canon 5D users
- Thread starter jockwav
- Start date
I use a 17-40, which has always been a well regarded lens for this use. The 16-35 offers that 1mm wider, and one stop faster, but optically they're much of a muchness. Shooting landscape at F8, there's very little to choose between them.
Alternatives...
Well, define wide angle? Usually I find for landscapes I don't use much wider than 24mm, so either of the 24-xx(x) L zooms are good choices if 24 is wide enough.
The 20 F2.8 USM is not a bad lens, and I had one which I quite enjoyed using. You can pick up a used one now for ~£200. This is a nice way to add a bit more if you already have a 24-x zoom.
There are some older canons... the 20-35 USM, 20-35 F2.8L and the 17-35 F2.8L USM, but these days they're mostly considered somewhat off the pace (no doubt they have their fans who will decry these comments, and that's ok too).
I won't comment on third party options as I've no experience with any of them and no real knowledge of them.
One more off-the-wall suggestion is pick up a used TS-E24 F3.5L. Lots of people will now jump in and say "the mk II is much better" - yes it is, but making the assumption that the mk I was bad is wrong (up to that point it was still one of the best 24mm lenses canon had made - the mk II is just phenominal) and the mk II is very significantly more expensive. The TS-E gives you huge possibilities in landscape work with tilt and in architecture with shift. You can also play with the current "toy town" look fad if you really want.
Alternatives...
Well, define wide angle? Usually I find for landscapes I don't use much wider than 24mm, so either of the 24-xx(x) L zooms are good choices if 24 is wide enough.
The 20 F2.8 USM is not a bad lens, and I had one which I quite enjoyed using. You can pick up a used one now for ~£200. This is a nice way to add a bit more if you already have a 24-x zoom.
There are some older canons... the 20-35 USM, 20-35 F2.8L and the 17-35 F2.8L USM, but these days they're mostly considered somewhat off the pace (no doubt they have their fans who will decry these comments, and that's ok too).
I won't comment on third party options as I've no experience with any of them and no real knowledge of them.
One more off-the-wall suggestion is pick up a used TS-E24 F3.5L. Lots of people will now jump in and say "the mk II is much better" - yes it is, but making the assumption that the mk I was bad is wrong (up to that point it was still one of the best 24mm lenses canon had made - the mk II is just phenominal) and the mk II is very significantly more expensive. The TS-E gives you huge possibilities in landscape work with tilt and in architecture with shift. You can also play with the current "toy town" look fad if you really want.
andy_fozzy
SPAM Merchant
- Messages
- 7,450
- Name
- Andy!
- Edit My Images
- Yes
Another vote for the 17-40mm F4 L
Incredibly sharp, ultra wide on the 5D and very reasonably priced.
You won't go wrong with this lens
Incredibly sharp, ultra wide on the 5D and very reasonably priced.
You won't go wrong with this lens
woof woof
I like a nice Chianti
- Messages
- 43,551
- Name
- Alan
- Edit My Images
- No
I have a 20-35mm. From what I've read some complain of distortion but I've not seen anything to worry about on my 20D or 35mm eos 30. It's a nice compact lens and the USM is nice and a big plus is that they're cheap. Deffo worth considering IMVHO.
- Messages
- 4,888
- Edit My Images
- No
Another vote for the 17-40mm F4 L
Incredibly sharp, ultra wide on the 5D and very reasonably priced.
You won't go wrong with this lens
I use a 17-40 on my 1Ds and it's nice and sharp even at f/4. The edges suffer some CA which gets better by f/8, but it can be noticeable in contrasting areas even at f/8. Weather sealed when a filter is attached and a dream to use and hold.
The thing I like about the 17-40 is that for a full frame lens it's actually a really good range. It goes roughly as wide as most crop sensor ultrawides, but manages to be a little longer than pretty much all of them (24 on APS-C is only 38mm) so for me it actually makes a decent walkaround lens. There's little distortion at 40mm as well so it's great for shooting groups of people.
- Messages
- 4,919
- Name
- Graham
- Edit My Images
- No
Carl Zeiss Distagon for me. Manual focus is a pain for some, but the IQ is superb and the 3D amazing 
chris321
I like the ginger one
- Messages
- 3,573
- Name
- Chris
- Edit My Images
- Yes
I'm liking my Tamron 17-35, it's not the best lens in the world, it vingettes a bit wide open at 17mm but it's really sharp and an absolute bargain! Sure I saw one for about £200 on here the other day, but I guess it depends on your budget really!
