ahead, which means that whatever you buy is out of date before you get out of the shop! Lenses, on the other hand, while they are still subject to minor upgrades are pretty static.
Therefore, most of us look at the camera body as something that will require replacement on a fairly frequent basis. The lenses, however, are a much longer term investment.
So, if your looking for somewhere to split your investment I would advise to lean heavily towards quality lenses.

breck Loc: Derbyshire UK

Agreed, spend the cash on lenses and if you are keen go full format not cropped as you are liable to end up with a full format sensor camera and then all your cropped format only lenses will be redundant, I know I made that mistake and it is costly.
Also consider lenses hold there value!

heyjoe Loc: cincinnati ohio

by canon L glass,your camera is fine,with good glass you
could take pro-like shots,if your a pro haha

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

I am a firm believer in quality lens as the above have advised. Choose you system and buy body only and then a quality lens that you can you can afford for your body later after you learn what your needs are you can upgrade your body but will still have the lens.

ole sarg Loc: south florida

Interesting, I am a firm believer in a brownie hawkeye with Capa or Eisenstadt behind the camera.

pappy0352 Loc: Oregon

I shot with the Canon T2i and the Sigma 18-250 and the canon 50mm 1.8.L lens is great but not in my budget.But as I continue to learn I'm finding out I can get great shots with mid level lens. Remember the camera is just a tool, the person behind it is who makes a great shot.Here is an example of taking my time setting up the shot and shooting with my 18-250.

Pappy

DaveMM Loc: Port Elizabeth, South Africa

The mid-range Canon DSLRs, i.e. T2i to T4i, will give picture results just as good as the 60D and better crop-sensor models (read identical). They have the same sensor and 'engine', they just lack some of the more expensive camera's build-quality and advanced features.

cecilia delacroix Loc: near Seattle

I think the "18-85" lens you referred to in your original post was probably a typo; I'm guessing you meant the "15-85" lens. I have this lens and use it with my T2i and it's a fine one. (It's 'apparent' focal length is equivalent to 24-136mm on the T3i.) One thing to keep in mind, though: this particular EF-S lens will not fit any of the full-frame Canon bodies should you decide one day to get one of those.

DaveMM Loc: Port Elizabeth, South Africa

There is also the older 17-85 lens, which gives decent results but has a reputation for faults - mine has been back twice for failure to focus. The first fix was free even though it was just outside the warantee period, but the second time it went back three times and, with shipping, the repair ended up costing half the price of a new lens. If it fails again, it goes in the bin!

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
I would suggest that you make the assumption that at some point in the future you'll be looking to move to a full frame sensor so I'd buy lenses with that in mind.

Explorer Loc: Eastern Iowa

Caught me! Yes, I meant to indicate the 15-85 mm 3.5 zoom lens

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Well said ! + You might consider the Sigma 17-70 2.8-4 ..... several hundred less than the Canon.

marcomarks Loc: Ft. Myers, FL

There's no rules or guides about this. Whether you think the kit lenses are good enough for your purposes is relative to your ability to see the difference. You may feel kit lenses are awesome and never need anything else. Keep in mind that comparisons of kit versus higher priced glass are done by people who have access to both and, of course, prefer the better glass and talk down about the kit lenses. Otherwise, you'll spend far more on lenses than you did on your camera body.