Lucky me!

[Nickcanada]

I've got about 1000 bucks to spend on photo gear.

My ideas....

200mm 2.8

10mm 2.8 fisheye

studio lights

and I'll throw the 70-200mm 4 IS in there for Peter!

What would you do?

P.S. maybe a new body?!?

[truflip]

A Nikon D80 is a good start! lol jk jk..
get as many primes as u can.. i vote for 200mm f2.8 though and some studio lights

[TheWengler]

How about a 135mm f/2L and a 1.4x TC? How would that quality compare to a 200mm f/2.8 L?

[Rooz]

i'd hands down get the 70-200/4. fisheyes are a "nice to have" but imo their use is quite limited. 200/2.8...sure, great lens...but again, limited application.

the 70-200 rocks. great focal range, lots of uses. you'll get a heck of alot of use out of it...and its beautiful to use. i loved every minute of it on a 30d.

[DonSchap]

Based on your recent bout of outdoor shooting, Nick ... I'd have a strong leaning toward the 70-200mm f/4 for sure. It can deliver a snappy and sharp image, in a lot of settings. With your flashes ... indoors is no problem, either.

When it comes to lights ... that is really limited, if you don't have dedicated space. Personally, it is a time consumer to set up and, again, a limited use item.

If there's a choice to be made ... make it glass, unless you have it all. The 70-200mm will offer you the "reach", which you currently do not appear to have. It (pardon the expression) completes your basic bag.

I wish TAMRON would get on the ball and finally release their 70-200mm f/2.8 ($699) SONY-mount. The Canon-mount is already out there. at the same price.

Good luck on whatever you decide.

[michaelb]

The 70-200 f/4 IS is a sweet lens for sure. I'm amazed by the results from my non-IS. I would go with this unless you need a faster lens for your band shots - if so then I'd think about the 135L. The 200 2.8 is a awesome lens optically for the money, but IMO this would be an odd FL and simply too limiting.

[aparmley]

You could always buy a few more 580 EXs, stands, brellas, etc etc. They are a lot more flexible than studio lights and more or less acheive the same result. Don - strobes don't limit, they enhance and open up all sorts of possibilities - don't hate on the strobe. After learning about flash photography I see it has applications in every single type of photographic opportunity. Thats about as non-limiting as one can get.

I'll take a completely different approach to your funds: How about a photo-cation (photo vacation)? A trip planned around shooting? Could be more worth while than a lens or some strobes?

[DonSchap]

Andy,

I did mean purchasing studio lights, not the portable stuff. With all the need for power and such ... unless you invest in the big "car" batteries ... it can be a long time between uses.

I agree that the strobes (portable) are quite liberating and can deliver what standard lighting simply would not. Nick already has the master/slave possibilities with the two flashes he currently owns. A second 580EX would enhance that and the ST-E2 would allow him to remove the strobe from the camera. You often need more than just the little plastic foot to hold them and use them properly, though. Light stands are about $40 a pop.

Good catch. Thanks!

[adam75south]

well if you were looking for a new body, now would be the time. $200 INSTANT rebate on the 40d. although i don't know how that works in Canada.

strobes are great to have but see VERY limited use...especially when you can get just as good portraits outdoors and most of the time they're more interesting. and they're a pain to put up and take down constantly. i haven't pulled mine out of the bag in months.

i'm thinking you might see the most use out of that fisheye for concert use.

BUUUUT, if it were me.....17-55mm f/2.8 HANDS DOWN. i know that's not an option you listed, but that's what i'd do.

or sell the xt for whatever you can get, buy the 40d, then reevaluate the left over money.

haha OORRRRRRR, buy the 40d, give your wife the xt.

[24Peter]

Well a 70-200 lens is kind of a no-brainer for someone who shoots as much and as well as you. Doesn't have to be the IS version (nor does it need to be Canon). You could pick up a used Canon non-IS copy for <$500, sell either your XT or 20D - definitely don't need both those bodies - and then pick up a newer body (used 30D/40D or even 5D) too.

If you really want strobes (I'm assuming you mean studio strobes and not more flashes for your camera), see what you can pick up used locally (craigslist or something).