$350-$400 lens

[Lestat]

ok so i am looking to spend 350-400 for a lens. 450 maybe if i can sell some more stuff.
i do not have anything particular in mind with regards to function, what ever trips my trigger basically.

so here is what i was thinking.

Canon 85mm F/1.8 USM - this is probably the biggest contendor right now.
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-AutoFocu...0539041&sr=8-5

i already know about the Sigma 30mm F/1.4 EX DG HSM and am considering that but i already have the canon 50mm F/1.8 so i feel like i am not gaining anything.

thought about a zoom, but there are so many out there and so many that just are not worth it, i fear that a decent zoom with comparable USM grade glass is probably going to be too much.

even thought about saving more and getting the 70-200 F/4L USM for around $625-650 but thats a big maybe, i dont cherish spenging that much on a lens, but i know that it yields better quality pictures.

there is also the CANON EF 24-85MM f/3.5-4.5 USM <-- usm but higher f-stop isnt bad but not impressing me.
Canon EF 35mm F/2
CANON EF 28MM F/1.8 USM
CANON EF 24MM F/2.8

so many choices,,,,, so few really worth it.

i am open to thoughts opinions, suggestions, canon, sigma, tamron, etc...

[itznfb]

depends on what type of photography you do.
99% of my photography is at the zoo. so telephoto and super telephoto are all i'm really interested in. i can say from experience going from a decent telephoto zoom to the 70-200mm f/2.8 was like night and day. it really helped me step up to the next level.

honestly the only lenses i would consider out of those is the 28mm f1.8 (if you have FF) and 70-200mm f4 if you're on aps-c.

my next lens with either be a 17-55mm f/2.8 or 24-70mm f/2.8
or i might get a 5D Mark II w/70-200mm f/2.8L IS and give the Canon world a try

[Lestat]

well you cant go wrong with the 5D MKII its impressive to say the least, i am sure you saw the video in the other thread from the guy on the australian trip,, wow!

i like the 70-200 F/4L lens, i mean there are better L's for sure but it's still an L series lens. but that is my last choice simply only because of the price.

Like i mentioned, i do not have any specific need in mind, its just whatever i see, be it a zoom or macro or standard, i can use all of them

i do alot more indoor shots than anything but want to get more outdoors over the next few months before it starts getting cold...

[itznfb]

what lenses do you have now?
i probably should have asked that first =\

[Lestat]

i also see this but i do not see any macro shots coming out of it based on the pictures posted on amazon.
Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC SLD ELD Aspherical Macro Lens

hmm what do i have.
Canon 50mm F/1.8 prime
Sigma 100-300 F/4 (ok lens, nothing special)
Tamron 28-200 F/3.8 (i think its 3.8 but might be 3.5, another ok lens, but nothing special)
Sigma 28-70 i think, i always forget what this lens is.


I wouldnt mind getting anothe rlens similar to the 18-55 canon or 28-70 sigma, something that is good for medium range with a small zoom on it.
but something in the range of USM quality.
one of those lenses thats a good all around everyday lens with a 2.8 or better fstop, nice clear and sharp images.

[itznfb]

ok...
some lenses that could open you up to different types of photography....
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
Canon EF 135mm f/2.8 with Softfocus

the first two may be a little out of your price range. the third one would be my choice though. it's an amazing portrait lens much like the nikkor 135mm DC with defocus control.

the Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 Macro is a great lens with amazing sharpness from 18-20mm. i find my 18-55mm kit lens better for 20-55mm though. i don't like the fact that it's labeled a macro lens though since it's maximum reproduction ratio is only 1:3. that being said. it's well worth the $420.

[Lestat]

great info, thank you, feel free to offer up anything else in the 350-400 dollar range that you think might be a nice lens.
i'm still shopping around and am wide open to alot of ideas.

[Lestat]

so i went to my local camera shop and tried out the canon 85mm F/1.8 USM and was VERY impressed with it, granted i did not upload the pictures to a pc and look at them full size but using the LCD on the back of my 40D and also the 50D they had, i was greatly impressed with the depth of field that was created by the lens.
for $399 i think i am going to go for it and feel like i have spent my money well.

i just hate spending that much on anything, this lens when i get to use it in my environment better just blow me away....

[topdog5050]

yeah thats a nice set of lenses but that a high price also.