Equipment Lens help!

Right, I need a new lens!
Current kit is just 300D + 70-200F4L, and i'm off out to a show in 2weeks. Get paid this week lol.

I've been told, while the 70-200 would be good, the focal range is a bitch at shows like this. People walking in front, and F4 isn't quite the best to have there.

So, what would you guys get?
Budget is £200.
Obviously wider the better, around the F2 mark really.

My shortlist was; (but each has their downfalls)

Canon 35mm F2 (169~) (noisy and bad AF - hunts a bit - good otherwise)

Canon 50mm F1.8 (60~) (focal length is too much on a crop camera)

Canon 28mm F2.8 (124~) (F2.8 is pushing it a bit, and quality isn't that great apparently)

Lensbaby Composer 50mm F2 (170~) (finding stock is a pain, not sure if they are out yet, otherwise I think only focal length would be the let down again)


Not really looked into zooms, because you don't get that lovely aperture bonus you do with primes. And as most know, primes generally are better quality...
Suggestions needed, and so welcome!

 

Tamron 17-50 F2.8, its not a prime but its a good lense, warehouse express sell them for £275 but you can try hunting a cheaper one down.

 

Yeah I know about that one, and the similar one from Sigma. Quite hard to find though, and generally sell higher than £200.
Thats why I was looking at primes really.

 

look at buying a lense more as an investment, rather than a need. Pro's buy lenses for life almost and just upgrade there bodies.

its only an extra £80 over your budget and is a far better lense than the ones you have listed, which would be a wise investment. the nifty fifty is an instant loss, and in a few years worth sod all.

 

I'm aware of that actually, having already had a 50/f1.8 in the past. Had it for a month or so, realising that i never used the damn thing.
Also my 70-200 replaced a sigma 55-200. I know how to spend money.

£80 isn't nothing though is it. Its almost half of the budget...

 

are you going to use the lens for anything else after the show? and do you have any other lenses at the wide end? oh and how far out are you going to be from the action?

 

Well I do need a wider lens anyway, having currently only got one lens (70-200F4L).
Its a car show, autosport show infact. So lots of cars, lots of dodgy lighting, lots of people.

I'll be close to some things sure. Tempted to just buy a flash now and wing it with the 70-200...

 

i had the same problem as you, looking for a lense on a tight budget, in the end i found a stop gap fix to my problem.

I shoot film on an olympus OM-10, with a few nice lenses, so i picked up a EF to OM mounting plate, works a charm, yeah no AF, but i dont care. All it cost me was £15 for a convert plate, and now i enjoy my 50mm f1:1.4 and 70-210mm f1:2.8

And £80 isn't that much if your prepaired to wait a little longer.

 

That had crossed my mind. Actually, but not really sure!
And time was the main problem anyway! As per OP. If I had longer to wait, I wouldn't have this problem.

 

I'm guessing you've looked at the sigma 17-70 2.8-4.5 and found it not fast enough. and your unwilling to sell a kidney for the Tokina ATX 11-16 mm PRO DX AF f2.8, I quite like cars shot with ultra wide angles.

 

Hmm, can't find anywhere with that Sigma under £200. I know i'm being a bit tight lol.
I'd actually love a ultra wide like that too

 

Oops, just jumped on a Tokina 28-70 F2.8 on ebay. Bargain price of £135! I hope he doesn't mind waiting till friday lol

 

warehouse express has the sigma for £213 here. but that's as low as i can find it

 

Cheers, yeah thats the cheapest I could find too. Hopefully, i'm set with this Tokina now

 

While the Tokina is a good lens the Tamron 28-75 is even better.

 

Its not the most ideal lens, but if you want my kit one you can have it if you come and pick it up, I could meet you at Oswestry if need be.

I bought a 50mm F/1.8 mkII yesterday, and I already love it.

 

you cant even give the kit lense away its that poor quality in build, mine which is a year old and was used on and off for a month has loads of play in it, and i look after my stuff. Some what of a James May.

I have become some what a lover of old manual lenses, and have been hunting all the good ones down. Hoping to grab a Canon FD 50mm f1:1.2 soon, then an adaptor.

I will get round to grabbing a Tamron 17-50mm some day...

 

Thanks? Its almost £300.
If I had that much to spend, I wouldn't have a problem spending it...

 

If photography is important to you the best advice I can give you is to save and invest--buy once and avoid the eventual 'upgrade'. You say you cannot locate a Tamron 17-50 anywhere? If anything look into ebay.

 

I do already know this, thanks. I thought having the 70-200 F4L might have made that obvious. I guess its not the 2.8 though. So clearly I'm not mental enough yet.