I need to get a better lens for my Rebel. I'd really like to get the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Standard Zoom Lens, but the $1600 price tag is a bit out of the range of what I can afford. Anyone one have any suggestions as to comparable, but cheaper lens? Mainly, I will be using it for portraits, mainly still images that will be included in a documentary I am making. Thanks for any help.

Attached Link: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-24-105mm-f-4-L-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

Have a look at the link

I would have to agree with azy, I have used the Canon-EF-24-105mm-f-4-L-IS-USM (but don’t yet own one) its a lovely lens at a good price for an L lens, unless you really need the f2.8 IMO this is the standard zoom lens of choice for the Canon body.

I would love to have both the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L  and the Canon-EF-24-105mm-f-4-L-IS-USM but just cant afford both.

Alas, the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens is still a bit out of my price range. I was wondering about the Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 Image Stabilized USM SLR Lens. The reviews seem to indicate that it a decent lens, close but not quite L-series quality. Are there any Sigma or Tamaron lenses that would be comparable to the Canon L-series lenses? The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens also looks like a decent lens to have around. I'd just like to have some options. I'm going to see if there is a camera shop that is willing to let me try out the lenses on my camera and compare images before I buy. Thanks for the suggestions thus far.

Attached Link: http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/

The Sigma EX series lenses are the closest IMO that you will get to a Canon L

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3261&navigator=2

The Canon EF 28-105 f3.5/4.5 II USM    is also a good lens. I have one of these and I am happy with it. Most of my studio shots are done with this lens, a little soft wide open (most lenses are)

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=206&sort=7&cat=27&page=3

Not keen on Tamaron lenses myself

I have not used this lens, but know a couple of people that do and they say its a great lens

Don’t know about the 50mm fi.8 and use the f1.4 version, although I believe they are very close optically.

The Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM is a good lens, I have used one (not mine) and was pleased with it, the only thing I would say, is that if you ever want to use it on a full frame or film body it isn’t compatible

Since my film camera is a Pentax K1000 that is slowly dying (everytime I pick it up, I seem to loose a random shutter speed, everything taken at that shutter speed results in a black image), usability with another camera is moot. The links and suggestions have been most helpful. I'm going to have to spend some time on the fredmiranda site.

I use the Canon EFS 17-85 IS.

Very pleased with it. I bought it as part of a Canon kit though, not sure I would be quite so willing to spend the full price. Is the IS necessary to you it seems to add a lot to the price of the lens.

Never heard a bad word said about the standard 50mm lens, I have seen some superb portraits done with that.  The crop factor on your Rebel XT makes it into what is considered the ideal portrait length. Personally I would go with that and use the money saved on something else if I were doing portraits.

I have a Sigma DX lens too the quality is outstanding - several people have compared it to their Canon lenses and agree. The only comment I have heard on the negative front is the build quality is not as robust as Canon L lenses with regards to throwing it around and being out in all the weathers. But they are certainly well built and will stand up to many years of amateur use, image quality is comparible.