Spending $1000

Ok, I have 2x 30D's (one for me and one for wife), a 10-20, 17-40, 24-105 and 100-400, a 28/2.8, 50/1.8 and 100/2.8 Macro. Accessories include a 430EX, a cheap but solid tripod, a lighter weight tripod and a crappy monopod, plenty of bags, a folding reflector, and 5gb of CF cards. We've got 4 different camera bags to cover every situation. We use PS elements 5, but I don't really use it even close to it's full potential- we're both more likely to use what comes out of the camera without monkeying around with it.

We shoot mainly outdoors: landscape, nature, macro, bird/wildlife and family snap portraits. Also, a bit of architecture.

So, I'm selling my 8 foot aquarium for around $1000, and would like to roll the money into camera gear. I DON'T WANT TO SELL ANY OF MY EXISTING GOODIES! (tough market in Tasmania) What should I buy?

I've thought of the following goodies:

-70-200/4 IS or non-IS (sort-of covered by other lenses though) or

-200/2.8L or

-135/2L or

-35/1.4L or 30/1.4EX

-85/1.8

-Singh Ray VariND Filter and/or

-Cokin Filter System (77mm) and/or

-Hoya SMC CP Filter (I have a cheapie uncoated one) and 1 or more ND filters or

-Big fancy new monitor (my LCD is fine, but the new ones are nicer) or

-G9 point-and-shoot for no-stress, lightweight stuff, or alternatively a Panasonic P+S with native 16-9 format

-Bogen prob055 tripod with 488RC2 ballhead for macro work

-Decent monopod?

-Noise Ninja software?

What do you reckon?

You have quite a varied range of stuff to choose from so it's hard to recommend without knowing your interests. Even though you say you have the 70-200 range covered, I would consider the 70-200. I have the f/4 non IS version. Even though I also have a 100-400, I use the 70-200 for more casual or indoor shooting. I have debated getting the F/2.8 version but one of the reasons why I like it so much is the smaller size and weight.

Stefan

I presume you already have CS3?

I would get the 70-200 f/4 non-IS (from what I have seen it's IQ is much better than the 100-400), a B+W CPL for your largest lens, some step up rings to use the CPL on your smaller diameter lenses, a cokin p holder and rings, a couple of hi-tech ND filters for the cokin P system, and a reflector for your macro work and to use to cast some extra light into the foreground of your landscape shots.

I believe that this would come to about $1000 and all good quality items.

doidinho wrote in post #5809682
I would get the 70-200 f/4 non-IS (from what I have seen it's IQ is much better than the 100-400), a B+W CPL for your largest lens, some step up rings to use the CPL on your smaller diameter lenses, a cokin p holder and rings, a couple of hi-tech ND filters for the cokin P system, and a reflector for your macro work and to use to cast some extra light into the foreground of your landscape shots.

I believe that this would come to about $1000 and all good quality items.

I would go 70-200 f4 IS not non IS.

dcsmith40D wrote in post #5810067
I would go 70-200 f4 IS not non IS.

For sure it has it's advantages, but it's twice the price of the non-IS. It all comes down to what you need. I sure could use the IS sometimes, but I can't justify an extra $500 for something I only need sometimes.

It was more of a subtle hint than a recommendation. See signature.

LOL DC- I've got to sell the tank first- you'd have to wait. But if it's still for sell, I'll look you up in a few weeks.

Oh boy- now I'm in one of those IS/nonIS quandaries! LOL I do vastly prefer IS lenses- not really having to think about camera shake spoils a guy.

I know you said you don't want to sell any current gear- but selling one of the 30Ds and getting a 5D (or 1Dseries) would but nice for your 17-40 and 24-105 lenses..

Aside from that a 70-200 are VERY useful focal range. As you can see I only have 2 lenses at the moment and that's one of them.

Outdoors, the 70-200 f4 should be great for you and you'll have enough to save for something else. The 5D is a good choice for you save a little more or sell one of th 30D's. The 5D will make your landscapes much nicer with the lenses you have.

The_Camera_Poser wrote in post #5810646
Oh boy- now I'm in one of those IS/nonIS quandaries! LOL I do vastly prefer IS lenses- not really having to think about camera shake spoils a guy.

I'd trade my Sigma 70-200 2.8 for a Canon 70-200 f4L IS in a second. I don't need the f/2.8 for action shots, 4-stop IS would be much more useful to me.. and the lens is lighter!

That being said I will see how I like my Sigma over the next while (got it a month ago).. if I find I don't need the f/2.8 I might sell it (it's god awfully heavy) and get the f/4 non-IS and put the savings towards a UWA lens.

Well see- with the 2 30D's, there's an equity issue. See, there's two passionate photographers here, and if there was one 5D and one 30D, there would be dissent in the otherwise happy home.

I could sell my newly purchased and not liked Sigma 10-20, my newly purchased 30D and get a 5D, but divorce lawyers are even more costly than lenses- I know- I used to be one!

The_Camera_Poser wrote in post #5813255
Well see- with the 2 30D's, there's an equity issue. See, there's two passionate photographers here, and if there was one 5D and one 30D, there would be dissent in the otherwise happy home.

I could sell my newly purchased and not liked Sigma 10-20, my newly purchased 30D and get a 5D, but divorce lawyers are even more costly than lenses- I know- I used to be one!

I think you are wise not to mess with that balance. I think that is nice that you and your wife can share photography as a hobby.

I would rate the Manfrotto combo you mention as the #1 choice (great for macor work, bracketed landscapes, etc). Also think you'd enjoy the Manfrotto 680B monopod/3229 head, or similar, combo. I use that monopod combo a lot with my 300 f/4 & 1.4x.

The 055/488:

Ill sell you my 135 for $800, and you can use the extra $200 to take your wife out for a night on the town