I have more money than I do needs... so what should be my next step?

[jdramirez]

If anything, the 17-55 2.8 IS or the 24-70 2.8 VC Tam if you want FF compatibility. If you're going for reach, the 100-400 is a do all lens.

I'm pretty pleased with my 24-105mm... I appreciate the additional stop of light, but I can also bounce light in most situations. Thanks for the heads up... but yeah... not really what I'm looking for.

 

[bycostello]

get training

 

[Loswr]

Lots of lens and body talk, but you state no real 'needs'. That leads me to ask about accessories. Do you have a Speedlite? A good tripod and ballhead?

 

[dirtcastle]

For me, the choice of gear always starts with getting inspired. I see a style of photography I want to emulate and then I figure out what gear will help me achieve it.

Here's what I have found...

1. The most important tool is software. I use Lightroom and Photoshop. Lynda and other sites have great tutorials. Magazine tutorials can be helpful too.

2. Light is the most important resource. Anything that will create (speedlights), optimize (ISO, big apertures), or channel light (reflectors, diffusers, locations etc.) has the pottential to dramatically improve your photos.

3. Some of my favorite photographers get their style from knowing how to use their gear toward a certain effect. I could get a Leica and Noctilux 0.95 lens, but my shots might still lack the style I'm going for.

My suggestion would be to go through Flickr and 500px, pick out 20-30 photos that you want to emulate and then use those to make some purchase decisions.

I apologize for being pushy and off-topic, but this approach will put you further down the road to some great shots.

 

[jdramirez]

Lots of lens and body talk, but you state no real 'needs'. That leads me to ask about accessories. Do you have a Speedlite? A good tripod and ballhead?

I thought I mentioned my 430ex ii... but yes yes and yes. I have 2 tripods... 1 monopod, and two minipods... which suck.

 

[jdramirez]

For me, the choice of gear always starts with getting inspired. I see a style of photography I want to emulate and then I figure out what gear will help me achieve it.

Here's what I have found...

1. The most important tool is software. I use Lightroom and Photoshop. Lynda and other sites have great tutorials. Magazine tutorials can be helpful too.

2. Light is the most important resource. Anything that will create (speedlights), optimize (ISO, big apertures), or channel light (reflectors, diffusers, locations etc.) has the pottential to dramatically improve your photos.

3. Some of my favorite photographers get their style from knowing how to use their gear toward a certain effect. I could get a Leica and Noctilux 0.95 lens, but my shots might still lack the style I'm going for.

My suggestion would be to go through Flickr and 500px, pick out 20-30 photos that you want to emulate and then use those to make some purchase decisions.

I apologize for being pushy and off-topic, but this approach will put you further down the road to some great shots.

I have lightroom 4 and a corel photoediting software. And I have HDR software... so it suits my needs so far. I usually borrow books from the library to understand what is is I am working with.

As for flickr and such... I have an idea of what I like by usually lucking into it and then remembering what I did. Good ole' fashioned trial and error. But I can appreciate what you are saying.

 

[PackLight]

Canon is having a sale on their refurbished inventory right now. EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS mkII is going for $1900. The EF100L is a wonderfull lens (which I also own), but for the situation(s) you describe, it seems to be expendable...

I'm patient... and while I know a 15% or 20% sale are few and far between and when the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS mkii is in stock... well that doesn't happen often. I know it is a great lens... but I have really been underwhelmed by the 70-200mm f/4L USM and the 70-200mm f/2.8L USM... I simply don't know if I believe the hype about the 70-200's.

It really isn't "hype". The 70-200mm f/2.8 L II is the best zoom Canon makes. The only reason to not have it is if it is to long for your type of photography.

 

[Nishi Drew]

More money than you need? Hmm, that's simple, consider charity?

 

[verysimplejason]

I'd say it all depends on what type of photography are you interested in. If you're interested in sports, go for a 70-200. Otherwise, a good strobist equipment is a good way to spend some of your money (you have a flash already, you don't have to spend that much for the rest) and and 85mm or 135mm. The site below offers suggestions and good samples to emulate.

http://strobist.blogspot.com/

 

[K3nt]

I'd get a couple of more speedlites... the Nissin Di866 MkII are great value for money and can be had for around 200USD each.... pair that with the Yongou (or however you spell it) YN-622C radio triggers and you got a sweet lighting rig. :=)

As for lenses, the 70-200mm f/2.8L MkII is one of the best there is, it hasn't failed me yet. I actually run in to issues where i feel the limitations of my 7D body vs. the lens.

 

[jdramirez]

Canon is having a sale on their refurbished inventory right now. EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS mkII is going for $1900. The EF100L is a wonderfull lens (which I also own), but for the situation(s) you describe, it seems to be expendable...

I'm patient... and while I know a 15% or 20% sale are few and far between and when the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS mkii is in stock... well that doesn't happen often. I know it is a great lens... but I have really been underwhelmed by the 70-200mm f/4L USM and the 70-200mm f/2.8L USM... I simply don't know if I believe the hype about the 70-200's.

It really isn't "hype". The 70-200mm f/2.8 L II is the best zoom Canon makes. The only reason to not have it is if it is to long for your type of photography.

