600d with L lens

vp_studio

vp_studio

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Vaunynel
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I guys, I was wondering if anyone here has experience of a 600d paired with the following L's

• 85mm prime
• 55mm prime
• 70-200mm USM II
• 16-35mm

I'm particularly interested in image quality! I'm about to purchase these lenses, but would like others opinions before I go and buy them!

Thanks
 
@pooley...that's because I'm an idiot. Meant to say 50mm doh! What about the image quality paired with the 600d?

Currently my 600d has a pump action 35-105mm lens and the quality is rubbish. It's not great with the 18-55mm kit lens either! But I love my 600d dearly ;)
 
vp_studio said:
I guys, I was wondering if anyone here has experience of a 600d paired with the following L's

• 85mm prime
• 55mm prime
• 70-200mm USM II
• 16-35mm

I'm particularly interested in image quality! I'm about to purchase these lenses, but would like others opinions before I go and buy them!

Thanks
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If it's image quality you want, get a full frame camera first, then buy lenses one at a time. After giving careful consideration to what you want to use it for, and in what ways.
 
HoppyUK said:
If it's image quality you want, get a full frame camera first, then buy lenses one at a time. After giving careful consideration to what you want to use it for, and in what ways.
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I'd go exactly the other way and buy good lenses first, a decent lens on your 600D will give better results than a cheapie lens on a full frame body. My L lenses perform just as well on crop bodies as they do on full frame.
 
@hoppyuk... That's great advice, but spending 2, 3 or even 4 grand on a camera that's only going to be out of date in a year scares the hell out of me. The 600d does a great job at taking the shots, although its not fast or full frame or even very cleaver, it's perfect for my portraitures! Thanks though, I do appreciate your comment!
 
vp_studio said:
@postcardcv... Great, though you don't say if you've had experience with this combo, it's reassuring that you think it will do wonders. I've no experience of using more than two lenses, so thanks!
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I've not had any direct experience with the set up you mention but I have used a couple of the lenses (along with some other Ls) on a number of different bodies. I've always gone for the lens first and the body later and have always found that changing the lens is what makes the difference.
 
postcardcv said:
I've not had any direct experience with the set up you mention but I have used a couple of the lenses (along with some other Ls) on a number of different bodies. I've always gone for the lens first and the body later and have always found that changing the lens is what makes the difference.
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I know that's the case, but I've never had the chance to put it into practice. It's quite an exciting feeling knowing I'm not going to be constrained by two lenses :)
 
vp_studio said:
@hoppyuk... That's great advice, but spending 2, 3 or even 4 grand on a camera that's only going to be out of date in a year scares the hell out of me. The 600d does a great job at taking the shots, although its not fast or full frame or even very cleaver, it's perfect for my portraitures! Thanks though, I do appreciate your comment!
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Well you're just going to have to get used to that. Doesn't matter what camera you buy, it will be out of date in a couple of years.

You could blow a few grand on a load of new lenses, but since it's image quality that you're after, then switching to full frame is inevitable sooner or later. And when you do that, the lenses that you've got will behave quite differently on full frame so you'll have to reconfigure your outfit and get some different focal lengths.

So the first thing you need to decide is the camera format, and stick to it. There's nothing wrong with crop format cameras, nothing at all, except that in terms of image quality full frame is better. Simple as that really. But if you're happy with your 600D then stick with it, though in that case, don't get a 16-35L because the 17-55 EF-S is a much better choice on a cropper.
 
Could I just be boring and recommend that peeps buy the best lens at the price they're willing to pay regardless of makers badge or designation?

:D
 
HoppyUK said:
Well you're just going to have to get used to that. Doesn't matter what camera you buy, it will be out of date in a couple of years.

You could blow a few grand on a load of new lenses, but since it's image quality that you're after, then switching to full frame is inevitable sooner or later. And when you do that, the lenses that you've got will behave quite differently on full frame so you'll have to reconfigure your outfit and get some different focal lengths.

So the first thing you need to decide is the camera format, and stick to it. There's nothing wrong with crop format cameras, nothing at all, except that in terms of image quality full frame is better. Simple as that really. But if you're happy with your 600D then stick with it, though in that case, don't get a 16-35L because the 17-55 EF-S is a much better choice on a cropper.
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Sorry but thats not 100% true though is it. Crop cameras serve specific functions as I'm sure you well know, as do full frame bodies. Having owned both, there are pro's and cons between each system, yet if he's only doing portrait photography, a crop camera with a standard zoom or something like the 35mm sigma prime would yield very nice results. I also agree with the guy who said that buying the EF lens first, then look at full frame if thats what you require depending on your photography type. Buying a full frame for wildlife for example is pretty damn pointless as you need to spend thousands to get the same reach as a crop.

