50d with 17-40L users

[Peter10d]

Looking for some advice. After 7 trusty years, with my 10d, looking to upgrade this year. As the autofocus on my sigma 17-35 has failed (although works fine manually), looks like it might be an new lens also. My thoughts are towards a 50d with 17-40L. Have seen some negative comments before, on use of the above combination, as some suggest the 17-40 is more for use with the 5dII.
My main interest is landscapes, budget about £1500. If I went for the above I could squeeze in a new tripod also (fancy a ball head, looks easier to use).
Basically who would suggest going the extra for a 5dII, and no new lens, or are there any users out there with the 50d and 17-40, that are delighted with the results.
I am also wondering should I hang on and see if the 60d ever arrives.

 

[Anorakus]

With a 1.6x crop factor, the 17-40mm on your 50D would equate to 27-64mm on a full-frame sensor - in other words a walkabout zoom lens, pretty similar to the range of the 24-70mm L as used on a full-frame body.

You could argue that using an L lens on any crop-sensor body is a waste of money, due to only using the central portion of a lens that's designed to perform well to the edges on a full-frame sensor - but of course you're paying for the build quality and waterproofing as well. Lots of people around here use L lenses with crop sensors.

As for moving up to a 5D mk II, check out the owners/users thread.. pretty much everyone who's gone to a 5D2 from a crop sensor body says how they're blown away by the difference in quality and high ISO performance. You didn't say what lens you'd be using with it.. if you've only got your broken Sigma, you could perhaps afford to drop another £70 or so on a 50mm f/1.8 to get you started in the wonderful world of full-frame :nuts: You'd certainly find the 17-40mm behaves completely differently on a full-frame sensor - the 17mm end allows for some impressive ultra wide-angle effects.

The 5D mk II is perfect for landscapes BTW

A.

 

[alastairb]

i have just got a 17-40L for my 7D and after using it yesterday i love the lens and from my albiet limited experience i would deffinatly recommend it

 

[Peter10d]

.. if you've only got your broken Sigma, you could perhaps afford to drop another £70 or so on a 50mm f/1.8 to get you started in the wonderful world of full-frame :nuts: You'd certainly find the 17-40mm behaves completely differently on a full-frame sensor - the 17mm end allows for some impressive ultra wide-angle effects.

The 5D mk II is perfect for landscapes BTW

A.

I do have a 50 1.8 and a 70-200f4, but my main concern is the performance of a 17-40l on a 50d, as that would be the combination I would use mostly for landscapes. I am sure the 5dII is a much better camera, and should be at almost £1000 extra, but I wish they have produced a cheaper FF without video.
If there is anyone out there using, or used a 50d with 17-40, would be interested on your thoughts.

 

[Livin The Dream]

I've just bought a 17-40 L for my 50d. I actually sold my 10-22 for it for no other reason than i prefer the build quality of the L series plus a view in the not too distant future of buying a 5D.

I have given away the ultra wide option for now but i know the lens will last a life time. I also find it will pair up nicely with my 70-200 for travelling, will do for me.