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 08/19/2011 06:12:51 AM · #1
I have had my camera (Canon 40D) now for nearly 3 years and at the time of purchase I got the Canon EFS 17-85 IS USM Kit lens and also purchased a Canon EF50mm F/1.8 II lens.

I have an urge to buy another lens and would like some recommendations on what to get.

I don't really have any particular speciality and have only recently started to really get down to learnign how to use the camera itself rather than using the Basic Zone Modes. I do enjoy taking photos of people (mainly my 2 daughters) and also my 2 dogs however I generally enjoy any subject as long as the results are pleasing so landscape and macro are definitely subjects I would like to explore at some point.

I have not got a huge budget - my upper limit is £400 (approx 660 US dollars)

Lenses I had considered were the following:

Canon EF 50mm 1.4
Canon EF-S 60mm f2.8 USM Macro Lens

I spent several hours reading reviews and comparisons of these two lenses and ended up being totally confused. It appeared it was not worth the money getting the 50mm 1.4 if I already had the 50mm 1.8 and was not concerned about the build quality. I do really love the quality of the images produced with the 1.8.

For macro, it appeared I really should get at least the 100mm (which is out of my budget).

Perhaps there is a more sensible lens that I have not considered that fits within my budget?

Just in case anyone wants to suggest any alternative kit I should spend the money on, I have the following kit:

Gitzo G1120 tripod with Manfrotto head (recommendation by a friend when I purchased the camera)
Hoya Polarizer lens (haven't really used this much yet)
Hoya 9 Stop Neutral Density Filter (only just got this so waiting until I go to the sea to try this out)
Canon 430 EXII Speedlite
A couple of muslin backdrops with frame to hold them on

Thanks for any advice

Paul
 08/19/2011 08:09:00 AM · #2
I agree that there is not much point in getting the 50mm 1.4 to add to your 50mm F/1.8. Might as well go for a new focal length.

Originally posted by paulsteven:

For macro, it appeared I really should get at least the 100mm (which is out of my budget).


Have you considered buying a used lens? I've used Ffordes before and they are quick and reliable. they have this Sigma 180mm Maco for £379. I don't know what the lens is like but i imagine it is fine for a first macro lens. Might be an ok-ish long portrait lens as well.

Here is the DPC gallery for the IS version of that lens (i think. Sigma are confusing) . Can't see a gallery for the non-IS.

Message edited by author 2011-08-19 08:20:35.
 08/19/2011 08:23:21 AM · #3
Thanks Clive - I hadn't considered a used lens as I would be worried it could be knackered and it is a lot of money. Though perhaps it is an option. The Sigma lens looks very nice and a good price too. I assume a lens like this would be very heavy?

08/19/2011 08:32:33 AM · #4
From a reputable shop you're usually ok with used lenses. From the website...

'...is guaranteed for six months parts and labour.
Any equipment sent by mail order has a ten-day approval period, to enable you to confirm that it is in the condition stated

I've never had problems.

And, yes, a pretty heavy lens that one - 965g it says.

08/19/2011 08:53:34 AM · #5
im in the same boat as you. I've had my eye on the 85mm f1.8 becuase i hear its insanely sharp. i dont use the 50mm outdoors too much becuase its too wide. im going to rent the 85mm for next week on vacation to see how it works.

i also have my eye on a 100/2.8 macro but i would most likely buy it used.
 08/19/2011 08:59:44 AM · #6
I've bought all my lenses used. One had a problem but the seller was honest enough to give me my money back. One lens (Canon EF-S 18-135 IS) developed a problem after a year of regular use, but I was able to have it repaired for about half the cost of another good used one.

Have you considered a longer zoom or an ultrawide?
 08/19/2011 09:58:15 AM · #7
In your price range you ought to be able to find a used 70-200mm f/4L, which would make a wonderful addition to your kit...

R.
 08/19/2011 10:11:09 AM · #8
If you get a refurbished lens, you can get the Canon 100m macro under 600 dollars.
I have bought all of my things refurbished and have never once had a problem. I really love doing it, because the lenses come out of the shop fully fixed and you get them way cheaper
 08/19/2011 10:34:56 AM · #9
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
In your price range you ought to be able to find a used 70-200mm f/4L, which would make a wonderful addition to your kit...

R.


+1
This would really add capability.

