money to burn...

[bvi steve]

I came into some bucks and now I have about $1500 to spend on primes.
I have a 20D and like to shoot landscapes, flowers, and my new grandson.
These are the canidates:
20mm f/2.8 $400
50mm f/14 $300 or 50mm f1.8 $70
85mm f1.8 $310
135mm f/2L $1000
200mm f/2.8 $600
1.4 ext $290
28mm f1.8 $380

my choices are: 50mm 1.8, 135mm f2L, 28mm f18 = $ 1450
What do you think?

[glowie]

good choice..i guess u know what u want..go for it!

[cjm]

my choices are: 50mm 1.8, 135mm f2L, 28mm f18 = $ 1450
What do you think? Avoid that 28mm f18, thats too slow for anyone ;)

Goood choices if you're sure you like prime lenses.

[mR_CaESaR]

what about a 35f2.0, 50f1.8, 85f1.8 and 135f2.0? That would pretty much cover you with most focal lengths, if you need to go wide, just use the kit lens or your 19-35, do you really need a wide prime, cos with your landscape shots, you will most likely stop down the lens, and the kit lens isn't all that bad if stopped down.

That kit will be priced at $USD1,549.80 before shipping and i think there are a few rebates there that US customers are entitiled for.

[bvi steve]

Avoid that 28mm f18, thats too slow for anyone ;)

Goood choices if you're sure you like prime lenses.

Oops, that should be f1.8.
When I started out that was all I had 35mm, 50mm, 58mm, 135mm, and a 200mm with a 1.4 and a 2x tc. I didn't know about zooms.

[jesusdelallata]

Here are my thoughts:

Sigma 30mm f1.4 HSM / Canon 50mm f1.4 USM / Canon 85mm f1.8 USM / Canon 100mm f2.8 USM Macro

If I'm not mistaken...right around $1,500.00

[Ronald S. Jr.]

Oops, that should be f1.8.
When I started out that was all I had 35mm, 50mm, 58mm, 135mm, and a 200mm with a 1.4 and a 2x tc. I didn't know about zooms.

Pretend you never found out. ;-)

[MDJAK]

Forget the primes. ( I know I can be drawn and quartered around here for saying that.) Add 150 and get the 70-200 f2.8IS. You'll never regret it.

mark

[NBEast]

Wow, what a difference that'll make over your current lineup!

You have a very wide range covered now, looks like you want to fill that quality gap.

Nice choices - I presume your 135L price includes a quality UV filter, but $1000 still seems a tad high. Where you shopping?

So hard to choose, but any choice will work. Even doing as the prior poster states, just get the 70-200 IS. Your extra $150 can come from dumping the 70-300 USM.

[MDJAK]

At a wedding I did this past weekend, the vaunted 135L was the only lens that hunted for focus in the darkish room. Something to consider.

mark

[MDJAK]

Oh, yeah, I think Ron has a 24-70 for sale. You should definitely ask him.:lol:

[yonni]

Here are my thoughts:

Sigma 30mm f1.4 HSM / Canon 50mm f1.4 USM / Canon 85mm f1.8 USM / Canon 100mm f2.8 USM Macro

If I'm not mistaken...right around $1,500.00
I agree. You future flower shots are screaming for the 100 macro.

[morehtml]

At a wedding I did this past weekend, the vaunted 135L was the only lens that hunted for focus in the darkish room. Something to consider.

mark

Wow go figure. I really haven't had much experience with my 135L in low light yet. the 85 usually goes on in dark conditions.

[morehtml]

I came into some bucks and now I have about $1500 to spend on primes.
I have a 20D and like to shoot landscapes, flowers, and my new grandson.
These are the canidates:
20mm f/2.8 $400
50mm f/14 $300 or 50mm f1.8 $70
85mm f1.8 $310
135mm f/2L $1000
200mm f/2.8 $600
1.4 ext $290
28mm f1.8 $380

my choices are: 50mm 1.8, 135mm f2L, 28mm f18 = $ 1450
What do you think?

My vote would be for a 50 1.4, 85mm 1.8 and the 200mm 2.8 if you aren't going to get a 70-200 2.8!

