My wife greenlighted a purchase - need opinions before this passes

(First off, I had no idea where this thread could go. Please move it if there's a more appropriate forum.)

I have about $1000 to spend, so I'm looking for y'alls opinions.

Right now, I have a Rebel XT.

My lenses are the standard kit lens - 18-55mm.

A 55-250, f/4-5.6: (http://www.amazon.com …ics&qid=1237664​964&sr=8-1)

The Nifty Fifty - 50mm, f/1.8: (http://www.amazon.com …ics&qid=1237665​056&sr=1-1)

And a strobe - the Vivitar 285hv: (http://www.amazon.com …ics&qid=1237665​134&sr=1-1)


I'm really more of a hobbyist - just for fun. Maybe make a little money on the side, but this isn't a profession. I'd probably be shooting people, kids, pets, nature, etc.

With what I've listed, what would you buy? I'm looking for ALL suggestions.

Upgrade the body? I'd sell the XT if I chose that option, which would give me more to play with.

Buy a really good lens (which one)?

Strobes?

A couple of lesser lenses, where I can get two? I like a fisheye possibility as one of them.

Essentially - if you guys were given $1000, with the gear I have, what would you buy? I'm open to anything.

Thanks!

With out a doubt, find a 70-200 2.8 L does not have to be IS, but that is a great palce to start. especially with the list you have on subjects.

Hi
Welcome to the forum
Tell us a bit more about your shooting
Do you shoot more on the wide end, do you use more your tele zoom?
Is your body fine with you? that way you disqualify a new body right of the bat
You can go so many ways... it can get confusing.
Common sense says Glass is forever, so they say
The 70-200 f2.8 is a great lens if you shoot portraits, sports, many applications

welcome again

Thanks for the welcome!

I'd say I'm more on the wide side - but not for any reason. I go through phases on all of them, to be honest. But, the wide probably has more actuations on it.

Is my body fine - such a loaded question. Truthfully, it IS fine - but who doesn't want an upgrade? I'd get a 5D MkII today if I could. Or upgrade just for the sake of it - cause i'm a guy, and that's what we do. I don't think (right now) I'd really run into stuff it DOESN'T do, with the right glass.

I want to be able to shoot in low light more than I am, now. A 2.8 is appealing in that sense.

I'm definitely leaning towards glass, because like you said, it lasts.

I mainly want to have all my lengths covered - so I'm not lugging around a truck full.

how bout a 70-200 f/4L non IS and a UWA

snakekid wrote in post #7569891
how bout a 70-200 f/4L non IS and a UWA

Agreed

snakekid wrote in post #7569891
how bout a 70-200 f/4L non IS and a UWA

That would be nice I have the 70-200 f4 and it really shines on almost everything.

I want a UWA too, Tokina 11-16 f2.8 comes to mind, don't know if both will be at 1000$, more like 1200$

You can also consider a 85 f1.8 and a UWA, if you are happy with your 55-250 as a all around tele zoom

Wow so many combinations..

I'm kind of in the same boat as you. Bought my first round of gear used, (on the cheap, so to speak) and now feel I'm ready to 'upgrade' all the way around.

That said, I took my 'spendin' money' and invested in a couple of really nice lenses, (24-70 f/2.8L and the 70-200 f/2.8L IS) as others have recommend to you. For now, I'm keeping my second-hand 30D. It's a good body and I'm looking foward very much to the new glass, (and better pic quality) that will soon arrive.

Analogy my dad always used: "Son, it's not the clubs, it's the guy swinging 'em!" Get the picture?

dave

Tamron 17-50 f/2.8, Canon 85 1.8 and either a 430ex or 580ex

Id say a new body.. Get a 40D $889 at B&H. or used for $689 and with the money from the old body you can get a lens too. Or get the 40D kit with a 17-85 or 28-135 lens for around $1200. You will be happy with what you can do with the 40D.

Getting a new body will open up a new world for you(don't get me wrong a nice lens would too) but considering what equipment you have i think a new body with lens (kit) would be the right choice.

Getting the new body would give you things like better high iso and noise control, Faster Auto Focus, Shutter lag, and better light metering. This will help in turn show you what you can really do with the lenses you have and future lenses.

sell all your lens
get tamron 17-50 f2.8, sigma 70-200 f2.8, canon 430ex

Either an new 40d around $900

Or you can get a refurbished 50d here with a authorized dealer for $1038 + some extras.

http://www.amazon.com …R&sellerID=A16P​7FFVVYF2J8

If you are considering a new Body I just got a Canon Refurbished 40D from Adorama that looks just brand new with a 28-135 IS kit for 800$, the body only is 700$
I came from a XSI to a 40D and i have to say Im very happy
I haven't seen Canon refurb of 50Ds yet...

borism wrote in post #7570328
If you are considering a new Body I just got a Canon Refurbished 40D from Adorama that looks just brand new with a 28-135 IS kit for 800$, the body only is 700$
I came from a XSI to a 40D and i have to say Im very happy
I haven't seen Canon refurb of 50Ds yet...

I just posted a link right before your post to a refurbished 50d. for 1038.00 with free SLR Camera Case + 2x 1GB SD Cards. Authorized Canon Dealer.

10megapixel wrote in post #7570235
Either an new 40d around $900

Or you can get a refurbished 50d here with a authorized dealer for $1038 + some extras.

http://www.amazon.com …R&sellerID=A16P​7FFVVYF2J8

I agree. Go for a new body first - then work the lens angle. You will be pleasantly surprised at the flexibility of a 40 or 50D compared to your current body.