If macro is more your speed, a 100mm macro lens would be a great addition. Now would be a great time to pick a Canon 100/2.8 USM macro lens. This lens was just updated to include IS, so there are more of the previous versions available, and you should be able to get a good deal. I have the non-IS version, and I love it. It's a great macro lens, and a really good portrait lens as well.
 08/19/2011 11:23:25 AM · #10
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
In your price range you ought to be able to find a used 70-200mm f/4L, which would make a wonderful addition to your kit...

R.


This is a great idea, no IS and f/4 is a limitation but it's nicely compact and light (relatively) and fantastic image quality...

Other suggestions from me would be to consider the Sigma 10-20mm to expand your wide end (really great for landscapes, though I love it for abstracts and crowd shots too), or one of the macro's suggested by others (I've no experience with them).

To mirror everyone else it would be pointless getting the 50 1.4, unless you really want to pay for slightly better quality and a slightly higher aperture instead of expanding what you're able to shoot. I imagine the 85mm's good if you take a lot of portraits though (never used it myself).

One thing you can do is go in to a camera shop and ask to try the lenses out - you can't tell much in a shop, but you'll at least get a basic idea of the abilities and feel of each lens. Also looking through the photos on this site filtering by lens could give you a rough guide. At the end of the day I think for your budget you can expand you shooting in quite a few directions (or improve on your current shooting abilities), really it comes down to what you'd like to be shooting.

Also e-bay (from large UK-based sellers - check feedback) is great for buying lenses I've found, you can often get ~£100 off high street price in this price range. It's also great for second hand lenses.
 08/19/2011 11:34:03 AM · #11
One more vote for the 70-200 f/4.
 08/19/2011 11:42:30 AM · #12
Just a comment on the 50/1.4; since you are relatively satisfied with the 50/1.8 *and* you don't mind the build quality, then I agree that the 50/1.4 is not a big upgrade and you should look elsewhere right now.
The 50/1.4 does, however, have a *lot* nicer bokeh than the 50/1.8. At some point in the future, you might want to get hold of a copy of the 50/1.4 and compare them, looking specifically at the bokeh. You might just decide that the upgrade is worth it. But save that for later :-)

08/19/2011 11:45:35 AM · #13
Originally posted by HawkinsT:


One thing you can do is go in to a camera shop and ask to try the lenses out - you can't tell much in a shop, but you'll at least get a basic idea of the abilities and feel of each lens.


or rent them.
 08/19/2011 02:03:07 PM · #14
Originally posted by mike_311:
Originally posted by HawkinsT:


One thing you can do is go in to a camera shop and ask to try the lenses out - you can't tell much in a shop, but you'll at least get a basic idea of the abilities and feel of each lens.


or rent them.


Yeah, I had typed this out before checking which country Paul's from... lens rental companies charge a lot more here than they do in the states, so with a £400 budget I think you're just better off buying one than renting a few and then having a £200 budget =).
 08/22/2011 11:19:26 AM · #15
Thank you for all the very helpful replies and apologies for the delay in replying - so little time these days with all this parenting malarkey!!

I must admit you have got me very interested in the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L USM Lens - the reviews on Amazon are fantastic and it sounds like it will go well with my 40D. I think I will more fun with this than a macro.

Thanks everyone!!
 08/22/2011 11:21:08 AM · #16
Originally posted by paulsteven:
I must admit you have got me very interested in the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L USM Lens - the reviews on Amazon are fantastic and it sounds like it will go well with my 40D. I think I will more fun with this than a macro.

Thanks everyone!!


By all accounts it is a great lens. I think this would be a fabulous addition to your arsenal.
 08/22/2011 11:24:48 AM · #17
The 70-200 would be a nice focal length addition for you!
 08/22/2011 11:41:26 AM · #18
I've had my 70-200 F4 for a few months now and don't regret buying it for one minute, it's bang on your budget and will add a different focal length to what you have at the minute. What are you waiting for go and order it before you find something else to spend your money on!
 08/28/2011 09:00:58 AM · #19
i started out with a 20d with the same efs lens as you, i got the f4 70-200 L and was a great boost to my photography, since upgraded it to the f2.8L but you are talking £1000. i sold my F4 70-200L for £320 to a mate the same price i paid for it 2 year earlier. i also got a 28-70 2.8 L second hand for £600 bitout of your range but a fantastic lense lives on my 5d most of the time. the sigma 50mm 1.4 is a nice lens and in your price range second hand, and ive just today bought the 12-24 f4 sigma for some nice wide angleage. i paid £340 with the postage of ebay.

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