My advice = invest in the glass first, but make sure you only buy the lens which you REALLY need for your type of photography as anything else is a waste. Its very easy to spend a lot of money on lenses, then end up just using 1 of them 90% of the time, meaning you never get the moneys worth out of the other ones.
 
James J said:
Sorry but thats not 100% true though is it. Crop cameras serve specific functions as I'm sure you well know, as do full frame bodies. Having owned both, there are pro's and cons between each system, yet if he's only doing portrait photography, a crop camera with a standard zoom or something like the 35mm sigma prime would yield very nice results. I also agree with the guy who said that buying the EF lens first, then look at full frame if thats what you require depending on your photography type. Buying a full frame for wildlife for example is pretty damn pointless as you need to spend thousands to get the same reach as a crop.

My advice = invest in the glass first, but make sure you only buy the lens which you REALLY need for your type of photography as anything else is a waste. Its very easy to spend a lot of money on lenses, then end up just using 1 of them 90% of the time, meaning you never get the moneys worth out of the other ones.
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Yes it is. All 100% true. Sure crop format cameras are better in some respects, but if ultimate image quality is the priority, then that is not one of them. They're very good, excellent in fact, but not the best.

The OP needs to think that one through first, that's really the main point I'm trying to make, and start as he means to go on. The alternative is either to have a compromised set of lenses, or spend even more money swapping stuff around later.
 
vp_studio said:
I guys, I was wondering if anyone here has experience of a 600d paired with the following L's

• 85mm prime
• 55mm prime
• 70-200mm USM II
• 16-35mm

I'm particularly interested in image quality! I'm about to purchase these lenses, but would like others opinions before I go and buy them!

Thanks
Click to expand...

Well ive not used those L series myself but i have used others on a 400D (before i got my 7D) such as a 17 40 and a 70 200. For sure if you pick up some L glass they will make a big difference on the images your getting compared to the 2 lens you have now.

No point in a body upgrade if your going to still be using the 35-105mm and the 18-55mm

Before i got L glass i was using this Cosina lens, 19-35 i think it was, cheap and cheap for a reason but easily as good as a kit lens IMO. Soon as i got the 17 40 to go with my 400d (not as good as your 600d perhaps) i could see a vast difference, so much so i wanted to go back to places i had been before and do them again!!!
 
vp_studio said:
Thank you all for your replies. There all constructive and despite the departed on full frame or crop, I'm so much happier now I know my lens choice will give new life to my 600d. Thanks again all of you :)
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...except for one minor point, which is that you haven't actually received any advice about lenses at all as yet!

Which 85mm are you talking about?
There are 3 major players: Canon f/1.2 and f/1.8 and the Sigma f/1.4.

Which 50mm?
Canon f/1.2, f/1.4, f/1.8 or Sigma f/1.4?

Which 16-35mm?
MarkI or MarkII? have you considered the 17-40mm?

The Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 MkII is a stellar lens, but is it really what you need for the work that you will be doing?

If you buy all of the above new (assuming that you are picking the L lenses for studio work) from legitimate UK sources the total would be about £6,000.

Why would you invest that much without getting a full frame body at around £1,500?

Define your lens selection better and detail your intended usage, or you won't be getting sensible, practical advice from those who actually have experience of using the kit for work. All you'll get is a few random - 'hmmm, those look nice' type comments.

You also need to provide an idea of budget.
 
HoppyUK said:
Yes it is. All 100% true. Sure crop format cameras are better in some respects, but if ultimate image quality is the priority, then that is not one of them. They're very good, excellent in fact, but not the best.

The OP needs to think that one through first, that's really the main point I'm trying to make, and start as he means to go on. The alternative is either to have a compromised set of lenses, or spend even more money swapping stuff around later.
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Not everyone pixel peeps though or can afford full frame. L glass will mean that he can take a nice sharp photo all of the time, compared to cheaper lenses like a sigma 70-300 which is amazingly soft at both ends for example.
 
James J said:
Not everyone pixel peeps though or can afford full frame. L glass will mean that he can take a nice sharp photo all of the time, compared to cheaper lenses like a sigma 70-300 which is amazingly soft at both ends for example.
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There's a subtle difference between taking a few nice snaps and studio work that you charge money for.

