For your 40D, check out the Tokina ATX 12-24 Pro DX zoom that i mentioned above. It gets really good reviews, and if you look at the thread on POTN you can see the results for yourself. I'm not really into macro, but on POTN I'm sure you'll find lots of good advice and info.

Don't forget you can convert many lenses into macro lenses by adding extension tubes. Actually, now I come to think of it I'd love some extension tubes for my 5D (with 100-400L and 24-105L, as well as the nifty fifty).

If you see any special offers on the Canon 16-35 II I would be SERIOUSLY interested. The widest I can use on a FF camera is about 16 and that lens is supposed to be absolutely superb. I currently don't have anything wider than 24. In fact, a Mk1 at a good price would be very attractive as well.

OKaaaaaay? You'll have to give me links to see exactly what your are talking about. I would have no idea what you consider a "good price" on any of the above mentioned items.

By "nifty fifty" you mean the standard 50mm lense? Cousin Sandy says that's a go to-do it all lense.

And what is POTN? I'm asuming it's like www.pixalo.com.

And no, I'm not ahead of you, your just too much the proper English gentleman to ask me to bring "one more" thing down. LOL

POTN is http://photography-on-the.net/forum/ , a website/forum dedicated to all things Canon and frequented by many pro photographers. If you search you may very well find answers to your questions, but if you don't and post a question you'll likely get prompt and authoritative replies. You'll have to join first, but it's free.

"Nifty fifty" is the basic f1.8 50mm lens, EF of course in this case.

What is a good price of course depends on what it is you're buying. New price for the MkII 16-35 is approaching $1400, so I regard a very good price as say $1100 for new or maybe $650 for used, depending on condition of course. I'm not really being serious about that lens as although I'd really like one, and in fact will get one at some point, it's a purchase I'd have to make for myself. If you saw some cheap extension tubes then that's different!

A 50mm gives the traditional standard field of view on a FF digital camera, or a 35mm film camera. To get the same field of view on a Canon cropped sensor camera like the 40D you need an 80mm.

I can't find the POTN thread on the Tokina 12-24 that I was looking for, but here http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=631427&highlight=Tokina+12-24 is one for sale.

Peter, thank for the addy. I already have it in my bookmarks but haven't really read it much until you reminded me about it. I like it but really like Pixalo.com a little better. Maybe just because I have been going there longer and they have a really nice place to post photos and even challenges.

I also use Pixalo, but they do completely different jobs. The discussion forum with many pro's contributing is what POTN is all about.

I am finding myself using it more and more. Very informative.

Which one?

The Canon site. It's just getting to know the people there like I do the people at Pixalo. I have had great results with asking for help at Pixalo. There are pro's there also.

Everybody at Pixalo has been most helpful.

I do like the "Fortnightly Challange" at Pixalo. I have entered a couple of my photos there. Do a search on my name and you will find them. Nothing to impress someone with your experence but I have gotten some nice feed back.

If only that were true! The photographic whiz kids around here are led by Barnacle with Elbert a close second. I'm afraid I'm not on the rostrum.