Another one of THOSE threads, (help me decide...)

[ShutteredEye]

Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to help me spend my money most effectively. Recent developments, along with a healthy tax return has sprung some money for camera stuff.

So many options, so little funds.

The budget: $1000, give or take $100.

The current equipment:

Canon 20d, BG-E2 grip
Canon 24mm 2.8
Canon 50mm 1.8
Canon 85mm 1.8

The wish list:

Scenario A:

Canon 70-200L f4, $450 used from Fred Miranda, (several going in the price range.)
Canon 17-40L f4, $550 used from Fred Miranda.

Scenario B:

Canon 70-200L 2.8 $950 used from Fred Miranda.

Scenario C:

Canon 70-200L f4 IS, $1100, new from Adorama.

Other worthy equipment to possibly consider:

Canon 580EX
Strobe lighting setup

Or???

 

[Don Simon]

So I guess you're selling the Pentax (Samsung)... noooo, think of the weather sealing! But you're already invested in Canon so I forgive you!

Based on what you already have (fast lenses) I'd be inclined to go for Scenario B, the 70-200L f/2.8. Personally I can see a faster lens being useful in more situations than a slower lens with IS... although I guess the IS lens might be more useful in the specific situations for which it's intended. Or Scenario A if you often find yourself wanting to go wider... but if not then B would be my choice.

 

[BoblyBill]

Or... you could give it to me... so that I can give you more advice for another time ... ok just kidding... I won't give any more advice...

I personally like scenario A... that gives you the most "mm" for the money extending your range from 24mm-85mm to 17mm-200mm... They seem to be a little slower of lenses but if you don't mind that... that's my two cents (and more if you go with my original suggestion )

 

[nakedyak]

well obviously this depends on what you will be shooting. If you don't need the lowlight handholdability of the f2.8 lenses or IS, i'd get the 70-200f4 and 17-40 f4. great lenses, and those are great prices too. i paid around 600 and 650 for mine

 

[ShutteredEye]

I think I've narrowed my choices down.

Canon 70-200 f/4 L IS

-or-

Canon 135 f/2 L + a 1.4x telextender.

 

[thebeginning]

i'd say canon 135 f/2L and a 430ex speedlite. EXCELLENT lens.

having a flash is surprisingly important...IMO that should be near the top of your list.

the 430ex is very similar to the 580ex, it just can't act as a master and is slightly less powerful. it is a good bit smaller and lighter, and is a pleasure to work with. i started with that and absolutely love it.

those two items would run you at about $1100 or so

 

[ShutteredEye]

i'd say canon 135 f/2L and a 430ex speedlite. EXCELLENT lens.

having a flash is surprisingly important...IMO that should be near the top of your list.

the 430ex is very similar to the 580ex, it just can't act as a master and is slightly less powerful. it is a good bit smaller and lighter, and is a pleasure to work with. i started with that and absolutely love it.

those two items would run you at about $1100 or so

Yeah, I've rented a flash when I've needed it. At $10 a weekend, it hasn't been a huge priority, especially since I use available light more often than not. Your recommendation with the 430EX is a good one, I've actually had better luck with that flash than the 580EX's I've tried. It would be nice though to be able to trigger a slave at some point.

I'm leaning mostly towards the 135L at this point. For some reason the IS zoom just sounds sexier, LOL.

Thanks for the input.

 

[thebeginning]

I'm leaning mostly towards the 135L at this point. For some reason the IS zoom just sounds sexier, LOL.

haha yeah i know what you mean...it's especially sexy to clients and 'average' people...only hardcore photo nerds would think the 135L is sexier (i think they're both quite sexy, just in different ways)

 

[usayit]

If you don't care much for zoom, go with the 135mm prime. You'll pretty much have what I carry: 24mm f1.4L, 50mm f1.4, 85mm f1.8 135mm f2L. I have never really needed to carry much else and I enjoy shooting with those focal lengths.

Flash wise.. Instead of getting a new 580EX OR 430EX consider getting older used 550EX AND 420EX. The 550EX can be used as a master and 420EX set as a slave. The stuff you can do with that master/slave combination is absolutely fun. Much more than just a single 580EX flash.

 

[nakedyak]

i'd LOVE the 135 f2....the razor thin DOF that that lens is capable sounds really attractive to me. People seem to really love that lens as well. I imagine with a good flash it makes beautiful images.