Help me figure out my gf's xmas/6 month present

[DisgruntledVirus]

I know it's still 3 months off and all, but I want to figure it out over the course of the next month while saving up some money for it. Any other suggestions are welcome. Some of the ideas are expensive (i.e. the 70-200 F/2.8 or the 70-200 IS, although I like the F/2.8 over IS personally), so this might have to be a combined 6 month and xmas present (6 month is the day after xmas lol). Her equipment is:

Canon 5D (so lenses I am looking at have to support full frame)
Kit lens 30-70mm (around that, I don't remember the exact lens off hand though is a kit lens though)
She had a zoom lens, but can't find it. I know it wasn't anything special though (i.e. not L glass)
A normal bag, but she doesn't like it because it's not one that's easy to carry around.

She uses it right now to do senior pictures, but eventually wants to open a studio doing portrait/senior picture work. So she uses the 20-100mm focal lengths the most. So here are my ideas for xmas.

Lenses (full frame)
Canon EF 24-70mm F/2.8 L USM ~$1200
Canon EF 24-105mm F/4 L IS USM $1000
Canon EF 70-200mm F/2.8 L USM $1200
Canon EF 70-200mm F/4 L IS USM $1200
Sigma 24-70mm F/2.8 EX DG $500
Canon EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM $400
Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 XR Di LD $350

Other accessories
Canon BG-E4 battery Grip $200
New bag (I like the lowepro slingshot ones personally, but dunno for sure) $100
Second battery
Speedlight flash

If I was going to get one of the 3 L glass lenses that would be about it. I wouldn't be getting anything else, except maybe a second battery or new bag. If I got one of the other lenses I would end up getting the lens, grip, and bag. She has plenty of tripods, and I can't think of anything else she needs. Anybody have any other ideas?

 

[randomlinh]

30-70 kit lens... you sure it's not a 24-105 f/4L or even that 24-70L you have listed? I thought the 5D's "kit lens" was a decent one. Also, the lenses that "aren't full frame" you listed... are indeed "full frame" lenses.

The 70-200 I think on a 5D would be your best bet. The 2.8 is a beast, so if you know she won't mind it, go for it. Otherwise, the 4L IS variant would be my next choice.

Don't get the sigma 24-70, they just announced one w/ HSM that will hopefully be even better.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Originally posted by: randomlinh
30-70 kit lens... you sure it's not a 24-105 f/4L or even that 24-70L you have listed? I thought the 5D's "kit lens" was a decent one. Also, the lenses that "aren't full frame" you listed... are indeed "full frame" lenses.

The 70-200 I think on a 5D would be your best bet. The 2.8 is a beast, so if you know she won't mind it, go for it. Otherwise, the 4L IS variant would be my next choice.

Don't get the sigma 24-70, they just announced one w/ HSM that will hopefully be even better.

I know she doesn't have any L glass. It's a solid lens, but any of these lens would be an upgrade over what she has (I did some research a few months back, because I was looking to do it for her birthday but we weren't dating long enough yet). It isn't a bad lens, but there are definitely better out there. I don't remember the exact focal lengths off hand, but know it's in that range. I know she bought everything at the same time as a "kit", but the price she paid for it would mean for the two lens she would have to to be ~$500 combined. The zoom she can't find since she moved stuff around when I moved in (granted she hasn't looked that much AFAIK either).

I would go with the F/2.8 over the F/4 IS of the 70-200mm personally, because IMHO a lower f-stop>IS until you get to the 300+mm.

I wasn't sure if they were all FF or not, but I corrected the OP to reflect them all being FF. I wasn't sure about the other two.

The Sigma/Tamron are not high up on my list of wants, and I would rather get Canon glass.

 

[OdiN]

f/2.8 IS!

The L glass seems a bit pricey for a 6 month thing. But that's just me.

If she does portraits, I think the f/2.8 is better as well. Stand further back, zoom in more, 2.8, watch the background blur

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: OdiN
f/2.8 IS!

The L glass seems a bit pricey for a 6 month thing. But that's just me.

If she does portraits, I think the f/2.8 is better as well. Stand further back, zoom in more, 2.8, watch the background blur

L glass pricy for 6 months.. and you put out the 2.8 IS =P That's why I said the F4L IS, I found the non-IS to be great wide open. And the savings in weight was great. And it's not like it doesn't hold value pretty well.

I'd only move to 2.8 if the OP's GF did weddings/events. Or if she fancy's low light stuff anyway.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Originally posted by: OdiN
f/2.8 IS!

The L glass seems a bit pricey for a 6 month thing. But that's just me.

If she does portraits, I think the f/2.8 is better as well. Stand further back, zoom in more, 2.8, watch the background blur

The F/2.8 IS is $1800 or so, and I would buy for myself and let her use it

Yeah I kind of agree with L glass being pricy for just 6 months, but it does seem to be something that will be a long term deal so I can be okay with it I think. Also I will be able to use it for my own photography work . That's the other reason I can justify spending that much for L glass.

Here are some examples from her most recent senior picture shoot she did earlier this week.

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/BDVirus/example1.JPG
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/BDVirus/Example2.JPG
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/BDVirus/example3.JPG

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Originally posted by: randomlinh

Originally posted by: OdiN
f/2.8 IS!

