Your top 3 "bang for buck" lenses?

Full frame?

1. Canon EF 50mm f1.4 (though I like the Sigma better)
2. Canon 24-105mm f4L (great usable range)
3. Canon 70-200mm f4L

Crop?

1. Sigma 30mm EX (the reason I got the Sigma 50)
2. Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 non-VC (loved this, though loud)
3. Canon 70-200 f4L

17-40mm L F4
24-105mm L F4 IS
70-200mm L F4 IS

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the 16-35mm II, THE BEST UWA Zoom I have ever used and owned, photos get that WOW pop to them but for the sake of cost in this lineup I chose the 17-40mm which also produces awesome photos.

I actually have a couple Top 3's but the one above is the one I have had, plus the 16-35mm. :}

The other top 3 that I have owned is this one below.
Though I only got to borrow the 70-200mm 2.8 IS in this one.

16-35mm L 2.8
24-70mm L 2.8
70-200mm L 2.8 IS

I prefer IS and had the 24-70mm II came with IS, that would rank as my #1 top 3.

Canon EF-s 10-22
70-200 4 non is
50 1.8 ii

Canon 10-22
Tamron 17-50 2.8 non vc
Sigma 70-200 2.8 OS

This lineup on crop is very hard to beat.

For me, the EF 85mm f/1.8 and 135L.

I have them both and they produce amazing results.

1. Canon EF 28mm f/1.8
2. Canon EF 50mm f/1.4
3. Canon EF 100mm f/1.8

I'd also mention in des patches the Tamron 17-50mm non VC having owned and used for just over a year now, but the primes just shade it for me...

Canon 15-85mm
Sigma 30mm
Canon 70-200 f/4 IS

85 1.8
28-75mm
Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6

You can get top notch image quality of each of these lenses and each one is less than $500.

I "might" have to make my top 3 a top 5... Original post was:

55-250mm IS
70-200mm f/4L
17-40mm f/4L

But with the release of the 40mm pancake, I'm sure lots of people are going to want to add that to the list. From what I've seen so far it's a great little lens. I will be getting mine tomorrow so I can make an informed decision then. Also, I'd have to add the 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM *only when bought used* because it is an awesome lens, but the retail price is terrible. Used, I found my current for $150, and others I have found for $225.

vspector wrote in post #14607105
This is like asking which lenses do you own?
No one wants to admit they overpaid for a lens....

Oh yeah, sorry, my 200mm f/2L IS is def in my top 3 bang for buck because it's sharp and sooooooo cheap......

Canon 18-135mm STM

Believe it or not it's a kit lens that comes with the T4i. It isn't half bad. I'm actually shocked how great this lens is... for what it is.

17-40 F4
70-200 F4 (non IS)
200 2.8II

For FF:
1. C 135L
2. C 35L
3. C 70-200L f2.8 IS

then
C 16-35L
C 85mm f1.8
C 100-400L

Canon 70-300mm IS USM (The Non L version)
EF 85/1.8
Canon 18-55 IS III

If someone took a tally of this thread I think the clear winner would be the 85mm f/1.8..

1. Sigma 30 1.4
2. Canon 85 1.8
3. Canon 70-200 4.0