Lens Choice to go Digital

I'm about to take the plunge into digital with the purchase of an EOS 30D. I've also decided to look at my lens collection - on the basis that my photographic interests are aviation, wildlife & gardens. Suggestions for what stays and what goes appreciated.

Current lens line up

Canon 28-105
Canon 100-300
Tamron 90 macro
Sigma 400
Sigma 1.4 Converter

My initial thoughts were to add a wide angle zoom as a priority, keep the macro and then perhaps replace the Sigma 400 (it may not work on the digital body anyway as it had to be rechipped to work on my EOS 30 film body)

I keep thinking about getting a 100-400 L zoom but get put off by various horror stories of unreliability.

Sorry for the ramblings but looking to put my thoughts in some kind of order

The 100-400mm IS L is a very decent and flexible lens. I had one and no problems. I haven't specifically seen any horror stories that make me think there is a general trend. A safe buy, but it is an older model and maybe time for an update from Canon. Try it, because soime (including me!) don't like the push/pull zoom style. The Canon version of 400mm is the 400mm 5.6 L and a very good lens indeed that will work with your TCon. I'd try the Sigma 400mm and see if it does work. I think the 'Macro designated' version of that lens has a good reputation and can work: worth trying I reckon.

The Tokina 12-24mm f4 is a great bang for your buck wide angle, but there are other options a bit more pricey. Sigma 17-70mm DC has a great repution and not so wide but superb general widey/walkaround that could replace the 28-105mm and save buying a widey.

I would say keep the Macro - its a gem, and as for the 100-400, I have had no problems whatsoever after 12 months

Taxboy wrote in post #2463392
I'm about to take the plunge into digital with the purchase of an EOS 30D. I've also decided to look at my lens collection - on the basis that my photographic interests are aviation, wildlife & gardens. Suggestions for what stays and what goes appreciated.

Current lens line up

Canon 28-105
Canon 100-300
Tamron 90 macro
Sigma 400
Sigma 1.4 Converter

My initial thoughts were to add a wide angle zoom as a priority, keep the macro and then perhaps replace the Sigma 400 (it may not work on the digital body anyway as it had to be rechipped to work on my EOS 30 film body)

I keep thinking about getting a 100-400 L zoom but get put off by various horror stories of unreliability.

Sorry for the ramblings but looking to put my thoughts in some kind of order

Just remember that , if you do not spring for a 5D or 1DsII, your FOV on the APS-C format camera is effectively like using a longer lens, by a factor of 1.6x. So your current lens set only is only like 45mm at its widest (using the 28-105). You could get away with just adding the Canon 10-22mm lens, if you find that the 22-28mm gap (35mm-45mm) is one you could live without...I know I can, as that is the most useless to me segment of the FOV range on film SLR!

I haven't heard any horror stories with regards to the 100-400, except maybe explaining to spouse why you spent that much on a lens. Your Tamron 90 is an excellant macro lens, keep it. For less than half of what you'd pay for the 100-400 you could get the Canon 70-200 f4L, which would basically give you the same coverage as you were getting with the 100-300 on your film body. The only thing that you might want would be something a little wider than your 28-105. Nothing really wrong with the lens, just that 28mm on a 1.6 cropped-bodied camera isn't all that wide.