Help me pick my lens!!!!

Photolistic wrote in post #2030384
so basically I should buy one lens at at time and buy all L lenses?

Not at all Photolistic. If you just hung around messageboards all day discussing what the worlds best lenses were and pixel peeped rather than looking at real world results, then you'd have the right idea.

You can get ALOT of value and cover alot of kit with $1500 to spend. If you're primarilly concerned with results you should be fine. There's alot of non-L Canon lenses and third party lenses that deliver the bulk of performance at a fraction of the cost of their L counterparts. That's not to say that you shouldn't buy L lenses, I have one and plan on adding a 2nd very soon.

It's about what will meet your needs at a budget you can afford. Perhaps getting good consistent performing lenses to cover all your subjects/focal lengths at once would suit you best, but would you be happy with that in the long term? Would you be happier getting one lens at a time but getting the best you possibly can for each application?

Some suggestions...

Portrait - 50mm 1.8, 50mm 1.4, or 85mm 1.8 are all terrific portrait lenses that won't break the bank. A fast aperture medium zoom lens could work too such as the Tamron 28-75 or the Sigma 17-70 DC (I've seen some nice portraits done with this lens)

Macro - I have the 100 F/2.8 Macro and love it, the EF-S 60mm is another good Canon alternative. Sigma makes a 105 F/2.8 EX macro that is optically stellar and cheaper than the Canon.

Zoom - I'll just assume you're looking for a long zoom, what kind of subjects/range are you looking for? For wildlife the Tokina 80-400 delivers alot of value and has been talked about here recently. I have a Sigma 70-300 that is really quite good for the money I spent (I'm upgrading my telephoto soon though). My top three choices for non-bank-breaking zooms would be: Sigma 70-200 F/2.8 (if you need the speed), Canon 70-300 IS (you mentioned wanting IS), or the 70-200 F/4 L.

EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

This is the lens I was looking at. What lens could I buy that is sigma or another off brand that is the same quality but saves a little money?

Photolistic wrote in post #2030537
EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

This is the lens I was looking at. What lens could I buy that is sigma or another off brand that is the same quality but saves a little money?

Quality? If you are referring to image quality, then some would say the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 is "comparable". It's an 'EX', which is Sigma's exceptional quality designation. Many of the well-versed, highly experienced, extremely knowledgeable members here will probably tell you that the build quality of the Canon is superior. Furthermore, it doesn't have IS and, in fact, I believe there are no 3rd party telezooms with an image stabilization system other than the Sigma 80-400. There is no other lens that offers the zoom range, quality and features of the Canon.

Well Runninmann you're right, the 70-200 F/2.8 IS L is suppossed to be THE ultimate zoom lens. If the OP was looking at the 70-200 F/2.8 Non-IS then the Sigma would be a great money saving option.

Well if it does not have IS and slow focus I might as well buy the Canon. Is the 80-400 a good lens?

Tareq wrote in post #2027241
... if not satisfied with few lenses then the best solution is to get at least 10 lenses vary between zooms and primes ...

Good grief man... that's some advice for someone on a realistic starter budget!

Photolistic wrote in post #2030979
Well if it does not have IS and slow focus I might as well buy the Canon. Is the 80-400 a good lens?

Well, the 70-200 2.8 IS is more than your budget unless you can find a cheap used one. Also, I'm not sure the Sigma would be considered to have "slow" focus. I remember a couple of threads on the Sigma 80-400 a few months ago. If you search, I would imagine you can find a few user reviews and sample images.

Photolistic wrote in post #2030979
... Is the 80-400 a good lens?

I think that this is a pretty decent lens, but it's no 100-400 L. It's quite sharp, and it has OS, but I find the focusing to be a tad slow, particularly when compared to the Sigma lenses with HSM. For my money, I think I'd look at the Sigma 100-300 f/4. My reason being is that you lose a bit of reach and OS, but you get a sharper lens that includes HSM, doesn't extend during zooming, and that weighs a couple hundred grams less... not to mention the fact that it will save you some pennies considering your budget.

What is the reason I would want the aperture to stay the same throughout the whole zoom?


IIs it that imptortant or should I get the canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM??

Well, it really depends on shooting preference. However, having a constant aperture zoom prevents your exposure from changing as you zoom to frame your subject (though this may or may not be a problem, depending on your shooting mode). Personally, not having a constant aperture zoom drives me nuts... but then again, on some zoom ranges there is simply no other option.

Is it just me, or is your budget slowly expanding?

I think it all boils down to the type of shooting you plan to do and the amount of ambient light typically available. Most of my lenses are primes because the lighting in venues where I shoot is poor. While my 70-200 f/4L is a fine lens in good light, I rue the day I purchased it, as it does little good for me most of the time. I just ordered the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 through the school for my yearbook staff and am looking forward to the greater versatility of a faster telephoto zoom. From now on, I refuse to order anything slower than f/2.8 even if it has IS as the extra stop of light is much more important to me. You just have to decide what your particular needs as a photographer are and purchase accordingly.

Well I have about $1500. I think I want an L zoom lens.

Constant app would be nice. I also want IS.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
is going on ebay for $900-1000 new if you find a deal.

SimonG wrote in post #2031011
Good grief man... that's some advice for someone on a realistic starter budget!

The problem is that this forum is full of reviews on all lenses almost and still starters or beginners keep asking questions about the best lens or best body and which one is cheaper and so? i don't think even if we post all lenses full reviews with good cheap prices that these questions will stop.

SimonG wrote in post #2031144
Is it just me, or is your budget slowly expanding?

It's called PEAS - Photographic Equipment Acquisition Syndrome. It starts out as an idea that you can get exactly what you need for for XXXX units of currency. Then, you come to POTN and your head becomes filled with many recommendations that far exceed XXXX. Finally, it progresses to maxed out credit cards, peanut butter & jelly for lunch and ramen for dinner. It is incurable and periods of remission are shot-lived.

Photolistic wrote in post #2031161
Well I have about $1500. I think I want an L zoom lens.

Constant app would be nice. I also want IS.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
is going on ebay for $900-1000 new if you find a deal.

If you see a new 70-200 f/2.8L IS on ebay for less than 1400 bucks...run...don't walk...sprint away from there. It is a scam. Canon does not give away new copies of this lens to anyone. Buying lenses on ebay is not a great idea unless you can afford to take some serious risks with your hard earned money. Stick with an honest retailer or if you really want to try a used lens....check the buy and sell forums here and at FredMiranda.com