Lenses - Je ne sais pas?

[neuroanatomist]

So, this is sort of a "let's sum up all my questions in one post" thread?

In my opinion you cannot get the best of all three lens types within your budget. So I will offer suggestions as to the best type for each category, and then suggest some possible places to compromise and meet your budget.

IMO, the best general-purpose zoom lens for APS-C is the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS. It's the right focal range, and has optical quality equivalent to L-series lenses.

The best telephoto zoom lens out to 300mm or 400mm depends on whether or not you actually need that extra 100mm. If you do, the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS is the best choice; if you don't, the 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS is the way to go.

For a macro lens, the 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS is a great choice. Excellent for macro, good for portraits, too.

All three of those come to a bit over $3200/3300 with current prices (which include rebates on all three lenses).

I'd suggest two possibilities to cut the cost down into your budget.

1) EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro instead of 100L. No IS, but it doesn't help all that much at 1:1 anyway - a tripod is almost a must for sufficient DoF. $500 less.

2) EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS instead of 17-55mm. A reasonable choice if you'll be using it mostly outdoors and not for portraits.

Of the two options, I'd opt for the 60mm macro substitution, personally.

Hope that helps!

John