Need some input on Canon lens upgrades

[dbmk]

Hi guys and girls!

Currently using a Canon 400D (aka Rebel XTi in your parts I think) - and I have so far invested in some of the cheaper lenses - and I am at the point where I would like to upgrade to/invest in some of the better and more expensive ones.
So I would like to hear about your experiences and/pointers you might have.

Currently I have:
EF 50mm 1,8 II - which I think is GREAT for its price btw.
EF 75-300mm 4-5,6 III
EF 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6 USM
EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 - kit lens

I intend to upgrade to a body with full-frame sensor (would have put in an order for the 5D Mark II - but thats on hold until they fix the black dot problem that surfaced) - so EF-S lenses are out, as far as I understand it.

But what would you recommend getting if you where to add to that list or replace one of them? I would especially like to get a replacement for the 18-55mm.

Right now the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM is on the list - and thats probably as far as I want to go for one lens, price wise, this time around.
I also have my eye on the EF 100mm 2,8 USM macro.

Does anyone have experience with the third party producers? Tokina, Sigma, Tamron?

Anyways - any advice, comments, tips or warnings would be very much appreciated.

[JeffR]

1. I can't recommend the Tokina 12-24mm enough.

Very solid piece of equipment, and tack sharp stopped down a little. The Tokina 100mm f/2.8 is also a fine lens, though I haven't shot as much with it as I want to. These lenses are both better built than anything comparable price-wise that I've seen, by Canon or other third party companies.

[mth44sc]

2. Could you post me an image or three

taken with either of the lenses you recommended?

Thanks!

[JeffR]

3. Here ya go:

With the 12-24mm:





And the 100mm (which I forgot to mention is a macro lens; nice for portraits too, but I don't have any handy):

[mth44sc]

4. Thanks!

does a very nice job, indeed...

[dbmk]

5. Thank you very much

Thats exactly the kind of information I was after. With examples and everything. Much appreciated.

They certainly are competive pricewise.

[dbmk]

6. Which body do you use it on, Jeff?

I am considering the 10-22 from Canon as well, as I am shooting on the cropped 400D, and if I am going wide anyway, I might as well get those 2 extra mms at the bottom. I am reading conflicting stories on the quality though.
The 12-24 you mention might win out on price - and relatively good recommendations all over.

The 100mm from Tokina looks like a winner though. Only thing I can see the Canon competitor has, is the USM.

[JeffR]

7. XTi here also.

I think Blue_In_AK uses the 10-22. Maybe she'll weigh in here.

Tokina has a new 10-17mm f/2.8 also. A little more expensive than the 12-24mm, and one might want a little more zoom range than it offers.

[Blue_In_AK]

9. No, I have the 10-20 Sigma

and it only goes with the old camera. For the wider on the 5D I have the 17-40L which is a really nice lens and goes about as wide as I ever need to.

[JeffR]

10. 10mm would equate to 16mm on your old camera anyway

so the 17-40mm gives you pretty much the same coverage at the short end, and the longer reach must be a real bonus.

[Blue_In_AK]

11. That's the way I see it, too.

I think I've pretty well got it covered now. I put my 17-40 on the 5D to get the widest wide and then the 70-200 or 70-300 on the 20D or 50D for the longest long. It works out pretty well. I'm totally spoiled now with three cameras. The 17-85 ought to work pretty well for the one in the middle. I may never have to change a lens again. :rofl:

[Blue_In_AK]

8. I like my 24-70 2.8 L lens to go with the 70-200.

It kind of rounds out the range.