Ok. I'm a Nikon person so my equipment knowledge begins and pretty much ends there.My father recently had all his camera equipment stolen on vacation. He had a t1i with the kit lens, a 100 mm macro, 70-300 IS, a 50 mm 1.8 and a 18-135.Analyzing his photos and looking at the exif data, the vast majority of his shots except for Macro shots were shot in the 20-100mm range, leaning toward rhe 20-40 end. Even though he had the 50 and shot with it frequently he never shot it even close to wide open. He does have a huge number of macro shots because of his coin collection and flower garden.So my council for replacing the equipment is where i need help.I'm thinking a t2i body since the price seems really good for the value nowReplacing the 100mm seems like a no brainer and possibly it might even be worthwhile to go with the IS L version (especially if he doesn't replace all his lenses)It looks like he never used the 70-300 so I'm thinking lose that. I'm also thinking no need to replace the 50.So that leaves the 17-100 range and here i'm not sure. I know he didn't care for the kit lens (cheap feeling, so-so pictures according to him)So the leading choices besides the kit lens seem to be 15-85- most versatile range and I'v heard good things about it 17-40- best quality while still not being overly expensive 17-55 2.8 - expensive, but very high quality and much lovedSo thought, suggestions appreciated. I have also thought about on the body the t3i or 60d, not for the video but for the adjustable screen which might be useful for macroThanks in advance

Since you find his shots to be in the 17-100 mm range, I think that the EF-S 15-85mm lens makes the most sense.As far as the body goes, get either the T2i or the 60D. The 60D is only $100 more than the T3i and it is a much better camera.Good luck! -- YogiWhen you get down to the nuts and bolts of photography, the results depend on the 'nut' behind the camera!See the 'Plan' in my 'Profile' for my current equipment.

Y0GIwrote:Since you find his shots to be in the 17-100 mm range, I think that the EF-S 15-85mm lens makes the most sense.As far as the body goes, get either the T2i or the 60D. The 60D is only $100 more than the T3i and it is a much better camera.The only reason to get the T3i is when you have to have the least bulk and weight (like I do) otherwise the 60D is the better deal between 60D and T3i.The 15-85 IS lens is a great lens to have especially since a 100mm macro is going to be had too. -- Olga

I wouldn't consider the 17-40L.It's the same price as the 15-85 but far less useful with much less zoom range and no IS. They're both ring-USM with FTM and they're both the same max aperture over the 17-40mm zoom range. And (at least per the following comparison) the L isn't even sharper.http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=675&Camera=474&Sample=0&FLI=1&API=0&LensComp=100&CameraComp=474&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=2&APIComp=0

Thanks for the ideas, I'm thinking we are going with the 60d for the body. I got chance to play with one briefly today and It seems to be a big step up in overall quality for not that much more money.We are also leaning towards the 15-85, but I have one loaded question that may not really be an issue.It's my understanding that the 15-85 will only work on crop bodies while the 17-40 will work on any canon body. Is that really anything to be concerned about? Context is that my dad replaced a film Canon A1 system prior to going digital so he does keep his equipment for awhile

Get the lenses that fit your needs now. If your father decides he wants to go FF later, well, either keep the crop body and lenses as backups or sell the lenses. Lenses retain their value very well. The 15-85 is a much better option for your 60D, especially with your father's interests, than the 17-40.FF

Sno1man,You are correct in that the 15-85 EF-S lens will only fit bodies with the 1.6 crop. They will not fit bodies with full frame sensors or those pro models with 1.4 crop sensors. This is really not a problem unless your dad plans to purchase a full frame body in the near future. The crop lines of Canon cameras will be around for some time.

sno1manwrote:My father recently had all his camera equipment stolen on vacation.Really bad place to be in, my gear was recently stolen from my car. It's heartbreaking!I'm thinking a t2i body since the price seems really good for the value nowThe D60 is a lot better for a man's hands, the rebels are just too small! They feel really cheap too.Replacing the 100mm seems like a no brainer and possibly it might even be worthwhile to go with the IS L version (especially if he doesn't replace all his lenses)Agree. Only he can say if the L is worth the extra money. Probably not if he'll only use it on a tripod to shoot coins...It looks like he never used the 70-300 so I'm thinking lose that.He can buy later if the need arise.So that leaves the 17-100 range and here i'm not sure. I know he didn't care for the kit lens (cheap feeling, so-so pictures according to him).I agree with him, the equipment should feel good on his hands.So the leading choices besides the kit lens seem to be 15-85- most versatile range and I'v heard good things about itI've heard good things as well and sounds like the best choice. Build quality isn't that great, though.17-40- best quality while still not being overly expensiveToo limited range, great build though.17-55 2.8 - expensive, but very high quality and much lovedSome people love it, I don't share the feeling.If I had his budget I'd jump for a 24-70mm L (or 24-105mm), but some people can't live without those extra mm at the wide end...

