Time Sensitive Lens Question

All--

Here's my dilemma...I think you will find this funny (because it's NOT YOU)!

My wife and I are leaving for a two week vacation in Spain this Saturday. I currently own the D30 with the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L lens. Because we recently broke our Olympus 3040 Zoom (35-105mm) (remember my previous post?), we decided to buy the Sigma 20mm f/1.8 lens. Well, it turns out that the 20mm lens is not going to make it on time. Nor will we get our Olympus 3040 back (btw...it amazingly only cost $179 to get it fixed by Olympus)...so you can see we have a BIG problem taking scenic shots.

What would you do?

1 - Buy another Sigma 20mm lens locally for $419 + tax and sell one of them when you return? Keep in mind the other one I bought is used (from eBay) for $278 and is supposedly in excellent condition. Looked like it from the photos as well. Means I'll probably lost a hundred or so bucks.

OR

2 - Buy a Canon 28-70mm f/2.8L that will be an excellent lens to partner with the 20mm and the 70-200mm? However, it costs $1232 + taxes locally. But it probably is a lens that we would have gotten anyway...just not for another 4-6 months or so.

OR

3 - Rent a lens (20-35 or 28-70 or something like that) for under $150, knowing that if something happens to the lens that you have to pay TOP DOLLAR to replace it (quoted like $1500)!!!

OR

4 - See it as fate and just lug over one lens...the 70-200mm.

Remember, I have to make this decision in, like, 14 hours...nothing like a little stress, eh? Aren't you glad this isn't you!

--Brandon

This certainly is difficult to answer, but since you asked, I'd buy the new 20mm. Sigma and try to dump the used lens as soon as it arrives. I wouldn't hamper a wonderful vacation by spending over budget on a high end lens like the Canon 28-70.

Newbie

If you are confident that you will buy the 28-70 in 4 months anyway, I would buy that lens now and travel with the two lenses.

PJ

The 28-70 f/2.8 is a great lens but the 28mm may be a little too long for true scenic (the angle resulting from the x1.6 of the D30...). If I remember Canon makes a 17 or 26-35 or so, that may be better..but it's L lens rather expensive. I vote the for the Sigma 20mm.

Have a great time!

Phil

I have a 20-35 f 2.8 -3.5 that I like. I also have a 28-135 IS , I use it for just about everything. Yhe IS is a big plus for sharper images.
I would not take over 2 lenses. What kind of photography do you do? I scenes then go for wider angle, if general photography,then go for the 28-135 IS lens. I its low light you fear or just want a fast lens then the 28 -70 F2.8 would be best. before you go check out Fred's web sight and get an idea from the PS actions http://www.fredmiranda​.com/ For senic photography the dynamic range action will help out alot. Best luck Michael