Spending upwards of £5k on lenses makes absolutely no sense if you are still working with an entry level body.

It's not just about the sensor, there are a whole host of differences that make a 5DII one of the best Canon options in this case.
 
DemiLion said:
There's a subtle difference between taking a few nice snaps and studio work that you charge money for.

Spending upwards of £5k on lenses makes absolutely no sense if you are still working with an entry level body.

It's not just about the sensor, there are a whole host of differences that make a 5DII one of the best Canon options in this case.
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Did you mean 5DIII :rules:?

5DII lacks a lot of very important things that have been rectified with the expensive update (for example AF, and many people having to use speedlites to aid focusing in the studio!). 600D also lacks some more important things, but the very most important one is behind the camera. There is absolutely no reason whatsover why 600D with good glass can't produce pro level results.

If we fully engage in such conversation (I worded this mildly), one should be technically using a Hasselblad or Mamya in the very worst case for studio work. 1DsIII was considered a poor man's alternative by some studios. L glass is also considered cheap and mass produced even by Canon themselves. Look at cinema grade lenses and their prices!
 
DemiLion said:
There's a subtle difference between taking a few nice snaps and studio work that you charge money for.

Spending upwards of £5k on lenses makes absolutely no sense if you are still working with an entry level body.

It's not just about the sensor, there are a whole host of differences that make a 5DII one of the best Canon options in this case.
Click to expand...

I'm fully aware of these and own a 5D mkii plus numerous very expensive lenses. To use your own logic, spending 5k on a body and sod all on lenses also nets you a rubbish photo with limited options.

I still believe the OP should keep the crop for now and buy a nice lens to coincide with the type of photography they enjoy the most. If the results aren't suitable after that, look at going full frame.
 
James J said:
I'm fully aware of these and own a 5D mkii plus numerous very expensive lenses. To use your own logic, spending 5k on a body and sod all on lenses also nets you a rubbish photo with limited options.

I still believe the OP should keep the crop for now and buy a nice lens to coincide with the type of photography they enjoy the most. If the results aren't suitable after that, look at going full frame.
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James with all due respect, you've owned the camera about 4 weeks and before that an entry level Nikon. Maybe you should get used to the kit a little bit more before handing out business advice?

Btw, expensive in lens terms is £1,500-2,000+, not the odd £500 or so.
 
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daugirdas said:
Did you mean 5DIII :rules:?

5DII lacks a lot of very important things that have been rectified with the expensive update (for example AF, and many people having to use speedlites to aid focusing in the studio!). 600D also lacks some more important things, but the very most important one is behind the camera. There is absolutely no reason whatsover why 600D with good glass can't produce pro level results.

If we fully engage in such conversation (I worded this mildly), one should be technically using a Hasselblad or Mamya in the very worst case for studio work. 1DsIII was considered a poor man's alternative by some studios. L glass is also considered cheap and mass produced even by Canon themselves. Look at cinema grade lenses and their prices!
Click to expand...

Ref the MF/LF argument, you would have been right 5 years ago but not any longer, unless you're talking about high end commercial work.

..and no I wasn't talking about the 5DIII.
 
As for the full frame cheap lens vs crop L lens:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/full-frame-advantage.htm

Don't put a 50 1.2 on a 600d, or an 85 1.2 on a 600d. Particularly with the 50 as for the same cost you could get an 85 1.8 on a 5D which is a much better, quicker portrait setup, and with your apparent budget an 85L or Sigma 85 1.4 which will both dump on a crop/50L portrait setup.
 
daugirdas said:
Did you mean 5DIII :rules:?

5DII lacks a lot of very important things that have been rectified with the expensive update (for example AF, and many people having to use speedlites to aid focusing in the studio!). 600D also lacks some more important things, but the very most important one is behind the camera. There is absolutely no reason whatsover why 600D with good glass can't produce pro level results.

If we fully engage in such conversation (I worded this mildly), one should be technically using a Hasselblad or Mamya in the very worst case for studio work. 1DsIII was considered a poor man's alternative by some studios. L glass is also considered cheap and mass produced even by Canon themselves. Look at cinema grade lenses and their prices!
Click to expand...

Anyone who needs to do that doesn't know how to use a camera. I use a 5D2 in very dim studio conditions a lot and have never had a problem. Centre AF point, focus-recompose on anything with a bit of contrast, nails it every time even with f/4 lenses. Low light is not the 5D2's AF shortcoming, it's servo-tracking action.
 
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