Lens combos under $1000

[TeenTog]

This topic is mainly out of curiosity to see what people think, and hopefully it will also help some budget-restricting people!


Say you just spent $1000ish on a 60D, and now you need some lenses, but TOGETHER They need to be under $1000. What would you choose?

[neuroanatomist]

I'd beg or borrow another $60 and get the EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM and the EF 85mm f/1.8 USM.

[TeenTog]

I can definatley see the 15-85mm, I really want it myself but.......Why the 85?

[RLPhoto]

This would be my setup

5Dc

28mm 1.8
50mm 1.4
100mm 2.0

I could do 90% of all my work with that setup.

[neuroanatomist]

I can definatley see the 15-85mm, I really want it myself but.......Why the 85?

The weakness of the 15-85mm is that it's got a slow aperture.  It often works well to combine a fast prime for portraits (better subject isolation) and low light with a slower zoom for versatility and cost savings.  The 50/1.4 would work as well - the 85mm just suits my style better as I like tight portraits.

FWIW, I prefer the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS to the 15-85mm, but that one lens costs about the same as the other two, and the combo is more versatile, IMO.

[TeenTog]

works well to combine a fast prime for portraits

thanks, I didn't think about that

[gmrza]

I'd beg or borrow another $60 and get the EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM and the EF 85mm f/1.8 USM.

My reaction would have been the 15-85 plus the 50 f/1.4 - as you point out a few posts further, the choice between the 50 and the 85 is probably a matter of style.

[hsmoscout]

I'd say 18-55mm IS, 55-250 IS, 50mm f/1.8 II, and 100mm Macro.

[jdramirez]

I have a 60D and while I have upgraded to the 24-105mm, 100mm F/2.8L Macro, the 50mm f/2.8, and the 70-200mm f/2.8L USM... I had to slowly climb the ladder starting with the 18-55.

First, I'd suggest buying used or even better refurbished.  And if you can be patient, you can get 15-20% off most lenses, and if you are crazy lucky, you can get 30% off great lenses, but I wouldn't hold your breath on those. 

Here's a best case scenario (presuming you live some place without tax).

24-105mm f/4L IS for $643. Leaving you with $357.
http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10051_10051_263354_-1

It's not the widest option on a crop sensor, but it is a great lens that is often underrated because of the 24-70 and the performance of primes. 

Next, a 40mm pancake lens or the 50mm f/1.8.  The 50mm f/1.4 actually outperforms it's L series f/1.2 counterpart, but it can have some AF issues if it takes a fall. 

The 40mm pancake can be found for $200 and compares favorably to as the younger brother to some L lenses... Not quite as good, but also 1/7th the price.  The 50mm f/1.8 is findable at $100... and is the best value lens out there.  It's shallow depth of field can take your shots from simply photographs to pieces of art that should be hung from your walls.  At this point.... I'd lean towards the 40mm, but I was sad when I eventually sold my 50mm when I upgraded to the f/1.4.  After the $200... you have $157 left.

And finally, I'd suggest getting a 55-250mm IS.  It's not ideal for all settings, but for outdoor photography it is an amazing value lens.  The 70-300 can be found (if you are lucky) for around $300, but really it normally is around $450 or so.  The 55-250 can easily be found for $150 used or even knew (the last one I had to sell was new and I sold it for $170).  There are upgrade options, but I don't think they are worth discussing unless you are willing to not get the 40mm and downgrade the 24-105.  And you have $7 left to get some cheap hoods from Amazon to protect the glass.  I prefer doing that over UV filters. 

Now here's the problem, the 24-105 usually sells for around 850 to 800 from ebay without a real warranty.  It has dipped to as low as 750.  But Canon is sold out and so you are probably out of luck getting it at the crazy amazing price. 

But you can get a 15-85mm which is a near tack sharp lens and a great lens for an entry level non L. 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B002NEGTTM/ref=sr_1_1_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1350876853&sr=8-1&keywords=15-85mm+canon&condition=used

You can get a used one for 560 in like new condition leaving you 440 left.

If you get the 55-250 for 150, that will leave you around $300.  And then you can possibly find a 50mm f/1.4 for around 300... though $350 is more likely.  I wouldn't buy that one used because of the AF issues, but if you buy it new and then put on a hood, I think you are good to go. 

And now back

[jdramirez]

And I guess I wasn't really thinking about it initially, but you are going to have lighting issues indoors.  At 4, you can get a decent shot with an iso of around 1250... but at 5.6 you are going to lose 1/2 of your light compared to the 4 and when the 60D goes to 3200 iso or higher... it gets crazy grainy. 

So I'd suggest maybe downgraded the 50mm f/1.4 to either the 40mm or the 50mm f/1.8 and then getting either a Yongnuo manual flash for $70 or maybe a used 430ex II for $200.  Then learn how to bounce the flash off walls ceilings and even floors.  Light will also be the most important factor in your shots... so don't ever thinking that a longer shutterspeed will solve all of your problems. 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

This topic is mainly out of curiosity to see what people think, and hopefully it will also help some budget-restricting people!


Say you just spent $1000ish on a 60D, and now you need some lenses, but TOGETHER They need to be under $1000. What would you choose?

 
It really depends on your type of photography.  I have a 15-85 which I love, but a longer telephoto might be nice too, Canon has the refurb 55-250 IS for $167, which would let you pickup the  refurb 15-85 and a inexpensive 50mm f/1.8.  There is a 30% off sale goiing on for a couple of days, so take a look.
http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductListingViewAll_10051_10051_-1_22751

[Dylan777]

I would go for a used combo on Craiglist:

1. 17-55 f2.8 IS ==> general shooting
2. 50mm f1.4 ==> portrait

[wickidwombat]

I'm going to be a bit different and say

Tokina 11-16 f2.8 about $500
Canon 40mm f2.8 pancake $199
and Canon 85mm f1.8 $379

ok so it went over the $1000 slightly but
the tokina is good for wides stuff and nice and fast
the 40mm pancake is sharper accross the frame than the 24-70 f2.8L mk1 at f2.8 and is a great all round lens
the 85 for nice fast aperture portraits

[jdramirez]

I'm going to be a bit different and say

Tokina 11-16 f2.8 about $500
Canon 40mm f2.8 pancake $199
and Canon 85mm f1.8 $379

ok so it went over the $1000 slightly but
the tokina is good for wides stuff and nice and fast
the 40mm pancake is sharper accross the frame than the 24-70 f2.8L mk1 at f2.8 and is a great all round lens
the 85 for nice fast aperture portraits

I know there are gaps in focal range but I can guarantee you that you would not miss the gaps. 

[discojuggernaut]

i would try to squeeze in under $1k with some used CL purchasing

tamron 17-50 2.8 non IS
nifty 50mm
canon 70-200 f4 non IS