I'm still very much learning about photography, SLR photography in particular. I started in Jan. of this year (2004) with a 300D + Kit lens (EF-S 18-55). Soon thereafter I got a Canon 28-135 IS USM, then a Sigma 70-300 APO Super II followed by a Sigma 50mm EX macro and most recently a Canon 17-40 f/4L.
I find that I almost never use the 28-135 unless for some reason I can have only one lens. It's a fine lens, but is more often than not either too slow, not wide enough, or not tele enough for my usual fare (nature).
The 18-55 EF-S was very much worth the $100 extra I paid for it as compared to the 300D body price, but it hasn't been attached to my 300D since I got the 17-40L, a superior lens in every regard (as one would hope given the price difference).
Sigma-wise, the 70-300 APO is inexpensive, but it gives me inexpensive results (very soft at 300, especially for distant subjects). I am not particularly happy with the lack of smoothness in its zoom ring.
The Sigma 50mm EX macro is
VERY sharp, but is slow (and noisy) to focus, and, like any 50mm 1:1 macro lens, the working distance is non-existent anywhere near 1:1 distances. The optics are awesome, don't get me wrong! If I was doing things again (which I sort of am), I would get the Canon 100mm USM just for the distance and speed alone.
On to my rambling point - the biggest improvements in my photography have been from accessories, not lenses. My recent purchase of a Kirk BH-3 ballhead and a Gitzo 1227 tripod, along with NeatImage and CaptureOne editing software have, so far in my somewhat limited usage, made a much larger improvement in my end results than my lenses.
Rgds,
Adam
I see a lot of people on this forum looking to buy the 'full range'
of focal lengths as they start out. I guess this may be right for
some but for me I started out with a Yashica FX-3 and a 50mm f1.9
(I think). When I say I started out, I stuck with that lens for
over ten years!
What was your experience?
I guess I am slightly wondering about people who are starting out
and get a range of lens to cover every imaginable type of
photography without finding out where their interests might take
them first.
Mine have taken me into portraits, candids and randomly, sports. So
If I had kitted myself out with a wide angle zoom, a fish-eye, a
superzoom and a macro they would be gathering dust! I also have
developed a preference for zooms for certain types of photography
(sport, candids) and primes for portrait. I don't think I would
have guessed this!
Anyway recently sold off a lot of kit and currently only have a two
lens set up (24-70 and 70-200 2.8 IS) with three more to be added
(85 f1.8, 35 f1.4, and 50 f1.4 although I want to wait for a mark
II on this one!)
--
Adam R. Paul -
[email protected]
http://www.adampaul.com/pics.shtml 
