Canon 17-40mm or 24-70mm

zulupentax

zulupentax

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Amin
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I am trying to get my head around this so I would deeply appreciate some help in deciding specially from those who have walked the same path.

I used to shoot with the 7D only. But now have added the 5D MKII and loving it. I have the kit lens that came with the 7D, the 18-135mm which is already earmarked for sale/swap. Have also the Sigma 24-70 HSM which works fine with the 5D but have decided that I want to upgrade to a canon. At least thought so, until now when I am starting to think that the better replacement would be the Canon 17-40mm after getting rid of the Siggy.
I have the 70-200 f/2.8 IS which is my most used lens on the 5D.
I do a fair bit of portraits and landscapes and being doing more and more and enjoying it since I got the 5D.

So my dilema is, should I get still the 24-70 in Canon or go for the Canon 17-40mm? If I settle for the 24-70mm that is going to be my widest lens at the moment.

Ideas and suggestions please.

Many thanks

Amin
 
The 24mm on the 5D2 is wider than the 18mm is on the 7D (it has the same field of view a 28.8mm lens would have on the 5D2). Does that help your dilemma?
 
arad85 said:
The 24mm on the 5D2 is wider than the 18mm is on the 7D (it has the same field of view a 28.8mm lens would have on the 5D2). Does that help your dilemma?
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Thanks for reminding that, yup it definitely helps.
I am more looking into practicality of these two lenses, those who have used either or both of them preferable and what they thought when they decided to lean more on one or another.

I think I am starting to be quite inclined towards my original idea of the 24-70mm again, the fast f/2.8 very handy on occasion and also the fact that I think 17mm all the way to 24mm might not be really a range that I could find it a huge necessity in the end.
But please prove me wrong someone and sow the seeds of doubt again :).

I mus admit though that I find the 24-70mm quite ok at the moment, but its that deep seeded feeling that seems to still not go that may be, just may be I should go for a wider lens. But then I will end up with the range 40mm to 70mm not covered. Besides, correct me if I am wrong, isn't 17-40mm really extra wide for day to day usage or as a walkabout lens generally on a FF?

Scale leaning towards the 24-70mm at the moment :).
 
I'd go with the 24-70 it is a more versatile lens with it's range and speed.

If you were going to shoot majority landscapes of a tripod I'd puch the 17-40mm as it gives you ultra-wide possibilities on a full frame body as well as comvering the more normal wide angle range.
 
I have a 17-40 and 24-105. The 24-105 is my walkabout lens. The 17-40 gets used when I'm taking more landscape/specialist urban architecture. 24-70 is a more useful range on a FF camera IMHO.
 
17-40 is great for landscapes and works well with 5d2, but it is not so great as a walkabout lens and for portraits.

I was having similar dilema about a month ago I went for 17-40 purely because I like my landscapes a lot. 24-70 is still on my to buy list though.

Hope this helps
 
Thanks for the abovee. More towards the 24-70mm support :). Seems like its starting to settle down :)
 
17-40 is generally an ultra wide for a full frame camera, the 24-70 is generally a fast portrait/studio/wedding mid zoom, the 24-105 is a walkabout. Decide what you do most and get the appropriate lens. Everything is a compromise though :-) and all of them are sharp sharp sharp.

I have the 17-40 and love it, but am looking for a 24-105 as well.
 
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I had a 16-35 and 24-70, and kept the 24-70 as I found I don't see in ultrawide that much. If you find yourself often wishing the 24-70 was wider then you've probably got a need for the UWA. Otherwise I'd check the exif on your favourite shots and see how many are taken between 40 and 70mm. If it's not many, then you could probably get rid and get the UWA anyway
 
postcardcv said:
I've got both lenses and use the 17-40 is my least used lens, but my 28-70 is one of my most used. Is's a very useful range on a full frame camera.
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I am sure you meant 24-70 :)
Thanks for all the help. My quest for a 24-7- begins then :).
Thank you all

Amin
 
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