I'm a bit Surprised. If your only lens is the 70-200 , then I would recommend you get another lens as your next upgrade. If money is an issue then i woudl recommend the Tamron 17-50 2.8 - its got great optics for the price and will cover your wider end. I would hold off on pocket wizards, definitely get a tripod. Tripod is cheaper than Flash. But they really are not for the same thing. Tripod lets you shoot in low light or slow shutter speed, flash adds light to a scene, which is not the same thing. Tripod is needed for night time, landscape, time lapse, painting with light, telephoto work (shooting planes, birds, stars) and fireworks. Flash is more indoors oriented, or I should say controlled environment. A 580 Ex II should be in your budget for something to have soon as well.





I will lay out my gear for you and the order in which i purchased it.








Canon 100-300 4.5 (old from film days)


Canon 40d + kit lens 17-55 junk lens


Canon 50mm 1.8 (cheap but sharp + fast)


Canon EF 28-70mm f/3.5-4.5 II (old but very sharp lens) cost me $180


Manfrotto 55 proB tripod (a good tripod will be tall, and sturdy)


Manfrotto 488rc4 Ballhead. (get something decent as you don't want something that will not support a decent amount of weight)


Canon 580 ExII Flash (love it)


Canon 10-22 (needed something wide)


I'm pretty happy with this setup and it has not cost me alot. The only thing I want to replace is my telephoto, and i'm think of getting a 70-200 4L IS, its pricey though, might forgo the IS version for non IS. The 100-400 Is is nice too but possibly overkill on a 40d for my taste anyways.





On my wish list


24-105 4/L IS


100 2.0 Macro


85 1.8