Lenses I've got: What should be next?

[MDJAK]

1. 17-40 (All Canon, btw.)
2. 28-135 IS
3. 70-300 DO IS (most recent purchase)
4. 70-200 F2.8 IS
5. 100mm macro F2.8
6. 1.4 teleconverter II.


What am I missing as far as a mainstream lens goes? I shoot a lot of indoor sports for high school teams but feel a prime would limit me. I'm just better with a zoom.

I do like to take candid street shots. I've been using the 70-300 almost exclusively since I bought it a few short weeks ago.

Thanks for your input.
mark
(Don't recommend the 300 F2.8 as I'd have to take out a second mortgage.)

[tim]

Looks like you're done to me, those lenses should cover most situations, except high zoom in very low light. Just go take some pictures and stop worring about what's in your bag! :)

[Adam Hicks]

I know it overlaps focal length wise, but I think you'd be well served with the <$400 Tamron 28-75 2.8 so you have a nice bright walk around lens that's sharper than the Canon 28-135.

I wish you'd have bought the 100-400L over the 70-300 DO. Too much focal length overlap there vs. your 70-200. Maybe use that next lens money to 'upgrade'?

Adam

[MDJAK]

Adam, while I've always considered the 100-400, my main reason for getting the 70-300 is its compact walk-around size.

I have been considering exactly the focal length you recommended 28-70 but I've been coveting the Canon. Every time I consider another manufacturer, I always come back to Canon for their build quality and "feel." I'm in no way putting down "aftermarket" lenses as I have absolutely no experience with them other than holding them in my hand in the store. In comparison to their Canon bretheren, the focus and zoom rings just don't seem to work as smoothly. While I realize they are usually considerably cheaper, I'm a firm believer in you get what you pay for.

[MDJAK]

Looks like you're done to me, those lenses should cover most situations, except high zoom in very low light. Just go take some pictures and stop worring about what's in your bag! :)

Tim, when you say "high zoom in very low light," can you provide me with a specific reference? Also, believe me, I do take pictures. In fact, as the American Express commercial says: Don't leave home without it. I rarely go out without my camera bag. I love taking pictures. Actually, I've been considering whether to keep my 20D as a backup, but with the thousand or so I can probably sell it for, I could get another lens.

[tim]

Tim, when you say "high zoom in very low light," can you provide me with a specific reference?

Not really. I know i'd like a 70-300 F1.4 for indoor low light work, but that's probably not very practical ;)

[MDJAK]

Is there such a lens?

[Adam Hicks]

MDJak... regarding the Canon vs. Tamron thing... in most instances I agree with you. I don't own any Sigmas because I'm not a huge fan, but they have a gem in the 120-300 2.8, just as Tamron has a gem in the 28-75 2.8. It has a five year warranty, so I wouldn't worry about quality. If it makes you feel better you can tape some lead weights to it.

I buy lenses based primarily on image quality, and the Tamron is quite a bit better than the 28-135. As a matter of fact, it's nearly indistinguishable from the Canon L in terms of quality (see for yourself - http://www.photozone.de/2Equipment/easytxt.htm#Zstf) Now look at the Canon 28-135 - http://www.photozone.de/2Equipment/easytxt.htm#Zstd (scroll down a bit.) It's well below the Tamron 28-75 in image quality.

The Canon bigotry is nice and all, but at the end of the day would you rather have the label on the lens or great pictures? If I ever hang a camera on the wall it will definitely be made of all Canon parts. Until then I'll enjoy my $800+ savings and use the_hell out of the Tamron.

:)

Adam

[Tom W]

50/1.4. Got to have a 50!

[tim]

Is there such a lens?

I doubt it, if there is it'd probably have to be huge!

[Europa]

10-22mm

[MDJAK]

Unless I'm mistaken, which is quite possible, the 10-22 doesn't fit the 1 Series. And I do like wide angle. I've seen a whole new view of my 17-40 now that I'm not dealing with the crop factor.

