What lens to get?

[Boss_BlueAngels]

OK...

For $1,200 getting an L glass lens would have meant,

1.  inability to zoom out and frame more shots
2.  shorter reach


Two things I really do not want right now.  I'm not one of those photographers who carries two bodies, one for the close up stuff, and the other for the reach.  One of these days I will be able to do that, but not just starting out.

Also I really, really enjoy the fact I can zoom out all the way to 50 mm for when the airplanes taxi right in front of me without missing ANYTHING.  

My primary subjects are prop planes, so I only shoot things faster than 1/200 during the 3 airshows I attend each year.  

With post-processing the quality is still incredibly good with my lens.  


I should have also bought a Canon 1Ds mark II... but just like with my L-glass argument, I don't have the $5,000 to fork out on ONE piece of equipment at this time.  

I didn't mind what you said until the "would have been a better choice" comment.  No, frankly, it would not have because none of those L lenses offered what I want right now.