Tax Man Gives Back

[Hill Country Hack]

I'm due a refund from Uncle Sugar and I want to spend some of it on more gear. Let me talk you through my thought process and help me decide the best option(s)

For about the same $$ I can get:
1. 24-70 f2.8 L
2. 400mm f5.6 L
3. 24-105 f4 L- with some $$ left over
4. 2x extender and 580Ex speedlight

I want the extender/speedlight combo for the extra reach for wildlife/birding with my exsiting lenes and the flash for family stuff (holidays etc). The flash would get light to moderate work. The extender would see much more use than the flash.

I also like to shoot indoor sporting events where the f2.8 and f4 lenses come into play. I can also use these for the indoor family stuff with ambient only and lots of lights turned on. These would get moderate to heavy use. If someday I get more into portraiture, these lenses would come in handy. The f4 is not ideal because it would not be fast enough for the indoor sports.

The 400mm by itself for wildlife/birding and would get light to moderate use. This lens and the extender combo is too much $$, plus if I'm being honest they would not get the use in tandum to justify the expense. I can put the extender on my 70-200 or 70-300 and fore go the 400mm.

I feel the 24-105 or 24-70 would get the most use as an everyday lens either indoor sports or outdoor landscape/cityscapes, therefore being the best item to purchase at this time.

I have had an itch to start flash photography, hence the hesitation against the obvious choice.

Am I missing anything obvious, or should I just break out the big boy underwear and make a decision? Thanks for any input you all provide.

[Doug Sundseth]

The 2x extender gets you to 400 f/5.6 if you use it with the 70-200, so I'd not get the 400. And I wouldn't leave money on the table; it's just rude.

So, by my analysis, the question comes down to whether shooting wildlife plus shooting with added light is more important than shooting wide to tele with a big aperture.

I'll warn you that once you get started with lighting, it can be worse than lenses. "I really need a second light, ... third light, ...big softbox, ... boom for my light stand, ... more radio triggers, ...." It's sure fun, though.

[Hill Country Hack]

Thanks Doug. It is much to think about. I can see what you are saying about the issue of starting lighting. Too bad I can't do the extender and the f2.8 But I just started umpiring for the spring. That should pay for the extender. Whoop! I'll bump this back to the top to see if I get any more responses.

[Hill Country Hack]

I'm bumping this back to the top as I've had time to consider other options.

I've found Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 XR Di - Canon on a local craigslist for USD 250 and can be purchased new on Amazon for USD 455 and USD 449 at B&H. I read many glowing reviews for this lens and I don't have to be a Canon glass snob. Who needs a stinking red ring around the lens, I could paint one on if I want.

Anyone out there with expierence with this lens?

If this glass is as good as the reviews say, I can get this lens, 2x extender AND the flash. I can now consitantly produce in focus, sharp images with my current glass, but I do need the faster glass with shorter focal length to do what I want to do.