Wide angle

I am looking for a wide angle lens to be used for landscapes. I've been searching for what seems to be the longest time without being able to make up my mind. I have basically no budget at all. I'm going to be using this lens on both my Xti and my EOS-3 ($500) Does anyone have any recommendations on what I might use?

I use and recommend the Sigma 10-20 wide angle lens, however it won't work with your EOS-3 camera. Due to the 1.6x sensor 'crop factor' of your XTi, a 15-17 mm wide angle lens for your film camera will approximate a 24-27 mm lens for your digital camera, which isn't as wide of an angle as you may like.

tamron wa is supposed to be very good. Olympus 18mm ans 21mm are fantastic if you are happy with alternatives.

If by "basically no budget at all" you mean money is tight (and not that you have plenty to spend and aren't on a budget), then the 17-40 f4L might be a good choice. It's not perfect, but I've seen lots of great landscapes made with it. Probably even cheaper would be to get a 24 f2.8 and a 35 f2 (not sure Canon has a 35 f2.8 or I'd recommend that instead). In the age of manual focus, I had those two lenses, and they not only made nice images but together took up less space in my vest than the 17-40. Because the EF versions are autofocus, the DOF scales are useless, so unlike the old FD 24 and 35 you would need a hyperfocal chart to get both close and distant objects sharp (one of the big advantages of WA is to exaggerate foreground objects as close as a foot from the camera).

Keep in mind too that longer lenses can also be used to make great landscape images.

The 17-40L is a great match to the EOS-3 and XTi. Its a bit above your price range new, but would come closer in the used market. The XTi obviously won't shoot as wide with that lens, but the 17-40L is very sharp out to the corners on the crop body.

At a cheaper price point, you might find a Tamron 17-35 2.8-4 or an older Canon 20-35 L. You might find a Sigma 12-24 in that price range. The Sigma 12-24 is the widest zoom available for the full 35mm frame.

I have an EOS 3, a pair of EOS 300 and an XT. The EOS3 is a really nice camera.

Canon's EF-S line of lenses will work on the Rebel but not the 3. If you can't afford expensive lenses, probably the best value you could find is the Canon 50mm f1.8. Not very wide, though. Canon's 28-135mm lens is reasonably priced and optically surprisingly good. I got a good deal on a refurbished one. The Canon 17-40, costs more, but it is an excellent choice. I'm quite pleased with mine. All of these should work on your EOS 3, as well as the Rebel. For an ultra wide, the Sigma 12-24 is the only lens I know of that wide that will give you full frame coverage.

Thanks :) I had planned on getting the 17-40. Yeah it is a bit more than usual but it does seem like the best choice. I know it will be different on the rebel too but since I got the EOS 3 I have been shooting mostly film anyway, I just didn't want to spend the money if it wouldn't work on both. My first choice was the 50mm but like Buck said, it just wasn't big enough and the 28-135 seemed to have somewhat less than average reviews from what I found (not bad, but not really that great either). I will for sure check out the 24 as well. Thanks for all the responses

I have the 17-40L and it is a great piece of glass. However on the XTi it really isn't wide enough for some situations my 40D. For that reason I also have the sigma 10-20 which I really love for true wide angle shots. However since you also intend to use it on an EOS-3 the 17-40 will work on both, you will see a major difference in coverage between the two cameras.

If money is no object, I might lean towards the tilt and shift family of Canon lenses.