3rd lens for a Crop?

Hi first post! Anyhow, going to Hawaii next month bringing along my T2i. So far have a Sigma 30mm and Tokina 11-16mm. Im totally undecided on what to bring as the 3rd lens, obviously looking at something on the longer focal range. Looking for something that will handle action, as well as deliver nice portrait shots without being "up in someones grill". To give you an idea of what I usually like to shoot, my everyday lens is the 30mm enjoy being able to get photos indoors and in low light. Tend to like portrait/macro style shots, they feel more personal to me. I also enjoy camping and being active, so looking for a lens that would compliment my hobbies.

Current options looking at for my CROP:

Canon 85mm 1.8 (cheap!)
Sigma 85mm 1.4 (heard its on par with canon 1.2)
Canon 135L (heard it's sharp, concerned might be bothered by length)
Canon 70-200 L 4.0 IS (like the zoom, highly considering this)
Canon 70-200 L 2.8 IS II (heard this is the best of the best, but 99% sure this is totally outta my price range)

Opinions appreciated!

All are great lenses, so you cant really go wrong there. If you are leaning toward the 70-200 F4 IS I cant say anything bad about it if you can live with F4. I love mine.

Canon 70-200L f4 IS or also consider the 70-300L IS for that extra reach and if you have the extra cash.

gonzogolf wrote in post #12689968
All are great lenses, so you cant really go wrong there. If you are leaning toward the 70-200 F4 IS I cant say anything bad about it if you can live with F4. I love mine.

I agree with this.

rodleviton wrote in post #12689974
Canon 70-200L f4 IS or also consider the 70-300L IS for that extra reach and if you have the extra cash.

I haven't researched the 70-300L much - in a nutshell is it as sharp as the 70-200 4.0?

um....i think all of the options are bad....

You need longer focal range, but jumping from 30mm (longest atm) to 70mm, there's a big gap in between?

i think what you need is a more general zoom lens such as the 17-55 or 15-85....

You can then save up and get the 70-200 later.

Both are very sharp indeed, so nothing to worry about there.

ar10 wrote in post #12690015
I haven't researched the 70-300L much - in a nutshell is it as sharp as the 70-200 4.0?

Not the F4IS. Until they introduced the 2.8IS MKII the F4IS was canons sharpest zoom lens.

Madweasel wrote in post #12690044
Both are very sharp indeed, so nothing to worry about there.

not quite. I believe the 70-300 is sharp, but not F4 IS sharp

kin2son wrote in post #12690048
not quite. I believe the 70-300 is sharp, but not F4 IS sharp

All things are relative and the question becomes how sharp is sharp? The McLaren F1 is fast, but not Bugatti Veyron fast. I would just say both are fast, same as I said both lenses are sharp.

gonzogolf wrote in post #12689968
All are great lenses, so you cant really go wrong there. If you are leaning toward the 70-200 F4 IS I cant say anything bad about it if you can live with F4. I love mine.

I LOVE mine, soo much that even after adding the 2.8L IS II to my bag, I'll STILL never sell mine... the f/4L IS is simply a nearly perfect lens. Get it and enjoy it for years.

Considering the lenses you're looking at, the 2 zooms are actually the widest lenses too... starting at 70mm, considering your longest current focal length is 30mm I think this would be the most logical choice as well. The difference between 30mm and 70mm is pretty huge. Once you get this, your next want will be some zoom to cover 17-70 or 17-50/55.

I second the 17-55mm. Nice walk-around lens (lug around? It's pretty chunky). Also, for a place like Hawaii, you might consider the 100mm macro to capture all the beautiful flora, if you're into that.

Thanks for the suggestions regarding the 17-55mm, I have thought about that as well. Forgot to mention I do have a 50mm 1.8 that I'll probably carry with me to reachout a bit farther than 30mm. With only $1500ish to spend, I think I would get more mileage out of 70-200 type lens. Since i frequently use my prime to shoot, im very used to shuffling my feet to frame the image.

Pick up the 55-250 @ target for $150 if you can find one and get the 60 macro

ar10 wrote in post #12690279
Thanks for the suggestions regarding the 17-55mm, I have thought about that as well. Forgot to mention I do have a 50mm 1.8 that I'll probably carry with me to reachout a bit farther than 30mm. With only $1500ish to spend, I think I would get more mileage out of 70-200 type lens. Since i frequently use my prime to shoot, im very used to shuffling my feet to frame the image.

then get F4IS, you simply can't go wrong with that