Help me pick my lens!!!!

Sure Tareq, I understand that. Many of us have (or will) get a bit carried away on an equipment purchase from time to time... however, when someone starts with a budget, I think that we as posters could do them a great service to try to stick within it, rather than to fill their heads with notions of needing an "L" or some ten lenses to cover their "needs".

so tell people they need 10 lenses? You do not need ten lenses - Ronald S. Junior is a good example of that - he buys and sells a lot, but he keeps 4-5 lenses max. Even if your on a budget, you only need a few.

Even with a mix of primes and zooms, my ideal setup would only contain about 5 lenses (When I've saved up enough () I'm aiming for the Sigma 17-70, Sigma 30 1.4, 50 (1.4 if I dream), a longer macro (90-105mm) and a telephoto (100-400L IS if I could afford it, otherwise something cheaper...))

10 lenses is ridicoulous - the point of primes is not to have one every 10 or so mm from 20mm to 135mm...they have specific purposes - if you don't like what you see, walk, don't change lenses.

One question.. Will the Canon 100-400 4.5-5.6 zoom lens zoom as far as the 400 2.8 super telephoto lens ?

Photolistic, please don't take offence to this post, but really... if you have to ask a question like that then I think that you'd be better served by doing some reading in the short term, rather than flexing your credit card. There's a ton of information here for you to learn from, and once you've had your camera for a while you will be better able to decide what focal lengths are most important for the type of photography that you want to do. Sure, I could list a set of lenses that I would buy if I had your budget, but ultimately I would be doing you a disservice, as you are the one who has to use them long term.

Just some food for thought... particularly since you've apparently abandoned the budget in favour of the big guns. Don't get swept up in the feeding frenzy that is the Canon EF and EF-S Lenses section here at P.O.T.N.

SimonG wrote in post #2031361
Photolistic, please don't take offence to this post, but really... if you have to ask a question like that then I think that you'd be better served by doing some reading in the short term, rather than flexing your credit card. There's a ton of information here for you to learn from, and once you've had your camera for a while you will be better able to decide what focal lengths are most important for the type of photography that you want to do. Sure, I could list a set of lenses that I would buy if I had your budget, but ultimately I would be doing you a disservice, as you are the one who has to use them long term.

Just some food for thought... particularly since you've apparently abandoned the budget in favour of the big guns. Don't get swept up in the feeding frenzy that is the Canon EF and EF-S Lenses section here at P.O.T.N.

Agree.
I will start my photography seriously soon as i will have my vacation in November and the weather is going to the best, and my gears are already ready and then i will try to post the best shots i've taken here, thats better than looking around here and asking alot of questions, i think i will be annoy if i keep that way.

Well then I guess I will just spend $1500 on a lens and hope its the right one.

or better yet, do some research, look at images, make some decisions on what you like to shoot, go to a store and play with some lenses, read some books or magazines and try to understand what to look for a lens and THEN and only then, make the choice.

Yes, exactly. Snir's giving you great advice... before you start looking at other lenses, try putting 500 shots through your existing lens. Get a feel for what you want, then go from there. Or not... it's your money after all, and ultimately your call. Whatever you do, don't forget to have fun with it!

I am thinking i am stuck on the

EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

For my first lens beacuse I will be able to do a lot with it.

SimonG wrote in post #2031361
Photolistic, please don't take offence to this post, but really... if you have to ask a question like that then I think that you'd be better served by doing some reading in the short term, rather than flexing your credit card. There's a ton of information here for you to learn from, and once you've had your camera for a while you will be better able to decide what focal lengths are most important for the type of photography that you want to do. Sure, I could list a set of lenses that I would buy if I had your budget, but ultimately I would be doing you a disservice, as you are the one who has to use them long term.

Just some food for thought... particularly since you've apparently abandoned the budget in favour of the big guns. Don't get swept up in the feeding frenzy that is the Canon EF and EF-S Lenses section here at P.O.T.N.

Photolistic, listen to this advice. When you asked if the 400 would "zoom" as much/far as the 100-400, you exposed your lack of knowledge of the basic principles of lenses and their purposes. Perhaps it was merely just a misuse of nomenclature, still this, and some of the comments made in your previous posts in this thread indicate that you should do some study and learning before buying. You'll be much less likely to regret big expenditures if you do. No reason should be so compelling as to force you to make uninformed purchases. Shoot with what you have and then, when you find that what you have no longer will allow you to shoot what you want, come to the community, explain what is is that your current equipment will not allow, and then ask for recommendations.

Im sorry you misunderstood you. I know a 400mm lens does not zoom. What I was trying to ask is..... "is there a difference in 400mm in telephoto and 400mm in super telephoto?"

No. 400 mm is 400 mm, regardless of whether it zooms or not.

Photolistic wrote in post #2031817
is there a difference in 400mm in telephoto and 400mm in super telephoto?"

Okay.

Interesting thread, that probably doesnt need more input, however here's my two cents:
- use only the kit lens for the first six months (get to know your 30D and learn how to take good pictures with the kit lens) This will let you hone your skills and also figure out what focal range you need to cover with your first 'good' lens....everyone is different, but for me it was the 24-105 (which is a great general purpose lens for your 30D, and even better if you ever go to a FF body).
- after another six months of shooting with your new lens, determine your next most needed focal range and buy the best lens you can afford in that range....then keep repeating the process until you dont need any more lenses (however I'm not sure that ever happens).
- a slow methodical approach helps ensure that you build the best lens collection for your photographic style and I believe over the years that will also prove most economical.