You might be able to convince someone to part with their 70-200 f/4 L for close to that price...

^ a used copy of the above would be the best, but it would be at the higher end of your budget. Otherwise there is always the 75-300 f3.5-5.6, should be <200$

I'd say Sigma 17-70 but I'm not sure how much closer you'd like to be... and also because I'm obsessed with that lens. And I have one for sale for $325.

I think you should spend your $400 on hookers and blow.


Seriously, I think you should keep it in your pocket until you do have a specific need. Why do you need a "nicer" lens? Because someone said you did? Because you think you do? Because you missed out on a prize-winning photo op. because you had just a kit lens?

I always like to have a reason to spend $400--and I don't usually ask people I don't know vague questions when I don't have a specific goal in mind.

I'm really not trying to be an ass, it's just a near-impossible question for us to answer. That's like "name me a car for $25k--what should I buy?" There are just too many variables.

On the upside, if you go ahead and spend the money and get a lens that doesn't work for you, you can usually sell it for not much of a loss.

Mark, I think he's wanting something that zooms farther than his kit (18-55) lens. But, if that's the case, I would wait until I could afford a nice lens rather than spend <$400 on something that isn't the greatest.

The Canon 70-200 f/4 L would be my vote. It would be a nice addition to your kit lens, which by the way, is much better than people give it credit for.

You can probably get the Canon 70-200 f/4 for around $500.

- Scott

After re-reading his post, I agree with you. However, I do stand by my suggestion of NOT spending money for the sake of spending money, unless you have a clear reason to do it. There is nothing wrong with the 18-55 kit lens, until you come across a situation or three where it limits you from doing what you want to do.

Needing more zoom would be one of those situations.

Originally Posted by Markitos

After re-reading his post, I agree with you. However, I do stand by my suggestion of NOT spending money for the sake of spending money, unless you have a clear reason to do it. There is nothing wrong with the 18-55 kit lens, until you come across a situation or three where it limits you from doing what you want to do.

Needing more zoom would be one of those situations.

Absolutely. As a poor college student, thats absolutely what I stand by.

Get the 18-200 Sigma with Optical Stabilizer. This will be the best bang for your buck and put out some decent pictures.

http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-18-200mm...2497242&sr=8-2

Surprised nobody is mentioning the 50mm f1.8, its only $75 new.

Originally Posted by _L_U_C_A_

Surprised nobody is mentioning the 50mm f1.8, its only $75 new.

Well, we haven't seen him back since that post, so does it matter?

Originally Posted by _L_U_C_A_

Surprised nobody is mentioning the 50mm f1.8, its only $75 new.

Originally Posted by Markitos

Well, we haven't seen him back since that post, so does it matter?

Originally Posted by BobbyT

Canon 85 1.8, assuming the OP is still reading this.

He did specifically ask for a zoom though.

Originally Posted by BobbyT

Might make a prime convert out of him.

Originally Posted by user errors

I had bookmarked the site on my home computer, then managed to break the AC adapter to my laptop here at school, so I sort of lost the site and my ability to access it.

I'm working with around $600 now, would've been more if not for the laptop breaking

I'm still looking at zoom lenses, though I may also pick up something <$100 to accompany it since so many people seem to recommend a lot of them...

You don't need $600. The Sigma 17-70 is only $390 brand new.