QantasA332 From Australia, joined Dec 2003, 1500 posts, RR: 35 Posted (5 years 11 months 2 weeks 3 days 12 hours ago) and read 2197 times:
Hey all,
I'm currently looking into new equipment, and I'd like some advice on lenses to fill a wideangle-to-70mm gap (or thereabouts). I've come up with a few options; pick one from each group:
16-35 2.8L
17-40 4L
10-22
24-70 2.8L
24-105 4L IS (seems like a great all-purpose lens for travel, but perhaps overkill in my situation and "only" f/4)
Of course, I'm on a relatively tight budget so I don't want to just splurge on the seemingly superior combo of 16-35 and 24-70 unless it's far-and-away the best bet. Also I acknowledge that the 10-22 should probably be considered in a different category, however I do like the idea of getting that wide and in this round of purchases it would probably be either-or amongst the top group.
Who uses which lenses? How have you found them? Any other tips/recommendations?
UA935 From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2004, 610 posts, RR: 7 Reply 1, posted (5 years 11 months 2 weeks 3 days 11 hours ago) and read 2188 times:
Hi Gabriel,
I have the 17-40 and love it, it is so sharp.
I also have the 24-105 which I purchsed mainly as a travel lens to save me from carrying around my 70-200. I havn't really used it that much at the moment, the first copy I havd was very soft on the left hand side and the images were unusable. After numerous back and forths to Canon including them scratching my lens I now have a replacement which is tack sharp. I think the range is great and really usable.
I still have my 70-200 2.0 and also the 100-400.
The 10-22 is I think more specialist, I was considering that some time ago but went for the 15mm fisheye instead.
If I could only choose one from you list I would go with the 17-40 although now that the 16-35 Mk II is out there are some good deals to be had on the Mk I. The thing I considered with the 16 - 35 over the 17-40 is that whilst it is 2.8 I didn't really feel that I needed that in my wide angle zoom and you only gain 1mm at the wide end but loose 5 at the long end.
Tin67 From United Kingdom, joined May 2004, 266 posts, RR: 3 Reply 2, posted (5 years 11 months 2 weeks 3 days 9 hours ago) and read 2173 times:
Hi Gabriel,
I have a 24-70 f/2.8 L and it is an excellent lens and one I use for general use and for travelling. It's sharp and a very good alrounder. I did own a 17-40 f/4 L and it produced excellent results on the rare occasions that I used it. I decided that it was a waste to have the lens and not use it so a fellow Anet friend bought it off me.
Fergulmcc From Ireland, joined Oct 2004, 1916 posts, RR: 54 Reply 3, posted (5 years 11 months 2 weeks 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 2108 times:
Quoting Tin67 (Reply 2): so a fellow Anet friend bought it off me
. . . . . . and that would be me, You well these days Martin?
Its a cracking lens, pin sharp but there are times I do wish it was a 2.8, its very silent and fast too. Since I bought my 1Dn the 17-40 has stayed in my bag more often as I have been using the 24-70/2.8 L. My field of view has increased so therefore the need for the 17-40 is less but I don't think I want to part with it just yet. I am tempted to trade it in for the 16-35/2.8, the earlier version which is going for about £749 in Mifsuds. It's on my wish list anyway. I love both lenses, excelent picture quality from both.
UA935 From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2004, 610 posts, RR: 7 Reply 4, posted (5 years 11 months 2 weeks 2 days 1 hour ago) and read 2091 times:
Hey Fergul,
How's it going?
£649 at www.t4cameras.co.uk, they are a really good dealer, I have used them on numerous occasions and am currently number 27 on their list for a MKIII.
I recently got the 17-40 for my XTi. Like the others already said in the thread (hi Fergul!), I love it. Sure, f/2.8 would have been nice, but I was not willing to spend twice the money for the 16-35.
