Decisions Decisions

[peter nap]

I am thinking about buying a moderatly expensive lens...at least for me.

I've set the limit at $1,600.00

I currently have a nifty fifty
A Sigma 25-250 and that's my main walking around lens.
a Canon 70-300

I would like a good wide angle lens but I would also like a prime L series in 200 or so.

Most of my pictures are outdoors and range from landscapes (Weeds as one photographer put it) and wildlife.
I also like to take pictures of what amounts to Redneck street scenes.

Throw some ideas out please.

[Tusker]

Hard to judge for some one else, but I photo about the same, flowers, weeds, and wildlife. I have an 80/400- and a couple others. Was sorry to read several unfavorable reviews on the 24/120 VR ? Any way, I have picked the 70/200 2.8 for my next lens-- It will run you a bit more though. The 17/35 will come after that- maybe. all depends on what they put out. I still have a case on about not being able to use my 18/200 on the D700 to its full advantage.-- It works on the D 80 though. I have a 70/300, but it isn't 2,8, and it Does make a difference , sometimes.

[peter nap]

I was just looking at the 70-200 2.8 on Adoroma and B&H Tusker. They are running around 1200.00 so it is within the budget. Looks like it could make a mighty good weed lens

One of the two had a 1200 mm l series. I didn't know Canon made one. It was....pricey

[bob_r]

Peter,

If you're going to be shooting wildlife quite a bit, a 70-200 is not long enough. I had one and sold it since it mainly stayed in the bag after getting a 100-400. If you decide on the 100-400, you could sell your 70-300 to help finance a wide angle lens. Even though I have the 100-400, I kept my 70-300 because it's such a nice lens when I want to travel light. It doesn't get a lot of use, but it's nice to have for vacations. Canon currently offers a rebate on the 100-400 and it's now selling for around $1,400 after rebate.

A Tokina 12-24 sells for either 400 or 500 depending on which model you get. You should have enough to purchase one with the $200 you have left from the $1600 + whatever you get by selling your 70-300. This won't satisfy your prime request, but I had a Canon 400mm f/5.6L and the 100-400 was just as sharp so I sent the 400 prime back. The 100-400 also has IS which allowed me to shoot many images handheld at 400mm with a shutter speed less that 1/100s. Since the 400mm prime lacked IS, it was much more difficult getting keepers when shooting handheld in low light.

Just thought I'd offer some suggestions from my experiences. Hope this helps.

Bob