Need help- lens selection

[ghazgal]

Hello, I just purchased my 20 D yesterday. I am hoping that some of you can help me so that I can get up and running faster. I justified my purchase of this camera by expecting to be able to do some photos of my dogs and most important our horses. I want to do the following
1.) Close up portraits of our dogs

2.) Horse head portraits

and most important - action shots of our horses in harness at the trot and foals running around in the pasture. All photos will be taken in good to excellent light condtions.
Can you help me pickout the correct lens that I shoul purchase. Thank you so much for your help.

[blue_max]

Think you may be looking at a zoom. Is money an object at all?

Graham

[ghazgal]

I would like to stay under $1500. Thanks

[Mills]

24-70 f/2.8L.

Not cheap. Extremely versatile. Almost all of my pictures of my pets, portrait and action, have been made with that lens. And you can use it for almost anything else that you would like.

[blue_max]

If you find that a little rich for your blood, you could consider maybe the nifty fifty 1.8 for very little money with perhaps a 70-200L f4 for zooming close ups. This would get you up and running for sensible money and still be significantly less than the 24-70.

You could get the fifty and see how if fares and see where your requirements actually are. It's a must have lens anyway.

Graham

[Dante King]

85mm 1.8 usm might do the job well for you and at a reasonable price.

[blue_max]

Agree that the 85 is a cracker as it's my only lens, but if you were in a stable and trying to shoot a horses head, it might be a little close – and in a paddock, it might be a little far. If you bought the 85 and the went on to get the 70-200, you might be stuck for a little wider. Getting the 50 first would give you an indication and still be valid if you needed a tele zoom or indeed thought the 85 was the way to go.

There may be potentially quite a range required, so maybe the classic 17-40, 50, 70-200 may be the way you will eventually end up (and hence the 50 recommendation to start).

That's my take anyway.

Cheers

Graham

[ghazgal]

Thanks i'm gonna go check out B & H.

[mdclaros]

How about the 16-70mm L f2.8?
It is a great lense and not very expensive. I mean it will be in your budget. And the image quality is amazing.
Much better performance than its predecesor 17-70mm.
Manuel

[Jon]

http://www.potomacpekes.org/rescues/Rescue_-_Molly.JPG

Second the 24-70 f/2.8. That's what I use for canine candids and portraits.

[ghazgal]

Jon, Love the dog!! Ihave 2 Pugs and a Japanese Chin just waiting to have their new digi portrait done! Gonna get the 24-70 . Thanks

[Jon]

Molly's one of our Pekingese club's fosters, looking, but not too hard, for a new home. I expect to give the 24-70 a workout later this month though, since I'm going to be doing Peke portraits at the club picnic.