SLR + Tile Floor = New Lens (maybe new body)

[4is2tooMany]

So yesterday my Canon 20D meet a hard tile floor... The tile floor faired much better in this met than my camera.

My 20D seems to be OK but attached to it was the "Kit lens" (my only lens) which is toast. I am going to get a Nifty Fifty for sure but would also like something with some zoom...

#1. What things to I need to inspect/test on the camera to insure its ok and can I do this without a functioning lens?

#2. What budget lens do you suggest? (I am new and enjoy everything from landscapes to portrait to wildlife photography)

#3. Would a 50mm and 70-300mm have enough range for a newb to walk around with?

#4. For the 70-300, Tameron or Sigma or Other?

#5. Would I be better off just getting a new kit (body and lens)?


Thanks for your help... I am hoping to order ASAP.

[inkista]

#1. What things to I need to inspect/test on the camera to insure its ok and can I do this without a functioning lens?
You can try turning it on and running through menu settings and such, but the best way to see if it's doing what you want is to take pictures with it. So, I'd say borrow/rent/get a lens.

#2. What budget lens do you suggest? (I am new and enjoy everything from landscapes to portrait to wildlife photography)
The most typical "bargain" beginner's "training wheels" set up is the EF-S 18-55/55-250 IS twin kit, and a 50/1.8 II.

#3. Would a 50mm and 70-300mm have enough range for a newb to walk around with?
Unless you're into panostitching for the landscapes, I think you're going to miss the wide-to-normal walkaround range.

#4. For the 70-300, Tameron or Sigma or Other?
Sigma's APO 70-300s have good reputations/prices. But the OS (Sigma version of IS) is about $400, and at that price point, I'd say you may want to consider saving up the additional $200 to get a 70-200 f/4L USM (non-IS), or the EF 70-300 IS USM instead, as they're optically much better.

#5. Would I be better off just getting a new kit (body and lens)?
Possibly. If the 20D is broken, chances are good if you call up Canon service, they might offer you the Canon Loyalty Program. No idea what's on offer right now, but when my XT went belly up, I got offered a refurbished 50D for $640+shipping&tax. The only catch was that I got a shorter warranty: three months instead of a year.

I hear for the P&S crowd if you trade in an S, SD, or G, you can get a G11 for $249.

[4is2tooMany]

inkista,

Thank you for your response... I have just found yet another lens for my list:

What about a Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 SP XR ZL Di LD Aspherical (IF).

This is a much "Faster" lens than the f4-5.6 kit lens that I had and little more than I wanted to spend. But I am thinking it will serve me much better than kit lens did (because of the F stop) and at a far price. But finding a true review of this lens has proved problematic.

So currently I am thinking of
-Canon 50mm F1.8 MkII &
-Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 SP XR ZL Di LD Aspherical (IF)

And then saving up for a
-Tamron 70-200 f2.8 Macro