The last thing that I want to do with this question is to start a prime vs zoom quality battle. For sake of argument, let's say that the quality of either are sufficient for my purposes.
I'm just trying to straighten out my thought process. I've saved up sufficient funds for a new limited lens, but my next step is going set me on a road which could become costly.
Current lens kit:
DA18-55
FA28/2.8
F50/1.7
FA100/2.8 Macro
DA50-200
Sigma AP0400/5.6
(plus a number of other lenses that don't get much use any more)
For much of my photography, I'm bouncing between the FA100/2.8 Macro (for the FL, not so much for Macro functionality), and the FA28/2.8. The F50/1.7 is probably 3rd for low-light, and the 18-55 & 50-200 are used when I'm outside of my prime reach.
Favourite subjects: Landscapes/waterscapes, Cemetaries, Churches, mediocre close-ups, Concerts, Family snapshots, vacations, etc. See
Dave Kennedy's Photo Galleries at pbase.com
I really like shooting with the primes, as me it forces me to slow down and think about what I'm doing. Zooms are super convenient when I don't have the time to think (family snaps etc).
Small size is nice, portable. Primes are great for this, but become less convenient when I need to carry more than one, off the body. Not as fast when I need to change FLs.
I've been able to save up enough cash in the past 6 months or so, to buy a DA70 Limited, DA21 Limited, DA14, DA16-45, or 12-24 (or work towards a DA*16-50).
Hence my dillema. From what I've heard, all of these lenses are great. I know, if I go with primes, I'm going to eventually want to work towards
DA21, DA70, DA14. Around $1800 CDN. Nice, compact (except for the DA14 - it would be last on the list). It would keep the LBA alive for a long time.
Zooms are a different story. None of them are small compact solutions.
DA16-45 around $400 CDN. - Probably cover most of what I want.
DA12-24 around $750 CDN - could work well with the primes I have, fillling in the wider end.
DA16-50 well....
Or I could just be happy with what I have, and put the money into RRSPs , PC, or something else less fun.
My brain tells me DA16-45. My heart tells me primes. What would you do?