Which lens to get ....?

I've received some extra cash, not a whole lot, and my significant other already has plans to spend it, but she says that I should buy something for myself first. Having been granted permission to spend my own money,I don't want to miss this opportunity.

what's your shooting style?

what do you find about your current kit that is restricting you ?

You seem to have a lot of close-ups in your photostream, so I would recommend a macro lens. Sell the 50 f/1.8 and get the EF-S 60mm. Great for both macro and portraits.

bigC wrote in post #14704550
Canon 24mm or 28mm f/2.8, 50mm macro f/2.5, 35mm f/2, 85mm f/1.8 or 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Ok.. why do you mention the 50 CM(when you already own a 50mm)? Are you interested in any way, in macro? If so.. look for a used EF100/2.8 USM or a EF-S 60/2.8...or if you can afford.. a new one.

Ilovetheleafs wrote in post #14704564
what's your shooting style?

I love the nifty fifty, it's probably the lens I use most. But sometimes I find it limiting. The 85mm might be better for portraits, but the 28mm may be better for a combo of landscapes and portraits.

les_au wrote in post #14704579
what do you find about your current kit that is restricting you ?

Good question. I'd like an all-purpose lens, hence I'm looking at the 18-135 as a replacement for the 18-55mm, but then I wonder how often I'd use the extreme range of that lens. I do like primes as it makes you work more for the shot.

100mm 2.8L would be a nice addition to your kit.

1Tanker wrote in post #14704592
Ok.. why do you mention the 50 CM(when you already own a 50mm)? Are you interested in any way, in macro? If so.. look for a used EF100/2.8 USM or a EF-S 60/2.8...or if you can afford.. a new one.

Oh, I thought there was a difference between the 500mm and the 50mm macro lol; I'll look into those lenses you mentioned.

The only thing you don't already have somewhat have covered is a macro lens. So my suggestion is a macro. I would skip the 50mm CM and get the 100mm non-L macro, as it is a better lens.

Something else you may want to think about getting instead of a new lens, as you seem to have range pretty well covered (barring true macro), would be more lighting. It all depends on what type of shooting you like, but I kind of think you're limiting yourself with only one flash, and that seems to be on-camera only. Just a thought.

rick_reno wrote in post #14704611
100mm 2.8L would be a nice addition to your kit.

While I don't know what BigC likes to shoot, I will second that.

consider trading in the Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 EF-S IS, Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro for some L lens ? 17-40, 70-200F4L / 70-300L & 100L ?

Having quality glass would be a better option than a few lenses to cover all ranges.

lensmen wrote in post #14704944
While I don't know what BigC likes to shoot, I will second that.

consider trading in the Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 EF-S IS, Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro for some L lens ? 17-40, 70-200F4L / 70-300L & 100L ?

Having quality glass would be a better option than a few lenses to cover all ranges.

I concur to this option as well, time to upgrade your lens to L series lens. the 17-40L series seems to be a great choice for a lot of photographer or the 16-35L series. I know your on a budget but its better to invest on a nice lens because in the long run, you'll be trading or selling your crop lens for a better lens

I agree with the posts about a macro lens - the 100mm f2.8 is great and can be found used at a good price. Another option would be to dump the Sigma 70-300 and get something better - maybe the 55-250?

after having a look at your flicker, i am with the others here a macro of some kind would probably fit very nicely with your kit, and there a lots of them to choose from

People seem to have missed:

bigC wrote in post #14704550
I can't blow my brains out with L-series lenses unfortunately, so I have to be somewhat budget minded.

so if you are considering a macro lens, maybe look at the non-L Canon 100mm f2.8 macro, which is a really nice lens... either that or the Canon 60mm macro, but seeing as you already have a 50mm, the 100mm might be more diverse for you.