Lens Recommendations from Ritz camera?

Hi I am new to this forum. I recently received a gift card for $250 to Ritz camera. I have read a lot of the threads here but I cannot figure out what lens would be the best and still in my budget.

Here is a list of what I currently have:

Canon EOS Digital Rebel
Canon 18-55mm f 3.5-5.6
Canon EF 75-300mm f4.5-5.6 IS USM
Canon Speedlite 420EX
Canon RC-1 remote

Leftovers from film Rebel rarely used anymore:
Quantaray 28-90mm f 3.5-5.6
Quantaray 100-300mm f 4.5-6.7 LDO (Should I chuck these in the dumpster?)

Any recommendations?

I know Ritz is not the best for pricing. I am willing to add some cash to the GC (up to $350 total price) but not sure if I should look for a faster lens, or a macro or wide angle. We are planning a trip out to the rocky mountains in the spring, so I would like some nice landscape shots, other than that I mostly take nature and garden photos.

Thanks for any help! Donna

The 50mm f/1.8 would be a nice addition to your kit. If you really want to spend $350, then you could get the 50mm f/1.4 instead. Both lenses are about as fast as they come and pretty sharp. The 1.4 will stay with you forever

Welcome to the forums!

I would buy a 50mm 1.4 but it may not be wide enough for what you are looking for. It's fast, great quality and in your budget.

Great thread. I also received a gift card from Ritz, and was wondering how I was going to blow it. The 50mm 1.4 is intriguing. I know I will overpay at Ritz, but I'll only overpay with some of my money.

Can I recommend anywhere else but Ritz? That store......blah.

Canon's 50 1.4
Sigma's 30 1.4

Two primes that are reasonably priced.

STAY AWAY from the Quantaray brand. Buy Canon lenses from Ritz, but stay away from their Quantaray junk.

My local Ritz (wolf) was willing to price match both Calumet and BHphoto. The downside was it usually took some time to order the gear as Ritz instore stock usually sucks.

Here we go again with Ritz, but I think the 50 1.4 is the best bet. I just got mine 2 weeks ago and I took it to NYC and got some amazing pictures. It is worth the extra money. Also, the 85 1.8 is a wonderful lens if you want to get spend a little more. Both lenses are solid in you hand. Ritz doesn't sell anything interesting like diffusers and reflectors and such. If I had a $200 gift certificate, I'd spend a little more and get the 17-40 L. That is a great lens.
Happy Spending!

SuzyView
10D and loving it!

B and H have the Canon 50 f/1.8 for about $80.00 and the 1.4 for about $320.00. I'd get the 1.8 and as large a CF microdrive you can get with the gift card and be happy.

I have a 2GB Hitachi Microdrive I purchased at Ritz and have been very happy with it. I was not impressed with the store or quality or the Quantray lenses. The store I was in had no Canon lenses and were only interested in pushing their brand.

First of all, thank you for the recommendations! GGGrrrr...Ritz is so expensive! Better deals everywhere else!

This is all they have on their site for 50mm...
Canon - 50mm EF F1.4 USM Lens - Cash-In with Canon - Rebate Amount $15.00, Final Cost $404.99.....Robbers! only $294 after rebate at Beach Camera.

Guess I'll wait til after christmas and see if they add the F1.8 later on...or maybe I'll get some $$$ for christmas, and just buy it.

How would the pictures taken with the above lens compare to those shot at 50 mm with the 18-55 rebel kit lens that I have. Sharper? Faster speed = shorter exposure times? I am still reading Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson LOL!

They also have this one in my sorta price range...but is it any good?
Canon - 24mm f/2.8 USM EF Lens $384.99
Desription....Many photographers prefer the broad, 74 degree wide angle view afforded by a 24mm lens and the 9 extra degrees of viewing angle that it gives over the 28mm is immediately evident in any tight shooting situation. Bright, lightweight and especially useful for rendering sweeping landscapes or tight city streets or cathedral interiors, the 24mm is the traveler's lens.

Thanks for helping out us Newbies!
Donna

PS Yes I read the post Quantaray = Poop
My Hubby bought my Quantaray lenses with my first camera...film Canon Rebel...after recommendation from Ritz of course, and now even I can see the difference in a better lens.

welcome! go cash it in and buy in a more price level environment.

Believe me I wish I could cash it in, but it can only be spent at Ritz or Wolf camera shops. It was a five year service gift from my company so I can't whine over it...they are very generous, and like to give personalized awards.

I just want to get the best deal I can with it!

Donna

If it were me I would put up the extra and get the 50 f1.4. The 1.8 is just too flimsy to be of much use in the long run.

Forget the Quantaray lenses... speaking from experiences. If they have the Canon 50 1.4 or Just get CF cards from Ritz.

Sell the 2 Quantarray lenses you have and the 18-55 for a LITTLE extra cash. Then take the money from the lenses, the GC, and the extra $100 you want to spend and buy the 17-40L.