The L glass seems a bit pricey for a 6 month thing. But that's just me.

If she does portraits, I think the f/2.8 is better as well. Stand further back, zoom in more, 2.8, watch the background blur

L glass pricy for 6 months.. and you put out the 2.8 IS =P That's why I said the F4L IS, I found the non-IS to be great wide open. And the savings in weight was great. And it's not like it doesn't hold value pretty well.

I'd only move to 2.8 if the OP's GF did weddings/events. Or if she fancy's low light stuff anyway.

What about the F/4 non-IS at $800ish?

On a trip to Myrtle Beach a month ago she wished she had a better zoom, and a lot of the shots were action stuff. I know she has been asked by some of her friends to do their wedding photography work, but she wasn't sure if she wanted to do it or not (scared of doing something wrong and messing up wedding photos isn't something she wants to happen). So she might get into weddings/events and does action stuff on occasion. That's why I want to go with the 2.8 apature.

2.8 IS would be lovely, I can't justify spending $1800 on a lens for myself let alone on her

 

[OdiN]

Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus

Originally posted by: OdiN
f/2.8 IS!

The L glass seems a bit pricey for a 6 month thing. But that's just me.

If she does portraits, I think the f/2.8 is better as well. Stand further back, zoom in more, 2.8, watch the background blur

The F/2.8 IS is $1800 or so, and I would buy for myself and let her use it

Yeah I kind of agree with L glass being pricy for just 6 months, but it does seem to be something that will be a long term deal so I can be okay with it I think. Also I will be able to use it for my own photography work . That's the other reason I can justify spending that much for L glass.

Here are some examples from her most recent senior picture shoot she did earlier this week.

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/BDVirus/example1.JPG
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/BDVirus/Example2.JPG
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/BDVirus/example3.JPG

Tell her to get a lot more practice before opening that studio.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Originally posted by: OdiN

Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus

Originally posted by: OdiN
f/2.8 IS!

The L glass seems a bit pricey for a 6 month thing. But that's just me.

If she does portraits, I think the f/2.8 is better as well. Stand further back, zoom in more, 2.8, watch the background blur

The F/2.8 IS is $1800 or so, and I would buy for myself and let her use it

Yeah I kind of agree with L glass being pricy for just 6 months, but it does seem to be something that will be a long term deal so I can be okay with it I think. Also I will be able to use it for my own photography work . That's the other reason I can justify spending that much for L glass.

Here are some examples from her most recent senior picture shoot she did earlier this week.

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/BDVirus/example1.JPG
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/BDVirus/Example2.JPG
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/BDVirus/example3.JPG

Tell her to get a lot more practice before opening that studio.

Lol, as I said it's years off. Those are by no means her best (or average) stuff. She can take pictures, those were just easy access for me to get at work is all.

 

[ElFenix]

she needs a flash

 

[soydios]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
she needs a flash

seconded

580EXII or 430EXII

 

[OdiN]

Ahh yeah flash would be a good choice.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Originally posted by: soydios

Originally posted by: ElFenix
she needs a flash

seconded

580EXII or 430EXII

Actually that's a good point. I will have to double check and see if she has one. If not I think it will be the 580EX, and grip. Or could do the 430EX, grip, and bag.

From reading the review on the digital picture it seems like it would be worth it, but maybe better to upgrade to it and use the 430EX as a remote flash/backup?

 

[smitbret]

I don't know how much of a photographer you are, but if it's portrait work, then the sharpness of the lens isn't that big of a deal since any of the ones you've listed will be adequate. I'm leaning towards the Sigma 24-70 f2.8 since a normal lens will be a lot more useful in portraiture than a telezoom (add a tc if you need a little more range). The f2.8 will be better for subject isolation against the background, plus, stopped down, no one will be able tell the difference between the Sigma and 'L' glass. With the money saved, get the grip and a the most powerful flash you can buy, you'll need every bit of juice if you have to shoot an outdoor wedding. You can get the 580EX II or a Metz if you can afford it.

 

[virtuamike]

The 24-70/2.8, or at least something in that range.

Based on her pictures though, lighting, posing, and subject direction would help a lot more than lenses or more equipment. Books make nice gifts too.

 

[The Stigenator]

dude.. let me guess.. she is in High School..

do not get her a 2000 dollar lens.. or whatever it costs. She is only in 6 months you gf.. you are in love and you want to shower her with gifts.. but the fact remains she will never do teh same for you and think like 'ooh he might want this... '

so no use spending that money. Dont spend more than 150 bucks.. trust me.. a 2000 dollar lens or even a 1000 dollar lens is something you give to a girl who is your fiance or wife..

learn from my mistakes.. she will never repay you on that.. sex is not equal repayment.

 

[foghorn67]

Maybe a used 430 Ex. That will cost less than 200.

 

[jpeyton]

$1000+ gifts for your girlfriend's 6 month anniversary?

You need help. Seriously.

 

[dmw16]

I gotta agree with a few others. It's your money, but how can you consider spending several thousand dollars on your girlfriend of 6 months? The first gift I bought my wife that cost over $1000 was her engagement ring (granted well over $1000).

How old are you anyway?