As she already has the kit lens another one covering the same range isnt worth it unless she has expressed problems with the one she has.
it is IMO - a kit lense is just a kit lense - it covers the range that a lot of people will use most often & if you dont replace it then youre just not going to get as much out of your camera
The kit lens on the 350d is certainly not a quality product, but that is why I said, unless she has expressed problems with the one she has. Unless she has noticed then the kit lens can be used until it falls to bits, which in the case of the 350d they do tend to do.
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Whats a 50mm lens then? Not the same 50mm as the 18-55mm covers?
She shoots all sorts of stuff, but I know she has expressed an interest in getting a telephoto lens for wildlife and things which is why I was thinking something upto 300mm might be good.
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As simple as I can make it. On a camera a single focal length lens will always give a clearer, more defined, image than a zoom that has the same focal length within its range and is built to the same quality.
Secondly: 50mm on a 350D needs multiplying by 1.6 to equal a same focal length on a 35mm camera. This puts it at 80mm, which is ideal for portrait work.
Thirdly: You can also buy a reversing ring and stuff it on the zoom backwards, this allows you to use it as a macro equivalent.
Fourthly: a 50mm is cheap to make. They used to make millions of them as it was the kit lens before zooms took over so they are practically guaranteed to be made to a good standard.
Fifthly: it has the advantage of a wide aperture, for sporting and low light.
This makes buying a 50mm good sense and value for money.