Those two cost roughly the same in the US. I'm currently leaning towards the 24-105, mainly due to the IS which will compensate in a lot of cases its slower speed (and the longer zoom will also be nice too). I think the 24-105 will be my next lens purchase (maybe after a fast prime; haven't decided yet; I'm looking at the 28mm f/1.8 at the moment).
In the end of the day, it's up to you to decide what conditions you will shoot in. If you shoot in low light / indoors / fast moving subjects / etc. the faster lenses might be the right thing for you. But, if you mainly shoot outdoors / in good light / etc. f/4 will be fine.
I found this site to be very helpful when I was deciding what lens to get:
Hi Fergul, Good thanks, spending more time photographing other things these days. trying to reach 500 on here then it's time to call it a day. Putting the 300 f/2.8 to good use though.
I used to buy off T4 but won't ever buy off them ever again. Don't get me wrong, they are reliable and good to deal with but they have burnt their bridge with me. I can get better deals with Mifsuds.
Speak soon Martin, my son is nearly walking now, can you believe he's a year old this month!!
QantasA332 From Australia, joined Dec 2003, 1500 posts, RR: 35 Reply 8, posted (5 years 11 months 1 week 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 1960 times:
Thanks guys! Definitely some good advice in there, but I must admit I'm no closer to reaching a decision! The 16-35/24-70 combo is still very tempting, but I have to think things over and decide whether or not that kind of investment is really worth it. Hmm...
Monteycarlos From Australia, joined Mar 2005, 2107 posts, RR: 31 Reply 9, posted (5 years 11 months 1 week 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 1954 times:
I have a combo of the 24-105 f/4L and the 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L and it seems to work well, however I think that if I had the money I'd get the 24-70 f/2.8L as well... I would say that'd be the best bet.
I also want to get the 10-22 however with it being an EF-S and with a 5D being on the horizon in the future, I can't justify purchasing it.
QantasA332 From Australia, joined Dec 2003, 1500 posts, RR: 35 Reply 10, posted (5 years 10 months 4 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 1831 times:
Well, I'm one step closer to getting the 16-35.
Just one quick question - does it require a slim filter, or is a normal one fine? 82mm makes it expensive enough, without having to get slim! Judging by the accessories listed with it on B&H, non-slim is okay but I just wanted to confirm.
Fergulmcc From Ireland, joined Oct 2004, 1916 posts, RR: 54 Reply 11, posted (5 years 10 months 4 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 1830 times:
Quoting QantasA332 (Reply 10): Just one quick question - does it require a slim filter, or is a normal one fine? 82mm makes it expensive enough, without having to get slim! Judging by the accessories listed with it on B&H, non-slim is okay but I just wanted to confirm.
Don't put any filter on it!!!! Even cheaper!! I don't use filters any more unless I want effects like with the Lee Gradient Filters or a Circular Polarizer in very bright conditions but even then I would only buy the better ones like the Sigma EX Cir Polarizer, not cheap but very good quality and they are the slim types. You will get better photos with out the use of the so called skylight filters, if that is what you are asking about.
I have had my eye on the 16-35 for a while now, so would be interested to know how you get on with it. Hope that helps.
QantasA332 From Australia, joined Dec 2003, 1500 posts, RR: 35 Reply 12, posted (5 years 10 months 4 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 1826 times:
Thanks Fergul, but lets not start the filter debate again!
I like the peace of mind of having something in front of L-glass, and I'm prepared to accept the (very small) decrease in quality. I keep a filter on my 70-200 and I don't think I'll depart from that practice with the 16-35 - especially since the smaller lens hood offers little protection! Yes, you pay for good filters (and I tend to stick to B+W MRC), but like insurance it could help later...
Slim is better, higher quality I think as well. I do understand the fear of getting it scrathced and naturally you want to protect that. Personally, quality overides protection and even if it does get damaged accidentally, I am covered with my insurance and can get it repaired or replaced, so that is why I am not so worried about getting them scratched. Don't get me wrong, I go to great lengths to make sure that they are protected in every way, but if it happens then I have my insurance get me out. Good luck with it and I hope you get some great shots with it!