Suggestions for best 2nd lens

[Jesse Jaymes]

Hello-

New-ish guy here.  Will be relocating to the Colville area by end of September.  Looking forward to the whole thing.

My new wife just purchased a new camera for us.  A Canon 1000D.  The lens I have now is a 28-55mm IS.

I know almost nothing about photography, but I have taken many pics since the digital era began.  I am very interested in taking this "next step" with better equipment and such.

Like most of the pics I see here, nearly all will be outdoor wildlife pics.  I am a hunter foremost, then a backpacker kinda guy and then a photographer guy last.

I am finding out quite a bit simply by trial and error.

I can say I just shot at Carlsbad Caverns and that was both frustrating and interesting at the same time.

Price is an object, as new rifles and gear are the priority, but that may change with the more pics I take.

Thoughts on lens choices please

Also, can someone exlain why I can view some images from a work computer an not others(I know we are not supposed to be able to view any, so we do not goof off at work, but some pics do show up)

[popeshawnpaul]

Jesse, it's a complicated question.  the problem you have right now is you have a great camera and a garbage lens.  You have to decide if you are going to shoot wildlife or landscapes and family photos.  You mentioned Carlsbad Caverns.  That's going to require a quality wide angle lens.  There are good choices.  The 17-40 f4 L (about $500) is great for that.  So is the 17-55 F2.8 IS (about $900).  It would be a night and day difference in these lenses and your kit lens you currently have.  If you are looking into wildlife, there are a few options.  I would keep with IS on any long lens.  That leads you to the 100-400 f5.6 L IS, the 70-200 f2.8 L IS, and the 300mm f4 L IS.  The latter two could be coupled with a 1.4x to give you extra reach.  These are your best options right now and all cost about 900-1200 dollars. 

Also, this thread should help you out.  Let me know if you have further questions.  http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,17434.0.html

[boneaddict]

Price is going up.  The 70-200 2.8 is 1900 now(new).  I swear it is going up daily.  Its a little short for wildlife.  The 300 is pretty dang good, but limits you in the family realm.

[Jesse Jaymes]

Bone-

You ever make it over to the east side?  Got that PM from you a while ago.  It's gonna happen and I will be "local" by the 27th of next month.  Would like to buy you lunch and ask some simple questions

Finally got my software installed and looked at my 1st 143 pics from the bottom of the cavern.  Some good, lots not.

Shooting hand held at 2" to 3"2 didn't do as well as I thought.

Would post some, but do I still need to use a Photobucket type deal to get them over here?

[Jesse Jaymes]

Some of the pics from the depths of the Earth

[huntnphool]

but do I still need to use a Photobucket type deal to get them over here?

Very cool looking place. You don't need to use photobucket, you can load direct from your computer.

[popeshawnpaul]

The Canon 10-22 does a real good job at those types of photos.  I love mine...   

[boneaddict]

You ever make it over to the east side?

A lot more than I do on the west side, at least while I am in hunting mode versus fishing.  God forbid I ever start fishing again. LOL  I live in Yakima.