What would you do? Next step...

[Boss_BlueAngels]

Alrighty everyone, first I'll start with the list of things I have:

Canon RebelXT (350D), Sigma 50-500 (Oh my goodness I love this lens!  The versatility makes it worth its weight in gold!) , Sigma 100-300 F/4-6.5 (for limited time as I'm giving it to my sister), and the kit Canon 18-55mm non IS.

I'll be receiving about $4,000 for my latest photo session and would like to put some of that toward either a new body (Canon 5D) or glass.  Perhaps the Canon 70-200 F2.8 L.  (Or may just go with the less expensive F4 version since I don't care about speed.  I never shoot anything more than 1/250 second)  Plus the IS would be nice since I will be doing a bunch of air-to-air photo shoots.  

Anyway, what do you guys think?  

[Rifleman]

At any focal length, lens speed is paramount, aside from all the fact that you need to be satisfied with the quality of the optic.........overcast days will make you yearn for one more stop to assist in getting that shot which may ellude you..........

If you opt for a new body, will it provide features which aren't covered by the one you already shoot with ?

The big bonus for having two bodies though, is that you can be ready with a long or short lens at all times......the pros do it all the time  8)

[Boss_BlueAngels]

Thanks for your input Rifelman!  

Honestly, I'm not looking for a fast lens.  Hence I love that "Bigma" so much.  It's a very slow lens, but I never shoot faster than 1/125 anyway.   In fact, I only use that fast of a shutter only when I really NEED the shot to come out.  Regardless of my focal length.  

Since my business is strictly aviation photography, I really don't have much reason for a really fast lens.  The ability to actually see the motion (propeller blur, background blur) is at the top of my list when it comes to my photos.  Especially with a busy background, having a really slow shutter speed helps to blurr everything together and make the subject aircraft stand out even more.

80% of the time I can do handheld just fine (down to 1/25 at 500mm on that Sigma 50-500mm) If I'm doing static shots whatever speed Av mode gives me is always plenty.  Even on dark, rainy days.  

And like you said, my eventual goal is to have two bodies, one shorter one with something like the 70-200mm F/4L (again, I don't need the extra light) and have a 400mm F/4L on the other.  Maybe next spring I'll have that kind of money to throw around! haha

[F3Hadlow]

What? So you don't go over 1/125th for things like jets in the sky where there is no advantage?

I understand using it for props/ takeoffs etc but why would you stay so low for jets in the sky...

[Boss_BlueAngels]

Yeah you're right.  I do use Av mode for jets up in the air.  But even on really dark days the lighting is more than enough to get the pictures nice and sharp.  

[BAW0343]

Im not shure what you should do exactly, but if you get a new body and dont feal like keeping extras around im happy for donations  ;)  Baiscly saying i want your camera  :P lol