Help me pick my lens!!!!

I have no use for a wide lens. I shoot sports, not landscapes.

What are you planning on shooting?

Photolistic wrote in post #2015629
I do not know much about lenses. I just got a Canon 30D with a 18-55 kit lens.

I am thinking three lenses maybe

macro
portrait
and zoom

I am looking at spending about $1000-1500 maybe???

I would like stabilization on them too.

Any help please?

rklepper wrote in post #2024618
What are you planning on shooting?

That's the best answer so far !

Seriously though Photolistic, it would maybe narrow down the recommendations made here.

I don't think you'll get IS on a prime portrait lens or macro though.

Tokina 12-24mm
Tamron 28-75mm
Canon 50mm f/1.4
Canon 70-200 f/2.8 or f/4

Prioritize. The above list should be an overall no-regrets package, even though its over budget.

macro
100mm f/2.8 canon $400
zoom
70-200 F/4 $500
Portrait
85 1.8 or 50 1.8 or 50 1.4
general zoom
28-75 2.8 $300 used

all for 1500

its what i have - the 50+85 and its great.. very sharp!

17-40 f/4L
100mm Macro
70-200 f/4L

For about $1,500.00 I don't think you could do better in terms of value, IQ, resale, etc.

calicokat wrote in post #2016438
I'd look at the Canon EF-S 17-55 F/2.8L IS and the EF-S 60 Macro. Covers all your needs for close to $1500

Now stop that. It's no L.

Here is what I'd get:

For macro & wide - Sigma 17-70 2.8-4.5 DC macro
portrait - Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 or f/1.4
and zoom - 70-200 f/4

Janika wrote in post #2026618
Here is what I'd get:

For macro & wide - Sigma 17-70 2.8-4.5 DC macro

Unless the OP wants true macro

Macro:
EF 100mm f2.8 Macro

Portrait:
EF 50mm f1.4
EF 85mm f1.8 II

Zoom:
EF 70-200mm f2.8 (IS or non IS) or f4(cheaper)

JNunn wrote in post #2026317
17-40 f/4L
100mm Macro
70-200 f/4L

For about $1,500.00 I don't think you could do better in terms of value, IQ, resale, etc.

I have Canon's 100mm macro and it just does not get any better, however, the OP still needs something in the 50-60mm range for head and shoulder portraits. Thus, the 60mm macro (and a damn fine lens in it's own right) would be a better choice than the 100mm macro. Also a bit over budget but closer.

Tareq wrote in post #2026703
Macro:
EF 100mm f2.8 Macro

Portrait:
EF 50mm f1.4
EF 85mm f1.8 II

Zoom:
EF 70-200mm f2.8 (IS or non IS) or f4(cheaper)

So the widest focal length then is 50 or 70mm?

there are some lenses which do the job very well.
if not satisfied with few lenses then the best solution is to get at least 10 lenses vary between zooms and primes
i completed my zoom ranges, now i am thinking to go with primes.

Don't be so quick to discount that 18-55mm "kit" lens. It can be a good preformer. There have been many side by side tests done with it compared to the 17-40"L" lens and it proved to be a good lens.

tbfoto wrote in post #2027384
Don't be so quick to discount that 18-55mm "kit" lens. It can be a good preformer. There have been many side by side tests done with it compared to the 17-40"L" lens and it proved to be a good lens.

I had the "kit" lens, it came with my 20D. I'm not saying it won't take a picture but I found it to be 'junkie' both build and optic wise.

so basically I should buy one lens at at time and buy all L lenses?