La Nourriture's,

Hello. Thanks for the friends request. I am new to this site and favor it as a place to BE, to collect hints, tips, information and friends.

I don't know where discussions go, but I clicked on your post and was unable to find it.  I am speaking of the one beginning with "My 70-300 Canon kit lens finally gave up on bothering to focus at all yesterday."  I have a Quantaray 70-300 and I wish it were a Canon because the more I learn about how the Speedlites, particularly the EX-580 II, work with the camera's systems, the more I want to stay with Canon lenses.  I don't know your budget but I know all purchases are painful but I have become attracted to the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L II IS USM which is priced at around $2,200 US dollars.  I have not yet used it but the range and aperture are both very attractive me.  I think I am going to rent one from one of the rental companies this year, probably for my birthday, and just see if I like it.  Then I will begin to save towards purchasing that lens.  You can get many other less expensive lenses at Target, Best Buy and such, and they will be fine for general photography.  I just want to become a better photographer so I am setting my sights higher in cost to go hand in glove with my continuing education and practice in photography.  http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/ef_lens_lineup/ef_70_200mm_f_2_8l_is_ii_usm

Stephen