[wizard13]

I have heard some great things about that 135L. Especially the low light focusing.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

Oh, yeah, I think Ron has a 24-70 for sale. You should definitely ask him.:lol:

Don't have one, Mark. Keep looking.

[NBEast]

I have heard some great things about that 135L. Especially the low light focusing.Exact same thing happened to me. Lights dimmed for Dad's speach, bzzzzt pssss bzzz, no photo, switch to manual - good luck with the 20D viewfinder in the dark.

However; small sacrafice considering how all the in-focus ones looked! Just not a cave-dweller's lens.

A quick switch to the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 and focusing was better (not a lens known for low light focus performance).

Note however; the camera's battery ran out about 20 shots later. Hmmm, I think maybe the problem was perhaps external to the camera. That is, after all, a lot of glass to rotate.

[cjm]

If you buy used, you may be able to squeeze one more lens in.

Go for the Nifty 50! That's the 1.8 version because its a steal! Either that or the 50mm Macro. Don't bother with the 1.4 unless you ABSOLUTELY are in love with the cheap Nifty Fifty. And the plastic mount is ok too because the lens weighs nothing. Mine sits on a shelf collecting dust.

[bvi steve]

I agree. You future flower shots are screaming for the 100 macro. Thats an insteresting thought...I hadn't really put a macro in the mix. Makes me go hummmm. (scratches chin).
Thank you all for the great ideas.

[bvi steve]

Thank you all again...Just ordered...
50mm f/1.8
100mm f/2.8 macro
135mm f2.0L
Total with shipping $1,574.30 less $75 in re-bates = $1,499.30 Not bad .30 cents under budget

[cjm]

LOL 30 cents! I guess that pays for a pack of Wrigleys Gum :)
Cant wait to see some sample shots from them.

[yonni]

Thank you all again...Just ordered...
50mm f/1.8
100mm f/2.8 macro
135mm f2.0L
Total with shipping $1,574.30 less $75 in re-bates = $1,499.30 Not bad .30 cents under budget
Great choices. If I may go out on a limb, I predict your next lens to be a......


10-22.

[mrfourcows]

Thank you all again...Just ordered...
50mm f/1.8
100mm f/2.8 macro
135mm f2.0L
Total with shipping $1,574.30 less $75 in re-bates = $1,499.30 Not bad .30 cents under budget

actually its $0.70 under budget

[mebailey]

I would go for one high quality lens. Either the 24-70L or the 35L.

[bvi steve]

actually its $0.70 under budget

Cool, two packs of gum:lol: I forgot that I also got a 77mm cpl for the 135L. They should all be here tomarrow....

[zeker]

Have you considered the Tilt/Shift TS-E 24mm f3.5L? It is useful not only in architectural but also great for landscape, flowers, and other close-up objects. A sharp prime lens by itself - the tilt/shift feature is a bonus. It is really a versatile lens. Costs about $1100.

[steved110]

I prefer zooms for the high $ lenses - much more versatile for my needs, more mm's for $$s so to speak.
The primes i would like are the 85 1.8, the 100mm macro, and the 28 1.8 - I hate the 50mm focal length on my 20D.
This should leave you with a bit left over and I'd strongly suggest selling your 75-300 USM and getting a 70-200 f/4 L - it's what I did and I'm soooo happy with this lens.
Ultimately half the fun is in the choosing, I hope you have a great time

[NBEast]

Have you considered the Tilt/Shift TS-E 24mm f3.5L? It is useful not only in architectural but also great for landscape, flowers, and other close-up objects. A sharp prime lens by itself - the tilt/shift feature is a bonus. It is really a versatile lens. Costs about $1100.Manual focusing is a real drawback on 20D due to small viewfinder FOV and no split-screen assist. Something to consider when recommending this fine lens.

actually its $0.70 under budgetWow, great lenses!

Don't do like I did and get frustrated with the 135mm length on the 20D. It was my best lens but I could only use it 5% of the time. I sold it later for $$ towards the 24-105L, also a fine (and much more used) lens, but now I can't produce what the 135L used to. Treat that 135 like a farmer treats his family land, short of financial collapse, never sell! Instead, sell your furniture, sell your .... (you get the point).