You have €500 what do you buy?

sdevine89

Ok so firstly I never really planned on making a thread like this but I've become slightly overwhelmed by the number of options out there for a new lens, and thought that a thread may allow me to find a general consensus.

So firstly a bit of background, I got my first DSLR in December, a Canon 600D with the kit 18-55 and a 55-200. I think I've made a good fist of using both of these over the past 6/7 months and have got some results I'm happy with. I'm now sure photography is a hobby I'm going to stick with for a long period of time and might even try turn a bit of cash from it, if the opportunity arises. I've also invested in a Canon 430ex speedlite. I had a tripod which was unfortunately broken and will be investing in another one.

Here is a few photos I've taken this year:



Lower Lake, Glendalough by StephenDevine, on Flickr



Connemara, Ireland. by StephenDevine, on Flickr



New Family Member by StephenDevine, on Flickr



James Thornton - UCD v Garryowen - Ulster Bank Division 1A - 1/3/14 by StephenDevine, on Flickr



Tiger, Dublin Zoo. by StephenDevine, on Flickr



Over The Top by StephenDevine, on Flickr

You can see the rest of the photos i've been taking herehttps://www.flickr.com/photos/stephendevine/ to give you an idea of the style I shoot etc.

So my questions is if you were in my shoes and given the style/subjects I have been shooting what would you spend €500 on? My current plan is to pick up a Sigma 50mm 1.4 but couldn't certainly be persuaded if people think there is a much better buy out there.

Thanks for the help in advance.

magicbastarder

a secondhand large format camera.

Sheeps

A 24-105mm f4L might be a decent step up over the 600D kit lens. It's my next lens, and just on budget.
http://www.eglobalcentral.eu/canon-ef-24-105mm-f-4l-is-usm-lenses-white-box-en.html

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

Sigma 10-20mm or a Canon 70-200mm F4L.

Don't bother with the 50mm 1.4. Get the Canon 50mm 1.8. It will be the best 100 euro you will ever spend

sdevine89

Nancy Drab Tuba wrote: »

Sigma 10-20mm or a Canon 70-200mm F4L.

Don't bother with the 50mm 1.4. Get the Canon 50mm 1.8. It will be the best 100 euro you will ever spend

Going to pick up a 70-200mm F2.8L within the next 12 months for sports photography so will hold off on the F4L

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

sdevine89 wrote: »

Going to pick up a 70-200mm F2.8L within the next 12 months for sports photography so will hold off on the F4L

Ah ok cool

I chose the F4l for the price, weight and quality.

Buying lenses involves a lot of work, especially wen you are parting with so much money.

sdevine89

magicbastarder wrote: »

a secondhand large format camera.

Don't really see the point in that if my glass is still just kit lenses?

M.J.M.C

Do you have / own lightroom?

sdevine89

M.J.M.C wrote: »

Do you have / own lightroom?

Yeah I have Lightroom 4

magicbastarder

sdevine89 wrote: »

Don't really see the point in that if my glass is still just kit lenses?

i saw the text above your photos and not the text below, so i was answering with what i would buy if someone gave me €500 to spend on camera gear.

DaireQuinlan

magicbastarder wrote: »

i saw the text above your photos and not the text below, so i was answering with what i would buy if someone gave me €500 to spend on camera gear.

yeah I wouldn't say the coverage on a kit lens would be the best

inkedpt

It looks to me that you are doing a fine job with your current gear... you can get the the canon 50mm 1.8 along side with an umbrella, stand, some cheap triggers and give it a go with off-camera flash. You can get a ND filter (the hoya ND400 is 10 stops and there's no color cast) a shutter cable release, the tripod and go for long exposures.
Budget should cover it all

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

inkedpt wrote: »

It looks to me that you are doing a fine job with your current gear... you can get the the canon 50mm 1.8 along side with an umbrella, stand, some cheap triggers and give it a go with off-camera flash. You can get a ND filter (the hoya ND400 is 10 stops and there's no color cast) a shutter cable release, the tripod and go for long exposures.
Budget should cover it all

Throw in an intervelometer for about 10 euro and you can get some sexy time lapse projects done also.

John mac

Rokinon 24mm F/1.4 , (ok 100 more ) but great for night shots. and landscapes

Big stopper would be another option.

RickyWed

Very nice photos if I were you I would get Sigma 17-55 2.8 from one unnamed Hong kong site. I am buying with them and are excelent. But every photographer should have a prime lens 50mm 1.4 but seeing what you photograph the Sigma would be great, for sports get the 70-200 2.8 lens.