"He often shot with 50mm, but never close to wide open".Then I would replace the lens, or probably even go for the f/1.4 USM. A 15-85 f/3.5-5.6 will only open to f/5 at 50mm. Lenses usually perform best a couple stops from wide-open, and f/1.8 at f/4 will perform in a way that a 3.5-5.6 zoom can't hope to touch.

Thanks very much to those that provided input, most helpful.We ended up with a 60d, 15-85 and the 100 IS L Macro. We didn't purchase the 50. He's going to see if he misses it and go back and buy if he does.PS> I am envious of the 100 mm macro IS L lens- That thing rocks....

sno1manwrote:Thanks very much to those that provided input, most helpful.We ended up with a 60d, 15-85 and the 100 IS L Macro. We didn't purchase the 50. He's going to see if he misses it and go back and buy if he does.PS> I am envious of the 100 mm macro IS L lens- That thing rocks....Glad to see that he is back in business! Good choices! BTW, was the old gear insured?Let us know how the new equipment works out! Maybe post some pics of the coins taken with the 100 mm L! -- YogiWhen you get down to the nuts and bolts of photography, the results depend on the 'nut' behind the camera!See the 'Plan' in my 'Profile' for my current equipment.

Y0GIwrote:sno1manwrote:Thanks very much to those that provided input, most helpful.We ended up with a 60d, 15-85 and the 100 IS L Macro. We didn't purchase the 50. He's going to see if he misses it and go back and buy if he does.PS> I am envious of the 100 mm macro IS L lens- That thing rocks....Glad to see that he is back in business! Good choices! BTW, was the old gear insured?Let us know how the new equipment works out! Maybe post some pics of the coins taken with the 100 mm L! -- YogiWhen you get down to the nuts and bolts of photography, the results depend on the 'nut' behind the camera!See the 'Plan' in my 'Profile' for my current equipment.Yes he was insured thankfully, though he lost all his photos for the trip which were still on his memory cards.I'll try to get him to either post or borrow his rig for an afternoon flower shoot Cheers

Just curious, how was it stolen from him on vacation? It might be educational for other vacationing photographers to know the thief's MO.I just got back from Maui, and I really never felt comfortable leaving my gear in my room or our rental car. Consequently, it was always with me which can be a bit of a pain, but at least I know where it is at all times.

f64manraywrote:Just curious, how was it stolen from him on vacation? It might be educational for other vacationing photographers to know the thief's MO.I just got back from Maui, and I really never felt comfortable leaving my gear in my room or our rental car. Consequently, it was always with me which can be a bit of a pain, but at least I know where it is at all times.Stolen out of a rental car at a public park. They basically used a portable drill and popped the trunk. Three other cars were hit as well. Over $1500 damage to the rental car too.

sno1manwrote:f64manraywrote:Just curious, how was it stolen from him on vacation? It might be educational for other vacationing photographers to know the thief's MO.I just got back from Maui, and I really never felt comfortable leaving my gear in my room or our rental car. Consequently, it was always with me which can be a bit of a pain, but at least I know where it is at all times.Stolen out of a rental car at a public park. They basically used a portable drill and popped the trunk. Three other cars were hit as well. Over $1500 damage to the rental car too.That's a common occrence on Maui as well. Thieves know tourist want to go to the beach and so leave valuables in the trunk so they can enjoy the beach. I lowered the comprehensive to $0 deductible on my car insurance before I left and also took out insurance for only $5 in case the rental was damaged and the rental company charged for the days the car was out of service.I tried to streamline my camera bag to a light T2i, 24-105L & Tokina 11-16 2.8, but even that may be a bit much. I may just take the T2i with 24-105L next time.