Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II, (compare prices) (review), is really a "must have" lens. It's small, light and very inexpensive, but it's 3 or more stops faster than most consumer zooms, and it's over a stop faster than even expensive "L" series zooms. The fast aperture allows low light work and can isolate a subject though a small depth of field. On an APS-C crop DSLR the EF 50/1.8 II makes an ideal portrait lens. The EF 50/1.8 II provides an opportunity to try a fast prime lens without breaking the bank.

Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor, (compare prices), an inexpensive but high-quality lens at just over $100, with a focal length for that popular for FX (fully 35mm frame). On a DX body, it becomes a short telephoto lens good for portrait or stage photography. This lens has no internal AF motor so that it cannot AF with the D40/D40x and D60.

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC for Pentax and Samsung, (compare prices), for high quality indoor photos without flash and for general all-purpose photography, the Sigma lens offers an inexpensive alternative for a "normal" lens on APS-C sensor cameras. On a full-frame camera, such as the Canon 5D Mark II or the Nikon D700, the lens becomes a fast moderate wide-angle lens.

• Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC for Canon, (compare prices)
• Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC for Nikon, (compare prices)
• Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC for Olympus and Panasonic, (compare prices)

Sony 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 DT, (compare prices) (review), a very affordable wide-to-short tele zoom that covers a convenient zoom range for photographers who upgrade from digital point-and-shoot cameras. It is an excellent match for the affordable Sony/Minolta DSLRs.

Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR DX, (compare prices), one of Nikon's all-time best sellers that is wonderful for travel photography as it both reduces the need to bring a lot of different lenses as well as frequent lens changes so that photographer is ready for just about anything all the time.

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, (compare prices), is an excellent general purpose lens for Canon APS-C DSLRs. It's the equivalent of a 27-136mm zoom on a full frame camera. At the wide end it's great for landscapes, in the mid range it's good for portraits and at the long end its a short telephoto which can be useful for sports if you're close to the action. The image stabilization makes it and ideal lens for travel when you don't want to take along a tripod.

Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED IF SDM, (compare prices), a high-quality and fast constant f/2.8 short tele zoom that is equivalent to the highly popular 70-200mm range on 35mm film but for DSLRs. The f/2.8 aperture makes it easy to focus under dim light so that it is ideal for indoor event and people photography.

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, (compare prices) (review), Canon's best bargain in a telephoto zoom. With a UD glass element and Image Stabilization it can yield sharp images even when handheld at 300mm. Though it lacks a ring type USM focusing motor and the front element rotates during focusing, it's still a bargain at around $550. It's an ideal lens for sports and wildlife work, but at can also be used for portraits at the short end of the range.

Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6D ED AF, (compare prices), Nikon's low-cost alternative to their higher-priced 70-300mm zoom lens. This lens is great for sports and action photography in sunny conditions, and for capturing wildlife when you need distance between you and your subject for stealth action. At the short end, the lens serves a dual purpose by doubling as a portrait lens.

Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX, (compare prices), Nikon's high-end mid-range zoom designed for event photography and is also a good general-purpose lens. The convenient zoom range from moderate wide to short tele and a constant fast f/2.8 aperture makes it ideal for indoor, existing-light work. This is a workhorse for a lot of wedding photographers who use Nikon DX bodies.

Pentax DA 16-45mm f/4.0 ED AL, (compare prices) (review), this is an affordable lens that also covers from moderate wide to short tele for Pentax DSLRs. The more modest constant f4 aperture over the entire zoom range reduces the size and weight of the lens while maintaining a high optical quality.

Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ED, (compare prices), a convenient and affordable zoom for the more casual photographers using the 4/3 system. It covers the popular moderate wide to short tele range that is very suitable for everybody photography.

Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM, (compare prices) (review), a very sharp, small and moderately priced macro lens. It's the equivalent of a 100mm macro on a full frame camera. Not only is it one of the best lenses for closeups at magnifications up to 1:1 (life size) but 60mm is also a very good focal length for portraits on an APS-C DSLR, so the lens can serve a dual purpose.

Nikon 60mm f/2.8D AF Micro-Nikkor, (compare prices) (review), a very sharp, small and moderately priced macro lens. It's the equivalent of a 100mm macro on a full frame camera. In addition to capturing 1:1 macro close-up work, the 60mm is also a very good focal length for portraits on an APS-C DSLR, so the lens can serve a dual purpose.