L

Kim - It seems that others like the Rebel, so if $370 seems like a decent price to those who know Cannon equipment, sure. A few thoughts. Buy an inexpensive UV filter and put it on the zoom right away .. to protect your lens. Then read about a polarizing lens before you make the purchase ... this lens takes some skill and experimentation for the right effects. Get a good photography book ... paperback ... it will tell you what you need to know. The 28-80 mm zoom seems fine ... make sure it's reasonably fast (I would think f 3.5-4.0 ought to be about right ... the Cannon experts will tell you. Be sure the lens comes with a hood that fits correctly. Make sure the Rebel manual is in the box ... study it carefully! I'm sure you're going to have fun. By the way, it never hurts to keep a few notes while you're shooting your first 10 rolls ... experiment with the settings. Your manual will offer the "how to" ... good luck. Ciao

kim

B&H is quite a bit cheaper...THANKS !
But at the risk of sounding stupid, what is a lens hood and why do I need one?

J T Kirk

The lens hood is sort of a bulbous thing that, when not in use, slides OVER the lens and keeps the lens from getting too jostled in your bag. More importantly, you use it by attaching it to the front of the lens, thus keeping out any glare from the sun, which can sometimes through off the metering of your camera and, possibly, ruin your shot. Don't use a hood when using a polarizing filter though. L's right: get a book on taking photos. There are many on the market. Go to a camera store, or evern a good bookstore, and thumb through a number of the how-to books, and pick one that looks interesting. There are lots of little tips that will make a lot of difference in your photos. Have fun.

L

Kim, it's a smart question, but my answer might be dumb. Others will weight in. The hood fits over the end of the lens and keeps out unintended light from the side ... the idea being not to give your camera's light meter a false reading. If the meter were to read a flare just before it determines the proper apperture and shutter speed, it might think the subject is in stronger light than it actually is, and consequently adjust settings that underexpose your picture. Some are rabid about hoods, I am so-so. But it's genreally agreed to be useful, especially with long focal length lens. By the way, your camera's manual may tell you to take off the hood when using the built-in flash ... the hood might interrupt the flash as it moves toward your subject. Or so they say. Have fun. Ciao, L

dan woodlief

Considering the destinations of your trip, if you want to get a really good book that will cover a wide range of information, get "John Shaw's Landscape Photography." You will find it in most big bookstores. Another reason to keep out lens flare is that it decreases the contrast in the shot. With a polarizing filter you will find it very hard to use one, even if you want to. You have to turn the ring on the filter to use it (you will see what I mean when you read about them), and the hood will make it very hard to do this.