What should I upgrade first/at all?

I currently own a Canon XSi, 85mm 1.8, and a dusty never used kit lens. I shoot mostly portraits almost exclusively.

Budget: $600

I am looking to upgrade my equipment. Since I'm not made of money, I am forced to do this slowly, and one piece of gear at a time.

I looked into getting the 70-200 f/4 non-is L lens...the length seems useful and I am eager to get a taste of that L quality f/4 is not a problem, I usually only shoot outdoors, and if the occasion arises that I NEED a faster lens, I've got my 85. (Also going to repurchase the nifty fifty soon).

My question is: Is it silly to purchase the 70-200 when I already have such a great portrait lens? I understand that the bokeh won't be as 'blurry', but from what I've seen the f/4 creates very smooth and pleasing bokeh.

Or, should I use the $600 to pick up a used T2i or something similar?

I realize it's a matter of opinion, but that's what I would like to hear...opinions!

Thanks in advance for any response.

maybe a 17-50 2.8 from sigma. This would be okay for portraits and give you some flexibility indoors for wider shots too. 85mm is good for head and shoulders on the XSi, but you'd have to be far away from full body shots, so paired with the standard zoom, this would make a nice 2 lens setup impo.

I use primes for portraits, but sometimes I'll put the 10-20mm on for an ultra wide shot too.

It's not silly to purchase a telephoto zoom even you had a great telephoto prime lens, it will complement each other. Most 85L owner had 70-200 too.

I'm a lenaholic, so for the choice is easy - buy glass. Skip the body thing, hell...we can use our IPhones with our lenses now, bodies are so 20th century.

^^ +1 like rick_reno said.

My opinion is going to come from a different perspective; that being, a guy who went out and just bought everything he ever thought he'd need, way over spent, and then ended up selling a lot of gear at a loss to end up with just a couple of lens he actually uses.

My point being that you having a budget and having to buy slow is a Really Good Thing and will prevent you from lossing money on unused equipment.

If you know you mostly short portraits and given the length of your current lens; my suggestion, is that you sell the 85 1.8 and combine the $425 you'd get for it with the $600 you've got already budgetted then look for a 24-70 2.8 selling used for $1050-1150 right now.

I believe if you do this you'll end up with an awesome lens that will produce amazing bokeh and be more versatile; given that you mostly shoot portraits.

Now, the 70-200 is a useful lens, but I have to say that it's the lens I used least often when stir crazy with buying. My two favorite lens; the ones I ended up sticking with, were the 24-70 2.8 and the 300F4.

As far as the body you're currently using, I'd just leave well enough alone there and buy glass. I've seen plenty of guys here shooting old bodies combined with awesome lens and producing amazing shots.

Good Luck with your decision.

joeandpuppies wrote in post #12811755
If you know you mostly short portraits and given the length of your current lens; my suggestion, is that you sell the 85 1.8 and combine the $425 you'd get for it with the $600 you've got already budgetted then look for a 24-70 2.8 selling used for $1050-1150 right now.

have you used the 28-70mm L? it's about $400 less, sharper at 70mm, and has the same great build and focusing of the 24-70mm L. If you were only using the long end, it would make sense to try at least.

digitalrev has a good video here about good glass on less expensive bodies, as opposed to less expensive glass on good bodies, as you can imagine good glass wins.
http://youtu.be/hk5IMm​EDWH4

There will be almost no benefit from upgrading bodies. If you are mainly shooting portraits, you will probably end up wanting to do some full body shots. The tamron 17-50 is very sharp and in your price range. I can't see the 70-200 doing much for you in that regard, being that you already own the 85mm

I really appreciate all of the help and suggestions!

I have decided to upgrade my lens, and have booted the 70-200 f/4 as an option for now. The fact that it was the cheapest L lens was clouding my judgment when it came to the usefulness of the length.

As I understand it, the 24-70 is the updated replacement for the 28-70...which makes it significantly cheaper.
Is there any more L glass that has been updated/replaced by newer versions that I should look into?

Again, I truly appreciate all of the help!

How about lighting gear?

FWIW, I have an XSi and I just replaced my kit lens with the Sigma 17-50 OS HSM. BIG upgrade from the kit, for sure.

It's all about Flash and Glass...

If you looking for kit lens replacement and more oriented to portraits, check Tamron 28-75 2.8.
It has very good reputation on this forum.

Jason L wrote in post #12822656
There will be almost no benefit from upgrading bodies. If you are mainly shooting portraits, you will probably end up wanting to do some full body shots. The tamron 17-50 is very sharp and in your price range. I can't see the 70-200 doing much for you in that regard, being that you already own the 85mm

I agree with Jason. He is right on this one.