[mdr]

Canon 8mm Fisheye
Canon TSE-24mm for using tilt and shift to correct converging verticals
Canon MPE-65mm for 1-5x life size macro
Canon 1200mm Telephoto

But why? Did you win the lottery? Are you collecting lenses?

First thing to do is get out there and start taking photos. Keep a note of when your lenses constrain you from taking the shot you want. Then get the lens that resolves the recurring constraints.

[Andy_T]

I didn't know there was a Canon 8 mm fisheye.
Only lens in that focal length that I knew of is the Peleng 8 mm fisheye (M42 mount)

I'd second the suggestion of the 50/1.4 and the Tamron 28-75/2.8.

Best regards,
Andy

[HKFEVER]

You are missing:
- 135mm, f/2 L
- 15mm Fisheye
- 85mm f/1.2 L or 85mm f/1.8
- 50mm f/1.4
- 24-70mm f/2.8 L

[pfuller88]

I would recommed some fast primes: 50 1.4 or 85 1.8

On a different note, how do you like your most recent purchase, the 70-300 Do?

[MDJAK]

I would recommed some fast primes: 50 1.4 or 85 1.8

On a different note, how do you like your most recent purchase, the 70-300 Do?


I thought about the 85 1.2 but from what I've read it's quite slow focusing which would drive me crazy.

I really like the 70-300. the main reason I purchased it was to have a walk-around lens that was not too big. However, with the hood, it's not that small.

If you want to see lots of examples of pictures taken with it, go to www.luminouslandscape.com. Almost all his recent pictures during a field trip to Bangladesh were taken with it.
I've tried to post photos on pbase.com, which I recently joined. I succeeded in uploading one photo and have failed miserably when attempting to upload more. I've tried three separate times.

[MDJAK]

Canon 8mm Fisheye
Canon TSE-24mm for using tilt and shift to correct converging verticals
Canon MPE-65mm for 1-5x life size macro
Canon 1200mm Telephoto

But why? Did you win the lottery? Are you collecting lenses?

First thing to do is get out there and start taking photos. Keep a note of when your lenses constrain you from taking the shot you want. Then get the lens that resolves the recurring constraints.


Is that a list of your lenses, or lenses you're suggesting? While I've heard of the 1200mm, even B&H doesn't list it on its website. I understand it's around $25,000, is that right?

[mdr]

I'm suggesting these lenses. The TSE and MPE are also on my wish list, together with the 24-70 f2.8 L and 300 f4 L IS to compliment/replace my current lenses (see signature).

The 1200mm is built to order by Canon, so no-one will stock this beast.

[HKFEVER]

Is that a list of your lenses, or lenses you're suggesting? While I've heard of the 1200mm, even B&H doesn't list it on its website. I understand it's around $25,000, is that right?

1200mm need special order, mostly have to directly order from Canon. If you are a CPS member, In HK, I think they will loan you one (the only one in HK) while you are waiting for the arrival:p .

[Andy_T]

While I've heard of the 1200mm, even B&H doesn't list it on its website. I understand it's around $25,000, is that right?

Canon's German site lists it at EUR 105,000.
Would be about the same in US$, I suppose.
I understand that few forum members plan to get this lens.

(Maybe Adamhicks rents it for a weekend at his incredible camera shop in Dallas, now and then :lol: )

Best regards,
Andy

[mdr]

It's listed at £60,000 in the UK, so if you can get it for $25,000 it's an absolute bargain ;).

I'm sure my wife would definitely kill me (not just treathning to) if I even considered buying one :(.

[Adam Hicks]

LOL no the biggest they have is the 600mm for 50-60 a weekend... I don't know what I'd even *DO* with the 1200mm unless I was shooting the olympics. I've heard the US price on the lens is over $80k. So nuts!

[SDK^]

Sell your 28-135 IS and buy the Canon 24-70L, it's a touch wider, sharper and faster :)

[MDJAK]

If it only had IS. Bet the next generation will. Seriously though, I have always loved that lens. Almost bought it used from another photographer at a high school sporting event who was considering selling it. He wasn't quite sure though. And I actually had enough cash in my pocket that night to make him a very interesting offer.