A unacknowledged wife looking for a good lens for my husband's Canon Ultrasonic

[HelpWithAGift]

My husband and I have been married for three years now, and over these three years we bought a house, two cars, and begin life as a married couple. But, over this time we have hit some rough patches and my husband sold some of his lenses, things a getting better now and I am looking into buying a lens for him for Christmas. I have no idea what the difference of each lens (and not even sure if these are the right names for them) but I he has one called ET-78 II at 180 mm and a ES-79 II at 85 mm. He likes taking pictures of nature, weddings, portraits, long expo-user of stars, and a few other miscellaneous stuff. What do these lenses not do and what would be a lens that I could look into that meets his hobbies? Now I don't have a whole lot of money, looking to spend less than 1000. Thanks in advance for any advice that could be helpful!

 

[JAC526]

question number 1.....what type of camera does he have?

question number 2......do you recall him talking about a particular lens he really loved but had to sell?

 

[JAC526]

I am an idiot....I just read the title.

He has a Canon.

Long night.

 

[HelpWithAGift]

It's Okay, I guess I could of put it in the thread. Any ideas? And, no I don't remember what he sold and he hasn't mentioned anything that he wants.

 

[Dao]

Based on the Lens hood information you provide (ET-78 II at 180 mm and a ES-79 II at 85 mm), he may have the EF 85mm f/1.2L and EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro lens.

As for what lens he need or want, he will be the only person knows. It is simply because of personal preference. Just take an example, we could recommend using 70-200mm f/2.8L lens, but he may prefer using a 135mm f/2L and the 85mm f/1.2L instead because of his shooting style.

It is like buying a running shoes for a person or buying a handbag for a lady. So a gift card to a store that sells photography gears maybe a better option in my opinion.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

Pick his brain he'll tell you exactly what he wants. I tell my GF and assistant and she's not even camera shopping for me hehe

 

[Rick58]

I couldn't agree more with the gift card idea. I love my wife dearly, but I wouldn't want her buying my lenses. Like you, she wouldn't have any idea what I would need or want. Instead of getting a dream lens I might, if I'm lucky, get one thats just ok. A lens is a very personal preference.

 

[jhodges10]

It may take some of the surprise out of the gift but you could have him set up a wish list at one of the store websites. I did that last year and my wife and parents got exactly what I wanted without them having to guess.

 

[TheFantasticG]

I couldn't agree more with the gift card idea. I love my wife dearly, but I wouldn't want her buying my lenses. Like you, she wouldn't have any idea what I would need or want. Instead of getting a dream lens I might, if I'm lucky, get one thats just ok. A lens is a very personal preference.

I share the same thoughts exactly. Infact, I told my wife either surprise me with the idea and let me pick it out or gift card.

 

[Overread19 7]

I'm going to back the people suggesting that you let him choose. Serious gifts like this are really the kind you can't chance on guessing that you got the right thing and unless he's giving out very very specific hints as to what he wants you've no way of being able to make the right choice.

A gift card or heck just taking him out and letting him pick with a budget limit etc... these are all ideas that you can use to let him make the choice himself. You've still given the gift to him, but you've let him have the chance to choose the very personal item to suit his needs (last thing you want to give him a great gift, but one which he simply won't ever really want to use).

 

[Nau]

It may take some of the surprise out of the gift but you could have him set up a wish list at one of the store websites. I did that last year and my wife and parents got exactly what I wanted without them having to guess.

I think this is the best solution. Choosing a lens is very difficult for your husband, like said before what's his style? What do he love to take picture?