As of right now I have a Canon Rebel XSi with lenses:
EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
EF 24mm f/2.8
EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
I would like to upgrade a little and these were what I was thinking. Any suggestions or tips? I'm pretty new at this but I love it and still trying to figure everything out.
Canon EOS 70D
EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
EF 100mm f/2.8
EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM
Purchase your lenses refurbished from Canon. The one I got was in impeccable condition and they come with a full one year warranty, at really good prices. They often offer additional discounts, and always check retailmenot.com for any other coupon codes that might be out there.
Your wish list looks solid with the one exception of the 70-300. Given that you have most of that range covered by your 55-250, and that the 70-300 is pretty soft at the long end with a nasty tendency to go seeking, I would scrub that one. Replace it with 70-200 for better IQ, either the f/4 or a mobile option or if you can afford it the f/2.8. If you need longer glass, look at the 100-400, or the Sigmas (50-500 but a beast to carry or the Sigma 120-400)
The 85 is a beauty, as is the 100, but they seem a tad redundant to have both in a small kit, and the 10-22 is great, but keep in mind if you upgrade to a full sensor or even a larger clipped sensor like the 1D, it protrudes too far into the box to use (without modification) so you might look at some of the third party lenses there too which can fit a full frame or a fixed UWA.
Scrap the 70-300 (for the reasons Brennan says) and upgrade the 100mm f/2.8 to the 100mm f2.8L IS Macro lens. It's third-generation stabilized, it's true macro and a great long-range 100mm, it's one of the best lenses I own.
instead of buying a lens then deciding you dont like it. try renting it first. I use the following and have great service with them. I like to use the canon 10-20, but I cant justify the cost to buy it since I would only use it maybe 2 times a year, if that
Purchase your lenses refurbished from Canon. The one I got was in impeccable condition and they come with a full one year warranty, at really good prices. They often offer additional discounts, and always check retailmenot.com for any other coupon codes that might be out there.
I totally agree. Canon refurbs are great. I just got a refurb'd 6D and it looks new. I also noticed they have the refurb'd 10-22 in stock again and if you click on Larry's link, you get $125 off of the refurb price ($519.) I think that's a really good deal for that lens.
I think what you have is fine if you're just getting started. Make some photos. When you find that you can't make the photo you want, take a minute and try to understand if its you or the equipment. Most of the time when you're starting out, it's the person behind the camera, not the camera or the lens. Many photographers are far more limited by themselves that their gear. Eventually though, you really will bump up against the limitations of your gear and you'll know what those limitations are and the fix should be far more straightforward and obvious than, "I want to upgrade."
Your wish list looks solid with the one exception of the 70-300. Given that you have most of that range covered by your 55-250, and that the 70-300 is pretty soft at the long end with a nasty tendency to go seeking, I would scrub that one. Replace it with 70-200 for better IQ, either the f/4 or a mobile option or if you can afford it the f/2.8. If you need longer glass, look at the 100-400, or the Sigmas (50-500 but a beast to carry or the Sigma 120-400)
The 85 is a beauty, as is the 100, but they seem a tad redundant to have both in a small kit, and the 10-22 is great, but keep in mind if you upgrade to a full sensor or even a larger clipped sensor like the 1D, it protrudes too far into the box to use (without modification) so you might look at some of the third party lenses there too which can fit a full frame or a fixed UWA.
The problem is that I dropped my 55-250! I was very sad when that happened...I now cannot use manual mode with it. I also want a better telephoto lens which is why I was considering the 70-300. I might be able to afford the 70-200 f/4L...but I really can't afford more than $700 per lens seeing how right now this is more of a hobby than a money maker.
considering you are going crop to crop and i understand the body upgrade, what is limiting about the lenses what you have?
I love nature and animal photography along with architecture as well. I want to get better at portraits but more artistic portraits...not really looking to get better for stuff like senior photos or something...I would love a great macro lens to get some cool insect/flower and cool angle shots in general. Honestly, my budget is smaller...I can't afford the real expensive lenses but I want something where I can get clearer photos than I can get with the kit lens. I plan on keeping most of my current lenses except for the 55-250 and the 18-55.
Purchase your lenses refurbished from Canon. The one I got was in impeccable condition and they come with a full one year warranty, at really good prices. They often offer additional discounts, and always check retailmenot.com for any other coupon codes that might be out there.
Scrap the 70-300 (for the reasons Brennan says) and upgrade the 100mm f/2.8 to the 100mm f2.8L IS Macro lens. It's third-generation stabilized, it's true macro and a great long-range 100mm, it's one of the best lenses I own.
I will check out that lens. It's pretty expensive but if I shave off a different lens or just save longer I might be able to eventually get it. I would really love a great macro lens!
based on your needs i'd skip the 85/1.8 the 50 you have is more than sufficient on a crop for portraits and the 100/2.8 non L will work as a portrait lens too. so you have 3 solid prime for portraits in a good range.
if you need to go wider than your kit 18-55, which stopped down can be pretty darn sharp, then go for the sigma 10-20, its half the price of the canon. spend the extra money to go longer for moon and wildlife.
based on your needs i'd skip the 85/1.8 the 50 you have is more than sufficient on a crop for portraits and the 100/2.8 non L will work as a portrait lens too. so you have 3 solid prime for portraits in a good range.
if you need to go wider than your kit 18-55, which stopped down can be pretty darn sharp, then go for the sigma 10-20, its half the price of the canon. spend the extra money to go longer for moon and wildlife.
So then what lens would you suggest for a good telephoto lens? I think I'll wait on the 10-20 right now and get the macro and telephoto lens...
If you are using $700 as the cut off, you can get a new 70-200 f/4, or look around on the used market for the 70-200 f/2.8. I found mine at a local shop for just under $800 in the box rarely if ever used, with the knowledge that I can re sell it in a year or two for at least what I payed for it. You can get a used Bigma for about $800.
At that price point you have your choice of a new lens, great image quality or great zoom range. Pick one, and make concessions on the other two.
PS if you are planning to go off to Africa whit you new toys and make great images, be aware that weather sealing should be at least as big a concern as Image Quality. Dust is the great enemy of zoom lenses, and kills some faster than others.
If you are using $700 as the cut off, you can get a new 70-200 f/4, or look around on the used market for the 70-200 f/2.8. I found mine at a local shop for just under $800 in the box rarely if ever used, with the knowledge that I can re sell it in a year or two for at least what I payed for it. You can get a used Bigma for about $800.
At that price point you have your choice of a new lens, great image quality or great zoom range. Pick one, and make concessions on the other two.
PS if you are planning to go off to Africa whit you new toys and make great images, be aware that weather sealing should be at least as big a concern as Image Quality. Dust is the great enemy of zoom lenses, and kills some faster than others.
Great advice actually because I have traveled quite a bit and I plan on traveling quit a bit in the near future as well! I actually dropped my 55-250mm lens while living in West Africa, ooops! I think my choice out of the 3 would be great image quality first then new lens second and finally zoom range...