I'm probably looking to get the 70-200mm f/4L IS to see if that will tide me over... if not... I'll looking into the f/2.8L IS mkii.

 

[jdramirez]

More money than you need? Hmm, that's simple, consider charity?

Charity only works the pole during the weekends... so I have to funnel my money into Chastity's garter belt during the week.

 

[jdramirez]

My decision was made for me at 1a.m. today. I sold my copy of the 24-105mm f/4L IS USM. So now I have to buy a 5D mkii with the corresponding 24-105mm kit lens. That should leave me enough cash to buy a 135mm f/2 and then I'll be down to zero dollars. So that's a plus.

 

[pj1974]

My decision was made for me at 1a.m. today. I sold my copy of the 24-105mm f/4L IS USM. So now I have to buy a 5D mkii with the corresponding 24-105mm kit lens. That should leave me enough cash to buy a 135mm f/2 and then I'll be down to zero dollars. So that's a plus.

Glad you made a decision, though I wonder why you didn't keep your copy of the original 24-105mm IS USM, and just get a 5DmkII body only? (wouldn't that have been cheaper, than buying a new 24-105 IS USM?)

Before reading your last post (quoted above) - I would've recommended the 70-300mm L, which is a great lens - giving more reach than the 70-200mm's (obviously) and being very sharp and great IQ / contrast (almost at the same level as the 70-200mm f/2.8 II).

Also, I can also endorse the Nissin Di866 MkII as a great professional, yet not-too-expensive flash... works very well for me on my Canon DSLRs!

All the best with your new kit - and the 135mm f/2 is a great lens!

Paul

 

[jdramirez]

My decision was made for me at 1a.m. today. I sold my copy of the 24-105mm f/4L IS USM. So now I have to buy a 5D mkii with the corresponding 24-105mm kit lens. That should leave me enough cash to buy a 135mm f/2 and then I'll be down to zero dollars. So that's a plus.

Glad you made a decision, though I wonder why you didn't keep your copy of the original 24-105mm IS USM, and just get a 5DmkII body only? (wouldn't that have been cheaper, than buying a new 24-105 IS USM?)

Before reading your last post (quoted above) - I would've recommended the 70-300mm L, which is a great lens - giving more reach than the 70-200mm's (obviously) and being very sharp and great IQ / contrast (almost at the same level as the 70-200mm f/2.8 II).

Also, I can also endorse the Nissin Di866 MkII as a great professional, yet not-too-expensive flash... works very well for me on my Canon DSLRs!

All the best with your new kit - and the 135mm f/2 is a great lens!

Paul

Ehhh... I've seen printer + body + lens deals where the price is less on a per piece basis than just the body would be.

 

[jdramirez]

I was going through old posts and it has only been 6 months, but it seems like a lifetime ago.

I did buy a fisheye lens, a Rokinon 8mm, and a 70-200mm f/2.8L IS mkii. And just today I put in an order for a 5d mkiii.

So, so much for getting a 5d mkii.

 

[Pi]

I was going through old posts and it has only been 6 months, but it seems like a lifetime ago.

I did buy a fisheye lens, a Rokinon 8mm, and a 70-200mm f/2.8L IS mkii. And just today I put in an order for a 5d mkiii.

So, so much for getting a 5d mkii.

MkII or mkIII is a footnote in your case. Going FF will change your experience with the lenses you own.

 

[jdramirez]

I was going through old posts and it has only been 6 months, but it seems like a lifetime ago.

I did buy a fisheye lens, a Rokinon 8mm, and a 70-200mm f/2.8L IS mkii. And just today I put in an order for a 5d mkiii.

So, so much for getting a 5d mkii.

MkII or mkIII is a footnote in your case. Going FF will change your experience with the lenses you own.

I bought the 5d mkiii... but that's the easy part... actually allowing the order to go through is the hard part.

 

[Dylan777]

I was going through old posts and it has only been 6 months, but it seems like a lifetime ago.

I did buy a fisheye lens, a Rokinon 8mm, and a 70-200mm f/2.8L IS mkii. And just today I put in an order for a 5d mkiii.
So, so much for getting a 5d mkii.

Congrats on your new toy

Once you shoot with 5D III + 70-200 combo, I think your crop gear will end up on ebay or craigslist. It's day and night diff. from IQ, high ISO and AF....I enjoy my very much.

Don't forget screen protection for your 5D III - ENJOY

 

[jdramirez]

I was going through old posts and it has only been 6 months, but it seems like a lifetime ago.

I did buy a fisheye lens, a Rokinon 8mm, and a 70-200mm f/2.8L IS mkii. And just today I put in an order for a 5d mkiii.
So, so much for getting a 5d mkii.

Congrats on your new toy

Once you shoot with 5D III + 70-200 combo, I think your crop gear will end up on ebay or craigslist. It's day and night diff. from IQ, high ISO and AF....I enjoy my very much.

Don't forget screen protection for your 5D III - ENJOY

have a suggestion on a screen protector? I had my Canon xs for two years and the screen never got scratched. but I also had very light lenses, now I have heavier lenses.