I agree with Firestarter that photography is, at its core, about vision and art -- and not about tools. Developing your artistic talent is crucial.


BUT it would be a mistake to discount the value of the equipment that you use. I started with a Canon XS, the kit lens, and the EF-S 55-250, but quickly grew frustrated by the following:


1. Poor performance in low light (body and lenses)


2. Middling sharpness especially at the long end of the telephoto.


3. Slow burst rate of the XS.


Sure, a great photographer can compose a great shot with any lens; and without inspired composition, sharpness, f stops, etc. don't matter much. But great lenses make it so much easier to get a pleasing final result.


My first real lens upgrade was the EF 50 f/1.4, and then the 70-200 f/4 IS that you mentioned. No matter how well I compose a shot, the cheap telephoto can't compete with the 70-200 (except, I guess, from 200-250!).


BTW, Bob Williams' suggestion to think hard about the type of photography you do is really important. Exactly as he cautioned, and despite being an amazing lens, my 70-200 just isn't long enough for the nature/wildlife photography that I would like to be doing. I shoot at 200mm so often, and often have to crop in. Here's an example. The coyote was just in my neighbor's yard. From my sliding door, at 200mm, I was frustratingly far away. I cropped it in probably 20% just to get this image.


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Good luck!