Critique my lens list?

I've acquired a 350D and am building a list of lenses to go with the body. Thanks to POTN, I've spend countless hours reading FAQs and a pretty wide range of lens-discussion (argument?) threads, looking for guidance from passionate people.

I'm new to DSLR, went there to improve images in the following areas:
- Low-light, indoor family shots (my SD300 fails miserably)
- Vacation and world-travel landscapes
- Car shows, car club gatherings
- Automobile racing (F1, ALMS)

Here's my current list of lenses to buy, with (intended use):
- EF-S 18-55 (kit lens, cheap way to get started)
- EF 50mm f/1.8 II (Thrifty-Fifty for portaits, bokeh experiments, portraits)
- EF-S 10-22 f/3.5-4.5 USM (landscapes, auto interiors)
- EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM (walk-about, low-light family shots)
- EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM (nature, auto racing)
- Kenko 1.5x TC (for the 70-300, Kenko because the Canon TC won't work with lens)

Yes, there is a conspicuous absence of "L" lenses. Due to my beginner status, I think it will be quite some time before I find the limits of even the lenses listed. Just with the listed lenses, plus hoods & pouches, I'll already be helping B&H pay their light bill -- to the tune of about $2,600!

Question: Is picking up an extra 7mm of wide angle really worth the extra $700 for the 10-22? I'm thinking about just using the kit lense until the 17-55 is available and seeing if 17mm does the job.

Thoughts, jibes, and criticisms are welcome! Thanks for reading...

Wow, why spend so much more money? If the 350 is new, play with it for a while. You have more equipment than most of us already. I got my first L lens last month and I've been a "powerful amateur" for about 4 years. A DSLR is not anything like a good P&S, as I learned the hard way. If you are familiar with PhotoShop or do post-processing, that is vital to good pictures as well. Your list is quite good, and 10-22 is a great lens, but there's so much you can do right now with what you have. Enjoy the great stuff for a few weeks and then decide. You may find out you have too many lenses to take around.

Thanks for the quick reply, Suzy. Perhaps I've been reading too much about 'needs' for capturing good shots!

Actually, I kind of thought that DSLR photography was a little like deciding to work on your own cars -- starting out with only a screwdriver and 1 cheap wrench set will just result in frustration. The right tools make all the difference...

The analogy might not apply since photography is more art than hardware.

I think it would be a mistake to buy everything at once. Get your camera and a single lens to start with. Spend some time learning how to use it and discovering the limitations of your first lens. The ultrawides are fairly specialized, and if I had followed my own advice instead of rushing to buy, I probably would have went a different direction.

I agree with Suzy. Wait....or at least start out slow, get a lens and try it/get used to it in the conditions you intend to use it most. I don't understand why you would want the 18-55 and 17-85. I got the 17-85 as a starter lens with my 20D in October and just traded it up to the 24-70, because I need the versatility with a fast aperture for low light conditions. Good luck with your lenses and you will have a blast learning what they all can do! Want to see some pictures!

Yes, I agree - work your way up slowly. Start simple and see what you cannot do. Only buy a another lens when it is needed to get certain shots - not because it sounds good on paper. I'd start with a 50/1.8 and a Tamron 28-75/2.8

First you need to find out what size screwdiver and wrench you will need to do your work

No good buying a bag full of lenses that you may never use... If the camera came with the kit lens use that and keep checking the Exif to see which focal lengths you use most often... Also mentally record the times when it will just not get you close enough or when you can't get a wide enough view... All this will help you determine any short comings in your lenses so you will know what you need and not what you think you might need...

Thanks for the responses. A bit surprising, but good advice. I had expected exactly the opposite -- buy more, buy "L".

I already have the kit lens, Thrifty Fifty, and the 70-300. Sounds like I'd be well served in learning where my style of shooting is limited by glass, THEN take action.

Good thoughts, thanks.

great advice. there's a difference between what you need and what others think you need.

ed rader

I agree with everthing that has been said. Work with the kit lens to start. Maybe consider getting a telephoto zoom lens for your racing work, but don't go any furthur than that. Perhaps the next step would be the 50mm prime. But as was mentioned, take it slow. This process could take months or years. From my experience, you will begin to have a "feeling" of what could make your shots better- you shouldn't jump the gun and guess what lens that will be. Just take your time and enjoy.

BradS wrote:
Thanks for the quick reply, Suzy. Perhaps I've been reading too much about 'needs' for capturing good shots!

Yikes.

If you want to be a lense collector, by all means keep reading that stuff. If you want to be a good photographer you're better off going out and spending most of your time taking photos. At that point YOU will know very well what you want or don't want in a lense. I'm sure if you spend some time looking around the forum you can find several dozen people who spent thousands on everything they "need" for capturing good shots and still can't seem to find that elusive "good photo" anywhere they look...

Well said Eltwitcho. I almost fell into that trap. I can thank God for being broke and POTN for setting me straight. I ended up realizing the 18-55 was not enough for the nature in my area or the fast cars and baseballs....read all about the 70-200 4L, went to the right person and picked one up used for an awesome price....found that between both lenses i get pretty much everything i want cept for the hawks im dyin to shoot...i am now strongly considering the Bigma and im thinking by the time i am able to afford it i should be good to go.....unless of course i go get the nifty fifty...lol....I think that with those four lenses i would consider my collection complete...maybe sell and upgrade in the future.....so see Brad, listen to these guys they know what they are talkin about. They have saved me so much frustration and money....knowledge is power!

a bunch of lenses wont do anything to get you take great shots. its training your eye to see and using a camera to capture it. i say practice with what you have for now. even working in/with constraints can be fun

http://www.photography​-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=144158

Lord_Malone wrote:
To start with, get the "nifty" and beat the hell out of it during your learning phase. Eventually, you'll realize what you need and will adjust accordingly. Your lens collection will gradually grow as you do.

elTwitcho could not have said it any better. You really need to establish your needs first before buying your gear. I didn't get my 75-300mm lens until I knew I would need it, and had a use for the reach. I bought the 50mm with my 20D which I already knew I needed it. I used that lens more often than any other up until recently when I got the 28-105mm.