Newbie needs equipment advice, $1,000 budget

Alright, here's the skinny. I've budgeted 1,000 towards photography equipment this year. I've been shooting for almost a year now. I'm have a set of consumer lenses, (Tamron 70-300, Canon 28-105, Nifty 50) A basic 40 dollar sunpak tripod that works well enough for me, a set of kneko extension tubes, and I shoot with the Rebel XTi.

As I get more into photography, I am outgrowing these lower quality lenses, and am looking to get some really sharp lenses that will last me a long time. I shoot mostly people, landscapes, city shots, and try to do some experimental things (smoke, water drops, macro with tubes).

I'm pretty sure the lens I am going to get next is the Tamron 17-50 2.8. Sharp, good for low light, and a wider angle (which I really need, espeically on the XTi). I also want to pick up some ND/GND filters for this. I figure I can get the tammy + filters for around 500 bucks.

Now, should I sell the 28-105? I'll miss the 50-100 range, but I didn't use that too often, I found myself wanting wider usually. I'm probably also going to sell the tamron 70-300. If I can afford it after I get a nice wider angle lens + filters, I would like to get into wildlife photography, but 300 didn't seem to be enough reach, and the IQ of the 70-300 was lacking, and almost discouraged me from using it. I got the tamron to have a telephoto and experiment with one, but it leaves me wanting more (quality, reach, sharnpess). Might just ditch the longer focal lengths all together until next year for now.

If I sell those two, I should have about 650ish left. I do not have a flash, and I feel like I should have one, but I'm not sure I would utilize it. I don't think I want to bring my camera around with a big flash sticking off it, especially in parties/bars where it would most come in handy (already had a close call with a drunky)

I do not own a camera bag, so this is a must, I'd probably get a backpack because I like to hike/mountain bike/ snowboard and take pics there as well. Or, is there a good quality telephoto I could get to shoot wildlife with for maybe around 600? Perhaps another wide angle lens I have not considered?

As you can see, I have an idea of what I want, but I'm not sure what is out there, especially with the higher quality lenses.


Thanks for your help.

Ok here is the breakdown.
You say you want to get into Wildlife Photography but only have $1000 and think that 300mm is to short. Plus you want that Tamron that brings you down to only a $500 budget.

From here what I would suggest is to buy a
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM ($550)
and then buy a 1.4x TC ($150-300 Canon, Tamron, Kenko)


Now if your serious about wanting to get into Wildlife Photography and dont like the reach of your 70-300, then I would suggest that sell every piece of glass and (all together could probably sell between $350-400) make your budget $1400, save a few more dollars and buy the
Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM

But since your still new, I would try the first. Unless your serious about getting into the WL Photog.

Oh and check out the
Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM APO RF (It is only $1000 and that would give you some good range, but you would need a lot of light)
Or even the
Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Super Telephoto Lens (Although you would need some decent light, it wold be an amazing prime to own.)

I hope that sort of helped with deciding and looking.
Either way best of luck with your search.

Actually, the wildlife was more of an afterthought if I could get a decent lens for relatively cheap -- a wider, sharp lens is my top priority now, hence me pretty much deciding on the tamron 17-50, barring some other lens that I don't know about. However, I may be able to work in that Canon IS with a TC, I'll look into that, it is something I never even considered.

get a
430EX
Sigma 30mm f/1.4
ef 85mm f/1.8

or get a 10-22 and not the primes

Is the 10-22 as sharp as the Tamron 17-50? I've heard the Tamron is super sharp, which is one reason I was leaning towards it. The tammy also goes down to 2.8.

Now that you said that, about the WL only being an after thought, I would do this.
Buy the

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ($1000)- its an amazing piece of glass most will recommend.
Then sell all your other stuff still and save up another $100 and
Buy either used or new
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM ($550 new)

Then you can have the best of both worlds,
Two Amazing Pieces of Glass and still get to have your Wide and Wildlife.

Theres a thought.

The Tamron is a good choice. If you want something longer the 70-200 f/4 is an awesome lens for around $500.

If you like to go hiking and shoot mountain landscapes then the 17-50, a new sturdy tripod, and a backpack may be just the ticket.

I had a $1000 budget as well recently and I went with a used Tokina 12-24 and a new Canon 70-200 F/4. Cost me $1000 and to go with my 30D, 50mm/1.8 that I already have I have most focal lengths covered with a good sharp lens and F/4 or larger from 12-200mm.

Sell our 2 old lenses and with put the cash towards something like Lowepro Mini Trekker or a reasonably priced 190XPROB tripod.

Im loving that 70-200 F4 IS. That is looking to be my next lens. Get the 17-55 Tam its a nice lens and will do you well with some good filters.

Thanks for the advice guys.

Decided on Tamron 17-50 2.8, plus a set of filters, and a camera backpack.