Sorry if you've seen this on another forum, but I thought this site would be a great place to get some answers. Thanks

Hey everyone i'm not sure if this topic has come up here in the forum or not. Excuse me if it has but i'm in the market for some new lenses. I'm a student photographer working my way into the profession. I have around $1500 to work with and i've been doing some research. I still have to do some research on used lenses that could save me money, but as my father would say its good to get things new with warreny. Anyways I think I may have narrowed things down to two choices, both orders from B&H. Here they are:

Canon 17-40 f/4L + Canon 24-70 f/4L
Both with basic circular polerizer and 3 or 7year Mac warrenty
shipped to my house would be $1,565.30 (and if bought by Jan 15th -$100 MIR) which brings it to $1,465.30 shipped.

OR

Tokina 28-80 (280 AT-X Pro) + Sigma 70-200 2.8 EX APO IF HSM
Both with basic circular polerizer and 3 or 7 year Mac warrenty
shipped to my house would be $1,626.02 (with $50 MIR for one of them forgot which) which brings us to $1,576.02 shipped.

Now i realize the obvious factors that the f2.8 would provide but i'm looking for some professional oppinon on chosing one for quality.I am a student and am not quite sure which part of the industry i'm most intersted in and will be doing a wide range of assignments, portraiture, nature, landscape, some photoJ, etc.
Looking for someone with experience with one or all of these lenses and some suggestion as to which way i should go. the 2.8 would be nice to have but would rather have a more reliable and sharp lens rather than just the ability toget good exposure in low light, tripods don't bother me and again i'm still a student, i'm no professional but am striving forward toward one profession or another. Thanks again everyone, I love this website!

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Justin Alessi
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CNY Student Photographer
Canon 20d, Elan 7n
Sigma 28-80 3.5-5.6II Macro, 70-300 4-5.6
Screw mount Fisheye

Justin,
I own both the 17-40mm Canon and the Sigma 70-200mm. I can't comment on the other two lenses.

The 17-40 is my basic working lens and I love it. The F4 is not a problem since I can gain back that stop by shooting at ISO 200 rather than 100. Most of the time I'm shooting this lens at F8 and it's pretty sharp.

The 70-200 F2.8 is very sharp and it has been my long-range workhorse. At 70, you get a nice portrait lens. At 200 on my 1.6 crop-factor XT, you get a pretty nice long telephoto and the Sigma 1.4X teleconverter works with this lens for a nice long reach. Again, this lens is sharp.

For an additional $70, I'd recommend the Canon 50mm F1.8. It's incredibly inexpensive and very sharp especially stopped down to F8 or F11. In my opinion, it's a "must have" for every Canon shooter. A great portrait lens.

Those are my comments. If you have any additional questions, just yell.

Jim

I'd strongly advise against buying new lenses - I have just bought a 400mm DO lens on ebay (but through the canon outlet) 12 month warranty on a refurbished lens that looks as though its never seen daylight before and a saving of 2500 US dollars on the new price in England. If you do the right research you can save your self a fortune.

thanks everyone, you are so helpful

Hi J00ston,

Thanks for the post. When I first started shooting weddings five years ago, I started very simply. I did not buy the best lenses on earth...I purchased very good ones. I think that I I were to do it today, I would do the same thing.

Other lenses you did not include that are well reputed (but that I have not used) are the Tamron 28-75 and the Sigma 10-20mm lens. This will provide you the full range that you need at a very affordable price (less than $900 US for both, I think). Once you have the 'basic range' taken care of, I think you need to be more selective with your lenses. One of the great things about being a professional is getting a different perspective from others..specialized lenses that fit what you are trying to capture are important. Once again...get the basics first though.

I do agree with Pete, there can be some great deals on e-bay...however, just be careful from whom you purchase. i.e. buy only from folks with solid reputations and of course, still be wary even if they do. My own account was hijacked on E-bay for a short bit.

James