Trying to figure out an xmas gift - 7D user new lens options

i'd go with an UWA...

Can I be your sister please? I'm a fifty four year old bloke from the north of England but I'd make a fab sibling and I really REALLY need a 300mm f/2.8 L IS...

Thanks guys - she's in town for thanksgiving starting wednesday so I will make small talk and see where it leads.

Buy her the Canon 85mm f/1.8 lens. I have had mine for a long time, and love it. BTW, do you need an older brother who lives in PA? Part of my Social Security goes to B&H for toys. Older brothers can always use toys. It was worth a try. haha.

Sigma 10-20 or Canon 10-22 hands down. 28mm isn't wide enough for NYC

I'd pick up a used Tokina 11-16 f/2.8.

Built like a tank, takes std 77mm filters, is superbly sharp, and being such a fast UWA, it allows many low-light shots that you'd otherwise need a hotshoe flash on the camera for the slower lenses (as the inbuilt flash cannot cover the UWA FLs without casting major shadow issues.)

EF S 15 to 85mm the only way to go.

As you said that the 100mm macro would be stretching it, i realized you are only selecting LONGER lenses.

I REALLY encourage you to look at the sigma 30mm F1.4 ex hsm.


although after looking at your signature, you have an even spread of all focal lengths. hmmm.....(thinks to self)


the sigma 30 is still pretty slick!

pyrojim wrote in post #13425984
As you said that the 100mm macro would be stretching it, i realized you are only selecting LONGER lenses.

I REALLY encourage you to look at the sigma 30mm F1.4 ex hsm.


although after looking at your signature, you have an even spread of all focal lengths. hmmm.....(thinks to self)


the sigma 30 is still pretty slick!

Unfortunately the 30mm doesn't fit the bill - she has a 28-135 so 30mm is in there granted not at 1.4, but its available if she needed. Right now she doesn't have any lens that A) offers wide angle or B) offers creative depth of field control. Wide angle would work great for shots walking around but its going to be a slower wide angle (the sigma 10-20) so she still needs good available light. The other option I am considering is the 85 because it will let her have fun with the effects of shallow DOF which offers that "This looks really good" ability of taking shots of simple items. I would consider the 50mm 1.4 but I have that lens and she is welcome to borrow it whenever she would like. So, really, I am between a UWA zoom (new) with AF or a longer lens that's fast (new, with AF). Really leaning toward the 85mm 1.8 at this point in time. Either lens needs to be < $500.

And sorry all - not adopting lol.

All - I pulled the trigger today on the 85 1.8. When I think back to when I got hooked on photography with an SLR it was the separation/isolation of things that got me. I had the 50 1.8 and was like "wow" having come from small sensor cameras prior. I see my sister taking more pictures of "things" than "places" so I think the 85 1.8 will do her well. It will let her snap street candids from across a street without being too obvious while also letting her take some creative abstract shots too. Thanks for everyones input!