I'm asked gear-related questions more than any other. Often, as I sit at a café with my 70-200 lens on the table, a passerby will stop and comment that my camera "must take really great photos". (I reply by telling them that it doesn't take photos and that I taught it everything it knows.)

Nonetheless, I know people are curious, so I'm sharing the list here with you. As a general rule, I purchase all lenses NEW from Canon (America) directly. Having the original serial number and registering the lens allows for Canon Gold Membership benefits. Read more about that HERE.

I purchased my 70-200mm from a close friend whom I KNOW takes very good care of her gear. (I still have the lens cap with her address label on it - I always laugh and tell her she knows when I've been careless when the lens gets mailed back to HER). Otherwise, I would not purchase the lens second-hand.

Before buying a lens, try renting it. This is one way to be sure it will be worth purchasing. When you think a lens will PAY FOR ITSELF within 6 months of business, then you know it's the right time to take the plunge.

When people tell me my camera "must take really great photos," I thank them and say I taught it everything it knows.

Gear List